Sign In Register

Cardston, AB

Alberta

Cardston is a small town in Alberta with a population of 4,856. Residents earn $77,000 per year, which is 2% above the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
4,856 Population 4/sq mi density
$77,000 Median Income $44,120 per capita
$280,000 Home Value
$1,000 Median Rent 13.2% income on rent
45°F Avg Temperature 288 sunny days/yr
117 Violent Crime/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$77,000 median income, 7.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$280,000 home value, $1,000/mo rent
C
Safety
2.0 / 5.0
117 violent crimes/100K (69% below avg)
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.8% bachelor's degree or higher

Discover Cardston, 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 $77,000
2% higher than US avg
Home Value $280,000
1% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 117/100K
69% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.8%
56% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,000
14% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 26.2%
18% lower than US avg
Unemployment 7.3%
103% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.9%
4% higher than US avg

How Cardston Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population4,856
Median Age40.8 yrs
Density4/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 94%

Economy

B
Median Income$77,000
Per Capita$44,120
Unemployment7.3%
Poverty12.9%
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$280,000
Rent$1,000
Ownership73.8%
Housing Units1,260
Rent Burden13.2%

Crime

C
Violent117/100K
PropertyN/A
Murder2.3/100K

Health

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

Climate

Avg Temp45°F (7°C)
AQI27 (Good)
Rain15.1 in/yr
Sunny Days288/yr
Elevation3,737 ft (1,139 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.8%
High School+33.3%
Graduate+6.1%

Community

Commute20 min
Broadband94.0%

Is Cardston a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Cardston receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, abundant sunshine, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment. Cardston offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Cardston is $77,000, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.3% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 12.9% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Cardston is $280,000, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,000 per month, below the national average / a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.6x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Cardston is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 117 per 100,000 residents / well below the national average of 380.

Education

14.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 33.3% have completed high school.

Climate & Weather

Cardston has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. With 288 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 15.1 inches, including 38.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 27.

Cardston has a population of 4,856 with a density of 4 people per square mile, spread across 1,296.7 square miles. The median age is 40.8 years, 5% older than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 51.5% female and 48.5% male. The city is predominantly White (94%), with 4.5% Asian. English is the primary language spoken at home by 94% of residents. 18.5% of residents have a disability (above the 13.0% national average). 89.0% have health insurance coverage.

Population

4,856
Total Population
2021 Census
4
People / sq mi
40.8yrs
Median Age
5% above US avg
1,296.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.5%
Female 51.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Cardston vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only 94.0%
20% above US avg
Spanish 0.7%
95% below US avg
Other Languages 5.4%

Social Characteristics

Cardston vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Cardston is $77,000, which is 2% above the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $44,120 (above the $39,052 national figure). The unemployment rate is 7.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 12.9% of residents live below the poverty line. The cost of living index is 84.1, below the national baseline of 100 / offering relatively affordable living. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes (shorter than the 28-minute US average). 12.5% of workers work from home.

Income: Cardston vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$77,000
2% above US avg
Per Capita Income$44,120

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.3%
103% above US avg
Poverty Rate12.9%
4% above US avg

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Cost of Living84.10 (100=avg)

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.6 min
Drive Alone86.7%
Public Transit0.8%
Work from Home12.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Cardston is $280,000, 1% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $1,000 (14% below the national average of $1,163). 73.8% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). There are 1,260 total housing units in the city. 13.2% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. The home price-to-income ratio is 3.6x.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$280,000
1% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,000
14% below US avg
Rent Burden13.2%

Ownership & Property

Homeownership73.8%
Owner-Occupied73.8%
Renter-Occupied26.6%
Housing Units1,260

Property Tax

In Cardston, 26.2% of adults are obese, below the national rate of 32.1%. 5.5% have diabetes (below the 10.5% national rate). Heart disease affects 9.5% of residents, above the national average. 22.1% have high blood pressure. 8.9% are current smokers (below the 14.0% national rate). 10.0% report binge drinking. 76.3% are physically inactive, above the national average. 4.1% report depression (below the 20.0% national average).

Health Metrics: Cardston 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

Cardston has a violent crime rate of 117 per 100,000 residents, 69% below the national average of 380. The murder rate is 2.3 per 100,000 (below the national rate of 6.3). Overall, Cardston receives a safety grade of C.

