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Birch Hills County, AB

Alberta

Birch Hills County is a small town in Alberta with a population of 1,516. Residents earn $67,500 per year, which is 10% below the national average.

Data updated June 2026

3.1 /5.0
B Good
1,516 Population 1/sq mi density
$67,500 Median Income $46,600 per capita
$200,000 Home Value
$500 Median Rent 12.9% income on rent
35°F Avg Temperature 303 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$67,500 median income, 1.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$200,000 home value, $500/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
F
Education
1.4 / 5.0
4.7% bachelor's degree or higher

Discover Birch Hills 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 $67,500
10% lower than US avg
Home Value $200,000
29% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 4.7%
86% lower than US avg
Median Rent $500
57% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.8%
50% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 20.2%
63% higher than US avg

How Birch Hills County Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population1,516
Median Age41.6 yrs
Density1/mi²
Male / Female52% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 99%

Economy

B+
Median Income$67,500
Per Capita$46,600
Unemployment1.8%
Poverty20.2%
Commute30 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$200,000
Rent$500
Ownership83.5%
Housing Units485
Rent Burden12.9%

Crime

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

Climate

Avg Temp35°F (2°C)
Rain18.2 in/yr
Sunny Days303/yr
Elevation1,873 ft (571 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+4.7%
High School+37.3%
Graduate+0.0%

Community

Commute30 min

Is Birch Hills County a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Birch Hills County receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate. Birch Hills County offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Birch Hills County is $67,500, 10% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.8%. The poverty rate of 20.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Birch Hills County is $200,000, 29% below the national median / offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $500 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

4.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 37.3% have completed high school.

Climate & Weather

Birch Hills 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.

Birch Hills County has a population of 1,516 with a density of 1 people per square mile, spread across 1,099.9 square miles. The median age is 41.6 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 47.4% female and 52.3% male. The city is predominantly White (99.1%). English is the primary language spoken at home by 67.8% of residents, while 5.6% speak Spanish.

Population

1,516
Total Population
1
People / sq mi
41.6yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
1,099.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.3%
Female 47.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Birch Hills County vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only 67.8%
14% below US avg
Spanish 5.6%
58% below US avg
Other Languages 26.7%

Social Characteristics

Birch Hills County vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Birch Hills County is $67,500, which is 10% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $46,600 (above the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $896, 37% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 1.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 20.2% of residents live below the poverty line, higher than the national rate of 12.4%. The area has 47 business establishments. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes. 96.4% of workers work from home (above the 15.2% national rate).

Income: Birch Hills County vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$67,500
10% below US avg
Per Capita Income$46,600
Avg Weekly Wage$896

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.8%
50% below US avg
Poverty Rate20.2%
63% above US avg
Establishments (County)47

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.7 min
Drive Alone87.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home96.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Birch Hills County is $200,000, 29% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $500 (57% below the national average of $1,163). 83.5% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). There are 485 total housing units in the city. 12.9% 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$200,000
29% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$500
57% below US avg
Rent Burden12.9%

Ownership & Property

Homeownership83.5%
Owner-Occupied83.5%
Renter-Occupied16.5%
Housing Units485

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, Birch Hills County receives a safety grade of C+.

Crime Rates: Birch Hills 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 →
Birch Hills 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 5.0 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 1,873 feet.

Temperature

4°F Jan (-16°C) 61°F Jul (16°C)
Annual Average34.9°F
35% below US avg
January Average4°F (-16°C)
July Average61°F (16°C)
Sunny Days303 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,873 ft (571 m)
Area1,099.9 sq mi (2,848.8 km²)
Population Density1/sq mi
Coordinates55.7598°N, 117.9995°W
TimezoneAmerica/Edmonton

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.2"
52% below US avg
Snowfall 5.0"
Wettest Month (Jun) 2.91"
Driest Month (Mar) 0.75"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

7 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M5.3. Most recent: M4.2 on Aug 24, 2024.

