Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Red Deer has a population of around 100,844 people. The city's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Red Deer has increased by 0.42%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 100,418 | 100,844 | +0.42% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.08% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Red Deer's population is projected to reach approximately 101,272 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 970.60 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 100,844 | 101,272 | 970.60 |
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.
Population By Genders
The male population of Red Deer is around 49,800 while the female population is around 51,050.
Of the 100,844 total population in Red Deer, the largest gender is female with around 51,050 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 49,800 | 51,050 | +2.45% |
Is Red Deer a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Red Deer 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.
Other Cities Near Red Deer
- Lacombe (23.3 km)
- Wetaskiwin (83.4 km)
Population by Age Characteristics
Red Deer has a young population. The majority of the population is people aged 35 to 39 years old, accounting for 7.80% of the total population. The city median age is 38.80.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 to 39 years | 3,875 7.80% | 4,025 7.90% | 3.73% | 7,905 7.80% |
| 40 to 44 years | 3,780 7.60% | 3,735 7.30% | 1.19% | 7,515 7.50% |
| 30 to 34 years | 3,795 7.60% | 3,705 7.30% | 2.37% | 7,500 7.40% |
| 10 to 14 years | 3,370 6.80% | 3,240 6.30% | 3.86% | 6,610 6.60% |
| 60 to 64 years | 3,195 6.40% | 3,405 6.70% | 6.17% | 6,600 6.50% |
| 45 to 49 years | 3,325 6.70% | 3,190 6.20% | 4.06% | 6,520 6.50% |
| 55 to 59 years | 3,125 6.30% | 3,375 6.60% | 7.41% | 6,505 6.50% |
| 25 to 29 years | 3,250 6.50% | 3,230 6.30% | 0.62% | 6,475 6.40% |
| 5 to 9 years | 3,315 6.70% | 3,035 5.90% | 8.45% | 6,350 6.30% |
| 15 to 19 years | 3,155 6.30% | 3,020 5.90% | 4.28% | 6,175 6.10% |
| 20 to 24 years | 3,080 6.20% | 2,995 5.90% | 2.76% | 6,075 6.00% |
| 50 to 54 years | 2,985 6.00% | 3,045 6.00% | 1.97% | 6,025 6.00% |
| 0 to 4 years | 2,785 5.60% | 2,625 5.10% | 5.75% | 5,405 5.40% |
| 65 to 69 years | 2,495 5.00% | 2,840 5.60% | 12.15% | 5,330 5.30% |
| 70 to 74 years | 1,780 3.60% | 2,090 4.10% | 14.83% | 3,865 3.80% |
| 75 to 79 years | 1,120 2.20% | 1,355 2.70% | 17.34% | 2,475 2.50% |
| 80 to 84 years | 760 1.50% | 1,035 2.00% | 26.57% | 1,795 1.80% |
| 85 years and over | 615 1.20% | 1,110 2.20% | 44.59% | 1,725 1.70% |
| 85 to 89 years | 435 0.90% | 680 1.30% | 36.03% | 1,115 1.10% |
| 90 to 94 years | 155 0.30% | 325 0.60% | 52.31% | 480 0.50% |
| 95 to 99 years | 20 0.00% | 90 0.20% | 77.78% | 110 0.10% |
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 66.70% of the population. The other age groups, 0 to 14 years and 65 years and over, account for 18.20% and 15.10%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Red Deer are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average age of the population | 38.40% | 40.30% | 39.40% |
| Median age of the population | 38.00% | 39.60% | 38.80% |
| 0 to 14 years | 19.00% | 17.40% | 18.20% |
| 65 years and over | 13.60% | 16.50% | 15.10% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Red Deer
Explore Red Deer Through Videos
Population of Red Deer by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Red Deer is quite diverse, which contributes to the city's vibrant cultural landscape. Red Deer is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the province appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.
The top 5 ethnicities and origins in the province are English, which accounts for 21.85% of the total population, followed by German (18.69%), Scottish (18.09%), Irish (15.94%), and Canadian (13.94%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include French, Ukrainian, Filipino, Dutch, and Norwegian.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 21.14% | 22.53% | 21.85% |
| German | 17.96% | 19.40% | 18.69% |
| Scottish | 17.68% | 18.49% | 18.09% |
| Irish | 14.92% | 16.93% | 15.94% |
| Canadian | 14.78% | 13.13% | 13.94% |
| French | 8.49% | 9.14% | 8.82% |
| Ukrainian | 8.35% | 7.75% | 8.05% |
| Filipino | 7.03% | 8.17% | 7.61% |
| Dutch | 4.76% | 4.66% | 4.71% |
| Norwegian | 4.23% | 4.88% | 4.56% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Red Deer's population profile.
About 16.9% of Red Deer's population are immigrants (16,540 people).
