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Carstairs, AB

Alberta

Carstairs is a small town in Alberta with a population of 4,898. Residents earn $99,000 per year, which is 32% above the national average.

Data updated June 2026

3.2 /5.0
B Good
4,898 Population 1,078/sq mi density
$99,000 Median Income $58,800 per capita
$352,000 Home Value
$1,400 Median Rent 17.2% income on rent
38°F Avg Temperature 304 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$99,000 median income, 10.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.7 / 5.0
$352,000 home value, $1,400/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
9.4% bachelor's degree or higher

Discover Carstairs, 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 $99,000
32% higher than US avg
Home Value $352,000
25% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.4%
72% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,400
20% higher than US avg
Unemployment 10.2%
183% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.0%
44% lower than US avg

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

People

Population4,898
Median Age39.6 yrs
Density1,078/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 96%

Economy

B+
Median Income$99,000
Per Capita$58,800
Unemployment10.2%
Poverty7.0%
Commute34 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$352,000
Rent$1,400
Ownership86.4%
Housing Units1,835
Rent Burden17.2%

Crime

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

Climate

Avg Temp38°F (3°C)
Rain17.7 in/yr
Sunny Days304/yr
Elevation3,481 ft (1,061 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.4%
High School+29.6%
Graduate+1.2%

Community

Commute34 min

Is Carstairs a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Carstairs receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment. Carstairs offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Carstairs is $99,000, which is significantly higher than the national average / 32% above $75,149. This places Carstairs among higher-income communities. At 10.2%, unemployment is notably high. Only 7.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Carstairs is $352,000, 25% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,400 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.6x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

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

Education

9.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 29.6% have completed high school.

Climate & Weather

Carstairs has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 38°F. Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July. With 304 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 17.7 inches.

Carstairs has a population of 4,898 with a density of 1,078 people per square mile, spread across 4.5 square miles. The median age is 39.6 years, 2% older than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 50% female and 50.2% male. The city is predominantly White (96.3%), with 2.3% Asian. English is the primary language spoken at home by 93.3% of residents.

Population

4,898
Total Population
2021 Census
1,078
People / sq mi
39.6yrs
Median Age
2% above US avg
4.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.2%
Female 50%

Race & Ethnicity

Carstairs vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only 93.3%
19% above US avg
Spanish 1.1%
92% below US avg
Other Languages 5.6%

Social Characteristics

Carstairs vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Carstairs is $99,000, which is 32% above the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $58,800 (above the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $1,131, 21% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 10.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 7.0% of residents live below the poverty line, lower than the national rate of 12.4%. The area has 152 business establishments. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes (longer than the 28-minute US average). 19.2% of workers work from home (above the 15.2% national rate).

Income: Carstairs vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$99,000
32% above US avg
Per Capita Income$58,800
Avg Weekly Wage$1,131

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment10.2%
183% above US avg
Poverty Rate7.0%
44% below US avg
Establishments (County)152

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time33.7 min
Drive Alone88.5%
Public Transit1.4%
Work from Home19.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Carstairs is $352,000, 25% above the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $1,400 (20% above the national average of $1,163). 86.4% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). There are 1,835 total housing units in the city. 17.2% 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$352,000
25% above US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,400
20% above US avg
Rent Burden17.2%

Ownership & Property

Homeownership86.4%
Owner-Occupied86.4%
Renter-Occupied13.6%
Housing Units1,835

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, Carstairs receives a safety grade of C+.

Crime Rates: Carstairs 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 →
Carstairs has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 38°F (3°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July. The area gets 304 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 17.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.0 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 3,481 feet.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-11°C) 60°F Jul (15°C)
Annual Average37.8°F
30% below US avg
January Average13°F (-11°C)
July Average60°F (15°C)
Sunny Days304 days/yr

Geography

Elevation3,481 ft (1,061 m)
Area4.5 sq mi (11.8 km²)
Population Density1,078/sq mi
Coordinates51.5668°N, 114.1020°W
TimezoneAmerica/Edmonton

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.7"
53% below US avg
Snowfall 3.0"
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.35"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.47"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

20 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.2. Most recent: M3.7 on Jan 26, 2025.

