Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Slave Lake has a population of around 6,836 people. The town's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Slave Lake has increased by 2.78%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 6,651 | 6,836 | +2.78% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.55% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Slave Lake's population is projected to reach approximately 7,026 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 490.99 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 6,836 | 7,026 | 490.99 |
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 Slave Lake is around 3,420 while the female population is around 3,415.
Of the 6,836 total population in Slave Lake, the largest gender is male with around 3,420 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 3,420 | 3,415 | +0.15% |
Is Slave Lake a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Slave Lake 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.
Population by Age Characteristics
Slave Lake has a young population. The majority of the population is people aged 35 to 39 years old, accounting for 8.60% of the total population. The town median age is 34.00.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 to 39 years | 275 8.00% | 305 8.90% | 9.84% | 585 8.60% |
| 5 to 9 years | 265 7.70% | 295 8.60% | 10.17% | 560 8.20% |
| 30 to 34 years | 270 7.90% | 280 8.20% | 3.57% | 555 8.10% |
| 10 to 14 years | 275 8.00% | 250 7.30% | 9.09% | 530 7.80% |
| 40 to 44 years | 285 8.30% | 250 7.30% | 12.28% | 530 7.80% |
| 0 to 4 years | 245 7.20% | 270 7.90% | 9.26% | 520 7.60% |
| 25 to 29 years | 260 7.60% | 250 7.30% | 3.85% | 515 7.50% |
| 15 to 19 years | 235 6.90% | 210 6.10% | 10.64% | 445 6.50% |
| 20 to 24 years | 215 6.30% | 210 6.10% | 2.33% | 420 6.10% |
| 45 to 49 years | 215 6.30% | 205 6.00% | 4.65% | 420 6.10% |
| 50 to 54 years | 205 6.00% | 215 6.30% | 4.65% | 415 6.10% |
| 55 to 59 years | 195 5.70% | 185 5.40% | 5.13% | 380 5.60% |
| 60 to 64 years | 175 5.10% | 170 5.00% | 2.86% | 340 5.00% |
| 65 to 69 years | 125 3.70% | 120 3.50% | 4.00% | 245 3.60% |
| 70 to 74 years | 85 2.50% | 75 2.20% | 11.76% | 165 2.40% |
| 75 to 79 years | 40 1.20% | 50 1.50% | 20.00% | 90 1.30% |
| 85 years and over | 25 0.70% | 40 1.20% | 37.50% | 65 1.00% |
| 80 to 84 years | 20 0.60% | 30 0.90% | 33.33% | 60 0.90% |
| 85 to 89 years | 15 0.40% | 25 0.70% | 40.00% | 40 0.60% |
| Average age of the population | 35 34.50% | 35 34.70% | 0.00% | 35 34.60% |
| Median age of the population | 34 34.00% | 34 34.00% | 0.00% | 34 34.00% |
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 67.50% of the population. The other age groups, 0 to 14 years and 65 years and over, account for 23.50% and 9.10%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Slave Lake are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 14 years | 23.10% | 24.00% | 23.50% |
| 65 years and over | 8.60% | 9.50% | 9.10% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Slave Lake
Population of Slave Lake by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Slave Lake is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Slave Lake 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 17.49% of the total population, followed by Scottish (13.81%), German (13.81%), French (12.16%), and Irish (12.01%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include Canadian, Filipino, Cree, Ukrainian, and First Nations (North American Indian).
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 16.37% | 18.64% | 17.49% |
| Scottish | 11.76% | 16.06% | 13.81% |
| German | 14.43% | 13.18% | 13.81% |
| French | 11.46% | 12.88% | 12.16% |
| Irish | 9.82% | 14.09% | 12.01% |
| Canadian | 12.65% | 11.52% | 11.94% |
| Filipino | 8.48% | 8.33% | 8.41% |
| Cree | 7.59% | 7.58% | 7.58% |
| Ukrainian | 5.51% | 8.48% | 6.91% |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 7.44% | 5.61% | 6.61% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Slave Lake's population profile.
About 14.3% of Slave Lake's population are immigrants (955 people).
