Prairie Lakes, Manitoba — Population & Demographics (2026)
Data source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population — View the official Prairie Lakes census dataset on Statistics Canada
- Population (2021)
- 1,625
- +11.8% since 2016
- Density
- 1.5
- people per km²
- Land area
- 1,071
- km²
- Median age
- 51.6
- years
- Median household income
- $69,500
- 2020, before tax
- Unemployment rate
- 3.9%
- 2021 Census
This article shows the demographic data and statistics of Prairie Lakes. It is a township in Canada that encompasses a land area of 1,070.95 km2. The township has a population density of 1.50 people per km2.
We highlight the Prairie Lakes township's various population characteristics. From gender, age distribution, ethnicity, household and dwelling, and income to spoken languages, occupation, and religion.
Prairie Lakes on the Map
- Green spaces (3)
Prairie Lakes location on the map. View in Google Maps
Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Prairie Lakes has a population of around 1,625 people. The township's population is in increased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Prairie Lakes has increased by ▲ 11.84%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 1,453 | 1,625 | +11.84% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.26% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Prairie Lakes's population is projected to reach approximately 1,817 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 1.70 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 1,625 | 1,817 | 1.70 |
This projection is an estimate calculated by CAPopulation from the compound annual growth rate between the 2016 and 2021 censuses. Official 2026 complete census data expected to be released in late 2027.
Prairie Lakes Population Trend & Context
Prairie Lakes is the 70th-largest township in Manitoba, with a 2021 census population of 1,625 — an increase of 172 (▲ 11.84%) people from the 1,453 recorded in 2016.
The township's population has grown steadily over this period, reflecting broader growth trends among Manitoba townships. The township's median age of 51.6 years — above the national median of 41.9 — suggests a mature, established community rather than a rapidly growing one.
How does Prairie Lakes compare to other Manitoba townships?
- 68th Whitehead 1,679
- 69th Whitemouth 1,630
- 70th Prairie Lakes This township 1,625
- 71st Ebb and Flow 52 1,608
- 72nd St. Laurent 1,542
Population By Genders
The male population of Prairie Lakes is around 820 while the female population is around 805.
Of the 1,625 total population in Prairie Lakes, the largest gender is male with around 820 male within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 820 | 805 | +1.83% |
Is Prairie Lakes a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Prairie Lakes compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against Manitoba, its own province. Draw your own conclusions from the actual numbers.
Employment & Economy
Income & Affordability
Commute
Housing Character
Household Composition
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.
Prairie Lakes Population Compared to Manitoba
Manitoba's population in 2021 was 1,342,153, spread across the area. Here's how Prairie Lakes compares to the township's key indicators:
| Indicator | Prairie Lakes | Manitoba |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $69,500 | $79,500 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.9% | 8.3% |
| Median age | 51.6 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.8% | 25.9% |
| Immigrants (%) | 4.9% | 19.7% |
Population by Age Characteristics
Prairie Lakes has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 10.80% of the total population. The township median age is 51.60.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 to 64 years | 85 10.40% | 95 11.80% | 10.53% | 175 10.80% |
| 55 to 59 years | 80 9.80% | 95 11.80% | 15.79% | 170 10.50% |
| 65 to 69 years | 80 9.80% | 70 8.70% | 12.50% | 150 9.20% |
| 70 to 74 years | 70 8.50% | 55 6.80% | 21.43% | 125 7.70% |
| 50 to 54 years | 50 6.10% | 50 6.20% | 0.00% | 100 6.20% |
Broader Age Groups
If the township's population is divided into broader age groups, most of the population falls into the 15 to 64 years age group. The group accounts for 61.20% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 24.30% and 14.50%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Prairie Lakes are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 to 64 years | 59.80% | 62.10% | 61.20% |
| 65 years and over | 25.00% | 24.20% | 24.30% |
| 0 to 14 years | 15.20% | 13.70% | 14.50% |
Population of Prairie Lakes by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Prairie Lakes is quite diverse, which contributes to the township's vibrant cultural landscape. Prairie Lakes is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the township appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.
