Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Fort Macleod has a population of around 3,297 people. The town's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Fort Macleod has increased by 11.12%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 2,967 | 3,297 | +11.12% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.13% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Fort Macleod's population is projected to reach approximately 3,664 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 162.56 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 3,297 | 3,664 | 162.56 |
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 Fort Macleod is around 1,600 while the female population is around 1,700.
Of the 3,297 total population in Fort Macleod, the largest gender is female with around 1,700 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 1,600 | 1,700 | +5.88% |
Is Fort Macleod a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Fort Macleod compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against Alberta, 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.
Other Towns Near Fort Macleod
- Coalhurst (34.6 km)
- Claresholm (35.3 km)
- Fairview (45.6 km)
- Coaldale (56.9 km)
- Cardston (58.9 km)
Population by Age Characteristics
Fort Macleod has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 7.00% of the total population. The town median age is 42.40.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 to 64 years | 105 6.60% | 125 7.40% | 16.00% | 230 7.00% |
| 0 to 4 years | 105 6.60% | 110 6.50% | 4.55% | 215 6.50% |
| 5 to 9 years | 110 6.90% | 105 6.20% | 4.55% | 215 6.50% |
| 55 to 59 years | 120 7.50% | 100 5.90% | 16.67% | 215 6.50% |
| 65 to 69 years | 100 6.30% | 110 6.50% | 9.09% | 215 6.50% |
| 70 to 74 years | 95 5.90% | 120 7.10% | 20.83% | 215 6.50% |
| 25 to 29 years | 105 6.60% | 105 6.20% | 0.00% | 210 6.40% |
| 15 to 19 years | 100 6.30% | 95 5.60% | 5.00% | 200 6.10% |
| 30 to 34 years | 110 6.90% | 90 5.30% | 18.18% | 200 6.10% |
| 10 to 14 years | 90 5.60% | 90 5.30% | 0.00% | 180 5.50% |
| 20 to 24 years | 85 5.30% | 95 5.60% | 10.53% | 180 5.50% |
| 50 to 54 years | 75 4.70% | 100 5.90% | 25.00% | 175 5.30% |
| 45 to 49 years | 80 5.00% | 85 5.00% | 5.88% | 170 5.20% |
| 35 to 39 years | 85 5.30% | 85 5.00% | 0.00% | 165 5.00% |
| 40 to 44 years | 75 4.70% | 90 5.30% | 16.67% | 165 5.00% |
| 75 to 79 years | 75 4.70% | 85 5.00% | 11.76% | 160 4.80% |
| 85 years and over | 35 2.20% | 70 4.10% | 50.00% | 100 3.00% |
| 80 to 84 years | 35 2.20% | 45 2.60% | 22.22% | 75 2.30% |
| 85 to 89 years | 20 1.30% | 40 2.40% | 50.00% | 65 2.00% |
| Average age of the population | 41 41.30% | 43 43.40% | 4.61% | 42 42.40% |
| Median age of the population | 41 40.80% | 44 44.00% | 9.09% | 42 42.40% |
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 58.00% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 23.30% and 18.50%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Fort Macleod are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65 years and over | 21.60% | 25.30% | 23.30% |
| 0 to 14 years | 19.40% | 17.90% | 18.50% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Fort Macleod
Population of Fort Macleod by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Fort Macleod is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Fort Macleod 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 19.78% of the total population, followed by Dutch (18.37%), Scottish (15.23%), German (11.77%), and Canadian (11.62%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include Irish, First Nations (North American Indian), Norwegian, French, and Ukrainian.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 18.21% | 21.30% | 19.78% |
| Dutch | 17.25% | 19.44% | 18.37% |
| Scottish | 14.06% | 16.36% | 15.23% |
| German | 9.58% | 13.89% | 11.77% |
| Canadian | 13.10% | 10.19% | 11.62% |
| Irish | 10.22% | 9.26% | 9.73% |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 5.75% | 6.79% | 6.44% |
| Norwegian | 3.51% | 6.17% | 4.87% |
| French | 4.47% | 5.25% | 4.71% |
| Ukrainian | 4.15% | 5.25% | 4.55% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Fort Macleod's population profile.
About 11.3% of Fort Macleod's population are immigrants (360 people).
