11 areas in Alberta that will have the highest populations by 2051

Alberta is attracting new residents everyday, and the latest projections from the provincial government show which areas will hold the highest populations by 2051.

Alberta is projected to add roughly two million residents over the next 27 years, reaching almost 6.9 million by 2051 with an average annual growth rate of 1.3 per cent, according to projections released earlier this month.

Alberta’s population grew by an exceptional 4.4 per cent in 2024, a rate not seen since 1981. Over the next three years, growth is expected to moderate due to policy changes largely targeting non-permanent residents and lowered immigration targets.

Despite slowing over the next three years, the province is still expected to have an average annual growth rate of 1.6 per cent, adding another 240,000 people by 2027.

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Population projections were produced for all Local Geographic Areas (LGAs). By 2051, Crowsnest Pass is projected to be home to the oldest population, with 37.5 per cent of its population aged 65 and older. By comparison, High Level is expected to have the youngest population, with 32.8 per cent of its residents aged 14 years or younger, and only 9.7 per cent aged 65 and above.

Ramon Cliff/Shutterstock

When it comes to the top 11 LGAs with the highest share of Alberta’s population in 2051, it’s the following:

• Edmonton — Rutherford at 4.6 per cent
• Calgary – Upper North East at 4 per cent
• Calgary – South East at 3.6 per cent
• Calgary – South West at 3 per cent
• Calgary – North at 3 per cent
• Calgary – Upper North West at 2.8 per cent
• Edmonton – West Jasper Place at 2.7 per cent
• Airdrie at 2.5 per cent
• Edmonton – Mill Woods South & East at 2.5 per cent
• Calgary-Centre at 2.5 per cent
• Edmonton – North East at 2.5 per cent

In 2051, Alberta’s population is expected to become more concentrated in urban centers, especially along the Edmonton-Calgary Corridor — 82 per cent of Albertans are expected to live in this region.

Under the medium scenario, Alberta is set to hit the population milestone of 5.5 million in 2033 and six million in 2040.

The number of seniors aged 65 and older is expected to increase from 741,000 in 2024 to more than 1.1 million by 2040. One in five Albertans is projected to be aged 65 or older by 2051.

You can find the full breakdown on the Alberta population projections online.