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Big Lakes County, AB

Alberta

Big Lakes County is a small town in Alberta with a population of 4,986. Residents earn $76,000 per year, which is 1% above the national average.

Data updated June 2026

3.0 /5.0
B Good
4,986 Population 1/sq mi density
$76,000 Median Income $45,880 per capita
$226,000 Home Value
$850 Median Rent 13.7% income on rent
35°F Avg Temperature 303 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$76,000 median income, 12.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$226,000 home value, $850/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
F
Education
1.5 / 5.0
5.9% bachelor's degree or higher

Discover Big Lakes County, AB

Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
Use the tabs and dropdown menus below to navigate every data point we track for this city.

Full City Profile
Median Income $76,000
1% higher than US avg
Home Value $226,000
20% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 5.9%
83% lower than US avg
Median Rent $850
27% lower than US avg
Unemployment 12.5%
247% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.5%
17% higher than US avg

How Big Lakes County Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population4,986
Median Age45.6 yrs
Density1/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 97%

Economy

C+
Median Income$76,000
Per Capita$45,880
Unemployment12.5%
Poverty14.5%
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$226,000
Rent$850
Ownership78.6%
Housing Units2,010
Rent Burden13.7%

Crime

C+
Property3,500/100K
Burglary484/100K

Climate

Avg Temp35°F (2°C)
Rain18.2 in/yr
Sunny Days303/yr
Elevation2,018 ft (615 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+5.9%
High School+27.9%
Graduate+0.5%

Community

Commute24 min

Is Big Lakes County a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Big Lakes County receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment. Big Lakes County offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Big Lakes County is $76,000, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. At 12.5%, unemployment is notably high. 14.5% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Big Lakes County is $226,000, 20% below the national median / offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $850 per month, below the national average / a plus for affordability. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000, 79% above the national average.

Education

5.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 27.9% have completed high school.

Climate & Weather

Big Lakes County has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 35°F. Winters average 4°F in January while summers reach 61°F in July. With 303 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 18.2 inches.

Big Lakes County has a population of 4,986 with a density of 1 people per square mile, spread across 5,338.9 square miles. The median age is 45.6 years, 17% older than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 50.1% female and 49.8% male. The city is predominantly White (96.8%), with 2.4% Asian. English is the primary language spoken at home by 83.8% of residents.

Population

4,986
Total Population
1
People / sq mi
45.6yrs
Median Age
17% above US avg
5,338.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.8%
Female 50.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Big Lakes County vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only 83.8%
7% above US avg
Spanish 2.5%
81% below US avg
Other Languages 13.7%

Social Characteristics

Big Lakes County vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Big Lakes County is $76,000, which is 1% above the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $45,880 (above the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $882, 38% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 12.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 14.5% of residents live below the poverty line, higher than the national rate of 12.4%. The area has 155 business establishments. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes. 26.8% of workers work from home (above the 15.2% national rate).

Income: Big Lakes County vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$76,000
1% above US avg
Per Capita Income$45,880
Avg Weekly Wage$882

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment12.5%
247% above US avg
Poverty Rate14.5%
17% above US avg
Establishments (County)155

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.4 min
Drive Alone93.1%
Public Transit0.7%
Work from Home26.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Big Lakes County is $226,000, 20% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $850 (27% below the national average of $1,163). 78.6% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). There are 2,010 total housing units in the city. 13.7% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. The home price-to-income ratio is 3x, well within the affordable range.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$226,000
20% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$850
27% below US avg
Rent Burden13.7%

Ownership & Property

Homeownership78.6%
Owner-Occupied78.6%
Renter-Occupied21.1%
Housing Units2,010

Property Tax

Property crime stands at 3,500 per 100,000, 79% above the U.S. average. This includes larceny/theft at 2,503, burglary at 484, vehicle theft at 505 per 100,000 residents. Overall, Big Lakes County receives a safety grade of C+.

Crime Rates: Big Lakes County vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Total Property3,500.0/100K
79% above US avg
Burglary483.9/100K
Theft2,503.4/100K
Vehicle Theft504.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
View full crime details →
Big Lakes County has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 35°F (2°C). Winters average 4°F in January while summers reach 61°F in July. The area gets 303 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 18.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.4 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 2,018 feet.

Temperature

4°F Jan (-15°C) 61°F Jul (16°C)
Annual Average35.1°F
35% below US avg
January Average4°F (-15°C)
July Average61°F (16°C)
Sunny Days303 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,018 ft (615 m)
Area5,338.9 sq mi (13,827.6 km²)
Population Density1/sq mi
Coordinates55.3703°N, 115.9575°W
TimezoneAmerica/Edmonton

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.2"
52% below US avg
Snowfall 4.4"
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.35"
Driest Month (Mar) 0.71"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

8 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.7. Most recent: M4.2 on Aug 24, 2024.