The top countries of origin for Fort Macleod's immigrant population are Philippines (130), Netherlands (80), Korea, South (30), United States of America (25), United Kingdom (15).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| Philippines | 130 |
| Netherlands | 80 |
| Korea, South | 30 |
| United States of America | 25 |
| United Kingdom | 15 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 1,035 of Fort Macleod's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 17.90% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 15.65% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 6.90%, 4.85%, and 4.85%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 480 | 17.90% |
| 1 person | 420 | 15.65% |
| 3 persons | 185 | 6.90% |
| 4 persons | 130 | 4.85% |
| 5 or more persons | 130 | 4.85% |
Income in Fort Macleod
Analyzing income distribution in Fort Macleod can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Fort Macleod is $38,400.
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 Fort Macleod population or around 385 people falls in the $10,000 to $29,999 group. The next largest groups are the $30,000 to $49,999, and $30,000 to $49,999 with around 360 and 360 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Fort Macleod's median household income is $75,000, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Fort Macleod's median household income is 9,000 dollars below 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 Fort Macleod
This data sheds light on the distribution of Fort Macleod 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.
48.20% or most of the Fort Macleod population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 29.65% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 22.15% has a No certificate, diploma or degree, and 8.80% has Bachelor's degree or higher.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 855 | 1,055 | 1,900 | 48.20% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 560 | 650 | 1,210 | 29.65% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 570 | 340 | 915 | 22.15% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 170 | 175 | 350 | 8.80% |
Below national average 8.8% of Fort Macleod's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Fort Macleod
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Fort Macleod. 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 3.47% which is pretty low.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 51.54% |
| Unemployment rate | 3.47% |
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 Fort Macleod's population (around 70.20%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the town, there are 140 men and 105 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 245.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 140 | 105 | 245 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Fort Macleod industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Fort Macleod is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Fort Macleod has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (15%) works in the construction sector. The Health care and social assistance sector comes second at 15%, followed by Retail trade at 14%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 190 | 25 | 15% |
| Health care and social assistance | 30 | 180 | 15% |
| Retail trade | 125 | 75 | 14% |
| Manufacturing | 100 | 25 | 8% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 45 | 45 | 7% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 85 | 10 | 6% |
| Accommodation and food services | 20 | 50 | 5% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 30 | 35 | 5% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 50 | 10 | 4% |
| Educational services | 0 | 55 | 4% |
| Wholesale trade | 45 | 0 | 3% |
| Public administration | 25 | 20 | 3% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 0 | 30 | 2% |
| Finance and insurance | 0 | 20 | 2% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 20 | 0 | 1% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 0 | 20 | 1% |
| Information and cultural industries | 10 | 10 | 1% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 10 | 10 | 1% |
| Utilities | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Fort Macleod residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Fort Macleod: Construction (15%), Health care and social assistance (15%), -45 Retail trade (14%)
Top occupation categories in Fort Macleod: Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (30%), Sales and service occupations (26%), 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.
| Work Location | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual place of work | 500 | 470 | 970 | 72.40% |
| No fixed workplace address | 205 | 30 | 235 | 17.50% |
| Worked at home | 40 | 80 | 125 | 9.30% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Fort Macleod 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 Fort Macleod residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Fort Macleod 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.
| Duration | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Less than 15 minutes | 63.50% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 16.20% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 14.10% |
| 60 minutes and over | 3.30% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 2.50% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Fort Macleodshed 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 Fort Macleod's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.
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 Fort Macleod. About 3,180 people living in the province speak English, 15 people speak French, 5 people speak Neither English nor French language, and 0 people speak English and French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 3,180 |
| French | 15 |
| Neither English nor French | 5 |
| English and French | 0 |
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 | 86.6% | 93.9% |
| Non-official languages | 11.4% | 4.2% |
| French | 0.6% | 0.2% |
Religion
Fort Macleod is predominantly Christian. About 1,760 of its population is Christian (805 males and 805 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Buddhist with 0.6% 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 | 55.3% |
| Buddhist | 0.6% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions about Fort Macleod
According to the 2021 census, Fort Macleod has a population of approximately 3,297 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Fort Macleod increased by 11.12%.
Fort Macleod has a population density of approximately 146.20 people per square kilometre.
Fort Macleod covers a land area of approximately 22.54 km².
The median age of the population in Fort Macleod is 42.40 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Fort Macleod is English.
The median household income in Fort Macleod is $75,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Fort Macleod.
Christian is the predominant religion in Fort Macleod.
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.