Crime Rates: Cardston vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent116.5/100K
69% below US avg
Murder2.3/100K
64% below US avg

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Avg Accident Severity0.0 / 4.0

Safety Score

Safety GradeC
Safety Score2.0 / 5.0
View full crime details →
Cardston has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 288 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 15.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 38.1 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 27 / among the cleanest air in the country. 90% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 3,737 feet.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average44.9°F
17% below US avg
January Average27°F (-3°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days288 days/yr

Geography

Elevation3,737 ft (1,139 m)
Area1,296.7 sq mi (3,358.4 km²)
Population Density4/sq mi
Coordinates49.2000°N, 113.3019°W
TimezoneAmerica/Edmonton

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.1"
60% below US avg
Snowfall 38.1"
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.54"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.75"

Air Quality

AQI Median27.0
RatingGood
Good Days %89.5%

Earthquake History

77 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.6. Most recent: M2.5 on Jun 23, 2024.

Mar 4, 2000 35 km S of Pincher Creek, Canada M4.6 53 km
Mar 22, 2006 8 km SSW of Rexford, Montana M4.3 145 km
May 2, 1995 2 km NW of Kila, Montana M4.1 146 km
Jun 29, 1995 2 km NNW of Kila, Montana M4.1 146 km
Apr 15, 1998 11 km NE of Swan Lake, Montana M4.1 137 km
Apr 1, 1992 10 km ESE of Swan Lake, Montana M4.0 150 km
May 1, 1997 35 km SSE of Magrath, Canada M3.8 48 km
May 2, 1995 3 km WNW of Kila, Montana M3.8 147 km
Jul 2, 1992 4 km SSE of South Browning, Montana M3.8 80 km
Feb 28, 2000 10 km NNE of Sparwood, Canada M3.8 131 km
Jun 5, 1991 18 km SW of Shelby, Montana M3.6 132 km
Sep 29, 2009 42 km NW of Santa Rita, Montana M3.6 52 km
May 10, 1990 47 km SSW of Heart Butte, Montana M3.6 148 km
Jan 20, 2003 10 km S of Little Browning, Montana M3.5 103 km
Apr 11, 2015 5 km NW of Columbia Falls, Montana M3.5 112 km
Jan 3, 2008 13 km SSE of Magrath, Canada M3.5 40 km
Jan 1, 1993 20 km WSW of Sweet Grass, Montana M3.4 88 km
Aug 15, 1996 33 km WNW of Sweet Grass, Montana M3.4 67 km
Nov 6, 2002 3 km SSE of Little Browning, Montana M3.4 98 km
Jun 30, 1995 3 km NW of Kila, Montana M3.4 147 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: MOOSE (73,210 ac, 2001).

Year Name Acres Distance
2001 MOOSE 73,210 84 km
2003 ROBERT 54,500 90 km
2003 WEDGE CANYON 51,987 85 km
2007 SKYLAND 41,237 98 km
1988 RED BENCH 33,845 84 km
2006 RED EAGLE 32,563 59 km
2003 RAMPAGE COMPLEX (DOUBLE MOUNTAIN 2) 23,680 92 km
2015 THOMPSON 18,049 77 km
2003 TRAPPER CREEK FIRE (TRAPPER CREEK) 18,028 61 km
2017 SPRAGUE 16,897 78 km
2018 HOWE RIDGE 14,747 79 km
2021 GREENHOUSE 14,501 73 km
2003 TRAPPER CREEK FIRE (WOLF GUN) 13,920 75 km
1999 ANACONDA 11,452 78 km
1994 NORTH FORK COMPLEX (ADAIR II) 10,329 79 km
1994 NORTH FORK COMPLEX (STARVATION) 8,990 75 km
1998 KOOTENAI COMPLEX (MCDONALD) 8,061 60 km
2003 MIDDLE FORK COMPLEX (HARRISON) 6,653 88 km
2012 WYE FIRE 6,141 78 km
2002 FOX CREEK 5,949 49 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 27°F (-3°C) 0.8 in
February 24°F (-4°C) 0.8 in Driest
March 31°F (-0°C) 1.3 in
April 41°F (5°C) 1.5 in
May 51°F (10°C) 2.8 in
June 58°F (14°C) 3.5 in Wettest
July 68°F (20°C) 1.5 in Warmest
August 62°F (17°C) 1.7 in
September 53°F (12°C) 2.0 in
October 44°F (7°C) 1.1 in
November 30°F (-1°C) 0.9 in
December 22°F (-6°C) 0.8 in Coldest

Cardston has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 22°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.5") and February the driest (0.8").

View full weather details →
14.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 56% below the national average of 33.7%. 33.3% have completed high school. 6.1% hold a graduate or professional degree (below the 13.1% national rate). 94.0% of households have broadband internet access. 86.7% of workers drive alone to work.