May 19, 1996 4 km WNW of Rocky Mountain House, Canada M4.2 109 km
Feb 14, 2021 5 km N of Banff, Canada M4.1 108 km
Nov 19, 1994 27 km SW of Rocky Mountain House, Canada M4.0 102 km
Mar 10, 2019 37 km N of Rocky Mountain House, Canada M3.9 141 km
Oct 19, 1996 26 km SW of Rocky Mountain House, Canada M3.9 105 km
Mar 4, 2019 9 km NW of Red Deer, Canada M3.8 85 km
Aug 9, 2014 27 km SW of Rocky Mountain House, Canada M3.8 99 km
Jan 26, 2025 58 km NNW of Banff, Canada M3.7 120 km
Oct 19, 1996 30 km SW of Rocky Mountain House, Canada M3.6 97 km
Jul 28, 2002 29 km SSE of Canmore, Canada M3.6 108 km
Nov 11, 1990 33 km SSW of Rocky Mountain House, Canada M3.6 88 km
Aug 13, 1998 67 km NNW of Banff, Canada M3.6 135 km
Oct 29, 1998 36 km SW of Rocky Mountain House, Canada M3.5 103 km
Jun 2, 2015 10 km NW of Rocky Mountain House, Canada M3.5 115 km
Jun 18, 1991 15 km SW of Black Diamond, Canada M3.5 112 km
May 5, 2005 56 km WSW of Rocky Mountain House, Canada M3.4 126 km
Feb 25, 1996 21 km WSW of Rocky Mountain House, Canada M3.1 111 km
Apr 23, 1999 34 km SW of Rocky Mountain House, Canada M3.0 103 km
Apr 24, 1996 33 km SW of Rocky Mountain House, Canada M2.9 103 km
Jun 5, 2008 45 km WNW of Rocky Mountain House, Canada M2.9 148 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 13°F (-11°C) 0.6 in Coldest
February 19°F (-7°C) 0.5 in Driest
March 26°F (-3°C) 0.8 in
April 39°F (4°C) 1.0 in
May 49°F (9°C) 2.2 in
June 56°F (13°C) 3.4 in Wettest
July 60°F (15°C) 3.0 in Warmest
August 59°F (15°C) 2.4 in
September 51°F (10°C) 2.1 in
October 41°F (5°C) 0.7 in
November 26°F (-4°C) 0.6 in
December 17°F (-8°C) 0.6 in

Carstairs has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 13°F in January to 60°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.4") and February the driest (0.5").

View full weather details →
9.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 72% below the national average of 33.7%. 29.6% have completed high school. 1.2% hold a graduate or professional degree (below the 13.1% national rate). 88.5% of workers drive alone to work.

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.4%
72% below US avg
High School+29.6%
Graduate Degree+1.2%
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Area & Infrastructure

Population Density1,078/sq mi
Total Area4.5 sq mi

Services

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute33.7 min
Drive Alone88.5%
Public Transit1.4%
Work from Home19.2%

Schools in Carstairs

1 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

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

Radio Stations near Carstairs

7 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
CKYR-FM 106.7 "Red FM" Calgary, AB 20 languages, multicultural AAC+ 32 kbps
CFIT-FM "Air 106.1" Airdrie, AB hot adult contemporary AAC+ 64 kbps
Jamz 403 caribbean music, raggae MP3 192 kbps
CJSW 90.9 University of Calgary, AB - (AAC Stream) campus radio, student radio AAC 96 kbps
CJSW 90.9 University of Calgary, AB (MP3 Stream) campus radio, student radio MP3 128 kbps
Wild95 - AAC+ 48 kbps
CKXY 91.5 "Cochrane Now" Cochrane, AB country AAC+ 64 kbps

Museums in Carstairs

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Carstairs
Carstairs
Carstairs Heritage Centre
Didsbury Museum
Mountain View Museum

