Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Hay Lakes has a population of around 456 people. The village's population is in decreased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Hay Lakes has decreased by ▼ -7.88%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 495 | 456 | --7.88% |
2026 Population Projection
Hay Lakes's population declined between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, so a 2026 growth projection is not shown. The most recent confirmed figure remains the 456 people recorded in the 2021 census.
Hay Lakes Population Trend & Context
Hay Lakes is the 190th-largest village in Alberta, with a 2021 census population of 456 — a decline of 39 (▼ 7.88%) people from the 495 recorded in 2016.
The village's population has declined noticeably over this period, reflecting broader pressures facing Alberta villages. The village's median age of 36.4 years — below the national median of 41.9 — suggests a younger, potentially growing population.
How does Hay Lakes compare to other Alberta villages?
- Irma: 477 (2021)
- Caroline: 470 (2021)
- Hay Lakes: 456 (2021) ← 190th largest
- Little Buffalo: 441 (2021)
- Cremona: 437 (2021)
Population By Genders
The male population of Hay Lakes is around 230 while the female population is around 225.
Of the 456 total population in Hay Lakes, the largest gender is male with around 230 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 230 | 225 | -2.17% |
Is Hay Lakes a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Hay Lakes 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.
Hay Lakes Population Compared to Alberta
Alberta's population in 2021 was 4,262,635, spread across the area. Here's how Hay Lakes compares to the village's key indicators:
| Indicator | Hay Lakes | Alberta |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $80,000 | $96,000 |
| Unemployment rate | 14.0% | 11.5% |
| Median age | 36.4 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.9% | 28.4% |
| Immigrants (%) | 9.2% | 23.2% |
Population by Age Characteristics
Hay Lakes has a young population. The majority of the population is people aged 10 to 14 years old, accounting for 12.10% of the total population. The village median age is 36.40.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 to 14 years | 25 10.90% | 30 13.30% | 16.67% | 55 12.10% |
| 30 to 34 years | 25 10.90% | 20 8.90% | 20.00% | 40 8.80% |
| 55 to 59 years | 25 10.90% | 20 8.90% | 20.00% | 40 8.80% |
| Average age of the population | 36 36.00% | 38 38.00% | 5.26% | 37 36.90% |
| Median age of the population | 35 34.80% | 38 38.40% | 10.42% | 36 36.40% |
| 40 to 44 years | 20 8.70% | 20 8.90% | 0.00% | 35 7.70% |
| 0 to 4 years | 25 10.90% | 10 4.40% | 60.00% | 30 6.60% |
| 5 to 9 years | 10 4.30% | 15 6.70% | 33.33% | 30 6.60% |
| 15 to 19 years | 10 4.30% | 20 8.90% | 50.00% | 30 6.60% |
| 35 to 39 years | 15 6.50% | 20 8.90% | 25.00% | 30 6.60% |
| 25 to 29 years | 15 6.50% | 10 4.40% | 33.33% | 25 5.50% |
| 60 to 64 years | 15 6.50% | 10 4.40% | 33.33% | 25 5.50% |
| 45 to 49 years | 10 4.30% | 10 4.40% | 0.00% | 20 4.40% |
| 50 to 54 years | 10 4.30% | 10 4.40% | 0.00% | 20 4.40% |
| 65 to 69 years | 10 4.30% | 10 4.40% | 0.00% | 20 4.40% |
| 20 to 24 years | 10 4.30% | 5 2.20% | 50.00% | 15 3.30% |
| 70 to 74 years | 10 4.30% | 5 2.20% | 50.00% | 15 3.30% |
| 75 to 79 years | 5 2.20% | 10 4.40% | 50.00% | 10 2.20% |
| 80 to 84 years | 10 4.30% | 5 2.20% | 50.00% | 10 2.20% |
Broader Age Groups
If the village'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 60.40% of the population. The other age groups, 0 to 14 years and 65 years and over, account for 26.40% and 14.30%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Hay Lakes are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Hay Lakes
Population of Hay Lakes by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Hay Lakes is quite diverse, which contributes to the village's vibrant cultural landscape. Hay Lakes is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the village appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.
The top 5 ethnicities and origins in Hay Lakes are German, which accounts for 36.00% of the total population, followed by Scottish (24.00%), French (20.00%), Ukrainian (20.00%), and English (17.33%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Hay Lakes include Norwegian, Irish, Canadian, Dutch, and Polish.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| German | 34.15% | 34.29% | 36.00% |
| Scottish | 19.51% | 31.43% | 24.00% |
| French | 24.39% | 14.29% | 20.00% |
| Ukrainian | 26.83% | 14.29% | 20.00% |
| English | 12.20% | 22.86% | 17.33% |
| Norwegian | 19.51% | 11.43% | 14.67% |
| Irish | 7.32% | 8.57% | 9.33% |
| Canadian | 7.32% | 14.29% | 8.00% |
| Dutch | 9.76% | 5.71% | 8.00% |
| Polish | 0.00% | 11.43% | 8.00% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Hay Lakes's population profile.
About 9.2% of Hay Lakes's population are immigrants (35 people).
