Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Shell Lake has a population of around 189 people. The village's population is in increased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Shell Lake has increased by ▲ 8.00%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 175 | 189 | +8.00% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.55% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Shell Lake's population is projected to reach approximately 204 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 146.76 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 189 | 204 | 146.76 |
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.
Shell Lake Population Trend & Context
Shell Lake had a 2021 census population of 189 — an increase of 14 (▲ 8.00%) people from the 175 recorded in 2016.
The village's population has grown steadily over this period, reflecting broader growth trends among Saskatchewan villages. The village's median age of 54.8 years — above the national median of 41.9 — suggests a mature, established community rather than a rapidly growing one.
Population By Genders
The male population of Shell Lake is around 95 while the female population is around 95.
Of the 189 total population in Shell Lake, the largest gender is female with around 95 female within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 95 | 95 | +0.00% |
Is Shell Lake a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Shell Lake compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against Saskatchewan, 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.
Shell Lake Population Compared to Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan's population in 2021 was 1,132,505, spread across the area. Here's how Shell Lake compares to the village's key indicators:
| Indicator | Shell Lake | Saskatchewan |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $0 | $82,000 |
| Unemployment rate | 0.0% | 8.4% |
| Median age | 54.8 | 38.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.5% | 23.2% |
| Immigrants (%) | 4.1% | 12.5% |
Population by Age Characteristics
Shell Lake has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 70 to 74 years old, accounting for 15.80% of the total population. The village median age is 54.80.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|
Broader Age Groups
If the village'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 52.60% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 34.20% and 13.20%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Shell Lake are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65 years and over | 30.00% | 30.00% | 65.00% |
| 15 to 64 years | 52.60% | 57.90% | 52.60% |
| 65 years and over | 31.60% | 31.60% | 34.20% |
| 0 to 14 years | 15.00% | 10.00% | 25.00% |
| 0 to 14 years | 15.80% | 10.50% | 13.20% |
Explore Shell Lake Through Videos
Population of Shell Lake by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Shell Lake is quite diverse, which contributes to the village's vibrant cultural landscape. Shell Lake is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the village appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.
The top 5 ethnicities and origins in Shell Lake are English, which accounts for 26.53% of the total population, followed by German (26.53%), Cree (20.41%), Ukrainian (16.33%), and Swedish (14.29%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Shell Lake include French, Irish, Scottish, Russian, and Norwegian.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 30.43% | 22.22% | 26.53% |
| German | 30.43% | 22.22% | 26.53% |
| Cree | 26.09% | 18.52% | 20.41% |
| Ukrainian | 21.74% | 14.81% | 16.33% |
| Swedish | 13.04% | 18.52% | 14.29% |
| French | 8.70% | 18.52% | 12.24% |
| Irish | 8.70% | 11.11% | 10.20% |
| Scottish | 8.70% | 11.11% | 10.20% |
| Russian | 0.00% | 11.11% | 10.20% |
| Norwegian | 13.04% | 0.00% | 8.16% |
Indigenous Identity in Shell Lake
About 22.92% of Shell Lake's population (55 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 77.08% who report a non-Indigenous identity.
Of the Indigenous population, 35 people (14.00% 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 Shell Lake's population profile.
About 4.1% of Shell Lake's population are immigrants (10 people).
The top countries of origin for Shell Lake's immigrant population are Brazil (0), Colombia (0), El Salvador (0), Guyana (0), Haiti (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 0 |
| Colombia | 0 |
| El Salvador | 0 |
| Guyana | 0 |
| Haiti | 0 |
100.0% of Shell Lake's residents (245 people) are Canadian citizens, and 0.0% are not.
By generation status, 4.1% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 8.2% are second generation, and 87.8% are third generation or more.
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 70 of Shell Lake's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 1 person household.
Household Size
About 21.05% of the population lives in 1 person households. 2 persons households ranked second, accounting for 21.05% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 5.25%, 2.65%, and 2.65%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 40 | 21.05% |
| 2 persons | 40 | 21.05% |
| 3 persons | 10 | 5.25% |
| 4 persons | 5 | 2.65% |
| 5 or more persons | 5 | 2.65% |
Family and Household Structure in Shell Lake
Of census families in Shell Lake, 81.8% are couple families and 18.2% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.6 people.
42.1% of households in Shell Lake are one-person households, 47.4% are couple-family households, 10.5% are one-parent-family households, and 0.0% are multigenerational households.
| Household Type | Households | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| One-person households | 40 | 42.1% |
| Couple-family households | 45 | 47.4% |
| One-parent-family households | 10 | 10.5% |
| Multigenerational households | 0 | 0.0% |
Income in Shell Lake
Analyzing income distribution in Shell Lake can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Shell Lake is $0.
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 village's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Shell Lake population or around 0 people falls in the Under $10,000 group. The next largest groups are the Under $10,000, and Under $10,000 with around 0 and 0 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Shell Lake's median household income is $0, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Shell Lake's median household income is 84,000 dollars below the Canadian national median of $84,000 (2020 data, 2021 Census).
