Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Legal has a population of around 1,232 people. The town's population is in decreased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Legal has decreased by ▼ -8.40%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 1,345 | 1,232 | --8.40% |
2026 Population Projection
Legal's population declined between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, so a 2026 growth projection is not shown. The most recent confirmed figure remains the 1,232 people recorded in the 2021 census.
Legal Population Trend & Context
Legal is the 113th-largest town in Alberta, with a 2021 census population of 1,232 — a decline of 113 (▼ 8.40%) people from the 1,345 recorded in 2016.
The town's population has declined noticeably over this period, reflecting broader pressures facing Alberta towns. The town's median age of 36.8 years — below the national median of 41.9 — suggests a younger, potentially growing population.
How does Legal compare to other Alberta towns?
- Bowden: 1,280 (2021)
- Mayerthorpe: 1,259 (2021)
- Legal: 1,232 (2021) ← 113th largest
- Swan Hills: 1,201 (2021)
- Irricana: 1,179 (2021)
Population By Genders
The male population of Legal is around 655 while the female population is around 580.
Of the 1,232 total population in Legal, the largest gender is male with around 655 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 655 | 580 | -11.45% |
Is Legal a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Legal 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.
Legal Population Compared to Alberta
Alberta's population in 2021 was 4,262,635, spread across the area. Here's how Legal compares to the town's key indicators:
| Indicator | Legal | Alberta |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $96,000 | $96,000 |
| Unemployment rate | 13.4% | 11.5% |
| Median age | 36.8 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 7.0% | 28.4% |
| Immigrants (%) | 3.1% | 23.2% |
Population by Age Characteristics
Legal has a young population. The majority of the population is people aged 10 to 14 years old, accounting for 8.90% of the total population. The town median age is 36.80.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 to 14 years | 60 9.20% | 50 8.60% | 16.67% | 110 8.90% |
| 55 to 59 years | 45 6.90% | 45 7.80% | 0.00% | 95 7.70% |
| 5 to 9 years | 50 7.60% | 40 6.90% | 20.00% | 90 7.30% |
| 35 to 39 years | 45 6.90% | 45 7.80% | 0.00% | 90 7.30% |
| 40 to 44 years | 50 7.60% | 40 6.90% | 20.00% | 90 7.30% |
| 25 to 29 years | 45 6.90% | 40 6.90% | 11.11% | 85 6.90% |
| 65 to 69 years | 45 6.90% | 40 6.90% | 11.11% | 85 6.90% |
| 30 to 34 years | 45 6.90% | 40 6.90% | 11.11% | 80 6.50% |
| 15 to 19 years | 35 5.30% | 40 6.90% | 12.50% | 75 6.10% |
| 0 to 4 years | 35 5.30% | 35 6.00% | 0.00% | 70 5.70% |
| 50 to 54 years | 35 5.30% | 30 5.20% | 14.29% | 70 5.70% |
| 20 to 24 years | 40 6.10% | 25 4.30% | 37.50% | 65 5.30% |
| 60 to 64 years | 35 5.30% | 25 4.30% | 28.57% | 65 5.30% |
| 45 to 49 years | 30 4.60% | 30 5.20% | 0.00% | 55 4.50% |
| 70 to 74 years | 25 3.80% | 15 2.60% | 40.00% | 45 3.60% |
| Average age of the population | 38 38.10% | 38 37.90% | 2.62% | 38 38.00% |
| Median age of the population | 37 36.80% | 37 37.20% | 2.69% | 37 36.80% |
| 75 to 79 years | 20 3.10% | 15 2.60% | 25.00% | 30 2.40% |
| 80 to 84 years | 10 1.50% | 10 1.70% | 0.00% | 20 1.60% |
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 62.30% of the population. The other age groups, 0 to 14 years and 65 years and over, account for 21.90% and 15.40%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Legal are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Legal
Population of Legal by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Legal is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Legal is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the town appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.
The top 5 ethnicities and origins in Legal are French, which accounts for 24.89% of the total population, followed by Canadian (22.22%), English (20.44%), Scottish (19.56%), and Irish (18.67%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Legal include German, Ukrainian, French Canadian, Polish, and Caucasian (White).