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.8%
56% below US avg
High School+33.3%
Graduate Degree+6.1%
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Area & Infrastructure

Population Density4/sq mi
Total Area1,296.7 sq mi

Services

Broadband Access94.0%

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.6 min
Drive Alone86.7%
Public Transit0.8%
Work from Home12.5%

Radio Stations near Cardston

5 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
CHLB-FM "Wild 95.5" Lethbridge, AB country AAC+ 48 kbps
CFRV-FM "KISS 107.7" Lethbridge, AB adult contemporary, rogers media AAC+ 48 kbps
CKBD 98.1 "2 Day FM" Lethbridge, AB hot adult contemporary AAC+ 57 kbps
CJOC 94.1 "Classic Hits" Lethbridge, AB classic hits AAC+ 57 kbps
CJBZ-FM 93.3."B-93" Lethbridge, AB hot adult contemporary AAC+ 48 kbps

Airports Near Cardston

16 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Lethbridge County AirportYQLMedium Airport
Pincher Creek AirportWPCMedium Airport
Babb Airport—Small Airport
Beck Farm Airport—Small Airport
Cardston Airport—Small Airport
Del Bonita / Whetstone International Airport—Small Airport
Fort Macleod (Alcock Farm) Airport—Small Airport
Fort Macleod Airport—Small Airport
Gunnlaugson Airport—Small Airport
Halfmoon Flats Airport—Small Airport
Lethbridge (Mercer Field)—Small Airport
Lethbridge / Anderson Field—Small Airport
Lethbridge / J3 Airfield—Small Airport
Ryan Field—Small Airport
Starr Browning Airstrip—Small Airport
Whetstone International Airport—Small Airport

Explore Near Cardston

UFO Sightings
2
Reported UFO sightings from the National UFO Reporting Center database
View all →

Download Full City Report

Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Cardston.

Get Report

Frequently Asked Questions About Cardston

What is the population of Cardston?

Cardston has a population of 4,856 residents and is located in Alberta. The population density is 4 people per square mile, spread across 1,296.7 square miles. The median age of residents is 40.8 years. The population is 51.5% female and 48.5% male.

Is Cardston expensive to live in?

Cardston is more affordable than the national average, with a cost of living index of 84.1 / below the baseline of 100. The median household income is $77,000, 2% above the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $280,000 (1% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,000 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 3.6x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.

Is Cardston safe?

Cardston is considered a very safe city with a violent crime rate of 117 per 100,000 residents, well below the national average of 380. Overall, Cardston receives a safety grade of C based on combined crime data.

What is the weather like in Cardston?

Cardston has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winter temperatures average 27°F in January, while summers reach an average of 68°F in July. The area receives 288 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 15.1 inches, with 38.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 27.

How is the job market in Cardston?

The unemployment rate in Cardston is 7.3%, somewhat above the national average of 3.6%. Job seekers may face moderate competition. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and 12.5% of workers work from home.

How much does housing cost in Cardston?

The median home value in Cardston is $280,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,000. The homeownership rate is 73.8%.

How are the schools in Cardston?

14.8% of adults in Cardston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 33.3% have completed high school. 6.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.

How healthy is Cardston?

The obesity rate in Cardston is 26.2% (below the national rate of 32.1%). 8.9% of adults are smokers. 76.3% are physically inactive. 4.1% of residents report depression.

What is transportation like in Cardston?

The average commute in Cardston is 20 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 86.7% of workers drive alone to work, and 12.5% work from home.

What are the demographics of Cardston?

The racial and ethnic makeup of Cardston is 94% White, 0.6% Hispanic or Latino, 4.5% Asian. 94% of residents speak only English at home. 18.5% of residents have a disability. 89.0% have health insurance coverage.

Nearby Cities

St. Paul County No. 19, AB 6,306 pop · 4.5 mi Blood 148, AB 4,572 pop · 21.1 mi Magrath, AB 2,481 pop · 24.6 mi Piikani 147, AB 1,550 pop · 30.9 mi Raymond, AB 4,199 pop · 34.2 mi Pincher Creek No. 9, AB 3,240 pop · 35.2 mi Pincher Creek, AB 3,622 pop · 35.2 mi Fort Macleod, AB 3,297 pop · 36.1 mi Stirling, AB 1,164 pop · 40.8 mi Lethbridge, AB 10,120 pop · 40.8 mi Coalhurst, AB 2,869 pop · 41.2 mi Fairview No. 136, AB 1,580 pop · 41.6 mi Warner County No. 5, AB 4,290 pop · 44.3 mi North Browning, MT 2,894 pop · 45.2 mi
Compare Cardston with another city: