Wood Buffalo, Alberta
The regional municipality of Wood Buffalo is located in northeastern Alberta. Created in 1995 as an amalgamation of the community of Fort McMurray and Improvement District 143, it now ranks the largest in Canada by area. Underlying its 68,454 km² (26,430 sq mi) of wilderness lie vast oil sand deposits, also known as the Athabasca Tar Sands, helping to make the region one of the fastest growing industrial areas in Canada. [1]
Contents
Population in 2006: 51,496
Population in 2001: 41,445
Population change: 24.3%
Average property values in 2006:
| Wood Buffalo |  $ 397,530 |
| Alberta |  $ 293,811 |
| Canada |  $ 263,369 |
Median household income in 2005:
| Wood Buffalo | $ 122,442 |
| Alberta | $ 63,988 |
| Canada | $ 53,634 |
Median age in 2006:
| Wood Buffalo | 31.6 |
| Alberta | 36 |
| Canada | 39.5 |
Median rent in 2006:
| Wood Buffalo | $ 1,425 |
| Alberta | $ 754 |
| Canada | $ 671 |
Median mortgage payment in 2006:
| Wood Buffalo | $ 1,679 |
| Alberta | $ 1,016 |
| Canada | $ 839 |
Temperature Chart
| Temperature | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
| Daily Average (°C) | -19 | -14 | -7 | 3 | 10 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 9 | 3 | -9 | -17 |
| Daily Maximum (°C) | -14 | -8 | 0 | 10 | 17 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 15 | 8 | -4 | -12 |
| Daily Minimum (°C) | -24 | -20 | -13 | -3 | 3 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 3 | -2 | -13 | -21 |
| Canada Daily Average (°C) | -10 | -8 | -3 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 12 | 6 | -1 | -8 |
Precipitation
| Precipitation | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
| Rainfall (mm) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 34 | 75 | 81 | 73 | 45 | 19 | 2 | 1 |
| Snowfall (mm) | 27 | 21 | 20 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 29 | 26 |
| Precipitation(mm) | 19 | 15 | 16 | 22 | 37 | 75 | 81 | 73 | 47 | 30 | 22 | 19 |
Racial Groups
| Racial Groups |
Wood Buffalo Total |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 51,405 |
| Total visible minority population | 5,615 |
| Chinese | 540 |
| South Asian | 1,780 |
| Black | 720 |
| Filipino | 750 |
| Latin American | 570 |
| South East American | 130 |
| Arab | 710 |
| West Asian | 120 |
| Korean | 115 |
| Japenese | 40 |
| Visibile minority, n.i.e . | 50 |
| Multiple Visible minority | 90 |
| White | 45,795 |
Age characteristics
| Age characteristics |
Wood Buffalo Total |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 51,495 |
| 0 to 4 years | 3,565 |
| 5 to 9 years | 3,335 |
| 10 to 14 years | 3,435 |
| 15 to 19 years | 3,835 |
| 20 to 24 years | 4,850 |
| 25 to 29 years | 5,110 |
| 30 to 34 years | 4,640 |
| 35 to 39 years | 4,385 |
| 40 to 44 years | 4,570 |
| 45 to 49 years | 5,000 |
| 50 to 54 years | 4,215 |
| 55 to 59 years | 2,520 |
| 60 to 64 years | 1,080 |
| 65 to 69 years | 425 |
| 70 to 74 years | 230 |
| 75 to 79 years | 145 |
| 80 to 84 years | 85 |
| 85 years and over | 60 |
Knowledge of languages
| Knowledge of languages |
Wood Buffalo Total |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 51,410 |
| English only | 47,175 |
| French only | 50 |
| English and French | 4,015 |
| Neither English nor French | 165 |
| Immigrant status and period of immigration |
Wood Buffalo Total |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 51,410 |
| Non-immigrants | 44,895 |
| Immigrants | 5,780 |
| Non-permanent residents | 730 |
Non-immigrants are persons who are Canadian citizens by birth. Although most Canadian citizens by birth were born in Canada, a small number were born outside Canada to Canadian parents.
Generation Status
| Generation Status |
Wood Buffalo Total |
|---|---|
| Total Population (Over 15) | 41,055 |
| 1st generation | 5,770 |
| 2nd generation | 4,095 |
| 3rd generation or more | 31,190 |
Median income - Persons 15 years and over ($):
| Wood Buffalo | $ 43,920 |
| Alberta | $ 28,896 |
| Canada | $ 25,615 |
Median income after tax - Persons 15 years and over ($):
| Wood Buffalo | $ 37,380 |
| Alberta | $ 26,010 |
| Canada | $ 23,307 |
Total income refers to the total money income received from all sources during calendar year 2005 by persons 15 years and over.
After-tax income refers to total income from all sources minus federal, provincial and territorial taxes paid for 2005.
