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

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

This article shows the demographic data and statistics of Peace River. It is a town in Canada that encompasses a land area of 25.34 km2. The town has a population density of 261.20 people per km2.

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

Peace River 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.

Peace River location on the map. View in Google Map

Population Characteristics

According to the latest census, Peace River has a population of around 6,619 people. The town's population is in decreased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Peace River has decreased by -3.26%.

Population in 2016Population in 2021Difference
6,8426,619 --3.26%

2026 Population Projection

Peace River's population declined between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, so a 2026 growth projection is not shown. The most recent confirmed figure remains the 6,619 people recorded in the 2021 census.

Population By Genders

The male population of Peace River is around 3,330 while the female population is around 3,285.

Of the 6,619 total population in Peace River, the largest gender is male with around 3,330 women within the population.

MaleFemaleDifference
3,3303,285 -1.35%

Is Peace River a Good Place to Live?

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

Employment & Economy

7.9%
Unemployment rate
3.6 pts below the province
66.9%
Employment rate
6.7 pts above the province
72.6%
Participation rate
4.6 pts above the province

Income & Affordability

$100,000
Median household income
$4,000 above the province
9.0%
Below low-income threshold (LIM-AT)
0.2 pts below the province

Commute

87.6%
Commute under 30 minutes
18.0 pts above the province
92.0%
Commute by car
4.7 pts above the province
0.0%
Commute by public transit
5.6 pts below the province

Housing Character

61.8%
Single-detached houses
0.9 pts above the province
23.3%
Apartments (any building size)
0.9 pts above the province

Household Composition

2.50 people
Average household size
0.10people below the province
29.7%
One-person households
3.7 pts above the province

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.

Other Towns Near Peace River

Population by Age Characteristics

Peace River has a young population. The majority of the population is people aged 35 to 39 years old, accounting for 8.00% of the total population. The town median age is 35.60.

DataMaleFemaleDifferenceTotal
35 to 39 years275 8.30%255 7.80% 7.27%530 8.00%
30 to 34 years250 7.50%275 8.40% 9.09%520 7.90%
20 to 24 years255 7.70%240 7.30% 5.88%500 7.60%
15 to 19 years255 7.70%235 7.20% 7.84%490 7.40%
5 to 9 years215 6.50%240 7.30% 10.42%455 6.90%
10 to 14 years230 6.90%210 6.40% 8.70%445 6.70%
0 to 4 years240 7.20%200 6.10% 16.67%440 6.70%
40 to 44 years235 7.10%210 6.40% 10.64%440 6.70%
55 to 59 years205 6.20%230 7.00% 10.87%430 6.50%
25 to 29 years235 7.10%180 5.50% 23.40%415 6.30%
45 to 49 years195 5.90%220 6.70% 11.36%415 6.30%
50 to 54 years205 6.20%195 5.90% 4.88%400 6.00%
60 to 64 years165 5.00%165 5.00% 0.00%330 5.00%
65 to 69 years140 4.20%165 5.00% 15.15%310 4.70%
70 to 74 years100 3.00%85 2.60% 15.00%185 2.80%
75 to 79 years50 1.50%70 2.10% 28.57%115 1.70%
85 years and over45 1.40%70 2.10% 35.71%115 1.70%
80 to 84 years40 1.20%50 1.50% 20.00%85 1.30%
85 to 89 years30 0.90%40 1.20% 25.00%70 1.10%
Average age of the population36 35.90%38 37.60% 5.32%37 36.70%
Median age of the population35 34.80%36 36.40% 5.49%36 35.60%

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 67.60% of the population. The other age groups, 0 to 14 years and 65 years and over, account for 20.20% and 12.10%, respectively.

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

DataMaleFemaleTotal
0 to 14 years20.70%19.60%20.20%
65 years and over11.10%13.20%12.10%

Photos of Places & Sceneries in Peace River

Population of Peace River by Ethnicity and Origin

The population of Peace River is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Peace River 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 20.19% of the total population, followed by German (19.80%), Irish (16.40%), Scottish (15.16%), and French (14.15%).

Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include Canadian, Ukrainian, Filipino, First Nations (North American Indian), and Dutch.

Ethnicity and OriginMaleFemalePercentage in Population
English18.34%21.89%20.19%
German20.34%19.41%19.80%
Irish16.49%16.15%16.40%
Scottish16.33%13.98%15.16%
French13.56%14.60%14.15%
Canadian11.86%11.02%11.37%
Ukrainian9.40%12.58%10.98%
Filipino6.78%7.45%7.04%
First Nations (North American Indian)6.47%5.75%6.03%
Dutch4.62%4.35%4.56%

Immigration Profile

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

About 15.5% of Peace River's population are immigrants (1,000 people).