The top 5 ethnicities and origins in Prairie Lakes are English, which accounts for 35.54% of the total population, followed by Scottish (32.75%), Irish (17.42%), French (15.68%), and German (15.33%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Prairie Lakes include Canadian, Ukrainian, Polish, Welsh, and Belgian.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 35.14% | 35.97% | 35.54% |
| Scottish | 33.78% | 31.65% | 32.75% |
| Irish | 17.57% | 17.27% | 17.42% |
| French | 15.54% | 15.83% | 15.68% |
| German | 14.19% | 16.55% | 15.33% |
| Canadian | 7.43% | 10.07% | 8.71% |
| Ukrainian | 6.76% | 7.91% | 7.32% |
| Polish | 6.76% | 7.91% | 7.32% |
| Welsh | 4.05% | 6.47% | 4.88% |
| Belgian | 6.08% | 2.88% | 4.88% |
Indigenous Identity in Prairie Lakes
About 5.56% of Prairie Lakes's population (80 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 94.44% who report a non-Indigenous identity.
Of the Indigenous population, 0 people (0.00% of the total population) hold Registered or Treaty Indian status.
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Prairie Lakes's population profile.
About 4.9% of Prairie Lakes's population are immigrants (70 people).
The top countries of origin for Prairie Lakes's immigrant population are United Kingdom (20), Brazil (0), Colombia (0), El Salvador (0), Guyana (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 20 |
| Brazil | 0 |
| Colombia | 0 |
| El Salvador | 0 |
| Guyana | 0 |
97.9% of Prairie Lakes's residents (1,405 people) are Canadian citizens, and 2.1% are not.
By generation status, 5.2% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 14.6% are second generation, and 80.1% are third generation or more.
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 620 of Prairie Lakes's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 23.90% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 15.30% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 4.85%, 3.35%, and 3.00%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 320 | 23.90% |
| 1 person | 205 | 15.30% |
| 3 persons | 65 | 4.85% |
| 4 persons | 45 | 3.35% |
| 5 or more persons | 40 | 3.00% |
Dwelling & Housing Detail
Of the 670 occupied private dwellings in Prairie Lakes, 90.3% are owner-occupied (605) and 10.4% are rented (70). The median value of owned dwellings is $174,000 (average $203,000).
Period of Construction
40.3% of Prairie Lakes's occupied private dwellings were built in 1960 or before, while 6.0% were built between 2016 and 2021.
Family and Household Structure in Prairie Lakes
Of census families in Prairie Lakes, 91.4% are couple families and 8.6% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.6 people.
30.4% of households in Prairie Lakes are one-person households, 61.5% are couple-family households, 5.2% are one-parent-family households, and 0.7% are multigenerational households.
| Household Type | Households | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| One-person households | 205 | 30.4% |
| Couple-family households | 415 | 61.5% |
| One-parent-family households | 35 | 5.2% |
| Multigenerational households | 5 | 0.7% |
Income in Prairie Lakes
Analyzing income distribution in Prairie Lakes can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Prairie Lakes is $38,000.
A region's per capita data sheds light on the average income earned per person living in it. Since per capita income is calculated by dividing the region's total income by its population, it quantifies the population's economic situation on an individual basis.
Such data offers insights into the township's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Prairie Lakes population or around 210 people falls in the $10,000 to $29,999 group. The next largest groups are the $30,000 to $49,999, and $50,000 to $79,999 with around 165 and 150 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Prairie Lakes's median household income is $69,500, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Prairie Lakes's median household income is 14,500 dollars below the Canadian national median of $84,000 (2020 data, 2021 Census).
The data provides important insights into the township's economic landscape as well as the living standards of its population.
Analyzing such data enables researchers, policymakers, and businesses to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the township's income distribution, disparities, and trends.
Education Levels in Prairie Lakes
This data sheds light on the distribution of Prairie Lakes residents across educational milestones.
Such information is crucial in shaping the province’s policies on education, workforce development strategies, and initiatives that aim to improve access to quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities.
51.30% or most of the Prairie Lakes population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 36.00% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 12.70% has a No certificate, diploma or degree. (Individual figures may not sum to exactly 100% due to Statistics Canada's random rounding of small-area 25% sample data.)
