Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Swan Hills has a population of around 1,201 people. The town's population is in decreased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Swan Hills has decreased by ▼ -7.69%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 1,301 | 1,201 | --7.69% |
2026 Population Projection
Swan Hills's population declined between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, so a 2026 growth projection is not shown. The most recent confirmed figure remains the 1,201 people recorded in the 2021 census.
Swan Hills Population Trend & Context
Swan Hills had a 2021 census population of 1,201 — a decline of 100 (▼ 7.69%) people from the 1,301 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 42 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 Swan Hills is around 625 while the female population is around 575.
Of the 1,201 total population in Swan Hills, the largest gender is male with around 625 male within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 625 | 575 | -8.00% |
Is Swan Hills a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Swan Hills 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.
Swan Hills Population Compared to Alberta
Alberta's population in 2021 was 4,262,635, spread across the area. Here's how Swan Hills compares to the town's key indicators:
| Indicator | Swan Hills | Alberta |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $83,000 | $96,000 |
| Unemployment rate | 12.5% | 11.5% |
| Median age | 42 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 7.2% | 28.4% |
| Immigrants (%) | 5.0% | 23.2% |
Population by Age Characteristics
Swan Hills has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 55 to 59 years old, accounting for 10.00% of the total population. The town median age is 42.00.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 to 59 years | 70 11.20% | 50 8.70% | 28.57% | 120 10.00% |
| 45 to 49 years | 55 8.80% | 50 8.70% | 9.09% | 105 8.80% |
| 50 to 54 years | 55 8.80% | 45 7.80% | 18.18% | 100 8.30% |
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 66.70% of the population. The other age groups, 0 to 14 years and 65 years and over, account for 20.00% and 13.30%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Swan Hills are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 to 64 years | 67.20% | 65.20% | 66.70% |
| 0 to 14 years | 19.20% | 20.90% | 20.00% |
| 65 years and over | 13.60% | 13.90% | 13.30% |
Population of Swan Hills by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Swan Hills is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Swan Hills 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 Swan Hills are English, which accounts for 25.83% of the total population, followed by Scottish (22.92%), German (22.92%), French (20.00%), and Irish (18.33%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Swan Hills include Canadian, Ukrainian, Dutch, First Nations (North American Indian), and Norwegian.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 26.45% | 24.58% | 25.83% |
| Scottish | 21.49% | 24.58% | 22.92% |
| German | 21.49% | 24.58% | 22.92% |
| French | 20.66% | 19.49% | 20.00% |
| Irish | 20.66% | 16.95% | 18.33% |
| Canadian | 15.70% | 11.86% | 13.75% |
| Ukrainian | 10.74% | 9.32% | 9.58% |
| Dutch | 8.26% | 11.02% | 9.58% |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 11.57% | 6.78% | 9.58% |
| Norwegian | 6.61% | 5.93% | 5.83% |
Indigenous Identity in Swan Hills
About 18.41% of Swan Hills's population (220 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 81.59% who report a non-Indigenous identity.
Of the Indigenous population, 55 people (4.60% 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 Swan Hills's population profile.
About 5.0% of Swan Hills's population are immigrants (60 people).
The top countries of origin for Swan Hills's immigrant population are Philippines (35), United States of America (15), Brazil (0), Colombia (0), El Salvador (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| Philippines | 35 |
| United States of America | 15 |
| Brazil | 0 |
| Colombia | 0 |
| El Salvador | 0 |
96.7% of Swan Hills's residents (1,155 people) are Canadian citizens, and 3.3% are not.
By generation status, 5.0% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 7.5% are second generation, and 87.9% are third generation or more.
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 425 of Swan Hills's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 20.40% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 13.60% of the population. 4 persons, 3 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 6.30%, 5.85%, and 3.40%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 210 | 20.40% |
| 1 person | 140 | 13.60% |
| 4 persons | 65 | 6.30% |
| 3 persons | 60 | 5.85% |
| 5 or more persons | 35 | 3.40% |
Family and Household Structure in Swan Hills
Of census families in Swan Hills, 81.7% are couple families and 18.3% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.8 people.
27.5% of households in Swan Hills are one-person households, 52.9% are couple-family households, 10.8% are one-parent-family households, and 1.0% are multigenerational households.
| Household Type | Households | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| One-person households | 140 | 27.5% |
| Couple-family households | 270 | 52.9% |
| One-parent-family households | 55 | 10.8% |
| Multigenerational households | 5 | 1.0% |
Income in Swan Hills
Analyzing income distribution in Swan Hills can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Swan Hills is $44,400.
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 town's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Swan Hills population or around 145 people falls in the $50,000 to $79,999 group. The next largest groups are the $10,000 to $29,999, and $100,000 to $149,999 with around 135 and 100 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Swan Hills's median household income is $83,000, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Swan Hills's median household income is 1,000 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 Swan Hills
This data sheds light on the distribution of Swan Hills 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.
