Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Breton has a population of around 567 people. The village's population is in decreased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Breton has decreased by ▼ -1.22%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 574 | 567 | --1.22% |
2026 Population Projection
Breton's population declined between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, so a 2026 growth projection is not shown. The most recent confirmed figure remains the 567 people recorded in the 2021 census.
Breton Population Trend & Context
Breton had a 2021 census population of 567 — a decline of 7 (▼ 1.22%) people from the 574 recorded in 2016.
The village's population has seen a slight decline over this period, reflecting broader pressures facing Alberta villages. The village's median age of 48.8 years — above the national median of 41.9 — suggests a mature, established community rather than a rapidly growing one.
Population By Genders
The male population of Breton is around 270 while the female population is around 295.
Of the 567 total population in Breton, the largest gender is female with around 295 female within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 270 | 295 | -8.47% |
Is Breton a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Breton 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.
Breton Population Compared to Alberta
Alberta's population in 2021 was 4,262,635, spread across the area. Here's how Breton compares to the village's key indicators:
| Indicator | Breton | Alberta |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $55,600 | $96,000 |
| Unemployment rate | 9.8% | 11.5% |
| Median age | 48.8 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 5.4% | 28.4% |
| Immigrants (%) | 8.2% | 23.2% |
Population by Age Characteristics
Breton has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 65 to 69 years old, accounting for 9.70% of the total population. The village median age is 48.80.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|
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 55.80% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 28.30% and 16.80%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Breton are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 14 years | 50.00% | 50.00% | 95.00% |
| 15 to 64 years | 57.40% | 54.20% | 55.80% |
| 65 years and over | 25.90% | 30.50% | 28.30% |
| 0 to 14 years | 18.50% | 16.90% | 16.80% |
Population of Breton by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Breton is quite diverse, which contributes to the village's vibrant cultural landscape. Breton 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 Breton are German, which accounts for 30.61% of the total population, followed by English (25.51%), Scottish (23.47%), Irish (15.31%), and Swedish (12.24%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Breton include British Isles, Russian, Canadian, French, and First Nations (North American Indian).
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| German | 30.00% | 28.57% | 30.61% |
| English | 30.00% | 20.41% | 25.51% |
| Scottish | 18.00% | 28.57% | 23.47% |
| Irish | 20.00% | 10.20% | 15.31% |
| Swedish | 10.00% | 16.33% | 12.24% |
| British Isles | 8.00% | 12.24% | 10.20% |
| Russian | 8.00% | 6.12% | 8.16% |
| Canadian | 8.00% | 6.12% | 7.14% |
| French | 8.00% | 6.12% | 7.14% |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 8.00% | 6.12% | 7.14% |
Indigenous Identity in Breton
About 14.14% of Breton's population (70 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 85.86% who report a non-Indigenous identity.
Of the Indigenous population, 30 people (6.10% of the total population) hold Registered or Treaty Indian status.
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Breton's population profile.
About 8.2% of Breton's population are immigrants (40 people).
The top countries of origin for Breton's immigrant population are United Kingdom (25), Germany (15), Brazil (0), Colombia (0), El Salvador (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 25 |
| Germany | 15 |
| Brazil | 0 |
| Colombia | 0 |
| El Salvador | 0 |
100.0% of Breton's residents (490 people) are Canadian citizens, and 0.0% are not.
By generation status, 8.1% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 12.1% are second generation, and 78.8% are third generation or more.
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 170 of Breton's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 1 person household.
Household Size
About 19.25% of the population lives in 1 person households. 2 persons households ranked second, accounting for 18.25% of the population. 4 persons, 3 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 5.75%, 3.85%, and 2.90%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 100 | 19.25% |
| 2 persons | 95 | 18.25% |
| 4 persons | 30 | 5.75% |
| 3 persons | 20 | 3.85% |
| 5 or more persons | 15 | 2.90% |
Family and Household Structure in Breton
Of census families in Breton, 77.4% are couple families and 22.6% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.7 people.
38.5% of households in Breton are one-person households, 44.2% are couple-family households, 7.7% are one-parent-family households, and 3.8% are multigenerational households.
| Household Type | Households | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| One-person households | 100 | 38.5% |
| Couple-family households | 115 | 44.2% |
| One-parent-family households | 20 | 7.7% |
| Multigenerational households | 10 | 3.8% |
Income in Breton
Analyzing income distribution in Breton can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Breton is $33,600.
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 village's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Breton population or around 75 people falls in the $10,000 to $29,999 group. The next largest groups are the $30,000 to $49,999, and Under $10,000 with around 45 and 30 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Breton's median household income is $55,600, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Breton's median household income is 28,400 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 Breton
This data sheds light on the distribution of Breton 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.