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| French | 25.20% | 24.51% | 24.89% |
| Canadian | 21.95% | 21.57% | 22.22% |
| English | 21.14% | 19.61% | 20.44% |
| Scottish | 19.51% | 19.61% | 19.56% |
| Irish | 21.14% | 16.67% | 18.67% |
| German | 13.82% | 15.69% | 15.11% |
| Ukrainian | 11.38% | 12.75% | 12.00% |
| French Canadian | 10.57% | 7.84% | 9.33% |
| Polish | 4.07% | 7.84% | 5.78% |
| Caucasian (White) | 1.63% | 3.92% | 2.67% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Legal's population profile.
About 3.1% of Legal's population are immigrants (35 people).
The top countries of origin for Legal's immigrant population are United Kingdom (10), Viet Nam (0), Bangladesh (0), India (0), Pakistan (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 10 |
| Viet Nam | 0 |
| Bangladesh | 0 |
| India | 0 |
| Pakistan | 0 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 395 of Legal's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 17.05% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 11.55% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 8.80%, 6.60%, and 6.05%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 155 | 17.05% |
| 1 person | 105 | 11.55% |
| 3 persons | 80 | 8.80% |
| 4 persons | 60 | 6.60% |
| 5 or more persons | 55 | 6.05% |
Income in Legal
Analyzing income distribution in Legal can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Legal is $44,800.
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 Legal population or around 150 people falls in the $50,000 to $79,999 group. The next largest groups are the $30,000 to $49,999, and $10,000 to $29,999 with around 120 and 115 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Legal's median household income is $96,000, according to 2020 data.
Above national average Legal's median household income is 12,000 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 Legal
This data sheds light on the distribution of Legal 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.
46.65% or most of the Legal population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 33.10% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 20.30% has a No certificate, diploma or degree, and 7.00% has Bachelor's degree or higher.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 355 | 320 | 675 | 46.65% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 220 | 270 | 490 | 33.10% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 210 | 95 | 305 | 20.30% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35 | 65 | 100 | 7.00% |
Below national average 7.0% of Legal's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Legal
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Legal. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Legal is at 8.99% which is very high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 58.43% |
| Unemployment rate | 8.99% |
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 Legal's population (around 70.80%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the town, there are 30 men and 20 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 45.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 30 | 20 | 45 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Legal industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Legal is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Legal has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (18%) works in the construction sector. The Retail trade sector comes second at 16%, followed by Health care and social assistance at 11%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 80 | 25 | 18% |
| Retail trade | 40 | 50 | 16% |
| Health care and social assistance | 15 | 50 | 11% |
| Public administration | 25 | 25 | 8% |
| Wholesale trade | 35 | 15 | 8% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 20 | 20 | 8% |
| Manufacturing | 25 | 0 | 5% |
| Educational services | 0 | 25 | 5% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 0 | 15 | 3% |
| Accommodation and food services | 10 | 15 | 3% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 15 | 0 | 3% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 15 | 0 | 3% |
| Utilities | 10 | 0 | 2% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 10 | 0 | 2% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 10 | 0 | 2% |
| 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% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Legal residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Legal: Construction (18%), -45 Retail trade (16%), Health care and social assistance (11%)
Top occupation categories in Legal: Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (33%), Sales and service occupations (24%), Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (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 | 165 | 140 | 305 | 58.70% |
| No fixed workplace address | 105 | 30 | 135 | 26.00% |
| Worked at home | 20 | 45 | 70 | 13.50% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Legal 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 Legal residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Legal 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 |
|---|---|
| 15 to 29 minutes | 28.10% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 20.20% |
| Less than 15 minutes | 19.10% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 19.10% |
| 60 minutes and over | 11.20% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Legalshed 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 Legal'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 Legal. About 1,100 people living in the province speak English, 125 people speak French, 5 people speak English and French language, and 5 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 1,100 |
| French | 125 |
| English and French | 5 |
| Neither English nor 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 | 84.1% | 95.1% |
| French | 10.6% | 3.3% |
| Non-official languages | 2.8% | 0.8% |
Religion
Legal is predominantly Christian. About 585 of its population is Christian (340 males and 340 females).
