Milk River, AB demographics:
population, income, and more

Total population
824
-0.1 % year-over-year change
Median household income
$64,000/yr
Private dwellings
436

Milk River population

How many people live in Milk River

Milk River is home to 824 residents, based on Statistics Canada's 2024 population estimate. Of these, 47% identify as male and 53% as female.

Total population
824
-0.1% year-over-year change
Population density
340.9/km2
Gender ratio
Male
47%
385
Female
53%
435
Value Percent
Male 385 47%
Female 435 53%
A larger population often brings more rental variety and a busier pace of life. The gender breakdown, namely the ratio of men to women in the area, offers clues about the community’s vibe and social landscape.

Age demographics

The average age in Milk River is 52.0. Children under 15 make up 12.9% of the population, while youth and young adults account for 6.1%. Those in their working years are spread across the following age groups: 7.4% are 25 to 34, 9.2% are 35 to 44, and 10.4% are 45 to 54. Adults nearing retirement—aged 55 to 64—represent 16% of the population, while seniors 65 and over make up 38%.

Average age
52
Age breakdown
Under 15
12.9%
15 to 24
6.1%
25 to 34
7.4%
35 to 44
9.2%
45 to 54
10.4%
55 to 64
16%
Over 65
38%
Value Percent
Under 15 105 12.9%
15 to 24 50 6.1%
25 to 34 60 7.4%
35 to 44 75 9.2%
45 to 54 85 10.4%
55 to 64 130 16%
Over 65 310 38%
Age distribution gives you a glimpse into who makes up the area. Younger communities might feel more energetic or student-friendly, while older ones tend to be calmer and more settled. A mix of age groups usually means a balance of parks, schools, healthcare, and other services for all walks of life.

Residence status

In Milk River, 89.5% of residents were born in Canada, while 9.9% have settled here from abroad.

Immigration status
Non-immigrants
89.5%
Immigrants
9.9%
Non-permanent residents
0%
Value Percent
Non-immigrants 680 89.5%
Immigrants 75 9.9%
Minority breakdown
Minorities
2.6%
Non-minorities
97.4%
Value Percent
Minorities 20 2.6%
Non-minorities 740 97.4%
Knowing how many people in the area are newcomers, temporary residents, or Canadian-born can give you a feel for how established or internationally connected a community is. It may also hint at the kind of services, food, and cultural touchpoints you’ll find nearby.
Languages used in Milk River
English
98%
French
2%
English and French
0%
Neither English nor French
0%
Value Percent
English 755 98%
French 15 2%

Primary languages spoken

According to the latest Census data, 98% of people in Milk River speak English as their primary language, 2% communicate mainly in French, are bilingual, and use other languages.

Language use shapes everything from signage to services. Whether you're looking for bilingual support or just curious about the local vibe, these stats give a quick peek at how people connect day-to-day.

Households in Milk River

A peek inside Milk River households

Milk River has 400 households, with an average of 1.9 people living in each. One-person households make up 38.7% of all homes, while 42.7% are shared by two people. Three-person households represent 8%, and homes with four or more people account for 10.6% of the total.

Households stats

Total households
400
Average people per household
1.9
1 person
38.7%
2 persons
42.7%
3 persons
8%
4 persons
5.3%
5 or more persons
5.3%
Value Percent
1 person 145 38.7%
2 persons 160 42.7%
3 persons 30 8%
4 persons 20 5.3%
5 or more persons 20 5.3%
Household size can reveal a lot about how people live in the area. More one- and two-person homes might hint at a mix of young professionals or empty nesters, while larger households often reflect families or multi-generational setups. It’s a good indicator of the kinds of rentals and living spaces you'll find nearby.

Housing in Milk River

The housing landscape of Milk River

Milk River has a total of 436 private dwellings. When it comes to space, Milk River offers a variety of home sizes: 6% of occupied homes have 1 bedroom or less, 64% have 2–3 bedrooms, and 30% have 4 or more bedrooms.

Total private dwellings
436
Housing types
Single-detached homes
81.6%
Attached homes
10.5%
Apartments
0%
Movable homes
7.9%
Value Percent
Single-detached homes 310 81.6%
Attached homes 40 10.5%
Movable homes 30 7.9%
Housing size
1 or no bedrooms
6%
2 or 3 bedrooms
64%
4 or more bedrooms
30%
Value Percent
1 or no bedrooms 25 6%
2 or 3 bedrooms 255 64%
4 or more bedrooms 120 30%
Homes built since 2011
25

The age of buildings in Milk River

About 11.5% of homes were built before 1945, followed by 20.5% between 1946 and 1960. Another 18% went up in the 1960s, 19.2% in the 1970s, and 14.1% during the 1980s. Between 1991 and 2000, 5.1% of homes were added, and 5.1% were developed between 2001 and 2010.