The top countries of origin for Peace River's immigrant population are Philippines (475), Mexico (70), United Kingdom (60), Korea, South (30), India (30).

Only using 25% sample data.
Country of BirthPopulation
Philippines475
Mexico70
United Kingdom60
Korea, South30
India30

Household and Dwelling Characteristics

About 1,600 of Peace River's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.

Household Size

About 15.85% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 14.85% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 7.05%, 7.05%, and 5.10%, respectively.

Number of Person(s) in HouseholdTotalPercentage
2 persons82015.85%
1 person77014.85%
3 persons3657.05%
4 persons3657.05%
5 or more persons2655.10%

Income in Peace River

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

Per Capita Income

According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Peace River is $47,600.

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 Peace River population or around 800 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 730 and 715 people, respectively.

Household Income

The Peace River's median household income is $100,000, according to 2020 data.

Above national average Peace River's median household income is 16,000 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 Peace River

This data sheds light on the distribution of Peace River 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.

53.45% or most of the Peace River population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 29.60% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 18.95% has a Bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.05% has No certificate, diploma or degree.

Only using 25% sample data.
DegreeMenWomenTotalPercentage
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree2,2752,2254,50053.45%
High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate1,3001,2702,56529.60%
Bachelor's degree or higher6908951,59018.95%
No certificate, diploma or degree7607701,52517.05%

Below national average 19.0% of Peace River's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).

Employment in Peace River

This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Peace River. 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 5.70% which is quite high.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusPercentage
Employment rate66.86%
Unemployment rate5.70%

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 Peace River's population (around 71.00%) are working permanent position as an employee.

Self-employed

In the town, there are 280 men and 220 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 495.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusMenWomenTotal
Self-employed280220495

Employment Industry Sectors

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

Peace River has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (16%) works in the retail trade sector. The Health care and social assistance sector comes second at 13%, followed by Accommodation and food services at 9%.

Only using 25% sample data.
IndustryMenWomenPercentage
Retail trade29030016%
Health care and social assistance9536513%
Accommodation and food services1651759%
Public administration1651509%
Educational services802158%
Construction200206%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction185206%
Other services (except public administration)90955%
Professional, scientific and technical services95855%
Manufacturing125455%
Transportation and warehousing125254%
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services50603%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting65303%
Wholesale trade65303%
Finance and insurance20352%
Real estate and rental and leasing30252%
Utilities30101%
Information and cultural industries25151%
Arts, entertainment and recreation1501%
Management of companies and enterprises000%

Labour Market Snapshot

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

Top employer sectors in Peace River: -45 Retail trade (16%), Health care and social assistance (13%), Accommodation and food services (9%)

Top occupation categories in Peace River: Sales and service occupations (31%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (18%), 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 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 work1,2751,2702,54574.90%
No fixed workplace address42011553515.70%
Worked at home1102103209.40%
Worked outside Canada0000.00%

Commuting

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

Commuting Duration

This data reveals the average time that the residents of Peace River 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 minutes66.30%
15 to 29 minutes21.30%
30 to 44 minutes5.20%
60 minutes and over4.40%
45 to 59 minutes2.80%

Marital Status

The statistics on marital status in Peace Rivershed 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 Peace River's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.

Married or living common-law
55.02%
Married or living common-law
44.98%

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 Peace River. About 6,270 people living in the province speak English, 225 people speak French, 20 people speak English and French language, and 20 people speak Neither English nor French language.

LanguagePopulation
English6,270
French225
English and French20
Neither English nor French20

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
English80.4%90.3%
Non-official languages12.3%5.9%
French3.5%1.1%

Religion

Peace River is predominantly Christian. About 3,770 of its population is Christian (1,745 males and 1,745 females).

The second largest religion in the province is Muslim with 1.5% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Buddhist and Sikh, both represent 0.4% and 0.4% of the population, while Jewish represent 0.2% of the population.

ReligionPopulation
Christian58.4%
Islam1.5%
Buddhist0.4%
Sikh0.4%
Jewish0.2%
Hindu0.0%

Frequently Asked Questions about Peace River

According to the 2021 census, Peace River has a population of approximately 6,619 people.

Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Peace River decreased by 3.26%.

Peace River has a population density of approximately 261.20 people per square kilometre.

Peace River covers a land area of approximately 25.34 km².

The median age of the population in Peace River is 35.60 years.

The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Peace River is English.

The median household income in Peace River is $100,000, based on 2020 data.

English is the most common first official language spoken in Peace River.

Christian is the predominant religion in Peace River.

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.