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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.

3.1 /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
B
Overall
3.1 / 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
F
Education
1.5 / 5.0
5.9% bachelor's degree or higher
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
Obesity Rate 26.2%
18% 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
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units2,010
Rent Burden13.7%

Health

Obesity26.2%
UninsuredN/A
Smoking8.9%
Depression4.1%
Heart Disease9.5%

Climate

Avg TempN/A
AQI27 (Good)
Elevation2,018 ft (615 m)

Education

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

Community

Commute24 min
Broadband94.0%

Is Big Lakes County a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Big Lakes County receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, strong internet connectivity. 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.

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

Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 27.

Big Lakes County has a population of 4,986 with a density of 1 people per square mile. The median age is 45.6 years, 17% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.8%), with 2.4% Asian.

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 Only83.8%
7% above US avg
Spanish2.5%
81% below US avg
Other Languages13.7%

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. The unemployment rate is 12.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 14.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Big Lakes County vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

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

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment12.5%
247% above US avg
Poverty Rate14.5%
17% above US avg

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 average. Monthly rent averages $850 (27% below US avg).

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

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

Property Tax

In Big Lakes County, 26.2% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 8.9% are current smokers. 4.1% report depression. 76.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Big Lakes County vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity26.2%
18% below US avg
Diabetes5.5%
Heart Disease9.5%
High Blood Pressure22.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking8.9%
36% below US avg
Binge Drinking10.0%
Physical Inactivity76.3%
Depression4.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.0%

Food & Exercise

5.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (83% below US avg). 94.0% of households have broadband internet.

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)

Urban-Rural Classification

Population Density1/sq mi
Total Area5,338.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access94.0%

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

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

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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