Construction year breakdown by decade
Value Percent
Before 1945 45 11.5%
Between 1946 and 1960 80 20.5%
Between 1961 and 1970 70 18%
Between 1971 and 1980 75 19.2%
Between 1981 and 1990 55 14.1%
Between 1991 and 2000 20 5.1%
Between 2001 and 2010 20 5.1%
After 2011 25 6.4%
As a renter, knowing when homes were built helps you understand the potential condition and design of rental units. Newer builds may have more contemporary layouts, while older homes can offer character or larger lots, depending on the area.

Milk River occupancy rates

In Milk River, there are 383 occupied private dwellings, of which 72.5% are owner-occupied and 27.5% are rented. Meanwhile, 53 dwellings sit vacant.

Occupied dwellings
383
Occupancy breakdown
Rented households
27.5%
Owned households
72.5%
Value Percent
Rented households 110 27.5%
Owned households 290 72.5%
Unoccupied dwellings
53
Understanding whether homes are owned or rented gives insight into the housing market’s stability and flexibility. High ownership rates may point to longer-term residents and more stable neighbourhoods, while a greater share of rentals can indicate mobility, availability, or housing diversity. Vacancy levels can also hint at supply-and-demand dynamics for renters.

Shelter costs

In Milk River, homeowners pay a median of $760 per month on shelter costs, while renters spend around $632. About 82.5% of households spend less than 30% of their income on housing, while 17.5% exceed that threshold.

Median monthly shelter costs for owned dwellings
$760
Median monthly shelter costs for rented dwellings
$632
Income spent on housing
<30% on shelter
82.5%
≥30% on shelter
17.5%
Value Percent
<30% on shelter 330 82.5%
≥30% on shelter 70 17.5%
Shelter cost includes all monthly expenses tied to housing—like rent or mortgage, property taxes, utilities, and additional fees. Owners usually cover a wider range of costs, while renters typically just pay rent plus basic services. Comparing these numbers gives a clearer view of what living in the area actually costs, and whether households are stretched beyond the 30% affordability benchmark.

Education in Milk River

Milk River education at a glance

In Milk River, educational attainment varies across the community. About 23.9% of residents have no formal diploma, while 27.5% have completed high school and 10.9% hold an apprenticeship certificate. Meanwhile, 25.4% have graduated from college. Finally, 2.9% earned a non-bachelor university diploma, and 9.4% hold a university degree.

Education level
Value Percent
No diploma 165 23.9%
High school diploma 190 27.5%
Apprenticeship diploma 75 10.9%
College diploma 175 25.4%
University diploma (below bachelor diploma) 20 2.9%
University degree 65 9.4%
Education levels give a snapshot of the local talent pool and job readiness. A strong share of college and university graduates can mean better access to skilled jobs, while trades and apprenticeship diplomas often support hands-on industries. For renters, these stats help paint a picture of the economic opportunities and workforce makeup in the area.

Income in Milk River

How much people earn in Milk River

In Milk River, the median household income sits at $64,000, while the median after-tax household income is $56,400.

Median household income
$64,000/year
Median after-tax household income
$56,400/year
Household income—especially after tax—offers one of the clearest indicators of how affordable a place might feel. It also helps renters understand earning power in the area, whether they're budgeting for rent or comparing communities with similar price tags. Local income trends can reveal whether the economy is growing, steady, or facing challenges.

Milk River income by age

Young adults in Milk River between 15 and 24 have a median income of $17,800, often reflecting part-time or early career work. For those aged 25 to 34, when many are advancing in their jobs, the figure rises to $47,200, and by 35 to 44 it reaches $41,200. Among individuals 45 to 54, the median wage is $48,800, followed by $40,000 for those in their pre-retirement years. Finally, residents over 65, many of whom are already retired, typically earn $31,200.

Income breakdown by age
Value
15 - 24 17,800
25 - 34 47,200
35 - 44 41,200
45 - 54 48,800
55 - 64 40,000
Over 65 31,200

Employment in Milk River

Workforce and job sectors in Milk River

In Milk River, 325 residents are part of the labour force, with an unemployment rate of 9.2%. The local economy spans a wide range of sectors. Notably, sales and service, trades and transport, and business, finance and administration employ the largest shares of the working population, shaping the city's job market.

