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Demographics of Alberta

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Demographics of Alberta
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Alberta has experienced a relatively high rate of growth in recent years, due in large part to its economy. Between 2003 and 2004, the province saw high birthrates (on par with some larger provinces such as British Columbia), relatively high immigration, and a high rate of interprovincial migration when compared to other provinces.[1] Approximately 81% of the population live in urban areas and only about 19% live in rural areas. The Calgary–Edmonton Corridor is the most urbanized area in Alberta and is one of Canada's four most urban regions.[2] Many of Alberta's cities and towns have also experienced high rates of growth in recent history. From a population of 73,022 in 1901, Alberta has grown to 4,262,635 in 2021 and in the process has gone from less than 1.5% of Canada's population to 11.5%.[3] It is the fourth most populated province in Canada. Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, the Alberta population grew by 4.8%.

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Population density of Alberta, 2016
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Population history

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Population01,000,0002,000,0003,000,0004,000,0005,000,00019011941196619862006PopulationAlberta Total Population
More information Year, Population ...

† 1901 population for District of Alberta, part of the then-named North-West Territories.

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Population geography

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Census divisions

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Alberta's census divisions by population

Census metropolitan areas

As of the 2011 census, Alberta had two census metropolitan areas (CMAs) recognized by Statistics Canada. A third one was added in the 2016 census.

The following is a list of the recent population history of the Calgary and Edmonton CMAs.

More information CMA name, Census division ...

The third CMA added in 2016 is Lethbridge, and its population history is as follows:

More information CMA name, Census division ...

The fourth CMA added in 2021 is Red Deer, and its population history is as follows:

More information CMA name, Census division ...

CMA notes:

  1. In the 2006 census, the 2001 population of the Calgary was adjusted to 951,494 due to a boundary expansion.

Census agglomerations

Census subdivisions

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Population growth of Alberta's census subdivisions between 2006 and 2011 censuses

As of the 2006 census, Alberta had 453 census subdivisions (municipalities and municipal equivalents) recognized by Statistics Canada. The following is a list of those census subdivisions with a population of 10,000 or greater.

More information Name, Municipal status ...

Population centres

Designated places

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Vital statistics

Ethnic origins

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Largest ethnic origins by census division, 2021 census

The ethnicities most commonly reported in the 2021 Census are shown in the table below. The percentages add up to more than 100% because of multiple responses.[16]

More information Ethnic group, 1941: 2–3 ...

Future projections

More information Panethnic group, Pop. ...
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Visible minorities and Indigenous peoples

Indigenous and visible minority identity (2021):[24][25]
  1. European Canadian (65.4%)
  2. Visible minority (27.8%)
  3. First Nations (3.50%)
  4. Métis (3.10%)
  5. Inuit (0.10%)
  6. Other Indigenous (0.20%)
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Largest panethnic groups in Alberta by percentage of total population by census division, 2021 census
More information Visible minority and Indigenous population (2021 Canadian census), Population group ...
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Languages

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Knowledge of languages

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Largest non-official language known in Alberta by census division, 2021 census
More information Language, Percent ...

The question on knowledge of languages allows for multiple responses, and first appeared on the 1991 Canadian census.[o]

More information Knowledge of Languages in Alberta (1991–2021), Language ...

Mother tongue

Languages of Alberta (2021):[42]
  1. English 76.6 (74.7%)
  2. French 2.1 (2.05%)
  3. Indigenous language 0.6 (0.59%)
  4. Other language 20.9 (20.4%)
  5. Multiple 2.3 (2.24%)

Of the 4,221,835 singular responses to the 2021 census question concerning mother tongue, the languages most commonly reported were:[43]

More information Language, Pop. ...

In addition to the table above, other mother tongues in Alberta include (including languages with more than 422 people, or 0.01 per cent of respondents):

In addition to the single-language responses detailed above, about 88,765 people reported having more than one mother tongue. There were 74,515 responses of both English and a non-official language; 2,785 of both French and a non-official language; 10,005 of both English and French; and 1,455 of English, French and a non-official language.

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Religion

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Religious affiliation (2021):[44]
  1. Christian (48.1%)
  2. Muslim (4.80%)
  3. Sikh (2.50%)
  4. Hindu (1.90%)
  5. Buddhist (1.00%)
  6. Jewish (0.30%)
  7. Aboriginal spirituality (0.50%)
  8. Other religions (0.80%)
  9. Irreligious (40.1%)
Christian sub-affiliation (2021):[44]
  1. Roman Catholic (41.5%)
  2. Christian, n.o.s. (21.4%)
  3. United Church (7.70%)
  4. Anglican (4.80%)
  5. Lutheran (4.00%)
  6. Orthodox (3.20%)
  7. Pentecostal (2.70%)
  8. Latter Day Saints (2.30%)
  9. Baptist (2.20%)
  10. Presbyterian (1.10%)
  11. Anabaptist (1.00%)
  12. Jehovah's Witnesses (0.90%)
  13. Reformed (0.70%)
  14. Methodist (0.50%)
  15. Other Christian (6.20%)

Just under 50 percent of Albertans identify as Christian, while over 40 percent of residents identify with no religion. The largest denominations are the Roman Catholic, United, Anglican, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches.