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 155 | 225 | 385 | 51.30% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 135 | 130 | 270 | 36.00% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 80 | 20 | 95 | 12.70% |
Below national average 13.3% of Prairie Lakes's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Prairie Lakes
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Prairie Lakes. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Prairie Lakes is at 3.90% which is pretty low.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 60.41% |
| Unemployment rate | 3.90% |
Work Activity During the Reference Year
Of the population aged 15 and over in Prairie Lakes, 34.7% worked full year full time in the reference year, 28.6% worked part year and/or part time, and 37.1% did not work.
| Work Activity | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Worked full year full time | 425 | 34.7% |
| Worked part year and/or part time | 350 | 28.6% |
| Did not work | 455 | 37.1% |
Working as an Employee
The table shows the data on the total number of individuals in the township who work as an employee. The majority of Prairie Lakes's population (around 51.30%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the township, there are 150 men and 90 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 245.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 150 | 90 | 245 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Prairie Lakes industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Prairie Lakes is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Prairie Lakes has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (27%) works in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sector. The Health care and social assistance sector comes second at 13%, followed by Construction at 12%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 130 | 75 | 27% |
| Health care and social assistance | 10 | 95 | 13% |
| Construction | 90 | 0 | 12% |
| Finance and insurance | 10 | 45 | 7% |
| Public administration | 35 | 20 | 7% |
| Manufacturing | 15 | 15 | 5% |
| Wholesale trade | 25 | 10 | 5% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 30 | 0 | 4% |
| Educational services | 10 | 15 | 4% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 15 | 0 | 3% |
| Accommodation and food services | 0 | 25 | 3% |
| Retail trade | 10 | 15 | 3% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 10 | 15 | 3% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 0 | 15 | 2% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 10 | 10 | 2% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Utilities | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Information and cultural industries | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Prairie Lakes residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Prairie Lakes: Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (27%), Health care and social assistance (13%), Construction (12%)
Top occupation categories in Prairie Lakes: Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations (28%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (20%), Sales and service occupations (14%)
Places of Work
The data offers insights into the commuting patterns as well as workplace distribution in the township. It provides a snapshot of workplaces, showing their geographic distribution and the flow of workers across different areas.
| Work Location | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual place of work | 155 | 195 | 355 | 48.00% |
| Worked at home | 125 | 120 | 240 | 32.40% |
| No fixed workplace address | 105 | 35 | 140 | 18.90% |
| Worked outside Canada | 10 | 0 | 10 | 1.40% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Prairie Lakes residents travel to school or work. It highlights the frequency of different modes of transportation like walking, cycling, carpooling, and public transit.
The data is pivotal in the making of transportation policies as well as the development of transit systems. Ultimately commuting data contributes to improving the quality of life of Prairie Lakes residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Prairie Lakes spend traveling to their workplaces. It also sheds light on the efficiency of the township's public transit systems, and road networks, as well as the accessibility of the township.
| Duration | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Less than 15 minutes | 30.60% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 30.60% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 15.30% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 11.20% |
| 60 minutes and over | 11.20% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Prairie Lakes shed light on its societal dynamics. It captures the diverse types of marital statuses of the population.
Long-term commitments, such as common-law partnerships, civil unions, and marriages, reflect the township's social fabric. We can gain insights into Prairie Lakes's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.
Language Spoken
The data below highlights township's linguistic diversity, showing elegances of solo language as well as bilingual harmonies. Other than language, it also shows the cultural landscape in Canada.
English is the most spoken official language in Prairie Lakes. About 1,570 people living in the township speak English, 25 people speak French, 25 people speak Neither English nor French language, and 0 people speak English and French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 1,570 |
| French | 25 |
| Neither English nor French | 25 |
| English and French | 0 |
Knowledge of Official Languages
About 3.1% of Prairie Lakes's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 95.4% know English only, 0.0% know French only, and 1.5% know neither official language.
| Knowledge of Official Languages | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 1,545 | 95.4% |
| French only | 0 | 0.0% |
| English and French | 50 | 3.1% |
| Neither English nor French | 25 | 1.5% |
Mother Tongue & Home Language
Useful for newcomers researching an area: this shows the language residents first learned at home in childhood (mother tongue) and the language they speak most often at home now, which can differ as families settle in.
| Language | Mother Tongue | Spoken Most Often at Home |
|---|---|---|
| English | 83.0% | 87.3% |
| Non-official languages | 14.2% | 12.3% |
| French | 2.2% | 0.3% |
Religion
Prairie Lakes is predominantly Christian. About 750 of its population is Christian (350 males and 395 females).
