Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Forestburg has a population of around 807 people. The village's population is in decreased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Forestburg has decreased by ▼ -8.30%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 880 | 807 | --8.30% |
2026 Population Projection
Forestburg's population declined between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, so a 2026 growth projection is not shown. The most recent confirmed figure remains the 807 people recorded in the 2021 census.
Forestburg Population Trend & Context
Forestburg had a 2021 census population of 807 — a decline of 73 (▼ 8.30%) people from the 880 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 52.8 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 Forestburg is around 390 while the female population is around 420.
Of the 807 total population in Forestburg, the largest gender is female with around 420 female within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 390 | 420 | -7.14% |
Is Forestburg a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Forestburg 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.
Forestburg Population Compared to Alberta
Alberta's population in 2021 was 4,262,635, spread across the area. Here's how Forestburg compares to the village's key indicators:
| Indicator | Forestburg | Alberta |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $79,000 | $96,000 |
| Unemployment rate | 14.9% | 11.5% |
| Median age | 52.8 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.8% | 28.4% |
| Immigrants (%) | 6.8% | 23.2% |
Population by Age Characteristics
Forestburg has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 65 to 69 years old, accounting for 11.10% of the total population. The village median age is 52.80.
| 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 58.60% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 29.00% and 11.70%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Forestburg are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 14 years | 45.00% | 55.00% | 95.00% |
| 15 to 64 years | 59.00% | 58.30% | 58.60% |
| 65 years and over | 29.50% | 28.60% | 29.00% |
| 0 to 14 years | 11.50% | 13.10% | 11.70% |
Population of Forestburg by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Forestburg is quite diverse, which contributes to the village's vibrant cultural landscape. Forestburg 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 Forestburg are German, which accounts for 29.93% of the total population, followed by English (26.53%), Scottish (19.73%), Irish (16.33%), and Canadian (13.61%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Forestburg include Swedish, Norwegian, French, Ukrainian, and Dutch.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| German | 31.43% | 28.21% | 29.93% |
| English | 24.29% | 28.21% | 26.53% |
| Scottish | 12.86% | 24.36% | 19.73% |
| Irish | 12.86% | 19.23% | 16.33% |
| Canadian | 12.86% | 15.38% | 13.61% |
| Swedish | 7.14% | 15.38% | 11.56% |
| Norwegian | 10.00% | 7.69% | 8.16% |
| French | 2.86% | 7.69% | 6.12% |
| Ukrainian | 7.14% | 5.13% | 6.12% |
| Dutch | 7.14% | 2.56% | 4.76% |
Indigenous Identity in Forestburg
About 2.72% of Forestburg's population (20 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 97.28% who report a non-Indigenous identity.
Of the Indigenous population, 0 people (0.00% 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 Forestburg's population profile.
About 6.8% of Forestburg's population are immigrants (50 people).
The top countries of origin for Forestburg's immigrant population are Netherlands (10), United Kingdom (10), Somalia (0), South Africa, Republic of (0), Afghanistan (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| Netherlands | 10 |
| United Kingdom | 10 |
| Somalia | 0 |
| South Africa, Republic of | 0 |
| Afghanistan | 0 |
99.3% of Forestburg's residents (735 people) are Canadian citizens, and 0.0% are not.
By generation status, 6.8% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 11.6% are second generation, and 81.6% are third generation or more.
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 345 of Forestburg's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 21.35% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 16.00% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 6.00%, 5.35%, and 2.00%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 160 | 21.35% |
| 1 person | 120 | 16.00% |
| 3 persons | 45 | 6.00% |
| 4 persons | 40 | 5.35% |
| 5 or more persons | 15 | 2.00% |
Family and Household Structure in Forestburg
Of census families in Forestburg, 86.0% are couple families and 14.0% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.6 people.
32.0% of households in Forestburg are one-person households, 57.3% are couple-family households, 6.7% are one-parent-family households, and 0.0% are multigenerational households.
| Household Type | Households | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| One-person households | 120 | 32.0% |
| Couple-family households | 215 | 57.3% |
| One-parent-family households | 25 | 6.7% |
| Multigenerational households | 0 | 0.0% |
Income in Forestburg
Analyzing income distribution in Forestburg can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Forestburg is $38,400.
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 Forestburg population or around 130 people falls in the $10,000 to $29,999 group. The next largest groups are the $30,000 to $49,999, and $50,000 to $79,999 with around 75 and 70 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Forestburg's median household income is $79,000, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Forestburg's median household income is 5,000 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 Forestburg
This data sheds light on the distribution of Forestburg 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.
