Banff, Alberta Population & Demographics: How Many People Live Here?

Data source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population — View the official Banff census dataset on Statistics Canada

This article shows the demographic data and statistics of Banff. It is a town in Canada that encompasses a land area of 4.08 km2. The town has a population density of 2033.80 people per km2.

We highlight the Banff town's various population characteristics. From gender, age distribution, ethnicity, household and dwelling, and income to spoken languages, occupation, and religion.

Banff on the Map

The map and listings below are sourced from OpenStreetMap contributors, not Statistics Canada, and may be incomplete depending on how thoroughly the area has been mapped.

Banff location on the map. View in Google Map

Population Characteristics

According to the latest census, Banff has a population of around 8,305 people. The town's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Banff has increased by 5.78%.

Population in 2016Population in 2021Difference
7,8518,305 +5.78%

2026 Population Projection

Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.13% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Banff's population is projected to reach approximately 8,785 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 2,153.19 people per km².

Population in 2021Projected Population in 2026Projected Density in 2026 (per km²)
8,3058,7852,153.19

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.

Population By Genders

The male population of Banff is around 4,465 while the female population is around 3,840.

Of the 8,305 total population in Banff, the largest gender is male with around 4,465 women within the population.

MaleFemaleDifference
4,4653,840 +14.00%

Is Banff a Good Place to Live?

Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Banff compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against Alberta, its own province. Draw your own conclusions from the actual numbers.

Employment & Economy

14.8%
Unemployment rate
3.3 pts above the province
68.8%
Employment rate
8.6 pts above the province
80.9%
Participation rate
12.9 pts above the province

Income & Affordability

$88,000
Median household income
$8,000 below the province
6.4%
Below low-income threshold (LIM-AT)
2.8 pts below the province

Commute

89.6%
Commute under 30 minutes
20.0 pts above the province
43.6%
Commute by car
43.7 pts below the province
7.8%
Commute by public transit
2.2 pts above the province

Housing Character

11.8%
Single-detached houses
49.1 pts below the province
67.2%
Apartments (any building size)
44.8 pts above the province

Household Composition

2.30 people
Average household size
0.30people below the province
28.7%
One-person households
2.7 pts above the province

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.

Population by Age Characteristics

Banff has a young population. The majority of the population is people aged 25 to 29 years old, accounting for 12.60% of the total population. The town median age is 36.80.

DataMaleFemaleDifferenceTotal
25 to 29 years535 12.00%505 13.20% 5.61%1,050 12.60%
30 to 34 years485 10.90%405 10.50% 16.49%890 10.70%
20 to 24 years365 8.20%390 10.20% 6.41%755 9.10%
35 to 39 years415 9.30%315 8.20% 24.10%730 8.80%
40 to 44 years350 7.80%260 6.80% 25.71%610 7.30%
45 to 49 years295 6.60%290 7.60% 1.69%585 7.00%
55 to 59 years295 6.60%235 6.10% 20.34%530 6.40%
50 to 54 years285 6.40%235 6.10% 17.54%520 6.30%
60 to 64 years290 6.50%200 5.20% 31.03%490 5.90%
65 to 69 years225 5.00%165 4.30% 26.67%395 4.80%
15 to 19 years190 4.30%160 4.20% 15.79%350 4.20%
10 to 14 years145 3.20%140 3.60% 3.45%280 3.40%
5 to 9 years155 3.50%120 3.10% 22.58%275 3.30%
70 to 74 years160 3.60%100 2.60% 37.50%260 3.10%
0 to 4 years115 2.60%115 3.00% 0.00%235 2.80%
75 to 79 years80 1.80%70 1.80% 12.50%150 1.80%
85 years and over40 0.90%60 1.60% 33.33%100 1.20%
80 to 84 years40 0.90%55 1.40% 27.27%95 1.10%
85 to 89 years20 0.40%25 0.70% 20.00%50 0.60%
90 to 94 years10 0.20%25 0.70% 60.00%40 0.50%
Average age of the population40 40.20%39 39.40% 2.49%40 39.80%

Broader Age Groups

If the town'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 78.40% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 12.00% and 9.50%, respectively.

If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Banff are within the 15 to 64 years age group.

DataMaleFemaleTotal
Median age of the population37.60%36.00%36.80%
65 years and over12.10%12.00%12.00%
0 to 14 years9.30%9.80%9.50%

Photos of Places & Sceneries in Banff

Population of Banff by Ethnicity and Origin

The population of Banff is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Banff is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the province appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.

The top 5 ethnicities and origins in the province are English, which accounts for 20.57% of the total population, followed by Scottish (18.31%), Irish (15.68%), Canadian (10.50%), and German (10.50%).

Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include Filipino, French, Japanese, British Isles, and Dutch.

Ethnicity and OriginMaleFemalePercentage in Population
English19.72%21.50%20.57%
Scottish17.02%19.85%18.31%
Irish14.75%16.69%15.68%
Canadian11.49%9.47%10.50%
German10.35%10.68%10.50%
Filipino8.37%8.57%8.46%
French7.23%8.12%7.59%
Japanese4.96%7.97%6.42%
British Isles5.53%5.26%5.47%
Dutch4.54%4.66%4.67%

Immigration Profile

Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Banff's population profile.

About 27.3% of Banff's population are immigrants (1,870 people).

The top countries of origin for Banff's immigrant population are Philippines (525), United Kingdom (190), India (100), United States of America (80), Korea, South (65).

