Alberta · Census Agglomeration
Sylvan Lake by the numbers
Sylvan Lake is Canada's 125th largest metro area, home to about 19K people, growing faster than the country since 2021 (+10.6% vs +9.3%). A two-bedroom rents for about $1,467, the median age is 36.0 and January averages -12°C.
People
Population of Sylvan Lake
The Sylvan Lake census agglomeration had an estimated 18,953 people on July 1, 2025, up +10.6% since 2021 (Canada grew +9.3%). The 2021 Census counted 16,514 people, +7.9% more than in 2016.
The City of Sylvan Lake itself had an estimated 17,897 residents in 2025.
Municipalities in the Sylvan Lake area
| Municipality | 2025 estimate | 2021 Census | 2016–21 growth | People / km² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sylvan Lake | 17,897 | 15,995 | +8.0% | 693 |
| Norglenwold | 339 | 306 | +12.1% | 491 |
| Jarvis Bay | 224 | 213 | 0.0% | 391 |
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 Sylvan Lake
Age
Median age is 36.0 (Canada: 41.6). 11.5% of residents are 65 or older and 21.2% are under 15.
Languages
6.2% can speak both official languages. At home, 97.4% speak mostly English, 0.4% mostly French and 1.4% mostly another language.
Immigration
— of residents are immigrants (Canada: 23.0%), and — arrived between 2016 and 2021.
Education: 15.3% of 25 to 64 year olds hold a bachelor's degree or higher; 24.8% have a college or CEGEP diploma and 13.7% 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 Sylvan Lake
Half of Sylvan Lake households made more than $93,000 in 2020 and half made less. Across Canada the median was $84,000.
Housing
Housing in Sylvan Lake
Average rent (October 2025)
A two-bedroom apartment rented for $1,467 a month on average, +11.6% from a year earlier and +45.1% over five years.
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 Sylvan Lake
Census day 2021 fell during the COVID-19 pandemic, so transit use is lower than in normal years.
Open the live road map → Traffic cameras, incidents and road conditions.
Climate
Sylvan Lake weather and climate
30-year averages (1981–2010) from the Red Deer A weather station, 20.1 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 Sylvan Lake ranks
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Cities near Sylvan Lake
FAQ
Sylvan Lake questions, answered
What is the population of Sylvan Lake?
The Sylvan Lake metro area had an estimated 18,953 people on July 1, 2025 (Statistics Canada). The City of Sylvan Lake itself had about 17,897.
How much is rent in Sylvan Lake?
In October 2025 the average rent in Sylvan Lake was $1,355 for a one-bedroom and $1,467 for a two-bedroom apartment (CMHC Rental Market Survey).
What is the average household income in Sylvan Lake?
The median household income in Sylvan Lake was $93,000 before tax in 2020 ($81,000 after tax), according to the 2021 Census. The average was $108,000.
How cold does it get in Sylvan Lake?
January averages -11.6°C, with average lows of -17.6°C. Sylvan Lake gets about 120 cm of snow a year, and in July the average daily high is 22.7°C (1981–2010 climate normals).
Is Sylvan Lake bilingual?
6.2% of people in Sylvan Lake can speak both English and French; 93.7% speak English only and 0.0% French only (2021 Census).
What is the median age in Sylvan Lake?
The median age in Sylvan Lake was 36.0 in the 2021 Census, compared with 41.6 for Canada.
Built October 30, 2026 from the latest published official data.