The results are in from the County of Grande Prairie’s 2024 Municipal Census, showing significant growth throughout the region.
The census recorded a population of 26,701 residents living in the county, representing a 26 per cent increase, or more than 5,500 more residents joining since the last census in 2012. Officials say they are happy with the strong response rate of more than 95 per cent.
County Reeve Bob Marshall indicates the data collected from the census will be used to guide his council’s service planning and delivery model in the future.
“We are grateful for the community’s participation, which allows us to gain a deeper understanding of who we are as a County,” he says. “These insights will guide our commitment to responsible growth and service planning, ensuring a future where every resident and business has an opportunity to thrive as part of a vibrant, resilient community.”
Interestingly, the census revealed roughly 31 per cent of residents live within hamlets in the county. Clairmont, the third largest hamlet in the province hosts a permanent population of 6,123, while Hythe and Wedgewood follow with 835, and 736 residents respectively.
The largest age groups in the county include those between 45 to 64, and 25 to 44, each making up 25 per cent of the total population. Seniors, kids between five and 13, and 14 to 24, represent 40 per cent of the population, and the smallest age group was revealed to be children between the ages of zero and four.
When it comes to healthcare, 62 per cent of residents said they have access to a family physician within the region, while 27 per cent reported they do not have a primary care provider.
A strong trend of homeownership was observed, with the county recording 10,278 residential addresses, with an occupancy rate of more than 90 per cent. Of these, 86 per cent were revealed to be owner-occupied.
The final count includes counted residents as well as the standard practice of applying estimated average household size to homes where no count was possible due to refusal or inability to contact.
