Municipal Census

The purpose of Census 2021 is to better understand our region’s population by counting every person who is in the community on April 1, 2021. The data collected from the Census is used as part of the Municipality’s process in resource allocation for services like road and park maintenance and planning emergency response services. Indigenous partners and stakeholders also utilize the collected census data for current and future decision-making. Numerous community factors have changed since Census 2018, and an updated population supports community planning with the current environment.

How is the Municipal Census different from the Federal Census?

The federal census that takes place every five years doesn’t capture the shadow population (the population that mostly temporarily reside in work camps), which accounts for a significant part of Wood Buffalo’s population, (29%). 

What is the shadow population?

The shadow population refers to anyone who has a permanent home elsewhere but works in a commercial or industrial job in the region at least 30 days a year. These individuals are often found living in work camps, hotels and motels, campgrounds, rented rooms or suites in a private residence. Individuals who resided in non-permanent dwellings at the time of enumeration including the homeless population are also considered part of the shadow population. It’s important we capture this demographic to understand the full snapshot of the population in our region. The total shadow population counted for Census 2021 is 30,504. This is a decrease of 17% from 36,678 people in 2018.

Three main data collection methods were used to enumerate all households and accommodation facilities: Self-enumeration (online), door-to-door and telephone.

The 2021 Census counted 90 per cent of the dwellings, to complete the census count a population estimation model was used. Census staff used an estimation model, that analyzed water consumption along with data from Census 2018 to determine water-consumption trends in relation to population. This methodology provided a reliable estimate of the number of people living in dwellings which were not counted during the regular period of enumeration. This and other types of administrative data are often used to complete census counts.

An accurate census count helps us understand the needs of our community and plan for the future of our region. Based on census information, the Municipality is able responsibly allocate spending for key municipal services, maintenance and equipment, planning for disaster and emergency response services, libraries, affordable housing, long-term care facilities, parks, recreation and sports facilities, public transit, roadways and bridges, solid waste management and more. Census information helps develop indicators and growth projections useful to attract investors and developers.

Census information helps develop indicators and growth projections useful to attract investors and developers. It’s also used to develop neighbourhood profiles. 

Participating in the census will help us achieve an accurate population count. An accurate count will allow us to better plan for new community services, enhance existing services and ultimately work to make Wood Buffalo a better place to live, work and explore.

Many social profits are funded based on the population they serve. They also use the data for operational and long-term planning for current or new services and programs.

Census information is used to assess existing growth and service targets as well as long-term requirements for capital development and operational planning. 

Contact Pulse and a customer service representative can connect you with a member of our census team. They'll be able to provide more detailed census data, like community profiles.

To make a non-emergency report or ask a question, submit a request. 

They can be reached by phone by calling 780-743-7000 or toll-free 1-800-973-9663.

• Census 2018 Executive Summary
• Census 2018 Report

• Census 2015 Executive Summary
• Census 2015 Report

• Census 2012 Demographic Profile
• Census 2012 Project Accommodation Profile
• Census 2012 Migration
• Census 2012 Executive Summary