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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.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
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
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good 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
D
Education
1.5 / 5.0
6.6% bachelor's degree or higher
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
Obesity Rate 26.2%
18% 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
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units445
Rent Burden20.5%

Health

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

Climate

Avg Temp35°F (2°C)
AQI27 (Good)
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
Broadband94.0%

Is Smoky Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Smoky Lake receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Smoky Lake offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

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.

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

Smoky Lake has a population of 3,874 with a density of 3 people per square mile. The median age is 61.6 years, 58% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.9%), with 3.4% Asian.

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 Only77.0%
2% below US avg
Spanish1.3%
90% below US avg
Other Languages21.7%

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. The unemployment rate is 8.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 17.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Smoky Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$61,600
18% below US avg
Per Capita Income$48,600

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment8.5%
136% above US avg
Poverty Rate17.2%
39% above US avg

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Cost of Living84.10 (100=avg)

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 average. Monthly rent averages $900 (23% below US avg).

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

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

Property Tax

In Smoky Lake, 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: Smoky 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

Smoky Lake has an average annual temperature of 35°F (2°C). Winters average 5°F in January while summers reach 61°F in July. Annual precipitation is 17.5 inches. The area enjoys 304 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 27.

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

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall17.5 inches
54% below US avg
Snowfall3.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median27.0
RatingGood
Good Days %89.5%

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
6.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (80% below US avg). 94.0% of households have broadband internet.

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)

Urban-Rural Classification

Population Density3/sq mi
Total Area1,311.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access94.0%

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

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

Nearby Cities

Thorhild County, AB 3,042 pop · 25.5 mi Lamont, AB 3,754 pop · 27.7 mi Redwater, AB 2,115 pop · 28.2 mi Bruderheim, AB 1,329 pop · 28.7 mi White Fish Lake 128, AB 1,093 pop · 30.0 mi Two Hills County No. 21, AB 3,412 pop · 39.4 mi Gibbons, AB 3,218 pop · 40.3 mi Two Hills, AB 1,416 pop · 40.7 mi Fort Saskatchewan, AB 27,088 pop · 41.9 mi Bon Accord, AB 1,461 pop · 43.3 mi Vegreville, AB 5,689 pop · 45.9 mi Legal, AB 1,232 pop · 47.2 mi Sturgeon County, AB 20,061 pop · 47.5 mi Ardrossan, AB 1,238 pop · 47.7 mi
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