Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Picture Butte has a population of around 1,930 people. The town's population is in increased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Picture Butte has increased by ▲ 6.63%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 1,810 | 1,930 | +6.63% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.29% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Picture Butte's population is projected to reach approximately 2,058 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 681.46 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 1,930 | 2,058 | 681.46 |
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.
Picture Butte Population Trend & Context
Picture Butte had a 2021 census population of 1,930 — an increase of 120 (▲ 6.63%) people from the 1,810 recorded in 2016.
The town's population has grown steadily over this period, reflecting broader growth trends among Alberta towns. The town's median age of 32 years — below the national median of 41.9 — suggests a younger, potentially growing population.
Population By Genders
The male population of Picture Butte is around 970 while the female population is around 960.
Of the 1,930 total population in Picture Butte, the largest gender is male with around 970 male within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 970 | 960 | +1.03% |
Is Picture Butte a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Picture Butte 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.
Picture Butte Population Compared to Alberta
Alberta's population in 2021 was 4,262,635, spread across the area. Here's how Picture Butte compares to the town's key indicators:
| Indicator | Picture Butte | Alberta |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $81,000 | $96,000 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.5% | 11.5% |
| Median age | 32 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.2% | 28.4% |
| Immigrants (%) | 17.9% | 23.2% |
Population by Age Characteristics
Picture Butte has a young population. The majority of the population is people aged 0 to 4 years old, accounting for 9.80% of the total population. The town median age is 32.00.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 4 years | 110 11.30% | 85 8.90% | 22.73% | 190 9.80% |
| 5 to 9 years | 85 8.80% | 75 7.80% | 11.76% | 160 8.30% |
| 25 to 29 years | 80 8.20% | 75 7.80% | 6.25% | 155 8.00% |
| 10 to 14 years | 70 7.20% | 75 7.80% | 6.67% | 145 7.50% |
| 20 to 24 years | 80 8.20% | 70 7.30% | 12.50% | 145 7.50% |
| 30 to 34 years | 65 6.70% | 60 6.30% | 7.69% | 125 6.50% |
| 35 to 39 years | 60 6.20% | 60 6.30% | 0.00% | 115 6.00% |
| 15 to 19 years | 50 5.20% | 55 5.70% | 9.09% | 105 5.40% |
| 40 to 44 years | 50 5.20% | 55 5.70% | 9.09% | 105 5.40% |
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 57.30% of the population. The other age groups, 0 to 14 years and 65 years and over, account for 25.90% and 16.80%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Picture Butte are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 to 64 years | 58.80% | 55.70% | 57.30% |
| 0 to 14 years | 26.80% | 25.00% | 25.90% |
| 65 years and over | 13.90% | 19.80% | 16.80% |
Population of Picture Butte by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Picture Butte is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Picture Butte 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 Picture Butte are Dutch, which accounts for 29.07% of the total population, followed by German (21.07%), Canadian (14.13%), English (11.73%), and Irish (8.53%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Picture Butte include Scottish, French, Ukrainian, Mexican, and Mennonite.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dutch | 30.37% | 28.80% | 29.07% |
| German | 22.51% | 19.57% | 21.07% |
| Canadian | 12.04% | 15.76% | 14.13% |
| English | 10.99% | 12.50% | 11.73% |
| Irish | 6.81% | 10.33% | 8.53% |
| Scottish | 5.24% | 11.96% | 8.53% |
| French | 6.81% | 7.07% | 6.93% |
| Ukrainian | 7.33% | 5.98% | 6.40% |
| Mexican | 7.85% | 3.26% | 5.60% |
| Mennonite | 3.14% | 5.98% | 4.53% |
Indigenous Identity in Picture Butte
About 3.47% of Picture Butte's population (65 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 96.53% who report a non-Indigenous identity.
Of the Indigenous population, 35 people (1.90% 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 Picture Butte's population profile.
About 17.9% of Picture Butte's population are immigrants (335 people).
The top countries of origin for Picture Butte's immigrant population are Mexico (160), Netherlands (80), United Kingdom (30), United States of America (10), Hong Kong (10).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| Mexico | 160 |
| Netherlands | 80 |
| United Kingdom | 30 |
| United States of America | 10 |
| Hong Kong | 10 |
91.7% of Picture Butte's residents (1,720 people) are Canadian citizens, and 8.0% are not.
By generation status, 24.9% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 28.3% are second generation, and 46.8% are third generation or more.
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 560 of Picture Butte's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 17.40% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 12.30% of the population. 5 or more persons, 3 persons, and 4 persons households account for 7.60%, 6.15%, and 6.15%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 240 | 17.40% |
| 1 person | 170 | 12.30% |
| 5 or more persons | 105 | 7.60% |
| 3 persons | 85 | 6.15% |
| 4 persons | 85 | 6.15% |
Family and Household Structure in Picture Butte
Of census families in Picture Butte, 88.9% are couple families and 11.1% are one-parent families. The average census family has 3.2 people.
24.6% of households in Picture Butte are one-person households, 61.6% are couple-family households, 5.8% are one-parent-family households, and 0.7% are multigenerational households.
| Household Type | Households | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| One-person households | 170 | 24.6% |
| Couple-family households | 425 | 61.6% |
| One-parent-family households | 40 | 5.8% |
| Multigenerational households | 5 | 0.7% |
Income in Picture Butte
Analyzing income distribution in Picture Butte can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Picture Butte is $40,000.
