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Wood Buffalo, AB

Alberta

Wood Buffalo is a mid-size city in Alberta with a population of 72,326. Residents earn $184,000 per year, which is 145% above the national average.

Data updated June 2026

3.4 /5.0
B Good
72,326 Population 3/sq mi density
$184,000 Median Income $96,800 per capita
$472,000 Home Value
$1,530 Median Rent 12.8% income on rent
32°F Avg Temperature 308 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$184,000 median income, 8.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$472,000 home value, $1,530/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
14.1% bachelor's degree or higher

Discover Wood Buffalo, 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 $184,000
145% higher than US avg
Home Value $472,000
67% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.1%
58% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,530
32% higher than US avg
Unemployment 8.7%
142% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.9%
69% lower than US avg

How Wood Buffalo Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population72,326
Median Age34.4 yrs
Density3/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 73%

Economy

A
Median Income$184,000
Per Capita$96,800
Unemployment8.7%
Poverty3.9%
Commute33 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$472,000
Rent$1,530
Ownership67.0%
Housing Units25,935
Rent Burden12.8%

Crime

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

Climate

Avg Temp32°F (-0°C)
Rain15.6 in/yr
Sunny Days308/yr
Elevation873 ft (266 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.1%
High School+30.5%
Graduate+4.2%

Community

Commute33 min

Is Wood Buffalo a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Wood Buffalo receives an overall livability score of 3.4 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 high housing costs, above-average unemployment. Wood Buffalo offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Wood Buffalo is $184,000, which is significantly higher than the national average / 145% above $75,149. This places Wood Buffalo among higher-income communities. At 8.7%, unemployment is notably high. Only 3.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Wood Buffalo is $472,000, making it a premium housing market at 67% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,530 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. At just 2.6x 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

14.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 30.5% have completed high school.

Climate & Weather

Wood Buffalo has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 32°F. Winters average -6°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. With 308 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 15.6 inches.

Wood Buffalo has a population of 72,326 with a density of 3 people per square mile, spread across 23,491.9 square miles. The median age is 34.4 years, 12% younger than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 47.3% female and 52.7% male. The city is predominantly White (72.7%), with 6.7% Black, 16.7% Asian. English is the primary language spoken at home by 76.2% of residents.

Population

72,326
Total Population
3
People / sq mi
34.4yrs
Median Age
12% below US avg
23,491.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.7%
Female 47.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Wood Buffalo vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only 76.2%
3% below US avg
Spanish 1.9%
86% below US avg
Other Languages 21.9%

Social Characteristics

Wood Buffalo vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Wood Buffalo is $184,000, which is 145% above the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $96,800 (above the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $1,862, 30% higher than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 8.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 3.9% of residents live below the poverty line, lower than the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes (longer than the 28-minute US average). 13.4% of workers work from home.

Income: Wood Buffalo vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$184,000
145% above US avg
Per Capita Income$96,800
Avg Weekly Wage$1,862

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment8.7%
142% above US avg
Poverty Rate3.9%
69% below US avg
Establishments (County)0

Business (County)

Restaurants0
Healthcare0
Retail0

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time33.2 min
Drive Alone61.6%
Public Transit26.9%
Work from Home13.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Wood Buffalo is $472,000, 67% above the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $1,530 (32% above the national average of $1,163). 67.0% of housing units are owner-occupied. There are 25,935 total housing units in the city. 12.8% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.6x, well within the affordable range.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$472,000
67% above US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,530
32% above US avg
Rent Burden12.8%

Ownership & Property

Homeownership67.0%
Owner-Occupied67.0%
Renter-Occupied33.0%
Housing Units25,935

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, Wood Buffalo receives a safety grade of C+.

Crime Rates: Wood Buffalo 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 →
Wood Buffalo has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 32°F (-0°C). Winters average -6°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 69°F. The area gets 308 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 15.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.8 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 873 feet.