The top countries of origin for Hay Lakes's immigrant population are Brazil (0), Colombia (0), El Salvador (0), Guyana (0), Haiti (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 0 |
| Colombia | 0 |
| El Salvador | 0 |
| Guyana | 0 |
| Haiti | 0 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 160 of Hay Lakes's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 1 person household.
Household Size
About 14.30% of the population lives in 1 person households. 2 persons households ranked second, accounting for 14.30% of the population. 4 persons, 3 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 10.00%, 7.15%, and 4.30%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 50 | 14.30% |
| 2 persons | 50 | 14.30% |
| 4 persons | 35 | 10.00% |
| 3 persons | 25 | 7.15% |
| 5 or more persons | 15 | 4.30% |
Income in Hay Lakes
Analyzing income distribution in Hay Lakes can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Hay Lakes is $40,800.
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 village's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Hay Lakes population or around 55 people falls in the $10,000 to $29,999 group. The next largest groups are the $50,000 to $79,999, and Under $10,000 with around 50 and 35 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Hay Lakes's median household income is $80,000, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Hay Lakes's median household income is 4,000 dollars below the Canadian national median of $84,000 (2020 data, 2021 Census).
The data provides important insights into the village'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 village's income distribution, disparities, and trends.
Education Levels in Hay Lakes
This data sheds light on the distribution of Hay 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.
55.55% or most of the Hay Lakes population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 33.45% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 15.85% has a Bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.70% has No certificate, diploma or degree.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 185 | 110 | 300 | 55.55% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 70 | 120 | 185 | 33.45% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 45 | 50 | 85 | 15.85% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 30 | 30 | 60 | 10.70% |
Below national average 15.9% of Hay Lakes's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Hay Lakes
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Hay Lakes. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Hay Lakes is at 11.11% which is very high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 68.25% |
| Unemployment rate | 11.11% |
Working as an Employee
The table shows the data on the total number of individuals in the village who work as an employee. The majority of Hay Lakes's population (around 55.10%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the village, there are 45 men and 35 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 75.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 45 | 35 | 75 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Hay Lakes industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Hay Lakes is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Hay Lakes has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (12%) works in the construction sector. The Retail trade sector comes second at 12%, followed by Educational services at 10%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 25 | 0 | 12% |
| Retail trade | 25 | 0 | 12% |
| Educational services | 0 | 15 | 10% |
| Health care and social assistance | 0 | 25 | 10% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 15 | 10 | 10% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 15 | 10 | 8% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 10 | 0 | 6% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 0 | 0 | 6% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 10 | 0 | 4% |
| Manufacturing | 10 | 0 | 4% |
| Finance and insurance | 0 | 0 | 4% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 10 | 0 | 4% |
| Public administration | 0 | 10 | 4% |
| Utilities | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Wholesale trade | 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% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Accommodation and food services | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Hay Lakes residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Hay Lakes: Construction (12%), -45 Retail trade (12%), Educational services (10%)
Top occupation categories in Hay Lakes: Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (27%), Sales and service occupations (20%), Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (14%)
Places of Work
The data offers insights into the commuting patterns as well as workplace distribution in the village. 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 | 80 | 85 | 165 | 78.60% |
| No fixed workplace address | 20 | 10 | 30 | 14.30% |
| Worked at home | 15 | 0 | 20 | 9.50% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Hay 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 Hay Lakes residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Hay Lakes spend traveling to their workplaces. It also sheds light on the efficiency of the village's public transit systems, and road networks, as well as the accessibility of the village.
| Duration | Percentage |
|---|---|
| 30 to 44 minutes | 38.50% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 23.10% |
| Less than 15 minutes | 20.50% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 12.80% |
| 60 minutes and over | 0.00% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Hay Lakesshed 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 village's social fabric. We can gain insights into Hay Lakes's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.
Language Spoken
The data below highlights village'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 Hay Lakes. About 445 people living in the province speak English, 10 people speak French, 0 people speak English and French language, and 0 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 445 |
| French | 10 |
| English and French | 0 |
| Neither English nor 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 | 93.4% | 98.9% |
| Non-official languages | 3.3% | 0.0% |
| French | 2.2% | 1.1% |
Religion
Hay Lakes is predominantly Christian. About 215 of its population is Christian (105 males and 105 females).
The second largest religion in the province 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 | 56.6% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in Hay Lakes
Schools
Libraries
Community Centres
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Frequently Asked Questions about Hay Lakes
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Hay Lakes has a population of 456 people, making it the 190th village in Alberta. The population declined significantly from 495 in 2016, a decrease of 39 people or 7.88%. The village has a population density of 771.6 people per km² across a land area of 0.59 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
Hay Lakes's population declined by 7.88% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 495 to 456 people, a loss of 39 residents. This decline is consistent with pressures faced by many other Alberta villages during this period. The median age of 36.40 years suggests a relatively balanced demographic profile. Official 2026 Census data, which will confirm whether this trend continued, is expected from Statistics Canada in February 2027.
Hay Lakes has a population density of approximately 771.60 people per square kilometre.
Hay Lakes covers a land area of approximately 0.59 km².
The median age of the population in Hay Lakes is 36.40 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Hay Lakes is German.
The median household income in Hay Lakes is $80,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Hay Lakes.
Christian is the predominant religion in Hay Lakes.
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.