After-tax income refers to total income from all sources minus federal, provincial and territorial taxes paid for 2005.
| Median income in 2005 - All private households: ($): | |
|---|---|
| Wood Buffalo | $ 122,442 |
| Alberta | $ 63,988 |
| Canada | $ 53,634 |
| Median income in 2005 - Couple households with children: ($): | |
|---|---|
| Wood Buffalo | $ 138,863 |
| Alberta | $ 92,155 |
| Canada | $ 82,156 |
| Median income in 2005 - Couple households without children: ($): | |
|---|---|
| Wood Buffalo | $ 135,238 |
| Alberta | $ 72,774 |
| Canada | $ 62,503 |
| Median income in 2005 - One-person households: ($): | |
|---|---|
| Wood Buffalo | $ 75,120 |
| Alberta | $ 32,179 |
| Canada | $ 26,720 |
Private household refers to a person or a group of persons (other than foreign residents) who occupy the same dwelling and do not have a usual place of residence elsewhere in Canada.
It may consist of a family group (census family) with or without other persons, of two or more families sharing a dwelling, of a group of unrelated persons, or of one person living alone.
Household members who are temporarily absent on Census Day (e.g., temporary residents elsewhere) are considered as part of their usual household. For census purposes, every person is a member of one
and only one household. Unless otherwise specified, all data in household reports are for private households only.
| Median after-tax income in 2005 - All private households: ($): | |
|---|---|
| Wood Buffalo | $ 96,883 |
| Alberta | $ 55,199 |
| Canada | $ 46,584 |
| Median after-tax income in 2005 - Couple households with children: ($): | |
|---|---|
| Wood Buffalo | $ 108,301 |
| Alberta | $ 77,708 |
| Canada | $ 69,711 |
| Median after-tax income in 2005 - Couple households without children: ($): | |
|---|---|
| Wood Buffalo | $ 105,909 |
| Alberta | $ 62,435 |
| Canada | $ 53,667 |
| Median after-tax income in 2005 - One-person households: ($): | |
|---|---|
| Wood Buffalo | $ 58,363 |
| Alberta | $ 28,342 |
| Canada | $ 23,888 |
Median rent in 2006:
| Wood Buffalo | $ 1,425 |
| Alberta | $ 754 |
| Canada | $ 671 |
Median mortgage payment in 2006:
| Wood Buffalo | $ 1,679 |
| Alberta | $ 1,016 |
| Canada | $ 839 |
Occupied private dwelling types
| Occupied private dwelling characteristics - as a % of total occupied private dwellings | Wood Buffalo |
|---|---|
| Single-detached houses | 47% |
| Semi-detached houses | 5% |
| Row houses | 10% |
| Apartments, duplex | 2% |
| Apartments in buildings with fewer than five storeys | 19% |
| Apartments in buildings with five or more storeys | 3% |
| Other dwellings | 14% |
Household characteristics
| Household characteristics | Wood Buffalo |
|---|---|
| Households containing a couple (married or common-law) with children | 6,795 |
| Households containing a couple (married or common-law) without children | 4,880 |
| One-person households | 3,035 |
| Other households types | 3,270 |
Mobility status - Place of residence 5 years ago
| Mobility status - Place of residence 5 years ago | Wood Buffalo |
|---|---|
| Total population 5 years and over | 47,805 |
| Lived at the same address 5 years ago | 18,195 |
| Lived within the same province or territory 5 years ago, but changed addresses within the same census subdivision (municipality) | 12,120 |
| Lived within the same province or territory 5 years ago, but changed addresses from another census subdivision (municipality) within the same province or territory | 5,265 |
| Lived in a different province or territory 5 years ago | 9,945 |
| Lived in a different country 5 years ago | 2,285 |
Educational attainment
| Educational attainment | Wood Buffalo |
|---|---|
| Total population 15 years and over | 41,150 |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 8,115 |
| High school certificate or equivalent | 10,125 |
| Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma | 7,480 |
| College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma | 8,415 |
| University certificate or diploma below the bachelor level | 1,620 |
| University certificate, diploma or degree | 5,300 |
Major field of study
| Major field of study | Wood Buffalo |
|---|---|
| Total population 15 years and over | 41,150 |
| No postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 18,240 |
| Education | 1,155 |
| Visual and performing arts, and communications technologies | 430 |
| Humanities | 565 |
| Social and behavioural sciences and law | 1,205 |
| Business, management and public administration | 3,615 |
| Physical and life sciences and technologies | 635 |
| Mathematics, computer and information sciences | 690 |
| Architecture, engineering, and related technologies | 10,490 |
| Agriculture, natural resources and conservation | 230 |
| Health, parks, recreation and fitnes | 2,130 |
| Personal, protective and transportation services | 1,670 |
| Other | 0 |
Location of study
| Location of study | Wood Buffalo |
|---|---|
| Total population 15 years and over | 41,150 |
| No postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 18,240 |
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 22,820 |
| Inside Canada | 20,295 |
| Outside Canada | 2,520 |
Labour force activity
| Labour force activity | Wood Buffalo |
|---|---|
| Total population 15 years and over | 41,150 |
| In the labour force | 33,790 |
| Employed | 32,440 |
| Unemployed | 1,350 |
| Not in the labour force | 7,265 |
| Participation rate | 82 |
| Employment rate | 79 |
| Unemployment rate | 4 |
Employment rate
| Participatiion Rate: | |
|---|---|
| Wood Buffalo | 82 |
| Alberta | 74 |
| Canada | 67 |
| Employment rate: | |
|---|---|
| Wood Buffalo | 79 |
| Alberta | 71 |
| Canada | 62 |
| Unemployment rate: | |
|---|---|
| Wood Buffalo | 4 |
| Alberta | 4 |
| Canada | 7 |
Participation rate - Refers to the labour force in the week (Sunday to Saturday) prior to Census Day (May 16, 2006),
expressed as a percentage of the population 15 years and over excluding institutional residents.