The data provides important insights into the village'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 village's income distribution, disparities, and trends.
Education Levels in Shell Lake
This data sheds light on the distribution of Shell Lake 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.
38.90% or most of the Shell Lake population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate. 38.90% of the population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree, and 22.20% 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 | 15 | 20 | 35 | 38.90% |
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 15 | 15 | 35 | 38.90% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 15 | 10 | 20 | 22.20% |
Below national average 11.1% of Shell Lake's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Shell Lake
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Shell Lake. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Shell Lake is at 0.00% which is pretty low.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 44.74% |
| Unemployment rate | 0.00% |
Work Activity During the Reference Year
Of the population aged 15 and over in Shell Lake, 21.1% worked full year full time in the reference year, 26.3% worked part year and/or part time, and 52.6% did not work.
| Work Activity | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Worked full year full time | 40 | 21.1% |
| Worked part year and/or part time | 50 | 26.3% |
| Did not work | 100 | 52.6% |
Working as an Employee
The table shows the data on the total number of individuals in the village who work as an employee. The majority of Shell Lake's population (around 58.80%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the village, there are 0 men and 0 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 10.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Shell Lake industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Shell Lake is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Shell Lake has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (24%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Educational services sector comes second at 18%, followed by Other services (except public administration) at 18%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 0 | 10 | 24% |
| Educational services | 0 | 10 | 18% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 10 | 0 | 18% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 10 | 0 | 12% |
| Utilities | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Construction | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Manufacturing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Wholesale trade | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Retail trade | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Information and cultural industries | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Finance and insurance | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Accommodation and food services | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Public administration | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Shell Lake residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Shell Lake: Health care and social assistance (24%), Educational services (18%), Other services (except public administration) (18%)
Top occupation categories in Shell Lake: Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (35%), Health occupations (18%), Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (18%)
Places of Work
The data offers insights into the commuting patterns as well as workplace distribution in the village. 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 | 40 | 30 | 65 | 76.50% |
| No fixed workplace address | 10 | 10 | 15 | 17.60% |
| Worked at home | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Shell Lake 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 Shell Lake residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Shell Lake spend traveling to their workplaces. It also sheds light on the efficiency of the village's public transit systems, and road networks, as well as the accessibility of the village.
| Duration | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Less than 15 minutes | 31.30% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 25.00% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 25.00% |
| 60 minutes and over | 18.80% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 0.00% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Shell Lake 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 village's social fabric. We can gain insights into Shell Lake's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.
Language Spoken
The data below highlights village'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 Shell Lake. About 185 people living in the village speak English, 5 people speak French, 0 people speak English and French language, and 0 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 185 |
| French | 5 |
| English and French | 0 |
| Neither English nor French | 0 |
Knowledge of Official Languages
About 2.7% of Shell Lake's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 100.0% know English only, 0.0% know French only, and 0.0% know neither official language.
| Knowledge of Official Languages | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 185 | 100.0% |
| French only | 0 | 0.0% |
| English and French | 5 | 2.7% |
| 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 | 94.6% | 100.0% |
| French | 2.7% | 0.0% |
| Non-official languages | 2.7% | 0.0% |
Religion
Shell Lake is predominantly Christian. About 195 of its population is Christian (85 males and 110 females).
The second largest religion in the village 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 | 78.0% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Green Spaces in Shell Lake
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Memorial Lake Regional Park | Nature Reserves | — |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Nearest Villages to Shell Lake
- Debden 27.2 km · 327 people
- Canwood 31.0 km · 314 people
- Leask 38.2 km · 379 people
- Parkside 38.3 km · 132 people
- Marcelin 45.8 km · 142 people
- Leoville 48.9 km · 364 people
- Krydor 57.5 km · 15 people
- Medstead 67.8 km · 121 people
Frequently Asked Questions about Shell Lake
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Shell Lake has a population of 189 people, making it the 587th village in Saskatchewan. The population increased significantly from 175 in 2016, an increase of 14 people or 8.00%. The village has a population density of 136.3 people per km² across a land area of 1.39 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
Shell Lake's population grew by 8.00% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 175 to 189 people, a gain of 14 residents. This growth is above average compared to many other Saskatchewan villages during this period. The median age of 54.80 years suggests an aging population. The relatively high proportion of one-person households (42.1%) may indicate young adults leaving for larger centres. Official 2026 Census data, which will confirm whether this trend continued, is expected from Statistics Canada in February 2027.
Shell Lake has a population density of approximately 136.30 people per square kilometre.
Shell Lake covers a land area of approximately 1.39 km².
The median age of the population in Shell Lake is 54.80 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Shell Lake is English.
The median household income in Shell Lake is $0, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Shell Lake.
Christian is the predominant religion in Shell Lake.
According to the 2021 Census, 22.0% of Shell Lake's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.
100.0% of Shell Lake's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.
One-parent families make up 18.2% of census families in Shell Lake, according to the 2021 Census.
Multigenerational households make up 0.0% of all households in Shell Lake, per the 2021 Census.
2.7% of Shell Lake'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 Shell Lake, 21.1% 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.