Workforce demographics

Labour force
325
Unemployment rate
9.2%
Major job markets
Value Percent
Management 10 3.2%
Business, finance and administration 45 14.3%
Health 25 7.9%
Education, law, community and government services 25 7.9%
Sales and service 90 28.6%
Trades and transport 70 22.2%
Natural resources and agriculture 35 11.1%
Manufacturing and utilities 15 4.8%
Knowing what kinds of jobs dominate the area can help you understand local culture, income levels, and day-to-day rhythms. When looking for a community that suits your lifestyle, these labour stats offer helpful clues.

Transportation in Milk River

How people get around in Milk River

In Milk River, the average commute is 20 minutes.

Average commute time
20 min
Travel time
Less than 15 minutes
63.6%
15 to 29 minutes
12.7%
30 to 44 minutes
3.6%
45 to 59 minutes
12.7%
More than 60 minutes
7.3%
Value Percent
Less than 15 minutes 175 63.6%
15 to 29 minutes 35 12.7%
30 to 44 minutes 10 3.6%
45 to 59 minutes 35 12.7%
More than 60 minutes 20 7.3%
Means of transportation
Value Percent
By car, truck or van 245 89.1%
By bicycle/by walking 30 10.9%
Commute trends hint at both the layout and vibe of a place. If most people drive or take transit, the area may be more spread out. Shorter commutes suggest convenient access to jobs, while longer ones may confirm the area’s low-density layout.

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FAQs about Milk River demographics 

What is the current total population in Milk River?

Milk River has a population of 824, according to Statistics Canada’s official 2024 figure, as published in their Annual Demographic Estimates: Subprovincial Areas report. This represents a -0.1% change compared to the previous year. 

What is the population density of Milk River?  

Milk River has a population density of 340.9 people per square kilometre. 

What is the gender distribution in Milk River?

Milk River has the following gender distribution:
  • 47% males (385 residents)  
  • 53% females (435 residents)

What is the age distribution of Milk River residents?  

The age distribution of Milk River residents is as follows: 
  • Under 15: 12.9% (105 residents)   
  • 15-24: 6.1% (50 residents)   
  • 25-34: 7.4% (60 residents)   
  • 35-44: 9.2% (75 residents)   
  • 45-54: 10.4% (85 residents)   
  • 55-64: 16% (130 residents)   
  • Over 64: 38% (310 residents)  

What is the population distribution by immigration status in Milk River? 

Here’s the population distribution by immigration status in Milk River: 
  • 89.5% non-immigrants (680 residents)  
  • 9.9% immigrants (75 residents)  
  • 0% non-permanent residents (0 residents)  

What are the primary languages spoken in Milk River?  

Here’s a breakdown of the languages spoken in Milk River: 
  • English: 98% 
  • French: 2% 
  • English and French: 0% 
  • Neither English nor French: 0% 

What is the typical household size in Milk River?  

The typical household size in Milk River is 1.9 people. 

What is the median household income in Milk River?  

The median household income in Milk River is $64,000 annually, according to Statistics Canada’s latest release—Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population. 

What is the educational attainment level of Milk River residents?  

The educational attainment breakdown in Milk River is as follows: 
  • No diploma: 23.9% (165 residents) 
  • High school diploma: 27.5% (190 residents) 
  • Apprenticeship diploma: 10.9% (75 residents) 
  • College diploma: 25.4% (175 residents) 
  • University diploma (below bachelor): 2.9% (20 residents) 
  • University degree: 9.4% (65 residents) 

What are the most common occupations in Milk River?  

The most common occupations in Milk River fall within the sectors listed below:
  • Art, culture, recreation and sport: 0% 
  • Business, finance and administration: 14.3% 
  • Education, law, community and government services: 7.9% 
  • Health: 7.9% 
  • Management: 3.2% 
  • Manufacturing and utilities: 4.8% 
  • Natural and applied sciences: 0% 
  • Natural resources and agriculture: 11.1% 
  • Sales and service: 28.6% 
  • Trades and transport: 22.2% 

Data source & methodology

Demographic data shown in this section was gathered from the latest census data from Statistics Canada (2021), with the total population figure reflecting the official 2024 population estimate.
Census aggregated data represented here is extracted from Data Tables, by topic, at the census subdivision area level.
Differences may be found between the totals of the various categories due to multiple variables.
The information is updated as soon as new data is made available. No representation, guarantee or warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information.

Page last updated: September 2025