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Northern Lights County, AB

Alberta

Northern Lights County is a small town in Alberta with a population of 4,152. Residents earn $88,000 per year, which is 17% above the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
4,152 Population 1/sq mi density
$88,000 Median Income $55,050 per capita
$302,000 Home Value
$770 Median Rent 9.6% income on rent
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$88,000 median income, 10.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$302,000 home value, $770/mo rent
F
Education
1.4 / 5.0
4.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $88,000
17% higher than US avg
Home Value $302,000
7% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 4.5%
87% lower than US avg
Median Rent $770
34% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 26.2%
18% lower than US avg
Unemployment 10.5%
192% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.8%
13% lower than US avg

How Northern Lights County Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population4,152
Median Age39.2 yrs
Density1/mi²
Male / Female53% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 99%

Economy

B
Median Income$88,000
Per Capita$55,050
Unemployment10.5%
Poverty10.8%
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$302,000
Rent$770
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units1,555
Rent Burden9.6%

Health

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

Climate

Avg TempN/A
AQI27 (Good)
Elevation1,476 ft (450 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+4.5%
High School+30.3%
Graduate+1.4%

Community

Commute27 min
Broadband94.0%

Is Northern Lights County a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Northern Lights County is $88,000, 17% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. At 10.5%, unemployment is notably high. 10.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Northern Lights County is $302,000, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $770 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

4.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 30.3% have completed high school.

Climate & Weather

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

Northern Lights County has a population of 4,152 with a density of 1 people per square mile. The median age is 39.2 years, 1% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.8%).

Population

4,152
Total Population
1
People / sq mi
39.2yrs
Median Age
1% above US avg
7,964.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.5%
Female 47.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Northern Lights County vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only84.2%
7% above US avg
Spanish1.5%
89% below US avg
Other Languages14.3%

Social Characteristics

Northern Lights County vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Northern Lights County is $88,000, which is 17% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 10.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 10.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Northern Lights County vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$88,000
17% above US avg
Per Capita Income$55,050

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment10.5%
192% above US avg
Poverty Rate10.8%
13% below US avg

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.8 min
Drive Alone91.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home26.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Northern Lights County is $302,000, 7% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $770 (34% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$302,000
7% above US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$770
34% below US avg
Rent Burden9.6%

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied84.2%
Renter-Occupied15.8%
Housing Units1,555

Property Tax

In Northern Lights 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: Northern Lights 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

4.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (87% below US avg). 94.0% of households have broadband internet.

Education

Bachelor's Degree+4.5%
87% below US avg
High School+30.3%
Graduate Degree+1.4%
F Education Grade (1.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

Population Density1/sq mi
Total Area7,964.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access94.0%

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.8 min
Drive Alone91.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home26.0%

Nearby Cities

Manning, AB 1,126 pop · 56.1 mi High Level, AB 3,922 pop · 59.8 mi La Crête, AB 2,911 pop · 60.5 mi Clear Hills, AB 3,006 pop · 81.4 mi Northern Sunrise County, AB 1,711 pop · 90.9 mi Mackenzie County, AB 12,804 pop · 91.9 mi
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