46.00% or most of the Swan Hills population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate. 37.20% of the population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree, and 16.80% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 155 | 155 | 315 | 46.00% |
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 140 | 115 | 255 | 37.20% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 75 | 45 | 115 | 16.80% |
Below national average 7.3% of Swan Hills's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Swan Hills
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Swan Hills. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Swan Hills is at 12.50% which is very high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 53.57% |
| Unemployment rate | 12.50% |
Work Activity During the Reference Year
Of the population aged 15 and over in Swan Hills, 31.6% worked full year full time in the reference year, 31.1% worked part year and/or part time, and 37.2% did not work.
| Work Activity | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Worked full year full time | 310 | 31.6% |
| Worked part year and/or part time | 305 | 31.1% |
| Did not work | 365 | 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 Swan Hills's population (around 73.90%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the town, there are 45 men and 35 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 80.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 45 | 35 | 80 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Swan Hills industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Swan Hills is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Swan Hills has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (29%) works in the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction sector. The Transportation and warehousing sector comes second at 9%, followed by Public administration at 9%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 145 | 25 | 29% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 45 | 15 | 9% |
| Public administration | 25 | 30 | 9% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 35 | 15 | 8% |
| Retail trade | 15 | 30 | 7% |
| Educational services | 10 | 35 | 7% |
| Health care and social assistance | 0 | 30 | 6% |
| Accommodation and food services | 15 | 15 | 6% |
| Construction | 20 | 15 | 5% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 10 | 10 | 3% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 10 | 10 | 3% |
| Utilities | 0 | 0 | 2% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 0 | 0 | 2% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Manufacturing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Wholesale trade | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Information and cultural industries | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Finance and insurance | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Swan Hills residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Swan Hills: Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (29%), Transportation and warehousing (9%), Public administration (9%)
Top occupation categories in Swan Hills: Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (22%), Sales and service occupations (15%), Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations (14%)
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 | 140 | 185 | 325 | 61.90% |
| No fixed workplace address | 150 | 15 | 165 | 31.40% |
| Worked at home | 10 | 25 | 35 | 6.70% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Swan Hills 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 Swan Hills residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Swan Hills 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 | 57.10% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 15.30% |
| 60 minutes and over | 12.20% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 10.20% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 5.10% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Swan Hills 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 Swan Hills'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 Swan Hills. About 1,180 people living in the town 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 | 1,180 |
| French | 20 |
| English and French | 0 |
| Neither English nor French | 0 |
Knowledge of Official Languages
About 3.8% of Swan Hills's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 96.3% know English only, 0.0% know French only, and 0.0% know neither official language.
| Knowledge of Official Languages | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 1,155 | 96.3% |
| French only | 0 | 0.0% |
| English and French | 45 | 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 | 92.1% | 96.7% |
| Non-official languages | 5.4% | 2.9% |
| French | 1.7% | 0.0% |
Religion
Swan Hills is predominantly Christian. About 435 of its population is Christian (210 males and 230 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 | 36.4% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in Swan Hills
Hospitals
Schools
Parks
Green Spaces in Swan Hills
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Lions Park | Parks | 0.5 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Nearest Towns to Swan Hills
- Whitecourt 66.6 km · 9,927 people
- Slave Lake 74.4 km · 6,836 people
- Mayerthorpe 86.8 km · 1,259 people
- Barrhead 92.1 km · 4,320 people
- Fox Creek 96.7 km · 1,639 people
- High Prairie 105.2 km · 2,380 people
- Westlock 118.3 km · 4,921 people
- Valleyview 126.5 km · 1,673 people
Frequently Asked Questions about Swan Hills
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Swan Hills has a population of 1,201 people, making it the 114th town in Alberta. The population declined significantly from 1,301 in 2016, a decrease of 100 people or 7.69%. The town has a population density of 46.4 people per km² across a land area of 25.87 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
Swan Hills's population declined by 7.69% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 1,301 to 1,201 people, a loss of 100 residents. This decline is consistent with pressures faced by many other Alberta towns during this period. The median age of 42.00 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.
Swan Hills has a population density of approximately 46.40 people per square kilometre.
Swan Hills covers a land area of approximately 25.87 km².
The median age of the population in Swan Hills is 42.00 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Swan Hills is English.
The median household income in Swan Hills is $83,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Swan Hills.
Christian is the predominant religion in Swan Hills.
According to the 2021 Census, 18.4% of Swan Hills's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.
96.7% of Swan Hills's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.
One-parent families make up 18.3% of census families in Swan Hills, according to the 2021 Census.
Multigenerational households make up 1.0% of all households in Swan Hills, per the 2021 Census.
3.8% of Swan Hills'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 Swan Hills, 31.6% 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.