The top countries of origin for Red Deer's immigrant population are Philippines (6,380), United Kingdom (960), India (740), United States of America (515), El Salvador (480).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| Philippines | 6,380 |
| United Kingdom | 960 |
| India | 740 |
| United States of America | 515 |
| El Salvador | 480 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 21,520 of Red Deer's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 17.35% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 14.40% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 7.35%, 6.70%, and 4.20%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 14,065 | 17.35% |
| 1 person | 11,685 | 14.40% |
| 3 persons | 5,950 | 7.35% |
| 4 persons | 5,425 | 6.70% |
| 5 or more persons | 3,385 | 4.20% |
Income in Red Deer
Analyzing income distribution in Red Deer can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Red Deer is $42,800.
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 city's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Red Deer population or around 12,415 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 11,240 and 10,935 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Red Deer's median household income is $85,000, according to 2020 data.
Above national average Red Deer's median household income is 1,000 dollars above 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 Red Deer
This data sheds light on the distribution of Red Deer 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.
55.60% or most of the Red Deer population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 30.85% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 19.80% has a Bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.55% has No certificate, diploma or degree.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 33,415 | 39,725 | 73,140 | 55.60% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 21,185 | 20,345 | 41,525 | 30.85% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10,430 | 15,450 | 25,880 | 19.80% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 10,435 | 8,305 | 18,745 | 13.55% |
Below national average 19.8% of Red Deer's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Red Deer
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Red Deer. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Newfoundland and Labrador is at 8.25% which is very high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 58.75% |
| Unemployment rate | 8.25% |
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 Red Deer's population (around 70.30%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the city, there are 3,845 men and 2,755 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 6,595.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 3,845 | 2,755 | 6,595 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Red Deer industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Red Deer is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Red Deer 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 14%, followed by Construction at 9%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 1,470 | 7,020 | 16% |
| Retail trade | 3,500 | 3,900 | 14% |
| Construction | 4,020 | 610 | 9% |
| Manufacturing | 3,070 | 1,075 | 8% |
| Accommodation and food services | 1,560 | 2,215 | 7% |
| Educational services | 870 | 2,295 | 6% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 2,645 | 295 | 6% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 1,260 | 1,385 | 5% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 1,280 | 1,340 | 5% |
| Public administration | 1,095 | 1,125 | 4% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 1,620 | 465 | 4% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 1,115 | 860 | 4% |
| Wholesale trade | 1,015 | 425 | 3% |
| Finance and insurance | 530 | 825 | 3% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 500 | 475 | 2% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 360 | 350 | 1% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 355 | 160 | 1% |
| Information and cultural industries | 215 | 170 | 1% |
| Utilities | 185 | 35 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 30 | 20 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Red Deer residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Red Deer: Health care and social assistance (16%), -45 Retail trade (14%), Construction (9%)
Top occupation categories in Red Deer: Sales and service occupations (27%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (18%), Business, finance and administration occupations (14%)
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 | 15,760 | 17,435 | 33,195 | 70.90% |
| No fixed workplace address | 5,670 | 1,760 | 7,425 | 15.90% |
| Worked at home | 2,470 | 3,640 | 6,105 | 13.00% |
| Worked outside Canada | 85 | 15 | 105 | 0.20% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Red Deer 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 Red Deer residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Red Deer 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 | 45.40% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 39.10% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 8.80% |
| 60 minutes and over | 4.40% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 2.20% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Red Deershed 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 Red Deer'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 Red Deer. About 96,545 people living in the province speak English, 1,110 people speak French, 690 people speak Neither English nor French language, and 200 people speak English and French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 96,545 |
| French | 1,110 |
| Neither English nor French | 690 |
| English and French | 200 |
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 | 81.7% | 88.3% |
| Non-official languages | 14.0% | 8.6% |
| French | 1.2% | 0.3% |
Religion
Red Deer is predominantly Christian. About 50,345 of its population is Christian (23,310 males and 23,310 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Muslim with 2.1% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Buddhist, both represent 0.8% and 0.6% of the population, while Sikh represent 0.3% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 51.4% |
| Islam | 2.1% |
| Hindu | 0.8% |
| Buddhist | 0.6% |
| Sikh | 0.3% |
| Jewish | 0.1% |
Points of Interest in Red Deer
Hospitals
Schools
- RDC Donald School of Buisness
- Hunting Hills High School
- Notre Dame High School
- Destiny Christian School Grounds
- Central Middle School
Parks
Libraries
Community Centres
Places to Visit in Red Deer
Museums
Attractions
Historic Sites
Stadiums
Theatres
Green Spaces in Red Deer
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Northwood Estates Park | Parks | 1.4 ha |
| Barrett Park | Parks | 40.4 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Frequently Asked Questions about Red Deer
According to the 2021 census, Red Deer has a population of approximately 100,844 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Red Deer increased by 0.42%.
Red Deer has a population density of approximately 966.50 people per square kilometre.
Red Deer covers a land area of approximately 104.34 km².
The median age of the population in Red Deer is 38.80 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Red Deer is English.
The median household income in Red Deer is $85,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Red Deer.
Christian is the predominant religion in Red Deer.
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.