Region at a glance

The North Central region of Alberta covers an area of 13,780 square kilometers, larger in size than the state of Connecticut.  The region accounts for 2.2% of Alberta’s land mass and for 1.1% of Alberta’s population.  

According to Statistics Canada’s latest estimates, the region’s population totaled 42,200 in 2010, an increase of 2.9% from 2006.  The region’s unemployment rate was 6.2% in 2010, the same rate as in 2009.  According to the 2006 federal Census, the number of employees was 20,885 in 2006.

The region’s largest industry on an employment basis is agriculture, accounting for almost 15% of total employment, followed by retail trade, oil and gas, construction, education, and health care and social assistance at between 8% and 9% each.  The region also has a sizeable manufacturing base, which is concentrated in the forest product and food product sectors.  The fastest growing industry between Census years 2001 and 2006 was the oil and gas sector, which increased its employment by two-thirds.  Employment in the agricultural sector, which has been on a long and steady decline in the province, fell by 21% in the North Central region between the two Census years. 

The North Central region is one of Alberta’s top agricultural regions.  It accounts for 6.3% of the province’s total number of farms, and is one of the province’s largest producers of oats and alfalfa and hay.  It is also the province’s third largest producer of forest products, such as lumber and pulp. 

According to personal income taxfiler data the average individual income was $29,100 per taxfiler in 2007, a large 43% increase from 2003.  Average income for couples was $86,350 in 2007, a 45% rise from 2003.

Although very few current indicators are available on a regional basis, it is clear that the impacts of the global economic crisis have also subsided in this region; for instance the number of Employment Insurance beneficiaries receiving regular benefits in North Central Alberta fell by 3% between 2009 and 2010.  Moreover, the number declined by 25% between June 2010 and June 2011.

Date Updated:
RDP-2457