41.70% or most of the Breton population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate. 33.30% of the population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree, and 25.00% has a No certificate, diploma or degree. (Individual figures may not sum to exactly 100% due to Statistics Canada's random rounding of small-area 25% sample data.)
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 45 | 55 | 100 | 41.70% |
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 35 | 40 | 80 | 33.30% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 40 | 20 | 60 | 25.00% |
Below national average 6.3% of Breton's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Breton
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Breton. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Breton is at 10.00% which is very high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 40.91% |
| Unemployment rate | 10.00% |
Work Activity During the Reference Year
Of the population aged 15 and over in Breton, 19.3% worked full year full time in the reference year, 26.1% worked part year and/or part time, and 53.4% did not work.
| Work Activity | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Worked full year full time | 85 | 19.3% |
| Worked part year and/or part time | 115 | 26.1% |
| Did not work | 235 | 53.4% |
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 Breton's population (around 68.30%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the village, there are 20 men and 20 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 40.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 20 | 20 | 40 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Breton industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Breton is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Breton has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (15%) works in the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction sector. The Manufacturing sector comes second at 15%, followed by Construction at 12%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 30 | 0 | 15% |
| Manufacturing | 30 | 0 | 15% |
| Construction | 15 | 10 | 12% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 0 | 20 | 10% |
| Health care and social assistance | 0 | 20 | 10% |
| Public administration | 0 | 20 | 10% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 15 | 0 | 7% |
| Retail trade | 0 | 10 | 5% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 10 | 0 | 5% |
| Educational services | 0 | 10 | 5% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Utilities | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Wholesale trade | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Information and cultural industries | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Finance and insurance | 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% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Breton residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Breton: Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (15%), Manufacturing (15%), Construction (12%)
Top occupation categories in Breton: Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (29%), Sales and service occupations (20%), Business, finance and administration occupations (10%)
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 | 45 | 70 | 110 | 61.10% |
| No fixed workplace address | 55 | 10 | 60 | 33.30% |
| Worked at home | 0 | 10 | 15 | 8.30% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Breton 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 Breton residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Breton 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 |
|---|---|
| Less than 15 minutes | 54.50% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 30.30% |
| 60 minutes and over | 12.10% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 9.10% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 0.00% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Breton shed 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 Breton'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 Breton. About 540 people living in the village speak English, 5 people speak French, 0 people speak English and French language, and 0 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 540 |
| French | 5 |
| English and French | 0 |
| Neither English nor French | 0 |
Knowledge of Official Languages
About 0.9% of Breton's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 98.2% know English only, 0.0% know French only, and 0.0% know neither official language.
| Knowledge of Official Languages | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 535 | 98.2% |
| French only | 0 | 0.0% |
| English and French | 5 | 0.9% |
| Neither English nor French | 0 | 0.0% |
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 | 94.5% | 97.2% |
| Non-official languages | 4.6% | 1.8% |
| French | 0.9% | 0.0% |
Religion
Breton is predominantly Christian. About 240 of its population is Christian (110 males and 135 females).
The second largest religion in the village 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 | 48.5% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Nearest Villages to Breton
- Warburg 13.1 km · 676 people
- Spring Lake 50.7 km · 711 people
- Alberta Beach 63.1 km · 864 people
- Hay Lakes 94.9 km · 456 people
- Bittern Lake 95.2 km · 216 people
- Clive 98.8 km · 775 people
- Caroline 114.5 km · 470 people
- Alix 117.3 km · 774 people
Frequently Asked Questions about Breton
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Breton has a population of 567 people, making it the 175th village in Alberta. The population declined moderately from 574 in 2016, a decrease of 7 people or 1.22%. The village has a population density of 329.9 people per km² across a land area of 1.72 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
Breton's population declined by 1.22% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 574 to 567 people, a loss of 7 residents. This stability is characteristic of many mid-sized other Alberta villages during this period. The median age of 48.80 years suggests an aging population. The relatively high proportion of one-person households (38.5%) may indicate young adults leaving for larger centres. Official 2026 Census data, which will confirm whether this trend continued, is expected from Statistics Canada in February 2027.
Breton has a population density of approximately 329.90 people per square kilometre.
Breton covers a land area of approximately 1.72 km².
The median age of the population in Breton is 48.80 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Breton is German.
The median household income in Breton is $55,600, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Breton.
Christian is the predominant religion in Breton.
According to the 2021 Census, 14.1% of Breton's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.
100.0% of Breton's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.
One-parent families make up 22.6% of census families in Breton, according to the 2021 Census.
Multigenerational households make up 3.8% of all households in Breton, per the 2021 Census.
0.9% of Breton's population knows both English and French, based on 2021 Census data on knowledge of official languages.
Of the population aged 15 and over in Breton, 19.3% worked full year full time in the 2021 Census reference year.
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.