Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Olds has a population of around 9,209 people. The town's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Olds has increased by 0.27%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 9,184 | 9,209 | +0.27% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.05% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Olds's population is projected to reach approximately 9,234 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 618.90 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 9,209 | 9,234 | 618.90 |
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 Olds is around 4,445 while the female population is around 4,765.
Of the 9,209 total population in Olds, the largest gender is female with around 4,765 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 4,445 | 4,765 | +6.72% |
Is Olds a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Olds 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 Olds
- Didsbury (15.2 km)
- Bowden (16.5 km)
- Carstairs (25.6 km)
- Innisfail (28.4 km)
- Crossfield (41.0 km)
- Irricana (63.3 km)
- Eckville (65.7 km)
- Blackfalds (69.1 km)
- Cochrane (71.7 km)
- Bentley (75.3 km)
Population by Age Characteristics
Olds has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 6.80% of the total population. The town median age is 43.60.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 to 64 years | 300 6.70% | 325 6.80% | 7.69% | 625 6.80% |
| 35 to 39 years | 280 6.30% | 315 6.60% | 11.11% | 600 6.50% |
| 10 to 14 years | 285 6.40% | 280 5.90% | 1.75% | 570 6.20% |
| 55 to 59 years | 250 5.60% | 310 6.50% | 19.35% | 565 6.10% |
| 30 to 34 years | 275 6.20% | 280 5.90% | 1.79% | 560 6.10% |
| 65 to 69 years | 230 5.20% | 320 6.70% | 28.13% | 550 6.00% |
| 40 to 44 years | 275 6.20% | 270 5.70% | 1.82% | 545 5.90% |
| 25 to 29 years | 265 6.00% | 275 5.80% | 3.64% | 540 5.90% |
| 45 to 49 years | 265 6.00% | 270 5.70% | 1.85% | 535 5.80% |
| 70 to 74 years | 225 5.10% | 300 6.30% | 25.00% | 525 5.70% |
| 50 to 54 years | 240 5.40% | 275 5.80% | 12.73% | 520 5.60% |
| 5 to 9 years | 265 6.00% | 250 5.20% | 5.66% | 515 5.60% |
| 15 to 19 years | 270 6.10% | 240 5.00% | 11.11% | 510 5.50% |
| 20 to 24 years | 260 5.80% | 225 4.70% | 13.46% | 485 5.30% |
| 0 to 4 years | 250 5.60% | 205 4.30% | 18.00% | 455 4.90% |
| 75 to 79 years | 185 4.20% | 240 5.00% | 22.92% | 425 4.60% |
| 85 years and over | 160 3.60% | 200 4.20% | 20.00% | 355 3.90% |
| 80 to 84 years | 150 3.40% | 185 3.90% | 18.92% | 335 3.60% |
| 85 to 89 years | 110 2.50% | 140 2.90% | 21.43% | 245 2.70% |
| 90 to 94 years | 45 1.00% | 30 0.60% | 33.33% | 70 0.80% |
| Average age of the population | 42 42.00% | 45 45.20% | 6.64% | 44 43.60% |
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 59.50% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 23.80% and 16.70%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Olds are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age of the population | 41.20% | 45.60% | 43.60% |
| 65 years and over | 21.10% | 26.10% | 23.80% |
| 0 to 14 years | 18.10% | 15.40% | 16.70% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Olds
Population of Olds by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Olds is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Olds 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 28.92% of the total population, followed by Scottish (23.49%), German (21.47%), Irish (18.61%), and Canadian (14.13%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include French, Ukrainian, Dutch, Norwegian, and Filipino.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 27.70% | 30.12% | 28.92% |
| Scottish | 25.06% | 22.02% | 23.49% |
| German | 21.26% | 21.58% | 21.47% |
| Irish | 17.01% | 20.15% | 18.61% |
| Canadian | 13.56% | 14.79% | 14.13% |
| French | 8.16% | 10.51% | 9.42% |
| Ukrainian | 6.21% | 7.12% | 6.67% |
| Dutch | 6.90% | 5.59% | 6.22% |
| Norwegian | 4.83% | 6.02% | 5.38% |
| Filipino | 4.48% | 4.49% | 4.54% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Olds's population profile.