Only using 25% sample data.
Country of BirthPopulation
Philippines525
United Kingdom190
India100
United States of America80
Korea, South65

Household and Dwelling Characteristics

About 1,425 of Banff's population live in a apartment in a building that has fewer than five storeys. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.

Household Size

About 17.65% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 14.35% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 8.95%, 6.30%, and 2.75%, respectively.

Number of Person(s) in HouseholdTotalPercentage
2 persons1,03517.65%
1 person84014.35%
3 persons5258.95%
4 persons3706.30%
5 or more persons1602.75%

Income in Banff

Analyzing income distribution in Banff can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.

Per Capita Income

According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Banff is $41,200.

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 town's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.

Most of Banff population or around 1,765 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 1,185 and 900 people, respectively.

Household Income

The Banff's median household income is $88,000, according to 2020 data.

Above national average Banff's median household income is 4,000 dollars above the Canadian national median of $84,000 (2020 data, 2021 Census).

The data provides important insights into the town'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 town's income distribution, disparities, and trends.

Education Levels in Banff

This data sheds light on the distribution of Banff 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.

64.95% or most of the Banff population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 35.10% of the population has a Bachelor's degree or higher, 30.60% has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 4.50% has No certificate, diploma or degree.

Only using 25% sample data.
DegreeMenWomenTotalPercentage
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree3,1453,6456,78564.95%
Bachelor's degree or higher1,4852,1753,67035.10%
High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate1,9151,3503,26530.60%
No certificate, diploma or degree2802104954.50%

Above national average 35.1% of Banff's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).

Employment in Banff

This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Banff. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.

The data shows that the unemployment rate in Newfoundland and Labrador is at 11.95% which is very high.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusPercentage
Employment rate68.82%
Unemployment rate11.95%

Working as an Employee

The table shows the data on the total number of individuals in the town who work as an employee. The majority of Banff's population (around 66.90%) are working permanent position as an employee.

Self-employed

In the town, there are 280 men and 270 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 550.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusMenWomenTotal
Self-employed280270550

Employment Industry Sectors

The Banff industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Banff is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.

Banff has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (38%) works in the accommodation and food services sector. The Arts, entertainment and recreation sector comes second at 12%, followed by Retail trade at 11%.

Only using 25% sample data.
IndustryMenWomenPercentage
Accommodation and food services1,04583538%
Arts, entertainment and recreation34526512%
Retail trade21535011%
Health care and social assistance452105%
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services125955%
Educational services901204%
Public administration115954%
Construction160103%
Transportation and warehousing125353%
Professional, scientific and technical services551003%
Other services (except public administration)451103%
Real estate and rental and leasing55352%
Manufacturing20301%
Information and cultural industries25251%
Finance and insurance15251%
Wholesale trade30101%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting1000%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction1500%
Management of companies and enterprises000%
Utilities000%

Labour Market Snapshot

A quick snapshot of where Banff residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.

Top employer sectors in Banff: Accommodation and food services (38%), Arts, entertainment and recreation (12%), -45 Retail trade (11%)

Top occupation categories in Banff: Sales and service occupations (55%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (11%), Business, finance and administration occupations (11%)

Places of Work

The data offers insights into the commuting patterns as well as workplace distribution in the town. It provides a snapshot of workplaces, showing their geographic distribution and the flow of workers across different areas.

Only using 25% sample data.
Work LocationMenWomenTotalPercentage
Usual place of work1,7601,6003,36579.90%
Worked at home19029548511.50%
No fixed workplace address2451053508.30%
Worked outside Canada00150.40%

Commuting

The data sheds light on how Banff 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 Banff residents and sustainable urban planning.

Commuting Duration

This data reveals the average time that the residents of Banff spend traveling to their workplaces. It also sheds light on the efficiency of the town's public transit systems, and road networks, as well as the accessibility of the town.

Only using 25% sample data.
DurationPercentage
Less than 15 minutes62.30%
15 to 29 minutes27.30%
30 to 44 minutes6.60%
45 to 59 minutes2.00%
60 minutes and over1.90%

Marital Status

The statistics on marital status in Banffshed 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 town's social fabric. We can gain insights into Banff's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.

Married or living common-law
51.66%
Married or living common-law
48.34%

Language Spoken

The data below highlights town'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 Banff. About 7,720 people living in the province speak English, 490 people speak French, 45 people speak Neither English nor French language, and 25 people speak English and French language.

LanguagePopulation
English7,720
French490
Neither English nor French45
English and French25

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.

LanguageMother TongueSpoken Most Often at Home
English70.5%84.4%
Non-official languages18.2%9.8%
French8.2%1.8%

Religion

Banff is predominantly Christian. About 2,515 of its population is Christian (1,270 males and 1,270 females).

The second largest religion in the province is Buddhist with 1.1% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Jewish, both represent 1.0% and 0.2% of the population, while Muslim represent 0.2% of the population.

ReligionPopulation
Christian36.7%
Buddhist1.1%
Hindu1.0%
Jewish0.2%
Islam0.2%
Sikh0.0%

Places to Visit in Banff

Museums

Attractions

Historic Sites

Theatres

Frequently Asked Questions about Banff

According to the 2021 census, Banff has a population of approximately 8,305 people.

Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Banff increased by 5.78%.

Banff has a population density of approximately 2,033.80 people per square kilometre.

Banff covers a land area of approximately 4.08 km².

The median age of the population in Banff is 36.80 years.

The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Banff is English.

The median household income in Banff is $88,000, based on 2020 data.

English is the most common first official language spoken in Banff.

Christian is the predominant religion in Banff.

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.