Apr 14, 2001 44 km NE of Dawson Creek, Canada M5.3 118 km
Mar 16, 2023 44 km ESE of Peace River, Canada M4.7 96 km
Mar 16, 2023 Alberta, Canada M4.6 97 km
Aug 24, 2024 32 km WNW of Fox Creek, Canada M4.2 142 km
Mar 16, 2023 Alberta, Canada M4.2 93 km
Mar 18, 1992 40 km SE of High Prairie, Canada M3.5 142 km
May 3, 1995 36 km E of Sexsmith, Canada M3.3 43 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 4°F (-16°C) 1.2 in Coldest
February 10°F (-12°C) 0.9 in
March 22°F (-6°C) 0.8 in Driest
April 39°F (4°C) 0.8 in
May 51°F (10°C) 1.6 in
June 58°F (14°C) 2.9 in Wettest
July 61°F (16°C) 2.8 in Warmest
August 59°F (15°C) 2.4 in
September 50°F (10°C) 1.5 in
October 39°F (4°C) 1.1 in
November 19°F (-7°C) 1.2 in
December 7°F (-14°C) 1.0 in

Birch Hills County has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 4°F in January to 61°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.9") and March the driest (0.8").

View full weather details →
4.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 86% below the national average of 33.7%. 37.3% have completed high school. 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree (below the 13.1% national rate). 87.3% of workers drive alone to work.

Education

Bachelor's Degree+4.7%
86% below US avg
High School+37.3%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
F Education Grade (1.4/5.0)

Area & Infrastructure

Population Density1/sq mi
Total Area1,099.9 sq mi

Services

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.7 min
Drive Alone87.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home96.4%

Gas Stations in Birch Hills County

1 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Eaglesham Parts and Service

Ski Resorts Near Birch Hills County

2 ski resorts within range.

Resort Slopes (km) Lifts Peak (m) Price Season Night Park
Fairview Ski Hill 0.0 — — $0 — — —
Misery Mountain Ski Hill 0.0 — — $0 — — —

Airports Near Birch Hills County

9 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Peace River AirportYPEMedium Airport
Bice Farm Airport—Small Airport
Codessa South Airport—Small Airport
Debolt Airport—Small Airport
Delta Tango Field—Small Airport
Eaglesham (South) Airport—Small Airport
Fairview AirportZFWSmall Airport
Grimshaw Airport—Small Airport
Valleyview Airport—Small Airport

Download Full City Report

Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Birch Hills County.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Birch Hills County

What is the population of Birch Hills County?

Birch Hills County has a population of 1,516 residents and is located in Alberta. The population density is 1 people per square mile, spread across 1,099.9 square miles. The median age of residents is 41.6 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 47.4% female and 52.3% male.

Is Birch Hills County expensive to live in?

The median household income is $67,500, 10% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $200,000 (29% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $500 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 Birch Hills County safe?

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

What is the weather like in Birch Hills County?

Birch Hills 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 5.0 inches of snow.

How is the job market in Birch Hills County?

The job market in Birch Hills County is very strong, with unemployment at just 1.8% / well below the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $896. There are 47 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 30 minutes, and 96.4% of workers work from home.

How much does housing cost in Birch Hills County?

The median home value in Birch Hills County is $200,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $500. The homeownership rate is 83.5%.

How are the schools in Birch Hills County?

4.7% of adults in Birch Hills County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 37.3% have completed high school. 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.

What is transportation like in Birch Hills County?

The average commute in Birch Hills County is 30 minutes. 87.3% of workers drive alone to work, and 96.4% work from home.

What are the demographics of Birch Hills County?

The racial and ethnic makeup of Birch Hills County is 99.1% White, 0.9% Asian. 67.8% of residents speak only English at home, while 5.6% speak Spanish.

Nearby Cities

Fairview, AB 2,998 pop · 26.0 mi Peace No. 135, AB 1,581 pop · 28.6 mi Falher, AB 1,001 pop · 31.0 mi Smoky River No. 130, AB 1,684 pop · 32.4 mi Grimshaw, AB 2,601 pop · 33.0 mi Sexsmith, AB 2,427 pop · 41.8 mi Peace River, AB 6,619 pop · 42.8 mi Clairmont, AB 2,799 pop · 45.9 mi Westlake, AB 1,363 pop · 48.7 mi Grande Prairie County No. 1, AB 23,769 pop · 51.2 mi Grande Prairie, AB 64,141 pop · 51.7 mi Clear Hills, AB 3,006 pop · 54.8 mi Valleyview, AB 1,673 pop · 55.5 mi Saddle Hills County, AB 2,338 pop · 57.0 mi
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