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Slave Lake, AB

Alberta

Slave Lake is a small city in Alberta with a population of 6,836. Residents earn $111,000 per year, which is 48% above the national average.

Data updated June 2026

3.3 /5.0
B Good
6,836 Population 1,237/sq mi density
$111,000 Median Income $57,800 per capita
$320,000 Home Value
$1,430 Median Rent 20.0% income on rent
41°F Avg Temperature 262 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$111,000 median income, 9.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$320,000 home value, $1,430/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
C
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.6% bachelor's degree or higher

Discover Slave Lake, 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 $111,000
48% higher than US avg
Home Value $320,000
14% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.6%
62% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,430
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 9.6%
167% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.2%
42% lower than US avg

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

People

Population6,836
Median Age34.0 yrs
Density1,237/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 81%

Economy

B+
Median Income$111,000
Per Capita$57,800
Unemployment9.6%
Poverty7.2%
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$320,000
Rent$1,430
Ownership65.7%
Housing Units2,405
Rent Burden20.0%

Crime

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

Climate

Avg Temp41°F (5°C)
Rain21.4 in/yr
Sunny Days262/yr
Elevation1,923 ft (586 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+12.6%
High School+30.6%
Graduate+3.4%

Community

Commute18 min

Is Slave Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Slave Lake receives an overall livability score of 3.3 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. Slave Lake offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Slave Lake is $111,000, which is significantly higher than the national average / 48% above $75,149. This places Slave Lake among higher-income communities. At 9.6%, unemployment is notably high. Only 7.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Slave Lake is $320,000, 14% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,430 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. At just 2.9x 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

12.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 30.6% have completed high school.

Climate & Weather

Slave Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. With 262 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 21.4 inches, including 26.8 inches of snow.

Slave Lake has a population of 6,836 with a density of 1,237 people per square mile, spread across 5.5 square miles. The median age is 34.0 years, 13% younger than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 50% female and 50% male. The city is predominantly White (80.6%), with 1.4% Black, 14.6% Asian. English is the primary language spoken at home by 80.6% of residents.

Population

6,836
Total Population
2021 Census
1,237
People / sq mi
34.0yrs
Median Age
13% below US avg
5.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50%
Female 50%

Race & Ethnicity

Slave Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only 80.6%
3% above US avg
Spanish 1.4%
90% below US avg
Other Languages 18.0%

Social Characteristics

Slave Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Slave Lake is $111,000, which is 48% above the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $57,800 (above the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $1,112, 22% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 9.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 7.2% of residents live below the poverty line, lower than the national rate of 12.4%. The area has 212 business establishments. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes (shorter than the 28-minute US average). 7.6% of workers work from home (below the 15.2% national rate).

Income: Slave Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$111,000
48% above US avg
Per Capita Income$57,800
Avg Weekly Wage$1,112

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment9.6%
167% above US avg
Poverty Rate7.2%
42% below US avg
Establishments (County)212

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.9 min
Drive Alone81.5%
Public Transit0.3%
Work from Home7.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Slave Lake is $320,000, 14% above the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $1,430 (23% above the national average of $1,163). 65.7% of housing units are owner-occupied. There are 2,405 total housing units in the city. 20.0% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.9x, well within the affordable range.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$320,000
14% above US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,430
23% above US avg
Rent Burden20.0%

Ownership & Property

Homeownership65.7%
Owner-Occupied65.7%
Renter-Occupied34.3%
Housing Units2,405

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, Slave Lake receives a safety grade of C+.

Crime Rates: Slave Lake 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 →
Slave Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. The area gets 262 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 21.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 26.8 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 1,923 feet.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 63°F Jul (17°C)
Annual Average41.0°F
24% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average63°F (17°C)
Sunny Days262 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,923 ft (586 m)
Area5.5 sq mi (14.3 km²)
Population Density1,237/sq mi
Coordinates55.2834°N, 114.7690°W
TimezoneAmerica/Edmonton

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 21.4"
44% below US avg
Snowfall 26.8"
Wettest Month (Jul) 3.78"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.67"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

4 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.7. Most recent: M4.2 on Mar 16, 2023.

