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

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

This article shows the demographic data and statistics of Cochrane. It is a town in Canada that encompasses a land area of 31.58 km2. The town has a population density of 1019.50 people per km2.

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

Cochrane 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.

Cochrane location on the map. View in Google Map

Population Characteristics

According to the latest census, Cochrane has a population of around 32,199 people. The town's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Cochrane has increased by 24.55%.

Population in 2016Population in 2021Difference
25,85332,199 +24.55%

2026 Population Projection

Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.49% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Cochrane's population is projected to reach approximately 40,103 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 1,269.89 people per km².

Population in 2021Projected Population in 2026Projected Density in 2026 (per km²)
32,19940,1031,269.89

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 Cochrane is around 15,795 while the female population is around 16,405.

Of the 32,199 total population in Cochrane, the largest gender is female with around 16,405 women within the population.

MaleFemaleDifference
15,79516,405 +3.72%

Is Cochrane a Good Place to Live?

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

Employment & Economy

9.5%
Unemployment rate
2.0 pts below the province
62.7%
Employment rate
2.5 pts above the province
69.3%
Participation rate
1.3 pts above the province

Income & Affordability

$113,000
Median household income
$17,000 above the province
6.0%
Below low-income threshold (LIM-AT)
3.2 pts below the province

Commute

51.9%
Commute under 30 minutes
17.7 pts below the province
90.6%
Commute by car
3.3 pts above the province
1.2%
Commute by public transit
4.4 pts below the province

Housing Character

59.8%
Single-detached houses
1.1 pts below the province
10.9%
Apartments (any building size)
11.5 pts below the province

Household Composition

2.60 people
Average household size
About the same as the province
20.5%
One-person households
5.5 pts below the province

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.

Other Towns Near Cochrane

Population by Age Characteristics

Cochrane has a young population. The majority of the population is people aged 35 to 39 years old, accounting for 8.70% of the total population. The town median age is 39.20.

DataMaleFemaleDifferenceTotal
35 to 39 years1,375 8.70%1,425 8.70% 3.51%2,800 8.70%
5 to 9 years1,245 7.90%1,210 7.40% 2.81%2,460 7.60%
40 to 44 years1,200 7.60%1,260 7.70% 4.76%2,460 7.60%
30 to 34 years1,140 7.20%1,240 7.60% 8.06%2,380 7.40%
10 to 14 years1,130 7.20%1,085 6.60% 3.98%2,210 6.90%
45 to 49 years1,095 6.90%1,115 6.80% 1.79%2,210 6.90%
0 to 4 years1,150 7.30%1,015 6.20% 11.74%2,165 6.70%
55 to 59 years920 5.80%1,065 6.50% 13.62%1,985 6.20%
60 to 64 years900 5.70%1,045 6.40% 13.88%1,945 6.00%
50 to 54 years910 5.80%925 5.60% 1.62%1,835 5.70%
15 to 19 years910 5.80%875 5.30% 3.85%1,790 5.60%
65 to 69 years825 5.20%865 5.30% 4.62%1,690 5.20%
25 to 29 years730 4.60%810 4.90% 9.88%1,540 4.80%
70 to 74 years655 4.10%740 4.50% 11.49%1,395 4.30%
20 to 24 years620 3.90%595 3.60% 4.03%1,215 3.80%
75 to 79 years420 2.70%430 2.60% 2.33%855 2.70%
85 years and over380 2.40%430 2.60% 11.63%810 2.50%
85 to 89 years260 1.60%220 1.30% 15.38%475 1.50%
80 to 84 years190 1.20%270 1.60% 29.63%455 1.40%
90 to 94 years125 0.80%175 1.10% 28.57%300 0.90%
Average age of the population39 38.60%40 40.10% 4.99%39 39.40%

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 62.60% of the population. The other age groups, 0 to 14 years and 65 years and over, account for 21.20% and 16.20%, respectively.

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

DataMaleFemaleTotal
Median age of the population38.40%39.60%39.20%
0 to 14 years22.30%20.20%21.20%
65 years and over15.60%16.70%16.20%

Photos of Places & Sceneries in Cochrane

Population of Cochrane by Ethnicity and Origin

The population of Cochrane is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Cochrane 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 27.87% of the total population, followed by Scottish (22.37%), Irish (20.77%), German (18.35%), and Canadian (15.26%).

Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include French, Ukrainian, Dutch, British Isles, and Norwegian.

Ethnicity and OriginMaleFemalePercentage in Population
English26.79%28.94%27.87%
Scottish21.55%23.13%22.37%
Irish19.73%21.79%20.77%
German18.28%18.39%18.35%
Canadian16.34%14.21%15.26%
French10.26%11.24%10.79%
Ukrainian8.25%8.80%8.53%
Dutch5.24%5.46%5.34%
British Isles5.24%5.28%5.28%
Norwegian4.37%5.28%4.81%

Immigration Profile

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

About 14.4% of Cochrane's population are immigrants (4,530 people).

