Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Medicine Hat has a population of around 63,271 people. The city's population is in increased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Medicine Hat has increased by ▲ 0.02%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 63,260 | 63,271 | +0.02% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.00% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Medicine Hat's population is projected to reach approximately 63,282 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 565.17 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 63,271 | 63,282 | 565.17 |
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.
Medicine Hat Population Trend & Context
Medicine Hat had a 2021 census population of 63,271 — an increase of 11 (▲ 0.02%) people from the 63,260 recorded in 2016.
The city's population has remained relatively stable over this period, reflecting broader trends in mid-sized Alberta cities. The city's median age of 42.4 years closely mirrors the national median of 41.9, suggesting a demographic profile in line with the Canadian average.
Population By Genders
The male population of Medicine Hat is around 30,795 while the female population is around 32,480.
Of the 63,271 total population in Medicine Hat, the largest gender is female with around 32,480 female within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 30,795 | 32,480 | +5.19% |
Is Medicine Hat a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Medicine Hat 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.
Medicine Hat Population Compared to Alberta
Alberta's population in 2021 was 4,262,635, spread across the area. Here's how Medicine Hat compares to the city's key indicators:
| Indicator | Medicine Hat | Alberta |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $78,000 | $96,000 |
| Unemployment rate | 12.0% | 11.5% |
| Median age | 42.4 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.7% | 28.4% |
| Immigrants (%) | 9.9% | 23.2% |
Population by Age Characteristics
Medicine Hat has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 7.50% of the total population. The city median age is 42.40.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 to 64 years | 2,260 7.30% | 2,450 7.50% | 7.76% | 4,715 7.50% |
| 35 to 39 years | 2,100 6.80% | 2,260 7.00% | 7.08% | 4,365 6.90% |
| 55 to 59 years | 2,040 6.60% | 2,235 6.90% | 8.72% | 4,270 6.70% |
| 40 to 44 years | 2,055 6.70% | 2,140 6.60% | 3.97% | 4,190 6.60% |
| 65 to 69 years | 1,980 6.40% | 2,215 6.80% | 10.61% | 4,190 6.60% |
| 30 to 34 years | 1,980 6.40% | 2,020 6.20% | 1.98% | 4,000 6.30% |
| 10 to 14 years | 2,045 6.60% | 1,875 5.80% | 8.31% | 3,920 6.20% |
| 5 to 9 years | 1,860 6.00% | 1,820 5.60% | 2.15% | 3,685 5.80% |
| 50 to 54 years | 1,825 5.90% | 1,845 5.70% | 1.08% | 3,670 5.80% |
| 45 to 49 years | 1,830 5.90% | 1,835 5.60% | 0.27% | 3,660 5.80% |
| 15 to 19 years | 1,790 5.80% | 1,790 5.50% | 0.00% | 3,580 5.70% |
| 20 to 24 years | 1,765 5.70% | 1,730 5.30% | 1.98% | 3,495 5.50% |
| 25 to 29 years | 1,720 5.60% | 1,695 5.20% | 1.45% | 3,420 5.40% |
| 70 to 74 years | 1,530 5.00% | 1,755 5.40% | 12.82% | 3,290 5.20% |
| 0 to 4 years | 1,610 5.20% | 1,420 4.40% | 11.80% | 3,030 4.80% |
| 75 to 79 years | 1,030 3.30% | 1,270 3.90% | 18.90% | 2,295 3.60% |
| 85 years and over | 690 2.20% | 1,170 3.60% | 41.03% | 1,860 2.90% |
| 80 to 84 years | 670 2.20% | 950 2.90% | 29.47% | 1,625 2.60% |
| 85 to 89 years | 460 1.50% | 620 1.90% | 25.81% | 1,080 1.70% |
| 90 to 94 years | 185 0.60% | 410 1.30% | 54.88% | 595 0.90% |
| 95 to 99 years | 45 0.10% | 110 0.30% | 59.09% | 155 0.20% |
Broader Age Groups
If the city'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 62.20% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 21.00% and 16.80%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Medicine Hat are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 to 64 years | 62.90% | 61.60% | 62.20% |
| 65 years and over | 19.20% | 22.70% | 21.00% |
| 0 to 14 years | 17.90% | 15.80% | 16.80% |
Explore Medicine Hat Through Videos
Population of Medicine Hat by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Medicine Hat is quite diverse, which contributes to the city's vibrant cultural landscape. Medicine Hat is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the city appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.
