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Rainbow Lake, AB

Alberta

Rainbow Lake is a small town in Alberta with a population of 495. Residents earn $168,000 per year, which is 124% above the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
495 Population 119/sq mi density
$168,000 Median Income $91,600 per capita
$70,000 Home Value
$970 Median Rent 0.0% income on rent
31°F Avg Temperature 307 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.7 / 5.0
$168,000 median income, 3.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$70,000 home value, $970/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $168,000
124% higher than US avg
Home Value $70,000
75% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.8%
74% lower than US avg
Median Rent $970
17% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 26.2%
18% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.3%
8% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.4%
48% lower than US avg

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

People

Population495
Median Age36.0 yrs
Density119/mi²
Male / Female54% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 97%

Economy

A+
Median Income$168,000
Per Capita$91,600
Unemployment3.3%
Poverty6.4%
Commute16 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$70,000
Rent$970
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units205
Rent Burden0.0%

Health

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

Climate

Avg Temp31°F (-1°C)
AQI27 (Good)
Rain15.8 in/yr
Sunny Days307/yr
Elevation1,791 ft (546 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.8%
High School+23.8%
Graduate+0.0%

Community

Commute16 min
Broadband94.0%

Is Rainbow Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Rainbow Lake receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Rainbow Lake offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Rainbow Lake is $168,000, which is significantly higher than the national average — 124% above $75,149. This places Rainbow Lake among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 3.3%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 6.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Rainbow Lake is $70,000, 75% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $970 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 0.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

8.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 23.8% have completed high school.

Climate & Weather

Rainbow Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 31°F. Winters average -4°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July. With 307 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 15.8 inches, including 5.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 27.

Rainbow Lake has a population of 495 with a density of 119 people per square mile, spread across 4.2 square miles. The median age is 36.0 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 47.5% female and 53.5% male. The city is predominantly White (97.1%). English is the primary language spoken at home by 88.9% of residents. 18.5% of residents have a disability (above the 13.0% national average). 89.0% have health insurance coverage.

Population

495
Total Population
2021 Census
119
People / sq mi
36.0yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
4.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.5%
Female 47.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Rainbow Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only88.9%
13% above US avg
Spanish2.0%
85% below US avg
Other Languages9.1%

Social Characteristics

Rainbow Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Rainbow Lake is $168,000, which is 124% above the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $91,600 (above the $39,052 national figure). The unemployment rate is 3.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.4% of residents live below the poverty line, lower than the national rate of 12.4%. The cost of living index is 84.1, below the national baseline of 100 — offering relatively affordable living. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes (shorter than the 28-minute US average). 13.2% of workers work from home.

Income: Rainbow Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$168,000
124% above US avg
Per Capita Income$91,600

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.3%
8% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.4%
48% below US avg

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Cost of Living84.10 (100=avg)

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.1 min
Drive Alone83.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home13.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Rainbow Lake is $70,000, 75% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $970 (17% below the national average of $1,163). There are 205 total housing units in the city. 0.0% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. The home price-to-income ratio is 0.4x, well within the affordable range.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$70,000
75% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$970
17% below US avg
Rent Burden0.0%

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied26.8%
Renter-Occupied70.7%
Housing Units205

Property Tax

In Rainbow Lake, 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: Rainbow Lake 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

Rainbow Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 31°F (-1°C). Winters average -4°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July — a wide seasonal temperature swing of 64°F. The area gets 307 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 15.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 5.5 inches of snow annually. 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 1,791 feet.

Temperature

-4°F Jan (-20°C) 60°F Jul (16°C)
Annual Average30.8°F
43% below US avg
January Average-4°F (-20°C)
July Average60°F (16°C)
Sunny Days307 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall15.8 inches
58% below US avg
Snowfall5.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median27.0
RatingGood
Good Days %89.5%

Geography

Elevation1,791 ft (546 m)
Area4.2 sq mi (10.7 km²)
Population Density119/sq mi
Coordinates58.5001°N, 119.3862°W
TimezoneAmerica/Edmonton

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January -4°F (-20°C) 0.9 in Coldest
February 6°F (-15°C) 0.7 in
March 15°F (-9°C) 0.7 in
April 35°F (1°C) 0.7 in Driest
May 48°F (9°C) 1.5 in
June 56°F (14°C) 2.4 in
July 60°F (16°C) 3.0 in Warmest, Wettest
August 57°F (14°C) 2.2 in
September 48°F (9°C) 1.3 in
October 35°F (2°C) 0.9 in
November 13°F (-11°C) 0.9 in
December 2°F (-17°C) 0.8 in

Rainbow Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 64°F — from -4°F in January to 60°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.0") and April the driest (0.7").

8.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 74% below the national average of 33.7%. 23.8% have completed high school. 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree (below the 13.1% national rate). 94.0% of households have broadband internet access. 83% of workers drive alone to work.

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.8%
74% below US avg
High School+23.8%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

Population Density119/sq mi
Total Area4.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access94.0%

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.1 min
Drive Alone83.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home13.2%

Frequently Asked Questions About Rainbow Lake

What is the population of Rainbow Lake?

Rainbow Lake has a population of 495 residents and is located in Alberta. The population density is 119 people per square mile, spread across 4.2 square miles. The median age of residents is 36.0 years, which is younger than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 47.5% female and 53.5% male.

Is Rainbow Lake expensive to live in?

Rainbow Lake 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 $168,000, 124% above the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $70,000 (75% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $970 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 0.4x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.

What is the weather like in Rainbow Lake?

Rainbow Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 31°F (-1°C). Winter temperatures average -4°F in January, while summers reach an average of 60°F in July. The area receives 307 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 15.8 inches, with 5.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 27.

How is the job market in Rainbow Lake?

Rainbow Lake has a healthy job market with an unemployment rate of 3.3%, near the national average of 3.6%. The average commute time is 16 minutes, and 13.2% of workers work from home.

How much does housing cost in Rainbow Lake?

The median home value in Rainbow Lake is $70,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $970.

How are the schools in Rainbow Lake?

8.8% of adults in Rainbow Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 23.8% have completed high school. 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.

How healthy is Rainbow Lake?

The obesity rate in Rainbow Lake 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 Rainbow Lake?

The average commute in Rainbow Lake is 16 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 83% of workers drive alone to work, and 13.2% work from home.

What are the demographics of Rainbow Lake?

The racial and ethnic makeup of Rainbow Lake is 97.1% White. 88.9% of residents speak only English at home. 18.5% of residents have a disability. 89.0% have health insurance coverage.

Nearby Cities

Northern Lights County, AB 4,152 pop · 78.4 mi High Level, AB 3,922 pop · 81.2 mi Mackenzie County, AB 12,804 pop · 95.8 mi
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