The population in the Lethbridge area has increased by nearly 3,000 in the course of one year, according to Statistics Canada. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge area population grows by nearly 3,000 in 2022: Stats Canada

Jan 11, 2023 | 1:08 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Outside of Calgary and Edmonton, the Lethbridge area had the largest increase in its population in the province last year.

Statistics Canada has released new data regarding annual demographic estimates for census metropolitan areas (CMA).

CMAs can include several communities within a certain geographic area.

Between July 1, 2021, and July 1, 2022, the agency reports that the Lethbridge CMA population increased by 2,976 people, or 2.3 per cent.

That means that the total population of the Lethbridge CMA as of July 1, 2022, was 133,064.

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 26, 2024

10h ago

Week-in-review: Federal Budget, water agreements and success for tourism industry

Apr 20, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 19, 2024

Apr 19, 2024

International migration accounted for 47.4 per cent of the CMA population change (1,412), while interprovincial migration made up 30.7 per cent (914), natural increase was 12.3 per cent (365), and intraprovincial migration was 9.6 per cent (285).

Approximately two thirds of those who moved to the Lethbridge CMA were between the ages of 15 and 64, while 19% were 0-14 and 16.9 per cent were at least 65 years old.

A total of 18 CMAs were included in the Stats Canada report. They are:

• Brooks:
  • Population: 24,966
  • Percentage change: 0.9 per cent
  • Number change: 232
• Calgary:
  • Population: 1,608,342
  • Percentage change: 3.1 per cent
  • Number change: 49,754
• Camrose:
  • Population: 18,801
  • Percentage change: 0.5 per cent
  • Number change: 94
• Canmore:
  • Population: 16,347
  • Percentage change: 2.9 per cent
  • Number change: 467
• Cold Lake:
  • Population: 14,108
  • Percentage change: 1.4 per cent
  • Number change: 195
• Edmonton:
  • Population: 1,516,719
  • Percentage change: 2.4 per cent
  • Number change: 36,560
• Grande Prairie:
  • Population: 68,350
  • Percentage change: 0.6 per cent
  • Number change: 382
• High River:
  • Population: 14,391
  • Percentage change: 1.4 per cent
  • Number change: 196
• Lacombe:
  • Population: 12,956
  • Percentage change: 0.1%
  • Number change: 16
• Lethbridge:
  • Population: 133,064
  • Percentage change: 2.3%
  • Number change: 2,976
• Lloydminster:
  • Population: 20,550
  • Percentage change: 1.2%
  • Number change: 255
• Medicine Hat:
  • Population: 80,126
  • Percentage change: 1.1%
  • Number change: 855
• Okotoks:
  • Population: 31,764
  • Percentage change: 1.6%
  • Number change: 494
• Red Deer:
  • Population: 107,073
  • Percentage change: 1.4%
  • Number change: 1,469
• Strathmore:
  • Population: 14,468
  • Percentage change: 2.1%
  • Number change: 306
• Sylvan Lake:
  • Population: 16,477
  • Percentage change: 2.8%
  • Number change: 448
• Wetaskwin:
  • Population: 12,935
  • Percentage change: 0.5%
  • Number change: 62
• Wood Buffalo:
  • Population: 76,649
  • Percentage change: 1.3%
  • Number change: 982

More details on the CMA population counts can be found on the Statistics Canada website.

The 2021 federal census counted the number of people who reside in City of Lethbridge limits at 98,406, an increase of 6.1 per cent over the last five years.

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

READ MORE: Religious and ethnic demographics in Lethbridge, Alberta and Canada: Census