The top countries of origin for Slave Lake's immigrant population are Philippines (515), United States of America (60), India (60), Lebanon (40), Pakistan (40).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| Philippines | 515 |
| United States of America | 60 |
| India | 60 |
| Lebanon | 40 |
| Pakistan | 40 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 1,225 of Slave Lake's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 15.20% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 10.90% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 9.15%, 8.30%, and 6.45%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 730 | 15.20% |
| 1 person | 525 | 10.90% |
| 3 persons | 440 | 9.15% |
| 4 persons | 400 | 8.30% |
| 5 or more persons | 310 | 6.45% |
Income in Slave Lake
Analyzing income distribution in Slave Lake can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Slave Lake is $50,800.
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 town's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Slave Lake population or around 910 people falls in the $50,000 to $79,999 group. The next largest groups are the $10,000 to $29,999, and $30,000 to $49,999 with around 795 and 700 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Slave Lake's median household income is $111,000, according to 2020 data.
Above national average Slave Lake's median household income is 27,000 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 Slave Lake
This data sheds light on the distribution of Slave Lake 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.
52.15% or most of the Slave Lake population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 29.40% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 19.05% has a Bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.55% has No certificate, diploma or degree.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 2,195 | 2,275 | 4,465 | 52.15% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 1,310 | 1,250 | 2,560 | 29.40% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 670 | 950 | 1,620 | 19.05% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 850 | 790 | 1,645 | 18.55% |
Below national average 19.1% of Slave Lake's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Slave Lake
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Slave Lake. 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 7.22% which is quite high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 68.20% |
| Unemployment rate | 7.22% |
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 Slave Lake's population (around 74.70%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the town, there are 265 men and 150 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 410.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 265 | 150 | 410 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Slave Lake industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Slave Lake is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Slave Lake has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (15%) works in the manufacturing sector. The Retail trade sector comes second at 14%, followed by Health care and social assistance at 11%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 455 | 115 | 15% |
| Retail trade | 240 | 285 | 14% |
| Health care and social assistance | 50 | 350 | 11% |
| Accommodation and food services | 160 | 215 | 10% |
| Educational services | 65 | 220 | 8% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 205 | 50 | 7% |
| Public administration | 130 | 70 | 5% |
| Construction | 155 | 20 | 5% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 125 | 40 | 4% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 70 | 80 | 4% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 80 | 30 | 3% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 40 | 65 | 3% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 65 | 30 | 3% |
| Finance and insurance | 0 | 45 | 1% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 30 | 10 | 1% |
| Utilities | 35 | 0 | 1% |
| Wholesale trade | 30 | 10 | 1% |
| Information and cultural industries | 20 | 15 | 1% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 10 | 20 | 1% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Slave Lake residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Slave Lake: -33 Manufacturing (15%), -45 Retail trade (14%), Health care and social assistance (11%)
Top occupation categories in Slave Lake: Sales and service occupations (27%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (20%), Business, finance and administration occupations (13%)
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 | 1,370 | 1,285 | 2,655 | 78.10% |
| No fixed workplace address | 405 | 100 | 505 | 14.90% |
| Worked at home | 90 | 150 | 240 | 7.10% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Slave Lake 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 Slave Lake residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Slave Lake 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 | 65.80% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 23.10% |
| 60 minutes and over | 4.90% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 3.60% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 2.40% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Slave Lakeshed 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 Slave Lake'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 Slave Lake. About 6,690 people living in the province speak English, 95 people speak French, 20 people speak English and French language, and 10 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 6,690 |
| French | 95 |
| English and French | 20 |
| Neither English nor French | 10 |
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 | 80.7% | 89.2% |
| Non-official languages | 13.7% | 8.0% |
| French | 1.5% | 0.3% |
Religion
Slave Lake is predominantly Christian. About 3,235 of its population is Christian (1,545 males and 1,545 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Muslim with 3.8% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Sikh, both represent 1.2% and 0.5% of the population, while Buddhist represent 0.3% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 48.6% |
| Islam | 3.8% |
| Hindu | 1.2% |
| Sikh | 0.5% |
| Buddhist | 0.3% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions about Slave Lake
According to the 2021 census, Slave Lake has a population of approximately 6,836 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Slave Lake increased by 2.78%.
Slave Lake has a population density of approximately 477.70 people per square kilometre.
Slave Lake covers a land area of approximately 14.31 km².
The median age of the population in Slave Lake is 34.00 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Slave Lake is English.
The median household income in Slave Lake is $111,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Slave Lake.
Christian is the predominant religion in Slave Lake.
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.