About 10.6% of Olds's population are immigrants (945 people).
The top countries of origin for Olds's immigrant population are Philippines (325), United Kingdom (120), India (100), Germany (50), United States of America (45).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| Philippines | 325 |
| United Kingdom | 120 |
| India | 100 |
| Germany | 50 |
| United States of America | 45 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 2,330 of Olds's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 19.05% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 14.65% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 6.70%, 5.90%, and 3.80%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 1,450 | 19.05% |
| 1 person | 1,115 | 14.65% |
| 3 persons | 510 | 6.70% |
| 4 persons | 450 | 5.90% |
| 5 or more persons | 290 | 3.80% |
Income in Olds
Analyzing income distribution in Olds can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Olds 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 Olds population or around 1,130 people falls in the $10,000 to $29,999 group. The next largest groups are the $50,000 to $79,999, and $30,000 to $49,999 with around 920 and 875 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Olds's median household income is $82,000, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Olds's median household income is 2,000 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 Olds
This data sheds light on the distribution of Olds 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.
55.40% or most of the Olds population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 29.60% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 18.75% has a Bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.00% has No certificate, diploma or degree.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 3,105 | 3,360 | 6,465 | 55.40% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 1,760 | 1,770 | 3,530 | 29.60% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 870 | 1,305 | 2,165 | 18.75% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 880 | 985 | 1,865 | 15.00% |
Below national average 18.8% of Olds's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Olds
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Olds. 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 6.23% which is quite high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 57.48% |
| Unemployment rate | 6.23% |
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 Olds's population (around 68.80%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the town, there are 445 men and 260 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 705.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 445 | 260 | 705 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Olds industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Olds is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Olds has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (14%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Retail trade sector comes second at 13%, followed by Educational services at 9%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 100 | 560 | 14% |
| Retail trade | 325 | 300 | 13% |
| Educational services | 75 | 345 | 9% |
| Construction | 330 | 60 | 8% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 290 | 40 | 7% |
| Accommodation and food services | 135 | 170 | 7% |
| Manufacturing | 225 | 80 | 7% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 150 | 60 | 5% |
| Public administration | 120 | 85 | 4% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 130 | 70 | 4% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 80 | 95 | 4% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 110 | 40 | 3% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 100 | 50 | 3% |
| Finance and insurance | 25 | 75 | 2% |
| Wholesale trade | 60 | 25 | 2% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 45 | 45 | 2% |
| Information and cultural industries | 50 | 25 | 2% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 40 | 20 | 1% |
| Utilities | 40 | 10 | 1% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 10 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Olds residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Olds: Health care and social assistance (14%), -45 Retail trade (13%), Educational services (9%)
Top occupation categories in Olds: Sales and service occupations (26%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (18%), Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (12%)
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 | 1,565 | 1,610 | 3,170 | 74.70% |
| No fixed workplace address | 465 | 105 | 570 | 13.40% |
| Worked at home | 235 | 270 | 500 | 11.80% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Olds 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 Olds residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Olds 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 | 62.40% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 16.30% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 10.00% |
| 60 minutes and over | 6.30% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 4.80% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Oldsshed 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 Olds'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 Olds. About 8,930 people living in the province speak English, 75 people speak French, 15 people speak Neither English nor French language, and 5 people speak English and French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 8,930 |
| French | 75 |
| Neither English nor French | 15 |
| English and French | 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 | 89.4% | 94.6% |
| Non-official languages | 8.1% | 4.0% |
| French | 0.9% | 0.2% |
Religion
Olds is predominantly Christian. About 5,080 of its population is Christian (2,375 males and 2,375 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Hindu with 0.8% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Muslim and Buddhist, both represent 0.2% and 0.0% of the population, while Jewish represent 0.0% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 57.0% |
| Hindu | 0.8% |
| Islam | 0.2% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions about Olds
According to the 2021 census, Olds has a population of approximately 9,209 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Olds increased by 0.27%.
Olds has a population density of approximately 617.30 people per square kilometre.
Olds covers a land area of approximately 14.92 km².
The median age of the population in Olds is 43.60 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Olds is English.
The median household income in Olds is $82,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Olds.
Christian is the predominant religion in Olds.
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.