The top 5 ethnicities and origins in Medicine Hat are German, which accounts for 34.40% of the total population, followed by English (21.84%), Scottish (16.64%), Irish (14.86%), and Canadian (14.21%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Medicine Hat include French, Russian, Ukrainian, Norwegian, and Dutch.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| German | 34.21% | 34.59% | 34.40% |
| English | 21.58% | 22.11% | 21.84% |
| Scottish | 16.07% | 17.18% | 16.64% |
| Irish | 14.19% | 15.47% | 14.86% |
| Canadian | 14.65% | 13.76% | 14.21% |
| French | 7.91% | 8.31% | 8.13% |
| Russian | 6.11% | 6.79% | 6.46% |
| Ukrainian | 6.48% | 6.40% | 6.45% |
| Norwegian | 5.80% | 5.54% | 5.67% |
| Dutch | 4.01% | 4.45% | 4.24% |
Indigenous Identity in Medicine Hat
About 5.22% of Medicine Hat's population (3,225 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 94.78% who report a non-Indigenous identity.
Of the Indigenous population, 825 people (1.30% 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 Medicine Hat's population profile.
About 9.9% of Medicine Hat's population are immigrants (6,110 people).
The top countries of origin for Medicine Hat's immigrant population are United Kingdom (1,025), Philippines (895), India (425), United States of America (345), Germany (280).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 1,025 |
| Philippines | 895 |
| India | 425 |
| United States of America | 345 |
| Germany | 280 |
95.6% of Medicine Hat's residents (59,080 people) are Canadian citizens, and 4.5% are not.
By generation status, 11.5% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 14.5% are second generation, and 74.0% are third generation or more.
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 17,250 of Medicine Hat's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 19.05% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 15.50% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 6.45%, 5.80%, and 3.20%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 10,380 | 19.05% |
| 1 person | 8,445 | 15.50% |
| 3 persons | 3,505 | 6.45% |
| 4 persons | 3,155 | 5.80% |
| 5 or more persons | 1,740 | 3.20% |
Family and Household Structure in Medicine Hat
Of census families in Medicine Hat, 82.6% are couple families and 17.4% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.8 people.
31.0% of households in Medicine Hat are one-person households, 51.0% are couple-family households, 9.1% are one-parent-family households, and 1.5% are multigenerational households.
| Household Type | Households | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| One-person households | 8,445 | 31.0% |
| Couple-family households | 13,885 | 51.0% |
| One-parent-family households | 2,475 | 9.1% |
| Multigenerational households | 400 | 1.5% |
Income in Medicine Hat
Analyzing income distribution in Medicine Hat can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Medicine Hat is $41,200.
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 city's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Medicine Hat population or around 7,725 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 6,525 and 6,520 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Medicine Hat's median household income is $78,000, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Medicine Hat's median household income is 6,000 dollars below the Canadian national median of $84,000 (2020 data, 2021 Census).
The data provides important insights into the city'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 city's income distribution, disparities, and trends.
Education Levels in Medicine Hat
This data sheds light on the distribution of Medicine Hat 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.
57.60% or most of the Medicine Hat population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 30.50% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 11.90% 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 | 8,300 | 10,120 | 18,420 | 57.60% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 5,125 | 4,625 | 9,755 | 30.50% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 2,115 | 1,700 | 3,815 | 11.90% |
Below national average 18.6% of Medicine Hat's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Medicine Hat
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Medicine Hat. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Medicine Hat is at 11.95% which is very high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 54.52% |
| Unemployment rate | 11.95% |
Work Activity During the Reference Year
Of the population aged 15 and over in Medicine Hat, 29.7% worked full year full time in the reference year, 30.9% worked part year and/or part time, and 39.4% did not work.