Mar 16, 2023 44 km ESE of Peace River, Canada M4.7 148 km
Mar 16, 2023 Alberta, Canada M4.6 147 km
Mar 16, 2023 Alberta, Canada M4.2 148 km
Mar 18, 1992 40 km SE of High Prairie, Canada M3.5 76 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 20°F (-7°C) 0.9 in
February 12°F (-11°C) 0.7 in Driest
March 23°F (-5°C) 0.7 in
April 37°F (3°C) 0.8 in
May 48°F (9°C) 1.7 in
June 56°F (13°C) 3.6 in
July 63°F (17°C) 3.8 in Warmest, Wettest
August 58°F (15°C) 2.7 in
September 49°F (10°C) 1.9 in
October 39°F (4°C) 1.1 in
November 22°F (-6°C) 0.8 in
December 9°F (-13°C) 0.9 in Coldest

Slave Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 9°F in December to 63°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.8") and February the driest (0.7").

View full weather details →
12.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 62% below the national average of 33.7%. 30.6% have completed high school. 3.4% hold a graduate or professional degree (below the 13.1% national rate). 81.5% of workers drive alone to work.

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.6%
62% below US avg
High School+30.6%
Graduate Degree+3.4%
C Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Area & Infrastructure

Population Density1,237/sq mi
Total Area5.5 sq mi

Services

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.9 min
Drive Alone81.5%
Public Transit0.3%
Work from Home7.6%

Colleges & Universities in Slave Lake

Institution Type Enrollment Acceptance In-State Tuition Out-of-State
Northern Lakes College - - - - -

Schools in Slave Lake

6 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
EG Wahlstrom School - - - -
Roland Mitchner High School - - - -
CJ Schurter School - - - -
St Francis of Assisi Catholic School - - - -
St. Mary of the Lake Catholic School - - - -
Roland Mitchner High School - - - -
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Slave Lake

1 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
CHSL-FM "Boom 92.7"" Slave Lake , AB classic hits AAC 145 kbps

Hotels in Slave Lake

5 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
Lakeview Inn & Suites
Northwest Inn
Nova Inn
Slave Lake Inn

Cafes in Slave Lake

1 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Tim Hortons

Gas Stations in Slave Lake

6 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Esso
Esso
Fas Gas
Husky
Petro-Canada
Shell

Breweries in Slave Lake

NameTypeAddressPhoneWebsite
Dog Island Brewing

Airports Near Slave Lake

3 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Slave Lake AirportYZHMedium Airport
Saulteaux Airport-Small Airport
Swan Hills Airport-Small Airport

Post Offices in Slave Lake

1 post offices.

Post OfficeAddress
Post Office

Churches & Religious Organizations in Slave Lake

3 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Community Christian Centre
Slave Lake Muslim Society Mosque
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Explore Near Slave Lake

UFO Sightings
1
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 Slave Lake.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Slave Lake

What is the population of Slave Lake?

Slave Lake has a population of 6,836 residents and is located in Alberta. The population density is 1,237 people per square mile, spread across 5.5 square miles. The median age of residents is 34.0 years, which is younger than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 50% female and 50% male.

Is Slave Lake expensive to live in?

The median household income is $111,000, 48% above the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $320,000 (14% above the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,430 per month, above the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.9x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.

Is Slave Lake safe?

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

What is the weather like in Slave Lake?

Slave Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winter temperatures average 20°F in January, while summers reach an average of 63°F in July. The area receives 262 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 21.4 inches, with 26.8 inches of snow.

How is the job market in Slave Lake?

The job market in Slave Lake faces challenges, with unemployment at 9.6% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $1,112. There are 212 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and 7.6% of workers work from home.

How much does housing cost in Slave Lake?

The median home value in Slave Lake is $320,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,430. The homeownership rate is 65.7%.

How are the schools in Slave Lake?

12.6% of adults in Slave Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 30.6% have completed high school. 3.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.

What is transportation like in Slave Lake?

The average commute in Slave Lake is 18 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 81.5% of workers drive alone to work, and 7.6% work from home.

What are the demographics of Slave Lake?

The racial and ethnic makeup of Slave Lake is 80.6% White, 1.4% Black or African American, 14.6% Asian. 80.6% of residents speak only English at home.

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