Just over 1 percent of Albertans are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, descended from pioneers who emigrated from Utah around the turn of the 20th century; there are three temples in the province. Alberta also has large numbers of Pentecostal, Presbyterians, and evangelical Christians.

There are significant numbers of Mennonites and Hutterites, which are communal Anabaptist sects. There are also many Jehovah's Witnesses and Reformed Christians, as well a significant population of Seventh-day Adventists in and around Lacombe where the Canadian University College is located.

Alberta is also home to several Eastern Rite Churches as part of the legacy of Eastern European immigrants, including the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton, and the Ukrainian Orthodox Diocese of Edmonton and Western Canada. There are 500 Doukhobors living in their few communities across Southern Alberta.

Many people of the Hindu, Sikh, and Muslim faiths also make Alberta their home; one of the largest Sikh temples in Canada is located just outside Edmonton. Most of Alberta's Jewish population of 11,390 lives in Calgary and Edmonton.

Alberta's second largest religion, Islam, has roots that include Canada's first mosque, Al-Rashid Mosque, built in 1938 led by a Lebanese woman named Hilwie Hamdon.

More information Religious groups in Alberta (1981−2021), Religious group ...
More information Religion (2021) 1, Denomination ...
^1 Statistics Canada. 2022. Alberta (table). National Household Survey (NHS) Profile. 2021 National Household Survey. Released October 26, 2022.[44]
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Migration

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Immigration

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Largest nation of birth of immigrants by census division, 2021 Census
More information Alberta immigration statistics (1901–2021), Census year ...

The 2021 census reported that immigrants (individuals born outside Canada) comprise 970,975 persons or 23.2 percent of the total population of Alberta.[105][106]

More information Country of birth, 1951 census : 375–376 ...

Recent immigration

The 2021 Canadian census counted a total of 193,170 people who immigrated to Alberta between 2016 and 2021.[105][106]

More information Country of Birth, Population ...

Interprovincial migration

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Net cumulative interprovincial migration per Province from 1997 to 2017, as a share of population of each Provinces

Over the past five decades, Alberta has had the highest net increase from interprovincial migration of any province. However, it typically experiences population decline during economic downturns, as it did during the 1980s.[citation needed] Oil is the main industry driving interprovincial migration to Alberta, as many Canadians move to Alberta to work on the oil fields. Interprovincial migration to Alberta rises and drops dependent of the price of oil. There was a dramatic reduction after the 2014 drop in oil prices.[110]

More information In-migrants, Out-migrants ...

Source: Statistics Canada[111]

