2025 municipal census wraps up in the RMWB

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has officially completed its 2025 Municipal Census, closing the count as of June 30. Over the past three months, thousands of residents and households took part either online, by phone or through in-person visits by enumerators.

“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who participated in this year’s census,’ says Kodjo Efu, Manager, Customer Experience & Analytics. “This information is not just numbers, it’s the foundation for future decisions that impact services, infrastructure and investment across the region.”

Why it matters

Census data plays a critical role in shaping the future of the Municipality. It also helps local businesses and social profit organizations plan effectively by providing a clear picture of populations trend and community needs. Additionally, it also has a direct impact on the funding the region receives from other levels of government. Historically, each resident counted represents over $200 in government funding for essential services and infrastructure.

New this census: Household pets

Besides the traditional questions on population, age and household composition, the 2025 census included a new question on household pets. This data can be used to support the recruitment of veterinarians and helps Regional Emergency Services to know the number of pets in neighbourhoods in the event of an emergency.

Executive Summary Report

A detailed executive summary and full report will be released in the coming weeks. This report will outline the region’s population size, growth trends, demographic breakdowns and other key findings including data on our temporary residents otherwise known as the shadow population.

To learn more about Census 2025, visit rmwb.ca/census.

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