(Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Updated census counts for Southern Alberta, Lethbridge population reaches 98,406

Feb 9, 2022 | 12:32 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The first batch of data from the 2021 federal census is in.

Stats Canada has released numbers on population counts, the number of dwellings, and some economic indicators.

Nation-wide, the population grew by 5.2 per cent between 2016 and 2021, now resting just below 37 million.

Alberta saw an increase of 4.8 per cent in that time with over 4.2 million people calling the province home.

The City of Lethbridge experienced a larger growth as a percentage of its population than what we saw provincially or federally.

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As of 2021, Lethbridge had 98,406 residents, rising by 6.1 per cent over the last five years.

An interesting detail about the city’s numbers is that it is actually down from 2019’s municipal census.

READ MORE: Lethbridge’s population officially reaches 101,482

In the local population count two years ago, it was reported that 101,482 people called Lethbridge home, marking the first time it was in the six digits.

LNN reached out to the City of Lethbridge for an explanation as to why the 2021 federal census has a smaller number than the 2019 municipal census.

Officials told us there are two possible reasons for the difference. The first is methodology in that the city counted every household up to 10-15 times while federal census takers only had to go to each dwelling twice. The other is that the city started its census counts on April 1, 2019, while the federal one was done in mid-May. The difference in timing could result in fewer post-secondary students being in Lethbridge during the time of the counts.

Following the 2019 municipal census, Lethbridge was ranked as the third-largest city in Alberta, narrowly topping Red Deer. As of the 2021 federal count, Lethbridge is the fourth-largest.

1. Calgary: 1,306,784
2. Edmonton: 1,010,899
3. Red Deer: 100,844
4. Lethbridge: 98,406

READ MORE: Despite COVID-19, census shows population grew at fastest rate in G7, topping 36.9M

READ MORE: Census data suggests Alberta economy shifting but growth expected to stay strong

READ MORE: One in 10 Canadians lived in smaller urban centres in 2021: StatCan

In the list below, we have included the 2021 population counts for 20 communities in Southern Alberta as well as the provincial and national figures, including how those numbers have changed since the 2016 census.

While Lethbridge had the biggest rise in its total number of residents, the Village of Foremost actually had the highest change by percentage at 16.5 per cent. The Village is now home to 630 people.

Medicine Hat’s and Standoff’s populations were virtually unchanged since 2016 with each community registering a zero per cent difference.

Claresholm and Pincher Creek also experienced less than a one per cent change.

The most substantial decrease in population occurred in Vulcan, whose residential count fell by 7.7 per cent to 1,769.

You can look up Census of Population data for individual communities through this link.

Canada:

• Population 2021: 36,991,981
• Population 2016: 35,151,728
• Change in population: +5.2%

Alberta:

• Population 2021: 4,262,635
• Population 2016: 4,067,175
• Change in population: +4.8%

Lethbridge:

• Population 2021: 98,406
• Population 2016: 92,729
• Change in population: +6.1%

Medicine Hat:

• Population 2021: 63,271
• Population 2016: 63,260
• Change in population: 0%

Bow Island:

• Population 2021: 2,036
• Population 2016: 1,983
• Change in population: +2.7%

Brooks:

• Population 2021: 14,924
• Population 2016: 14,451
• Change in population: +3.3%

Claresholm:

• Population 2021: 3,804
• Population 2016: 3,790
• Change in population: +0.4%

Coaldale:

• Population 2021: 8,771
• Population 2016: 8,331
• Change in population: +5.3%

Coalhurst:

• Population 2021: 2,869
• Population 2016: 2,668
• Change in population: +7.5%

Crowsnest Pass:

• Population 2021: 5,695
• Population 2016: 5,589
• Change in population: +1.9%

Foremost:

• Population 2021: 630
• Population 2016: 541
• Change in population: +16.5%

Fort Macleod:

• Population 2021: 3,297
• Population 2016: 2,967
• Change in population: 11.1%

Magrath:

• Population 2021: 2,481
• Population 2016: 2,374
• Change in population: +4.5%

Milk River:

• Population 2021: 824
• Population 2016: 827
• Change in population: -0.4%

Nobleford:

• Population 2021: 1,438
• Population 2016: 1,278
• Change in population: +12.5%

Pincher Creek:

• Population 2021: 3,622
• Population 2016: 3,642
• Change in population: -0.5%

Picture Butte:

• Population 2021: 1,930
• Population 2016: 1,810
• Change in population: +6.6%

Raymond:

• Population 2021: 4,199
• Population 2016: 3,713
• Change in population: +13.1%

Standoff (Listed as Blood 148 Indian reserve):

• Population 2021: 4,572
• Population 2016: 4,570
• Change in population: 0%

Taber:

• Population 2021: 8,862
• Population 2016: 8,428
• Change in population: +5.1%

Vauxhall:

• Population 2021: 1,286
• Population 2016: 1,222
• Change in population: +5.2%

Vulcan:

• Population 2021: 1,769
• Population 2016: 1,917
• Change in population: -7.7%

The next batch of census data, due April 27, 2022, will cover “Canada’s shifting demographic profile.” The full census data release schedule can be found here.