The top countries of origin for Cochrane's immigrant population are United Kingdom (1,335), Philippines (620), United States of America (325), Germany (260), South Africa, Republic of (175).

Only using 25% sample data.
Country of BirthPopulation
United Kingdom1,335
Philippines620
United States of America325
Germany260
South Africa, Republic of175

Household and Dwelling Characteristics

About 7,230 of Cochrane's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.

Household Size

About 18.30% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 10.25% of the population. 4 persons, 3 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 8.95%, 8.25%, and 4.15%, respectively.

Number of Person(s) in HouseholdTotalPercentage
2 persons4,43018.30%
1 person2,48510.25%
4 persons2,1708.95%
3 persons2,0008.25%
5 or more persons1,0054.15%

Income in Cochrane

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

Per Capita Income

According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Cochrane is $51,600.

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 Cochrane population or around 3,340 people falls in the $50,000 to $79,999 group. The next largest groups are the $10,000 to $29,999, and $100,000 to $149,999 with around 3,290 and 2,885 people, respectively.

Household Income

The Cochrane's median household income is $113,000, according to 2020 data.

Above national average Cochrane's median household income is 29,000 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 Cochrane

This data sheds light on the distribution of Cochrane 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.

68.30% or most of the Cochrane population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 29.50% of the population has a Bachelor's degree or higher, 24.50% has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 7.15% has No certificate, diploma or degree.

Only using 25% sample data.
DegreeMenWomenTotalPercentage
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree13,47514,71528,18068.30%
Bachelor's degree or higher5,0707,07512,15529.50%
High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate5,0405,33010,36024.50%
No certificate, diploma or degree1,6801,5203,2007.15%

Below national average 29.5% of Cochrane's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).

Employment in Cochrane

This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Cochrane. 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 6.62% which is quite high.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusPercentage
Employment rate62.70%
Unemployment rate6.62%

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 Cochrane's population (around 68.70%) are working permanent position as an employee.

Self-employed

In the town, there are 1,365 men and 1,440 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 2,800.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusMenWomenTotal
Self-employed1,3651,4402,800

Employment Industry Sectors

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

Cochrane has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (13%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Retail trade sector comes second at 10%, followed by Construction at 10%.

Only using 25% sample data.
IndustryMenWomenPercentage
Health care and social assistance3301,87013%
Retail trade75593010%
Construction1,40027010%
Professional, scientific and technical services87074510%
Educational services3058707%
Public administration7554207%
Accommodation and food services4506156%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction7001805%
Other services (except public administration)3804505%
Transportation and warehousing5652505%
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services4003154%
Manufacturing5101354%
Finance and insurance1853403%
Arts, entertainment and recreation2902203%
Wholesale trade250802%
Information and cultural industries1651102%
Real estate and rental and leasing1201352%
Utilities170601%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting100551%
Management of companies and enterprises10450%

Labour Market Snapshot

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

Top employer sectors in Cochrane: Health care and social assistance (13%), -45 Retail trade (10%), Construction (10%)

Top occupation categories in Cochrane: Sales and service occupations (23%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (18%), Business, finance and administration occupations (16%)

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 work4,1854,5508,73556.60%
Worked at home1,7602,1553,92025.40%
No fixed workplace address2,0157252,73517.70%
Worked outside Canada4015500.30%

Commuting

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

Commuting Duration

This data reveals the average time that the residents of Cochrane 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 minutes35.60%
30 to 44 minutes24.20%
15 to 29 minutes16.30%
45 to 59 minutes15.90%
60 minutes and over8.20%

Marital Status

The statistics on marital status in Cochraneshed 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 Cochrane's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.

Married or living common-law
67.15%
Married or living common-law
32.85%

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 Cochrane. About 30,850 people living in the province speak English, 680 people speak French, 70 people speak Neither English nor French language, and 65 people speak English and French language.

LanguagePopulation
English30,850
French680
Neither English nor French70
English and French65

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
English88.0%94.3%
Non-official languages8.0%3.3%
French2.2%0.9%

Religion

Cochrane is predominantly Christian. About 15,130 of its population is Christian (6,990 males and 6,990 females).

The second largest religion in the province is Muslim with 0.5% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Buddhist and Sikh, both represent 0.4% and 0.4% of the population, while Hindu represent 0.3% of the population.

ReligionPopulation
Christian48.1%
Islam0.5%
Buddhist0.4%
Sikh0.4%
Hindu0.3%
Jewish0.0%

Frequently Asked Questions about Cochrane

According to the 2021 census, Cochrane has a population of approximately 32,199 people.

Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Cochrane increased by 24.55%.

Cochrane has a population density of approximately 1,019.50 people per square kilometre.

Cochrane covers a land area of approximately 31.58 km².

The median age of the population in Cochrane is 39.20 years.

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

The median household income in Cochrane is $113,000, based on 2020 data.

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

Christian is the predominant religion in Cochrane.

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.