| Work Activity | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Worked full year full time | 15,200 | 29.7% |
| Worked part year and/or part time | 15,845 | 30.9% |
| Did not work | 20,180 | 39.4% |
Working as an Employee
The table shows the data on the total number of individuals in the city who work as an employee. The majority of Medicine Hat's population (around 70.60%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the city, there are 2,465 men and 1,630 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 4,100.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 2,465 | 1,630 | 4,100 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Medicine Hat industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Medicine Hat is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Medicine Hat has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (16%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Retail trade sector comes second at 15%, followed by Construction at 9%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 805 | 4,200 | 16% |
| Retail trade | 1,930 | 2,685 | 15% |
| Construction | 2,420 | 330 | 9% |
| Accommodation and food services | 960 | 1,330 | 7% |
| Educational services | 690 | 1,460 | 7% |
| Public administration | 1,215 | 750 | 6% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 815 | 815 | 5% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 1,145 | 305 | 5% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 1,370 | 75 | 5% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 715 | 705 | 5% |
| Manufacturing | 1,060 | 235 | 4% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 580 | 480 | 3% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 490 | 300 | 3% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 310 | 450 | 2% |
| Wholesale trade | 505 | 160 | 2% |
| Finance and insurance | 245 | 410 | 2% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 230 | 130 | 1% |
| Information and cultural industries | 160 | 115 | 1% |
| Utilities | 165 | 10 | 1% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 15 | 30 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Medicine Hat residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Medicine Hat: Health care and social assistance (16%), Retail trade (15%), Construction (9%)
Top occupation categories in Medicine Hat: Sales and service occupations (28%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (19%), Business, finance and administration occupations (13%)
Places of Work
The data offers insights into the commuting patterns as well as workplace distribution in the city. 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 | 9,440 | 10,830 | 20,270 | 72.60% |
| No fixed workplace address | 3,690 | 1,110 | 4,805 | 17.20% |
| Worked at home | 1,185 | 1,600 | 2,785 | 10.00% |
| Worked outside Canada | 50 | 10 | 65 | 0.20% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Medicine Hat 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 Medicine Hat residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Medicine Hat spend traveling to their workplaces. It also sheds light on the efficiency of the city's public transit systems, and road networks, as well as the accessibility of the city.
| Duration | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Less than 15 minutes | 56.40% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 31.40% |
| 60 minutes and over | 5.00% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 4.90% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 2.30% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Medicine Hat 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 city's social fabric. We can gain insights into Medicine Hat's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.
Language Spoken
The data below highlights city'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 Medicine Hat. About 61,295 people living in the city speak English, 515 people speak French, 245 people speak Neither English nor French language, and 60 people speak English and French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 61,295 |
| French | 515 |
| Neither English nor French | 245 |
| English and French | 60 |
Knowledge of Official Languages
About 3.7% of Medicine Hat's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 95.9% know English only, 0.0% know French only, and 0.4% know neither official language.
| Knowledge of Official Languages | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 59,540 | 95.9% |
| French only | 10 | 0.0% |
| English and French | 2,295 | 3.7% |
| Neither English nor French | 260 | 0.4% |
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 | 89.6% | 95.0% |
| Non-official languages | 7.9% | 3.6% |
| French | 0.9% | 0.2% |
Religion
Medicine Hat is predominantly Christian. About 32,650 of its population is Christian (15,145 males and 17,500 females).
