Quebec · Census Agglomeration

Alma by the numbers

Alma is Canada's 92nd largest metro area, home to about 31K people, growing slower than the country since 2021 (+0.9% vs +9.3%). A two-bedroom rents for about $828, the median age is 48.0 and January averages -16°C.

Live weatherCompare Alma
Population (2025 est.)30,659
Growth since 2021+0.9%Canada: +8.9%
Median household income$67,500Canada: $84,000
Avg. 2-bedroom rent$828CMHC, Oct 2025
Median age48.0Canada: 41.6
Immigrants—Canada: 23.0%
January average-16.2°CJuly high 24°C
Speak English & French18.8%Canada: 18.0%

People

Population of Alma

The Alma census agglomeration had an estimated 30,682 people on July 1, 2025, up +0.9% since 2021 (Canada grew +9.3%). The 2021 Census counted 30,331 people, -1.4% more than in 2016.

Land area195 km²
People per km²155.6
Households13,815
30K31K31K31K31K20112013201520172019202120232025

Sources: Statistics Canada, Table 17-10-0148-01, Statistics Canada, Table 17-10-0155-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0003-01

2021 Census

Who lives in Alma

Age

Under 15 15%15 to 64 60%65 and over 25%

Median age is 48.0 (Canada: 41.6). 25.0% of residents are 65 or older and 15.3% are under 15.

Languages

English only 0%English & French 19%French only 81%Neither 0%

18.8% can speak both official languages. At home, 0.2% speak mostly English, 99.2% mostly French and 0.4% mostly another language.

Immigration

— of residents are immigrants (Canada: 23.0%), and — arrived between 2016 and 2021.

Education: 16.1% of 25 to 64 year olds hold a bachelor's degree or higher; 23.7% have a college or CEGEP diploma and 29.7% a trades certificate.

Sources: Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0030-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0223-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0227-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0302-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0384-01

Money

Income and jobs in Alma

Median household income$67,500before tax, 2020
After tax$59,600median, 2020
Average household income$82,400before tax, 2020

Half of Alma households made more than $67,500 in 2020 and half made less. Across Canada the median was $84,000.

Sources: Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0061-01

Housing

Housing in Alma

Owners 66%Renters 34%
Median home value$200,000owner-estimated, 2021
Owners' monthly costs$920median, 2021
Renters' monthly costs$576median, 2021
Spend 30%+ on housing10.6%of households

Average rent (October 2025)

Bachelor$597
1 bedroom$583
2 bedrooms$828
3+ bedrooms$771

A two-bedroom apartment rented for $828 a month on average, +13.7% from a year earlier and +48.4% over five years.

$344$478$612$746$88020152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Alma 2-bedroomAlma 1-bedroom

Sources: Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0258-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0256-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0253-01, Statistics Canada, Table 34-10-0133-01, Statistics Canada, Table 34-10-0127-01

Commuting

Getting around Alma

How people get to work

Car, truck or van91.7%
Public transit0.3%
Walked5.5%
Bicycle0.6%
Other1.7%
Average commute16.8 minCanada: 23.7 min
Commute an hour or more4.3%one way

Census day 2021 fell during the COVID-19 pandemic, so transit use is lower than in normal years.

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0457-01

Climate

Alma weather and climate

-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°64 mm precipitationJ50 mm precipitationF57 mm precipitationM66 mm precipitationA81 mm precipitationM89 mm precipitationJ124 mm precipitationJ95 mm precipitationA110 mm precipitationS90 mm precipitationO86 mm precipitationN75 mm precipitationD-11°-8°-2°7°16°22°24°22°17°10°2°-6°
Average daily highAverage daily lowPrecipitation
Coldest month-16.2°CJanuary average
July daily high23.6°C
Snow per year270 cm
Precipitation987 mmper year
Days above 30°C3.7
Nights below −20°C48.0

30-year averages (1981–2010) from the Lac Ste Croix weather station, 16.4 km from the city centre.

Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010

Out of all Canadian metro areas with data

How Alma ranks

#92 of 152 · Largest cities by population#137 of 152 · Fastest-growing cities#111 of 152 · Youngest cities#119 of 152 · Highest-income cities#139 of 152 · Most expensive homes#58 of 152 · Cities with the most renters#41 of 152 · Most bilingual cities#123 of 152 · Most educated cities#110 of 152 · Cities with the longest commutes#132 of 152 · Cities where the most people take transit#56 of 152 · Cities where the most people walk to work#83 of 152 · Best cycling cities#15 of 152 · Coldest cities#104 of 152 · Cities with the hottest summers#30 of 152 · Snowiest cities#63 of 152 · Wettest cities

Compare

Alma vs SaguenayCompare with any city →

Cities near Alma

SaguenayQC 170K people $9862BR rent-16°Jan avg46.0median ageDolbeau-MistassiniQC 15K people $6772BR rent-17°Jan avg50.4median ageRivière-du-LoupQC 31K people $8572BR rent-13°Jan avg46.4median ageQuébecQC 904K people $1,2762BR rent-12°Jan avg43.2median ageRimouskiQC 57K people $9352BR rent-11°Jan avg46.8median ageShawiniganQC 52K people $8302BR rent-12°Jan avg54.4median age

FAQ

Alma questions, answered

What is the population of Alma?

The Alma metro area had an estimated 30,682 people on July 1, 2025 (Statistics Canada).

How much is rent in Alma?

In October 2025 the average rent in Alma was $583 for a one-bedroom and $828 for a two-bedroom apartment (CMHC Rental Market Survey).

What is the average household income in Alma?

The median household income in Alma was $67,500 before tax in 2020 ($59,600 after tax), according to the 2021 Census. The average was $82,400.

How cold does it get in Alma?

January averages -16.2°C, with average lows of -21.4°C. Alma gets about 270 cm of snow a year, and in July the average daily high is 23.6°C (1981–2010 climate normals).

Is Alma bilingual?

18.8% of people in Alma can speak both English and French; 0.1% speak English only and 81.0% French only (2021 Census).

What is the median age in Alma?

The median age in Alma was 48.0 in the 2021 Census, compared with 41.6 for Canada.

Built October 30, 2026 from the latest published official data.