The second largest religion in the township is Buddhist with 0.0% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Jewish, both represent 0.0% and 0.0% of the population, while Muslim represent 0.0% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 52.4% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Green Spaces in Prairie Lakes
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Souris River Bend Wildlife Management Area | Nature Reserves | 66.0 ha |
| Souris River Bend Wildlife Management Area | Nature Reserves | 63.7 ha |
| Souris River Bend Wildlife Management Area | Nature Reserves | 1,979.3 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Nearest Townships to Prairie Lakes
- Killarney - Turtle Mountain 22.6 km away · 3,520 people
- Cornwallis 47.3 km away · 4,568 people
- Woodlands 50.6 km away · 3,797 people
- Whitehead 60.5 km away · 1,679 people
- Elton 66.1 km away · 1,276 people
- Oakview 96.5 km away · 1,928 people
- Pipestone 105.3 km away · 1,422 people
- Wallace-Woodworth 106.1 km away · 2,748 people
Methodology
- Data vintage: Reference date was Census Day, May 11, 2021. Statistics Canada released this profile in stages starting February 9, 2022, with later characteristics added through the remainder of 2022.
- Rounding & suppression: To protect respondent confidentiality, Statistics Canada randomly rounds every count shown here, and withholds some characteristics entirely for areas with very small populations. This is why a small number of figures on this page may show as unavailable for smaller places — it reflects a StatCan privacy rule, not missing data on our end.
- Next update: These are the most recent figures available. Canada's next census is scheduled for May 2026, with results expected to begin release in 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions about Prairie Lakes
What is the population of Prairie Lakes?
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Prairie Lakes has a population of 1,625 people, making it the 70th township in Manitoba. The population increased significantly from 1,453 in 2016, an increase of 172 people or 11.84%. The township has a population density of 1.5 people per km² across a land area of 1,070.95 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
Is the population of Prairie Lakes growing?
Prairie Lakes's population grew by 11.84% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 1,453 to 1,625 people, a gain of 172 residents. This growth is above average compared to many other Manitoba townships during this period. The median age of 51.60 years suggests an aging population. Official 2026 Census data, which will confirm whether this trend continued, is expected from Statistics Canada in February 2027.
What is the population density of Prairie Lakes?
Prairie Lakes has a population density of approximately 1.50 people per square kilometre.
How large is Prairie Lakes?
Prairie Lakes covers a land area of approximately 1,070.95 km².
What is the median age in Prairie Lakes?
The median age of the population in Prairie Lakes is 51.60 years.
What is the largest ethnic group in Prairie Lakes?
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Prairie Lakes is English.
What is the median household income in Prairie Lakes?
The median household income in Prairie Lakes is $69,500, based on 2020 data.
What is the most spoken language in Prairie Lakes?
English is the most common first official language spoken in Prairie Lakes.
What is the main religion in Prairie Lakes?
Christian is the predominant religion in Prairie Lakes.
What percentage of Prairie Lakes's population is Indigenous?
According to the 2021 Census, 5.6% of Prairie Lakes's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.
What percentage of Prairie Lakes residents are Canadian citizens?
97.9% of Prairie Lakes's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.
What percentage of families in Prairie Lakes are one-parent families?
One-parent families make up 8.6% of census families in Prairie Lakes, according to the 2021 Census.
Are there many multigenerational households in Prairie Lakes?
Multigenerational households make up 0.7% of all households in Prairie Lakes, per the 2021 Census.
What percentage of Prairie Lakes's population is bilingual in English and French?
3.1% of Prairie Lakes's population knows both English and French, based on 2021 Census data on knowledge of official languages.
What percentage of Prairie Lakes's workforce works full-time year-round?
Of the population aged 15 and over in Prairie Lakes, 34.7% worked full year full time in the 2021 Census reference year.
Why isn't 2026 census data for Prairie Lakes available yet?
Statistics Canada (statcan.gc.ca) conducted the 2026 Census of Population in May 2026. However, census data goes through an extensive processing, validation, and quality-assurance period before public release. Based on the release plan, the 2026 Census results begin rolling out on February 10, 2027, with complete community-level profiles available by December 1, 2027. Until then, this page uses 2021 Census data as its primary source, supplemented by a population projection estimate for 2026 calculated using the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from the 2016–2021 Census period.