Libraries in Carstairs

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Bob Clark Library0.0
Crossfield Municipal Library0.0
Didsbury Library0.0
Didsbury Library Society0.0
Olds Municipal Library0.0

Farmers Markets in Carstairs

NameAddressSeasonHoursOrganicWebsite
Bergen Market
Olds Farmer's Market

Cafes in Carstairs

2 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Magic Bean Coffee House
Tim Hortons

Dentists in Carstairs

3 dentists within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Dental Town
Dental Town
Mountain View Smiles

Veterinaries in Carstairs

1 veterinaries within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Carstairs Veterinary Clinic

Gas Stations in Carstairs

7 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

CA #1235763201
CA #1235763202
Canco
Co-op Gas Bar
Esso
Petro-Pass Cardlock
UFA

Banks in Carstairs

3 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

ATB Financial
BMO
connectFirst Credit Union

Gyms in Carstairs

2 gyms within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Uptown Gym Ltd
Uptown Gym Ltd

Golf Courses in Carstairs

2 golf courses within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Carstairs Community Golf Course
Driving Range

Breweries in Carstairs

NameTypeAddressPhoneWebsite
Olds College Teaching Brewery

Airports Near Carstairs

27 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Calgary International AirportYYCLarge Airport
Calgary / Springbank Airport-Medium Airport
Red Deer Regional AirportYQFMedium Airport
Airdrie Aerodrome-Small Airport
Anchor 9 Ranch Airport-Small Airport
Appleton Field-Small Airport
Arkayla Springs Airport-Small Airport
Beiseker Airport-Small Airport
Big Bend Airport-Small Airport
Bishell's Airport-Small Airport
Cheadle AirportTILSmall Airport
Chestermere (Kirkby Field) Airport-Small Airport
De Winton South Calgary Airport-Small Airport
Didsbury/Minty Field-Small Airport
Hespero Airport-Small Airport
Hillmans Farm Airport-Small Airport
Linden Airport-Small Airport
Olds (Netook) Airport-Small Airport
Olds / North 40 Ranch Airstrip-Small Airport
Olds-Didsbury Airport-Small Airport
Red Deer / Truant Airfield-Small Airport
Safron Farms Airport-Small Airport
Strathmore (D.J. Murray) Airport-Small Airport
Sundre / Goodwins Farm Airport-Small Airport
Sundre Airport-Small Airport
Truant South Airport-Small Airport
Winters Aire Park Airport-Small Airport

Post Offices in Carstairs

1 post offices.

Post OfficeAddress
Carstairs Post Office

Churches & Religious Organizations in Carstairs

4 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Carstairs Bancroft United Church
St. Agnes Parish
The Rock Community Church
West Zion Mennonite Church

Download Full City Report

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Carstairs

What is the population of Carstairs?

Carstairs has a population of 4,898 residents and is located in Alberta. The population density is 1,078 people per square mile, spread across 4.5 square miles. The median age of residents is 39.6 years. The population is 50% female and 50.2% male.

Is Carstairs expensive to live in?

The median household income is $99,000, 32% above the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $352,000 (25% above the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,400 per month, above 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 Carstairs safe?

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

What is the weather like in Carstairs?

Carstairs has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 38°F (3°C). Winter temperatures average 13°F in January, while summers reach an average of 60°F in July. The area receives 304 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 17.7 inches, with 3.0 inches of snow.

How is the job market in Carstairs?

The job market in Carstairs faces challenges, with unemployment at 10.2% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $1,131. There are 152 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 34 minutes, and 19.2% of workers work from home.

How much does housing cost in Carstairs?

The median home value in Carstairs is $352,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,400. The homeownership rate is 86.4%.

How are the schools in Carstairs?

9.4% of adults in Carstairs hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 29.6% have completed high school. 1.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.

What is transportation like in Carstairs?

The average commute in Carstairs is 34 minutes, longer than the national average of 28 minutes. 88.5% of workers drive alone to work, 1.4% use public transit, and 19.2% work from home.

What are the demographics of Carstairs?

The racial and ethnic makeup of Carstairs is 96.3% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 2.3% Asian. 93.3% of residents speak only English at home.

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