Mar 16, 2023 44 km ESE of Peace River, Canada M4.7 93 km
Mar 16, 2023 Alberta, Canada M4.6 92 km
Jan 23, 2015 32 km W of Fox Creek, Canada M4.4 135 km
Jan 12, 2016 15 km WNW of Fox Creek, Canada M4.4 123 km
Aug 24, 2024 32 km WNW of Fox Creek, Canada M4.2 121 km
Mar 16, 2023 Alberta, Canada M4.2 91 km
Mar 18, 1992 40 km SE of High Prairie, Canada M3.5 17 km
May 3, 1995 36 km E of Sexsmith, Canada M3.3 143 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 4°F (-15°C) 1.1 in Coldest
February 12°F (-11°C) 0.8 in
March 22°F (-6°C) 0.7 in Driest
April 37°F (3°C) 0.8 in
May 48°F (9°C) 1.6 in
June 56°F (13°C) 3.4 in Wettest
July 61°F (16°C) 3.0 in Warmest
August 59°F (15°C) 2.2 in
September 50°F (10°C) 1.8 in
October 41°F (5°C) 1.0 in
November 23°F (-5°C) 0.9 in
December 8°F (-13°C) 1.0 in

Big Lakes County has a seasonal temperature swing of 56°F / from 4°F in January to 61°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.4") and March the driest (0.7").

View full weather details →
5.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 83% below the national average of 33.7%. 27.9% have completed high school. 0.5% hold a graduate or professional degree (below the 13.1% national rate). 93.1% of workers drive alone to work.

Education

Bachelor's Degree+5.9%
83% below US avg
High School+27.9%
Graduate Degree+0.5%
F Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Area & Infrastructure

Population Density1/sq mi
Total Area5,338.9 sq mi

Services

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.4 min
Drive Alone93.1%
Public Transit0.7%
Work from Home26.8%

Schools in Big Lakes County

1 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Joussard School - - - -
View full schools details →

Airports Near Big Lakes County

2 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
High Prairie AirportZHPSmall Airport
Swan Hills Airport-Small Airport

Churches & Religious Organizations in Big Lakes County

1 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Joussard Church

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Frequently Asked Questions About Big Lakes County

What is the population of Big Lakes County?

Big Lakes County has a population of 4,986 residents and is located in Alberta. The population density is 1 people per square mile, spread across 5,338.9 square miles. The median age of residents is 45.6 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 50.1% female and 49.8% male.

Is Big Lakes County expensive to live in?

The median household income is $76,000, 1% above the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $226,000 (20% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $850 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 3x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.

Is Big Lakes County safe?

Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Big Lakes County receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.

What is the weather like in Big Lakes County?

Big Lakes County has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 35°F (2°C). Winter temperatures average 4°F in January, while summers reach an average of 61°F in July. The area receives 303 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 18.2 inches, with 4.4 inches of snow.

How is the job market in Big Lakes County?

The job market in Big Lakes County faces challenges, with unemployment at 12.5% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $882. There are 155 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 24 minutes, and 26.8% of workers work from home.

How much does housing cost in Big Lakes County?

The median home value in Big Lakes County is $226,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $850. The homeownership rate is 78.6%.

How are the schools in Big Lakes County?

5.9% of adults in Big Lakes County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 27.9% have completed high school. 0.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.

What is transportation like in Big Lakes County?

The average commute in Big Lakes County is 24 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 93.1% of workers drive alone to work, and 26.8% work from home.

What are the demographics of Big Lakes County?

The racial and ethnic makeup of Big Lakes County is 96.8% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 2.4% Asian. 83.8% of residents speak only English at home.

Nearby Cities

High Prairie, AB 2,380 pop · 21.2 mi Slave Lake, AB 6,836 pop · 47.1 mi Swan Hills, AB 1,201 pop · 50.2 mi Smoky River No. 130, AB 1,684 pop · 52.0 mi Falher, AB 1,001 pop · 54.8 mi Valleyview, AB 1,673 pop · 56.4 mi Lesser Slave River No. 124, AB 2,861 pop · 64.1 mi Fox Creek, AB 1,639 pop · 75.0 mi Peace River, AB 6,619 pop · 79.2 mi Birch Hills County, AB 1,516 pop · 84.2 mi Whitecourt, AB 9,927 pop · 85.0 mi Grimshaw, AB 2,601 pop · 85.1 mi Peace No. 135, AB 1,581 pop · 88.1 mi Wabasca-Desmarais, AB 1,594 pop · 91.9 mi
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