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 Picture Butte population or around 270 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 200 and 170 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Picture Butte's median household income is $81,000, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Picture Butte's median household income is 3,000 dollars below 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 Picture Butte
This data sheds light on the distribution of Picture Butte 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.
37.90% or most of the Picture Butte population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 35.00% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 27.10% 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 | 165 | 175 | 335 | 37.90% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 165 | 140 | 310 | 35.00% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 130 | 105 | 240 | 27.10% |
Below national average 9.6% of Picture Butte's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Picture Butte
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Picture Butte. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Picture Butte is at 3.45% which is pretty low.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 61.31% |
| Unemployment rate | 3.45% |
Work Activity During the Reference Year
Of the population aged 15 and over in Picture Butte, 36.9% worked full year full time in the reference year, 25.9% worked part year and/or part time, and 37.2% did not work.
| Work Activity | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Worked full year full time | 505 | 36.9% |
| Worked part year and/or part time | 355 | 25.9% |
| Did not work | 510 | 37.2% |
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 Picture Butte's population (around 72.80%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the town, there are 75 men and 50 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 120.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 75 | 50 | 120 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Picture Butte industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Picture Butte is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Picture Butte has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (24%) works in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sector. The Construction sector comes second at 11%, followed by Manufacturing at 9%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 170 | 35 | 24% |
| Construction | 85 | 10 | 11% |
| Manufacturing | 45 | 30 | 9% |
| Health care and social assistance | 0 | 65 | 8% |
| Retail trade | 20 | 40 | 7% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 45 | 15 | 7% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 30 | 25 | 6% |
| Educational services | 0 | 40 | 5% |
| Accommodation and food services | 25 | 20 | 5% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 30 | 0 | 4% |
| Public administration | 10 | 20 | 4% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 15 | 10 | 3% |
| Wholesale trade | 15 | 0 | 2% |
| Information and cultural industries | 0 | 0 | 1% |
| Finance and insurance | 0 | 10 | 1% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 0 | 10 | 1% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Utilities | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Picture Butte residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Picture Butte: Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (24%), Construction (11%), Manufacturing (9%)
Top occupation categories in Picture Butte: Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (28%), Sales and service occupations (21%), Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations (20%)
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 | 275 | 270 | 540 | 64.70% |
| No fixed workplace address | 190 | 15 | 205 | 24.60% |
| Worked at home | 50 | 45 | 95 | 11.40% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Picture Butte 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 Picture Butte residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Picture Butte 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 | 53.70% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 30.20% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 11.40% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 3.40% |
| 60 minutes and over | 2.00% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Picture Butte 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 town's social fabric. We can gain insights into Picture Butte'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 Picture Butte. About 1,815 people living in the town speak English, 55 people speak Neither English nor French, 5 people speak French language, and 0 people speak English and French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 1,815 |
| Neither English nor French | 55 |
| French | 5 |
| English and French | 0 |
Knowledge of Official Languages
About 1.3% of Picture Butte's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 95.7% know English only, 0.0% know French only, and 2.9% know neither official language.
| Knowledge of Official Languages | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 1,795 | 95.7% |
| French only | 0 | 0.0% |
| English and French | 25 | 1.3% |
| Neither English nor French | 55 | 2.9% |
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 | 65.3% | 78.9% |
| Non-official languages | 31.5% | 16.8% |
| French | 0.5% | 0.0% |
Religion
Picture Butte is predominantly Christian. About 1,390 of its population is Christian (690 males and 700 females).
The second largest religion in the town 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 | 74.3% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in Picture Butte
Schools
Parks
Green Spaces in Picture Butte
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Lions Park | Parks | 1.7 ha |
| Harry Watson Memorial Park | Parks | 5.5 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Nearest Towns to Picture Butte
- Coalhurst 17.8 km · 2,869 people
- Nobleford 19.2 km · 1,438 people
- Fairview 20.1 km · 2,817 people
- Coaldale 20.5 km · 8,771 people
- Raymond 46.3 km · 4,199 people
- Fort Macleod 47.9 km · 3,297 people
- Magrath 51.4 km · 2,481 people
- Vauxhall 52.8 km · 1,286 people
Frequently Asked Questions about Picture Butte
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Picture Butte has a population of 1,930 people, making it the 93rd town in Alberta. The population increased significantly from 1,810 in 2016, an increase of 120 people or 6.63%. The town has a population density of 639.7 people per km² across a land area of 3.02 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
Picture Butte's population grew by 6.63% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 1,810 to 1,930 people, a gain of 120 residents. This growth is above average compared to many other Alberta towns during this period. The median age of 32.00 years suggests a comparatively young population. Official 2026 Census data, which will confirm whether this trend continued, is expected from Statistics Canada in February 2027.
Picture Butte has a population density of approximately 639.70 people per square kilometre.
Picture Butte covers a land area of approximately 3.02 km².
The median age of the population in Picture Butte is 32.00 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Picture Butte is Dutch.
The median household income in Picture Butte is $81,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Picture Butte.
Christian is the predominant religion in Picture Butte.
According to the 2021 Census, 3.5% of Picture Butte's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.
91.7% of Picture Butte's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.
One-parent families make up 11.1% of census families in Picture Butte, according to the 2021 Census.
Multigenerational households make up 0.7% of all households in Picture Butte, per the 2021 Census.
1.3% of Picture Butte'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 Picture Butte, 36.9% 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.