The second largest religion in the province 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 | 52.2% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in Legal
Schools
Parks
- Grasshopper Hill Park
- Citadel Park
- Centennial Park
- Knights of Columbus Park
- Lions Park
- Legal Trail
- Green Area
Community Centres
Green Spaces in Legal
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Grasshopper Hill Park | Parks | 1.0 ha |
| Citadel Park | Parks | 8.2 ha |
| Centennial Park | Parks | 3.9 ha |
| Knights of Columbus Park | Parks | 1.4 ha |
| Lions Park | Parks | 0.4 ha |
| Legal Trail | Parks | 1.5 ha |
| Green Area | Parks | 0.7 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Other Towns in Alberta
- Cochrane 32,199
- Okotoks 30,405
- Stony Plain 17,993
- Sylvan Lake 15,995
- Canmore 15,990
- Strathmore 14,339
- High River 14,324
- Blackfalds 10,470
- Morinville 10,385
- Whitecourt 9,927
- Hinton 9,817
- Olds 9,209
- Coaldale 8,771
- Edson 8,374
- Banff 8,305
- Innisfail 7,985
- Drumheller 7,909
- Ponoka 7,331
- Drayton Valley 7,291
- Slave Lake 6,836
- Rocky Mountain House 6,765
- Peace River 6,619
- Wainwright 6,606
- Devon 6,545
- Bonnyville 6,404
- St. Paul 5,863
- Stettler 5,695
- Vegreville 5,689
- Redcliff 5,581
- Didsbury 5,070
- Westlock 4,921
- Carstairs 4,898
- Barrhead 4,320
- Raymond 4,199
- Vermilion 3,948
- High Level 3,922
- Claresholm 3,804
- Cardston 3,724
- Pincher Creek 3,622
- Crossfield 3,599
- Penhold 3,484
- Fort Macleod 3,297
- Gibbons 3,218
- Three Hills 3,042
- Coalhurst 2,869
- Fairview 2,817
- Athabasca 2,759
- Black Diamond 2,730
- Sundre 2,672
- Turner Valley 2,611
- Grimshaw 2,601
- Magrath 2,481
- Rimbey 2,470
- Sexsmith 2,427
- Hanna 2,394
- High Prairie 2,380
- Beaverlodge 2,271
- Calmar 2,183
- Nanton 2,167
- Redwater 2,115
- Tofield 2,045
- Bow Island 2,036
- Picture Butte 1,930
- Provost 1,900
- Millet 1,890
- Vulcan 1,769
- Lamont 1,744
- Valleyview 1,673
- Fox Creek 1,639
- Bon Accord 1,461
- Nobleford 1,438
- Wembley 1,432
- Two Hills 1,416
- Elk Point 1,399
- Bruderheim 1,329
- Vauxhall 1,286
- Bowden 1,280
- Mayerthorpe 1,259
- Swan Hills 1,201
- Irricana 1,179
- Smoky Lake 1,127
- Manning 1,126
- Bentley 1,042
- Eckville 1,014
- Falher 1,001
- Trochu 998
- Viking 986
- Thorsby 967
- Onoway 966
- Killam 918
- Oyen 917
- Coronation 868
- Spirit River 849
- Bashaw 848
- Milk River 824
- Castor 803
- Daysland 789
- Sedgewick 761
- McLennan 695
- Mundare 689
- Hardisty 548
- Stavely 544
- Rainbow Lake 495
Frequently Asked Questions about Legal
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Legal has a population of 1,232 people, making it the 113th town in Alberta. The population declined significantly from 1,345 in 2016, a decrease of 113 people or 8.40%. The town has a population density of 387.9 people per km² across a land area of 3.18 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
Legal's population declined by 8.40% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 1,345 to 1,232 people, a loss of 113 residents. This decline is consistent with pressures faced by many other Alberta towns during this period. The median age of 36.80 years suggests a relatively balanced demographic profile. Official 2026 Census data, which will confirm whether this trend continued, is expected from Statistics Canada in February 2027.
Legal has a population density of approximately 387.90 people per square kilometre.
Legal covers a land area of approximately 3.18 km².
The median age of the population in Legal is 36.80 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Legal is French.
The median household income in Legal is $96,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Legal.
Christian is the predominant religion in Legal.
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.