51.40% or most of the Forestburg population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 32.90% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 15.70% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 95 | 85 | 180 | 51.40% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 45 | 65 | 115 | 32.90% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 25 | 25 | 55 | 15.70% |
Below national average 12.9% of Forestburg's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Forestburg
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Forestburg. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Forestburg is at 14.71% which is very high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 45.67% |
| Unemployment rate | 14.71% |
Work Activity During the Reference Year
Of the population aged 15 and over in Forestburg, 22.0% worked full year full time in the reference year, 30.7% worked part year and/or part time, and 46.5% did not work.
| Work Activity | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Worked full year full time | 140 | 22.0% |
| Worked part year and/or part time | 195 | 30.7% |
| Did not work | 295 | 46.5% |
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 Forestburg's population (around 62.70%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the village, there are 35 men and 30 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 65.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 35 | 30 | 65 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Forestburg industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Forestburg is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Forestburg has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (10%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction sector comes second at 9%, followed by Construction at 9%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 0 | 30 | 10% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 30 | 0 | 9% |
| Construction | 25 | 0 | 9% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 20 | 10 | 8% |
| Retail trade | 0 | 25 | 8% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 15 | 10 | 8% |
| Manufacturing | 20 | 0 | 6% |
| Finance and insurance | 0 | 20 | 6% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 10 | 10 | 6% |
| Wholesale trade | 10 | 0 | 5% |
| Educational services | 0 | 0 | 5% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 0 | 0 | 5% |
| Public administration | 0 | 15 | 5% |
| Utilities | 10 | 0 | 3% |
| Accommodation and food services | 0 | 10 | 3% |
| Information and cultural industries | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Forestburg residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Forestburg: Health care and social assistance (10%), Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (9%), Construction (9%)
Top occupation categories in Forestburg: Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (27%), Sales and service occupations (24%), Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations (13%)
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 | 95 | 110 | 205 | 70.70% |
| No fixed workplace address | 40 | 20 | 55 | 19.00% |
| Worked at home | 15 | 10 | 25 | 8.60% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Forestburg 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 Forestburg residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Forestburg 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 | 47.20% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 24.50% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 17.00% |
| 60 minutes and over | 7.50% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 0.00% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Forestburg 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 Forestburg'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 Forestburg. About 780 people living in the village speak English, 20 people speak French, 0 people speak English and French language, and 0 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 780 |
| French | 20 |
| English and French | 0 |
| Neither English nor French | 0 |
Knowledge of Official Languages
About 3.8% of Forestburg's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 96.2% know English only, 0.0% know French only, and 0.0% know neither official language.
| Knowledge of Official Languages | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 765 | 96.2% |
| French only | 0 | 0.0% |
| English and French | 30 | 3.8% |
| 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 | 93.1% | 98.1% |
| Non-official languages | 3.1% | 0.6% |
| French | 2.5% | 0.0% |
Religion
Forestburg is predominantly Christian. About 355 of its population is Christian (165 males and 190 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 | 48.3% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in Forestburg
Schools
Nearest Villages to Forestburg
- Heisler 14.3 km · 135 people
- Alliance 25.4 km · 166 people
- Halkirk 33.9 km · 92 people
- Rosalind 34.1 km · 162 people
- Donalda 34.5 km · 226 people
- Lougheed 39.3 km · 225 people
- Bawlf 45.8 km · 412 people
- Edberg 53.4 km · 126 people
Frequently Asked Questions about Forestburg
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Forestburg has a population of 807 people, making it the 145th village in Alberta. The population declined significantly from 880 in 2016, a decrease of 73 people or 8.30%. The village has a population density of 199.9 people per km² across a land area of 4.04 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
Forestburg's population declined by 8.30% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 880 to 807 people, a loss of 73 residents. This decline is consistent with pressures faced by many other Alberta villages during this period. The median age of 52.80 years suggests an aging population. Official 2026 Census data, which will confirm whether this trend continued, is expected from Statistics Canada in February 2027.
Forestburg has a population density of approximately 199.90 people per square kilometre.
Forestburg covers a land area of approximately 4.04 km².
The median age of the population in Forestburg is 52.80 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Forestburg is German.
The median household income in Forestburg is $79,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Forestburg.
Christian is the predominant religion in Forestburg.
According to the 2021 Census, 2.7% of Forestburg's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.
99.3% of Forestburg's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.
One-parent families make up 14.0% of census families in Forestburg, according to the 2021 Census.
Multigenerational households make up 0.0% of all households in Forestburg, per the 2021 Census.
3.8% of Forestburg'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 Forestburg, 22.0% 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.