Occupation for males
| Occupation for males | Wood Buffalo |
|---|---|
| Total experienced labour force 15 years and over | 19,905 |
| Management occupations | 1,505 |
| Business, finance and administration occupations | 950 |
| Natural and applied sciences and related occupations | 2,325 |
| Health occupations | 145 |
| Occupations in social science, education, government service and religion | 380 |
| Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport | 150 |
| Sales and service occupations | 2,590 |
| Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations | 9,910 |
| Occupations unique to primary industry | 1,040 |
| Occupations unique to processing, manufacturing and utilities | 910 |
Occupation for females
| Occupation for females | Wood Buffalo |
|---|---|
| Total experienced labour force 15 years and over | 13,710 |
| Management occupations | 895 |
| Business, finance and administration occupations | 3,515 |
| Natural and applied sciences and related occupations | 600 |
| Health occupations | 950 |
| Occupations in social science, education, government service and religion | 1,050 |
| Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport | 230 |
| Sales and service occupations | 5,005 |
| Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations | 1,120 |
| Occupations unique to primary industry | 165 |
| Occupations unique to processing, manufacturing and utilities | 165 |
Industry for males
| Industry for males | Wood Buffalo |
|---|---|
| Total experienced labour force 15 years and over | 19,905 |
| Agriculture and other resource-based industries | 8,490 |
| Construction | 3,215 |
| Manufacturing | 625 |
| Wholesale trade | 810 |
| Retail trade | 1,205 |
| Finance and real estate | 570 |
| Health care and social services | 150 |
| Educational services | 325 |
| Business services | 2,540 |
| Other services | 1,970 |
Industry for females
| Industry for females | Wood Buffalo |
|---|---|
| Total experienced labour force 15 years and over | 13,705 |
| Agriculture and other resource-based industries | 2,095 |
| Construction | 730 |
| Manufacturing | 240 |
| Wholesale trade | 325 |
| Retail trade | 1,930 |
| Finance and real estate | 710 |
| Health care and social services | 1,550 |
| Educational services | 1,320 |
| Business services | 1,920 |
| Other services | 2,890 |
Language used most often at work
| Language used most often at work | Wood Buffalo |
|---|---|
| Total population 15 years and over who worked since 2005 | 36,855 |
| English | 36,555 |
| French | 55 |
| Non-official language | 100 |
| English and French | 95 |
| English and non-official language | 45 |
| French and non-official language | 0 |
| English, French and non-official language | 0 |
Mode of transportation to work
| Car, truck, van, as driver: | |
|---|---|
| Wood Buffalo | 16,500 |
| Alberta | 1,253,090 |
| Canada | 10,644,330 |
| Car, truck, van, as passenger: | |
|---|---|
| Wood Buffalo | 4,420 |
| Alberta | 133,395 |
| Canada | 1,133,145 |
| Public transit: | |
|---|---|
| Wood Buffalo | 4,705 |
| Alberta | 155,480 |
| Canada | 1,622,725 |
| Walked or bicycled: | |
|---|---|
| Wood Buffalo | 1,475 |
| Alberta | 119,025 |
| Canada | 1,134,805 |
| All other modes: | |
|---|---|
| Wood Buffalo | 4,465 |
| Alberta | 25,555 |
| Canada | 179,250 |
40th General Federal Election (2008)
Wood Buffalo includes the following Electoral Districts:
Fort McMurray--Athabasca
Electoral results for all districts in Wood Buffalo:
| Conservative: | 67.12% |
| Green: | 6.37% |
| Independent: | 1.37% |
| Liberal: | 10.6% |
| NDP: | 12.91% |
| Other: | 1.64% |
Source information:
* Weather data sourced from Environment Canada (http://www.ec.gc.ca)** All other census information is sourced from Stats Canada. Statistics Canada information is used with the permission of Statistics Canada. Users are forbidden to copy the data and redisseminate them, in an original or modified form, for commercial purposes, without permission from Statistics Canada. Information on the availability of the wide range of data from Statistics Canada can be obtained from Statistics Canada's Regional Offices, its World Wide Web site at www.statcan.gc.ca, and its toll-free access number 1-800-263-1136.