The second largest religion in the city is Muslim with 1.5% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Sikh, both represent 0.5% and 0.5% of the population, while Buddhist represent 0.5% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 52.8% |
| Islam | 1.5% |
| Hindu | 0.5% |
| Sikh | 0.5% |
| Buddhist | 0.5% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in Medicine Hat
Schools
- Dr. Roy Wilson Learning Centre
- George Davison School
- Notre Dame Academy
- Webster Niblock School
- Vincent Massey School
- St. Michael's School
- Margaret Wooding School
- Parkside Junior High School
Parks
- Lions Park Entrance Gate
- Stone Crescent Park
- South Ridge 1 Acre Park
- Reynolds Park
- South Ridge Community Park
- Scott Green Park
- Spruce Close Park
- Stein Close Park
- Megan Wahl Memorial Park
- Kensington Park
- Huckvale Court Park
- Central Park
- Bray Crescent Park
- Parkview Tot Lot
- Becker Park
- Hughes Crescent Park
- Holt Crescent Park
- Flanagan Park
- Terri Clark Park
- Ashburner Park
- Lussier Park
- Cousins Park
- Park Crescent Park
- Herald Drive Park
- Muir Crescent Park
- Lokier Avenue Park
- Perry Crescent Park
- Jeffries Park
- McQueen Park
- Martin Park
- Riley Court Park
- Heald Park
- Dan McCharles Park
- S.F. Scott Park
- Upland Drive Park
- 17 Street Park
- Ravine Drive Park
- Crestwood Drive Park
Libraries
Community Centres
Places to Visit in Medicine Hat
Museums
Attractions
Historic Sites
- Medalta Potteries
- Brick and Tile
- Saint Patrick's Roman Catholic Church
- Ewart-Duggan Residence
- Monarch Theatre
- Medicine Hat Railway Station
- Pressed Btrick Plant stack
Stadiums
Theatres
Green Spaces in Medicine Hat
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Lions Park Entrance Gate | Parks | — |
| Stone Crescent Park | Parks | 0.2 ha |
| South Ridge 1 Acre Park | Parks | 0.4 ha |
| Reynolds Park | Parks | 0.5 ha |
| South Ridge Community Park | Parks | 10.2 ha |
| Scott Green Park | Parks | 0.2 ha |
| Spruce Close Park | Parks | 0.5 ha |
| Stein Close Park | Parks | 0.3 ha |
| Megan Wahl Memorial Park | Parks | 2.7 ha |
| Kensington Park | Parks | 0.5 ha |
| Huckvale Court Park | Parks | 0.4 ha |
| Central Park | Parks | 3.1 ha |
| Bray Crescent Park | Parks | 0.2 ha |
| Parkview Tot Lot | Parks | 0.3 ha |
| Becker Park | Parks | 0.5 ha |
| Hughes Crescent Park | Parks | 0.7 ha |
| Holt Crescent Park | Parks | 0.3 ha |
| Flanagan Park | Parks | 0.9 ha |
| Terri Clark Park | Parks | 0.9 ha |
| Ashburner Park | Parks | 0.6 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Nearest Cities to Medicine Hat
- Brooks 104.3 km · 14,924 people
- Lethbridge 159.2 km · 98,406 people
- Chestermere 249.0 km · 22,163 people
- Calgary 263.4 km · 1,306,784 people
- Airdrie 272.4 km · 74,100 people
- Red Deer 330.2 km · 100,844 people
- Lacombe 343.7 km · 13,396 people
- Camrose 362.5 km · 18,772 people
Frequently Asked Questions about Medicine Hat
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Medicine Hat has a population of 63,271 people, making it the 10th city in Alberta. The population increased slightly from 63,260 in 2016, an increase of 11 people or 0.02%. The city has a population density of 565.1 people per km² across a land area of 111.97 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
Medicine Hat's population remained essentially flat between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 63,260 to 63,271 people, a marginal change of 11 residents. This stability is characteristic of many mid-sized other Alberta cities during this period. The median age of 42.40 years suggests a mature, established community. Official 2026 Census data, which will confirm whether this trend continued, is expected from Statistics Canada in February 2027.
Medicine Hat has a population density of approximately 565.10 people per square kilometre.
Medicine Hat covers a land area of approximately 111.97 km².
The median age of the population in Medicine Hat is 42.40 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Medicine Hat is German.
The median household income in Medicine Hat is $78,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Medicine Hat.
Christian is the predominant religion in Medicine Hat.
According to the 2021 Census, 5.2% of Medicine Hat's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.
95.6% of Medicine Hat's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.
One-parent families make up 17.4% of census families in Medicine Hat, according to the 2021 Census.
Multigenerational households make up 1.5% of all households in Medicine Hat, per the 2021 Census.
3.7% of Medicine Hat'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 Medicine Hat, 29.7% 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.