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Smoky Lake, AB

Alberta

Smoky Lake is a small town in Alberta with a population of 3,874. Residents earn $61,600 per year, which is 18% below the national average.

Data updated June 2026

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
3,874 Population 3/sq mi density
$61,600 Median Income $48,600 per capita
$200,000 Home Value
$900 Median Rent 20.5% income on rent
35°F Avg Temperature 304 sunny days/yr
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.7 / 5.0
$61,600 median income, 8.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$200,000 home value, $900/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
D
Education
1.5 / 5.0
6.6% bachelor's degree or higher

Discover Smoky 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 $61,600
18% lower than US avg
Home Value $200,000
29% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.6%
80% lower than US avg
Median Rent $900
23% lower than US avg
Unemployment 8.5%
136% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.2%
39% higher than US avg

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

People

Population3,874
Median Age61.6 yrs
Density3/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

C+
Median Income$61,600
Per Capita$48,600
Unemployment8.5%
Poverty17.2%
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$200,000
Rent$900
Ownership73.0%
Housing Units445
Rent Burden20.5%

Crime

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

Climate

Avg Temp35°F (2°C)
Rain17.5 in/yr
Sunny Days304/yr
Elevation2,034 ft (620 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+6.6%
High School+27.2%
Graduate+2.7%

Community

Commute19 min

Is Smoky Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Smoky Lake receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Smoky Lake has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Smoky Lake is $61,600, 18% below the national average of $75,149. At 8.5%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 17.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Smoky Lake is $200,000, 29% below the national median / offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $900 per month, below the national average / a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.2x 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

6.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 27.2% have completed high school.

Climate & Weather

Smoky Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 35°F. Winters average 5°F in January while summers reach 61°F in July. With 304 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 17.5 inches.

Smoky Lake has a population of 3,874 with a density of 3 people per square mile, spread across 1,311.3 square miles. The median age is 61.6 years, 58% older than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 55.8% female and 44.3% male. The city is predominantly White (94.9%), with 3.4% Asian. English is the primary language spoken at home by 77% of residents.

Population

3,874
Total Population
2021 Census
3
People / sq mi
61.6yrs
Median Age
58% above US avg
1,311.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.3%
Female 55.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Smoky Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only 77.0%
2% below US avg
Spanish 1.3%
90% below US avg
Other Languages 21.7%

Social Characteristics

Smoky Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Smoky Lake is $61,600, which is 18% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $48,600 (above the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $935, 35% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 8.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 17.2% of residents live below the poverty line, higher than the national rate of 12.4%. The area has 120 business establishments. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes (shorter than the 28-minute US average). 13.8% of workers work from home.

Income: Smoky Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$61,600
18% below US avg
Per Capita Income$48,600
Avg Weekly Wage$935

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment8.5%
136% above US avg
Poverty Rate17.2%
39% above US avg
Establishments (County)120

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.0 min
Drive Alone81.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home13.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Smoky Lake is $200,000, 29% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $900 (23% below the national average of $1,163). 73.0% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). There are 445 total housing units in the city. 20.5% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. The home price-to-income ratio is 3.2x.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$200,000
29% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$900
23% below US avg
Rent Burden20.5%

Ownership & Property

Homeownership73.0%
Owner-Occupied73.0%
Renter-Occupied27.0%
Housing Units445

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, Smoky Lake receives a safety grade of C+.

Crime Rates: Smoky 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 →
Smoky Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 35°F (2°C). Winters average 5°F in January while summers reach 61°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 17.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.4 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 2,034 feet.

Temperature

5°F Jan (-15°C) 61°F Jul (16°C)
Annual Average35.1°F
35% below US avg
January Average5°F (-15°C)
July Average61°F (16°C)
Sunny Days304 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,034 ft (620 m)
Area1,311.3 sq mi (3,396.3 km²)
Population Density3/sq mi
Coordinates54.1169°N, 112.4686°W
TimezoneAmerica/Edmonton

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.5"
54% below US avg
Snowfall 3.4"
Wettest Month (Jul) 3.66"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.51"

Air Quality

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 5°F (-15°C) 0.8 in Coldest
February 11°F (-12°C) 0.5 in Driest
March 21°F (-6°C) 0.8 in
April 39°F (4°C) 0.9 in
May 51°F (10°C) 1.7 in
June 58°F (14°C) 3.3 in
July 61°F (16°C) 3.7 in Warmest, Wettest
August 59°F (15°C) 2.2 in
September 50°F (10°C) 1.7 in
October 39°F (4°C) 0.7 in
November 20°F (-7°C) 0.7 in
December 7°F (-14°C) 0.7 in

Smoky Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 56°F / from 5°F in January to 61°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.7") and February the driest (0.5").

View full weather details →
6.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 80% below the national average of 33.7%. 27.2% have completed high school. 2.7% hold a graduate or professional degree (below the 13.1% national rate). 81% of workers drive alone to work.

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.6%
80% below US avg
High School+27.2%
Graduate Degree+2.7%
D Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Area & Infrastructure

Population Density3/sq mi
Total Area1,311.3 sq mi

Services

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.0 min
Drive Alone81.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home13.8%

Schools in Smoky Lake

1 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
H.A. Kostash School
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Smoky Lake

0 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality

Museums in Smoky Lake

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Andrew & District Local History Museum

Dentists in Smoky Lake

1 dentists within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

CA #1087379767

Gas Stations in Smoky Lake

5 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Centex
Esso
Esso
Shell
UFA

Banks in Smoky Lake

1 banks within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

ATB Financial

Airports Near Smoky Lake

11 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Athabasca AirportSmall Airport
Boyle AirportSmall Airport
Chipman AirportSmall Airport
Edmonton / Cooking Lake AirportSmall Airport
Edmonton / Josephburg AirportSmall Airport
Edmonton / Lechelt FieldSmall Airport
Edmonton / Twin Island AirparkSmall Airport
Lac La Biche AirportYLBSmall Airport
Tofield AirportSmall Airport
Two Hills AirportSmall Airport
Vegreville AirportSmall Airport

Post Offices in Smoky Lake

1 post offices.

Post OfficeAddress
Smoky Lake

Churches & Religious Organizations in Smoky Lake

1 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Holy Trinity Orthodox Church

Download Full City Report

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Frequently Asked Questions About Smoky Lake

What is the population of Smoky Lake?

Smoky Lake has a population of 3,874 residents and is located in Alberta. The population density is 3 people per square mile, spread across 1,311.3 square miles. The median age of residents is 61.6 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 55.8% female and 44.3% male.

Is Smoky Lake expensive to live in?

The median household income is $61,600, 18% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $200,000 (29% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $900 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 3.2x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.

Is Smoky Lake safe?

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

What is the weather like in Smoky Lake?

Smoky Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 35°F (2°C). Winter temperatures average 5°F in January, while summers reach an average of 61°F in July. The area receives 304 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 17.5 inches, with 3.4 inches of snow.

How is the job market in Smoky Lake?

The job market in Smoky Lake faces challenges, with unemployment at 8.5% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $935. There are 120 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 19 minutes, and 13.8% of workers work from home.

How much does housing cost in Smoky Lake?

The median home value in Smoky Lake is $200,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $900. The homeownership rate is 73.0%.

How are the schools in Smoky Lake?

6.6% of adults in Smoky Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 27.2% have completed high school. 2.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.

What is transportation like in Smoky Lake?

The average commute in Smoky Lake is 19 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 81% of workers drive alone to work, and 13.8% work from home.

What are the demographics of Smoky Lake?

The racial and ethnic makeup of Smoky Lake is 94.9% White, 3.4% Asian. 77% of residents speak only English at home.

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