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See also

Demographics of Canada's provinces and territories

Notes

  1. Included under Syrian
  2. Including Slovak
  3. Including all Yugoslavic ethnic groups
  4. Included under Czech
  5. Including Lebanese
  6. Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an Indigenous identity.
  7. Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.
  8. Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.
  9. Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.
  10. Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority, n.i.e." and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.
  11. The question on knowledge of languages allows for multiple responses. The following figures are from the 2021 Canadian census.
  12. Including total responses to HindiUrdu.
  13. Including total responses to all Chinese languages and dialects.
  14. Including total responses to all High German languages.
  15. The 1991 Census was the first to ask Canadians whether they could conduct a conversation in a language other than English or French.[27]:50
  16. Including total responses to all CreeInnu language dialects.
  17. Including total responses to all Persian Language dialects.
  18. Total responses to all Scandinavian–North Germanic languages, including Danish, Icelandic, Norwegian, and Swedish.
  19. China: 61,390 / Taiwan: 3,395
  20. China: 57,695 / Taiwan: 3,460
  21. China: 49,595 / Taiwan: 2,960
  22. China: 41,495 / Taiwan: 2,315
  23. China: 27,630 / Taiwan: 2,035
  24. China: 23,515 / Taiwan: 1,285
  25. China: 18,865 / Taiwan: 625
  26. China: 15,445 / Taiwan: 410
  27. China: 6,160 / Taiwan: 6,640
  28. Nigeria: 21,065 / Ghana: 3,720
  29. Nigeria: 12,405 / Ghana: 3,165
  30. Nigeria: 5,570 / Ghana: 2,005
  31. Nigeria: 1,740 / Ghana: 1,060
  32. Nigeria: 985 / Ghana: 865
  33. Nigeria: 410 / Ghana: 615
  34. Ethiopia: 14,425 / Eritrea: 9,720
  35. Ethiopia: 10,565 / Eritrea: 4,815
  36. Ethiopia: 6,375 / Eritrea: 1,510
  37. Ethiopia: 3,655 / Eritrea: 965
  38. Ethiopia: 1,370 / Eritrea: 845
  39. Syria: 9,975 / Lebanon: 9,960
  40. Syria: 4,800 / Lebanon: 10,395
  41. Syria: 1,185 / Lebanon: 8,390
  42. Syria: 975 / Lebanon: 7,530
  43. Syria: 610 / Lebanon: 6,870
  44. Syria: 420 / Lebanon: 5,855
  45. Syria: 380 / Lebanon: 4,880
  46. Syria: 215 / Lebanon: 3,315
  47. Germany: 16,635 / Austria: 1,330
  48. Germany: 19,200 / Austria: 1,510
  49. Germany: 20,085 / Austria: 1,640
  50. Germany: 21,570 / Austria: 2,040
  51. Germany: 21,845 / Austria: 2,120
  52. Germany: 23,320 / Austria: 2,200
  53. Germany: 22,825 / Austria: 2,450
  54. Germany: 24,535 / Austria: 2,915
  55. Germany: 27,390 / Austria: 3,965
  56. Ukraine: 8,915 / Russia: 7,470
  57. Ukraine: 8,150 / Russia: 7,260
  58. Ukraine: 6,430 / Russia: 5,900
  59. Ukraine: 5,435 / Russia: 4,850
  60. Ukraine: 5,170 / Russia: 3,635
  61. Ukraine: 5,190 / Russia: 3,140
  62. Includes total persons born in all republics of the Soviet Union.
  63. Galicia: 6,807 / Russia: 11,572 / Ukraine: 2,165
  64. Kenya: 6,070 / Tanzania: 4,655 / Uganda: 2,965
  65. Kenya: 5,125 / Tanzania: 4,510 / Uganda: 2,290
  66. Kenya: 4,010 / Tanzania: 4,465 / Uganda: 1,605
  67. Kenya: 3,425 / Tanzania: 4,035 / Uganda: 1,545
  68. Kenya: 2,875 / Tanzania: 4,435 / Uganda: 1,390
  69. Kenya: 2,945 / Tanzania: 3,875 / Uganda: 1,535
  70. Kenya: 2,865 / Tanzania: 4,340 / Uganda: 1,430
  71. Kenya: 2,265 / Tanzania: 3,700 / Uganda: 1,425
  72. Jamaica: 8,695 / Trinidad and Tobago: 3,360
  73. Jamaica: 6,845 / Trinidad and Tobago: 3,415
  74. Jamaica: 4,340 / Trinidad and Tobago: 2,950
  75. Jamaica: 3,755 / Trinidad and Tobago: 3,260
  76. Jamaica: 3,705 / Trinidad and Tobago: 2,700
  77. Jamaica: 3,015 / Trinidad and Tobago: 3,015
  78. Jamaica: 3,765 / Trinidad and Tobago: 2,700
  79. Jamaica: 3,660 / Trinidad and Tobago: 2,700
  80. All individuals born in the British West Indies.
  81. El Salvador: 6,940 / Guatemala: 1,915 / Nicaragua: 1,475
  82. El Salvador: 7,255 / Guatemala: 1,775 / Nicaragua: 1,255
  83. El Salvador: 5,530 / Guatemala: 1,490 / Nicaragua: 850
  84. El Salvador: 5,475 / Guatemala: 1,360 / Nicaragua: 1,340
  85. El Salvador: 4,695 / Guatemala: 1,240 / Nicaragua: 1,055
  86. El Salvador: 4,760 / Guatemala: 1,130 / Nicaragua: 1,050
  87. El Salvador: 3,660 / Guatemala: 840 / Nicaragua: 1,350
  88. El Salvador: 1,505 / Guatemala: 265 / Nicaragua: 290
  89. DR Congo: 3,215 / Cameroon: 2,705
  90. DR Congo: 2,930 / Cameroon: 1,760
  91. DR Congo: 1,495 / Cameroon: 810
  92. DR Congo: 785 / Cameroon: 85
  93. DR Congo: 345 / Cameroon: 35
  94. DR Congo: 115 / Cameroon: 0
  95. Malaysia: 3,990 / Singapore: 1,415
  96. Malaysia: 4,260 / Singapore: 1,535
  97. Malaysia: 3,500 / Singapore: 1,265
  98. Malaysia: 3,215 / Singapore: 1,035
  99. Malaysia: 2,855 / Singapore: 1,025
  100. Malaysia: 2,955 / Singapore: 865
  101. Malaysia: 2,570 / Singapore: 710
  102. Malaysia: 1,620 / Singapore: 585
  103. France: 2,720 / Belgium: 935
  104. France: 2,540 / Belgium: 995
  105. France: 2,395 / Belgium: 970
  106. France: 2,065 / Belgium: 925
  107. France: 1,915 / Belgium: 890
  108. France: 1,795 / Belgium: 915
  109. France: 1,690 / Belgium: 1,140
  110. France: 2,035 / Belgium: 1,130
  111. France: 2,500 / Belgium: 1,320
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References

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