Temperature

-6°F Jan (-21°C) 63°F Jul (17°C)
Annual Average31.8°F
41% below US avg
January Average-6°F (-21°C)
July Average63°F (17°C)
Sunny Days308 days/yr

Geography

Elevation873 ft (266 m)
Area23,491.9 sq mi (60,844.1 km²)
Population Density3/sq mi
Coordinates57.6528°N, 111.4667°W
TimezoneAmerica/Edmonton

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.6"
59% below US avg
Snowfall 3.8"
Wettest Month (Jul) 2.83"
Driest Month (Apr) 0.59"

Air Quality

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January -6°F (-21°C) 0.8 in Coldest
February 4°F (-16°C) 0.8 in
March 17°F (-9°C) 0.6 in
April 36°F (2°C) 0.6 in Driest
May 50°F (10°C) 1.3 in
June 59°F (15°C) 2.2 in
July 63°F (17°C) 2.8 in Warmest, Wettest
August 60°F (16°C) 2.2 in
September 49°F (9°C) 1.7 in
October 36°F (2°C) 1.0 in
November 15°F (-9°C) 0.8 in
December -0°F (-18°C) 0.8 in

Wood Buffalo has a seasonal temperature swing of 68°F / from -6°F in January to 63°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (2.8") and April the driest (0.6").

View full weather details →
14.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 58% below the national average of 33.7%. 30.5% have completed high school. 4.2% hold a graduate or professional degree (below the 13.1% national rate). 61.6% of workers drive alone to work, while 26.9% use public transit.

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.1%
58% below US avg
High School+30.5%
Graduate Degree+4.2%
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Area & Infrastructure

Population Density3/sq mi
Total Area23,491.9 sq mi

Services

Healthcare Facilities0
Restaurants0
Retail Stores0

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute33.2 min
Drive Alone61.6%
Public Transit26.9%
Work from Home13.4%

Airports Near Wood Buffalo

6 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Birch Mountain Airport-Small Airport
Fort Mackay / FirebagYFISmall Airport
Fort Mackay / Horizon AirportHZPSmall Airport
Fort MacKay/Albian AerodromeJHLSmall Airport
Fort McMurray / Mildred Lake AirportNMLSmall Airport
Muskeg Tower Airport-Small Airport

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Frequently Asked Questions About Wood Buffalo

What is the population of Wood Buffalo?

Wood Buffalo has a population of 72,326 residents and is located in Alberta. The population density is 3 people per square mile, spread across 23,491.9 square miles. The median age of residents is 34.4 years, which is younger than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 47.3% female and 52.7% male.

Is Wood Buffalo expensive to live in?

The median household income is $184,000, 145% above the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $472,000 (67% above the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,530 per month, above the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.6x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.

Is Wood Buffalo safe?

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

What is the weather like in Wood Buffalo?

Wood Buffalo has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 32°F (-0°C). Winter temperatures average -6°F in January, while summers reach an average of 63°F in July. The area receives 308 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 15.6 inches, with 3.8 inches of snow.

How is the job market in Wood Buffalo?

The job market in Wood Buffalo faces challenges, with unemployment at 8.7% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $1,862. The average commute time is 33 minutes, and 13.4% of workers work from home.

How much does housing cost in Wood Buffalo?

The median home value in Wood Buffalo is $472,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,530. The homeownership rate is 67.0%.

How are the schools in Wood Buffalo?

14.1% of adults in Wood Buffalo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 30.5% have completed high school. 4.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.

What is transportation like in Wood Buffalo?

The average commute in Wood Buffalo is 33 minutes, longer than the national average of 28 minutes. 61.6% of workers drive alone to work, 26.9% use public transit, and 13.4% work from home.

What are the demographics of Wood Buffalo?

The racial and ethnic makeup of Wood Buffalo is 72.7% White, 6.7% Black or African American, 0.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian. 76.2% of residents speak only English at home.

Nearby Cities

Fort McMurray, AB 66,573 pop · 64.1 mi
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