Meadow Lake, SK demographics:
population, income, and more

Total population
5,322
2.7 % year-over-year change
Median household income
$86,000/yr
Private dwellings
2,125

Meadow Lake population

How many people live in Meadow Lake

Meadow Lake is home to 5,322 residents, based on Statistics Canada's 2024 population estimate. Of these, 48.8% identify as male and 51.2% as female.

Total population
5,322
2.7% year-over-year change
Population density
430.2/km2
Gender ratio
Male
48.8%
2,600
Female
51.2%
2,725
Value Percent
Male 2,600 48.8%
Female 2,725 51.2%
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 Meadow Lake is 35.4. Children under 15 make up 24.6% of the population, while youth and young adults account for 14.1%. Those in their working years are spread across the following age groups: 14.4% are 25 to 34, 12.6% are 35 to 44, and 11.5% are 45 to 54. Adults nearing retirement—aged 55 to 64—represent 10.1% of the population, while seniors 65 and over make up 12.8%.

Average age
35.4
Age breakdown
Under 15
24.6%
15 to 24
14.1%
25 to 34
14.4%
35 to 44
12.6%
45 to 54
11.5%
55 to 64
10.1%
Over 65
12.8%
Value Percent
Under 15 1,305 24.6%
15 to 24 750 14.1%
25 to 34 765 14.4%
35 to 44 670 12.6%
45 to 54 610 11.5%
55 to 64 535 10.1%
Over 65 680 12.8%
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 Meadow Lake, 90% of residents were born in Canada, while 7.4% have settled here from abroad. Another 2.5% are non-permanent residents, such as temporary workers or international students.

Immigration status
Non-immigrants
90%
Immigrants
7.4%
Non-permanent residents
2.5%
Value Percent
Non-immigrants 4,680 90%
Immigrants 385 7.4%
Non-permanent residents 130 2.5%
Minority breakdown
Minorities
10.9%
Non-minorities
89.1%
Value Percent
Minorities 565 10.9%
Non-minorities 4,635 89.1%
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 Meadow Lake
English
99.2%
French
0.6%
English and French
0%
Neither English nor French
0.2%
Value Percent
English 5,195 99.2%
French 30 0.6%
Neither English nor French 10 0.2%

Primary languages spoken

According to the latest Census data, 99.2% of people in Meadow Lake speak English as their primary language, 0.6% communicate mainly in French, are bilingual, and 0.2% 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 Meadow Lake

A peek inside Meadow Lake households

Meadow Lake has 1,930 households, with an average of 2.7 people living in each. One-person households make up 25.7% of all homes, while 30.6% are shared by two people. Three-person households represent 16.6%, and homes with four or more people account for 27% of the total.

Households stats

Total households
1,930
Average people per household
2.7
1 person
25.7%
2 persons
30.6%
3 persons
16.6%
4 persons
14%
5 or more persons
13%
Value Percent
1 person 495 25.7%
2 persons 590 30.6%
3 persons 320 16.6%
4 persons 270 14%
5 or more persons 250 13%
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 Meadow Lake

The housing landscape of Meadow Lake

Meadow Lake has a total of 2,125 private dwellings. When it comes to space, Meadow Lake offers a variety of home sizes: 11% of occupied homes have 1 bedroom or less, 53% have 2–3 bedrooms, and 36.4% have 4 or more bedrooms.

Total private dwellings
2,125
Housing types
Single-detached homes
67.4%
Attached homes
28.7%
Apartments
0%
Movable homes
3.9%
Value Percent
Single-detached homes 1,305 67.4%
Attached homes 555 28.7%
Movable homes 75 3.9%
Housing size
1 or no bedrooms
11%
2 or 3 bedrooms
53%
4 or more bedrooms
36.4%
Value Percent
1 or no bedrooms 210 11%
2 or 3 bedrooms 1,015 53%
4 or more bedrooms 700 36.4%
Homes built since 2011
130

The age of buildings in Meadow Lake

About 5.4% of homes were built before 1945, followed by 9.8% between 1946 and 1960. Another 11.9% went up in the 1960s, 27.3% in the 1970s, and 14.2% during the 1980s. Between 1991 and 2000, 15% of homes were added, and 9.8% were developed between 2001 and 2010.

Construction year breakdown by decade
Value Percent
Before 1945 105 5.4%
Between 1946 and 1960 190 9.8%
Between 1961 and 1970 230 11.9%
Between 1971 and 1980 530 27.3%
Between 1981 and 1990 275 14.2%
Between 1991 and 2000 290 15%
Between 2001 and 2010 190 9.8%
After 2011 130 6.7%
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.

Meadow Lake occupancy rates

In Meadow Lake, there are 1,930 occupied private dwellings, of which 59.2% are owner-occupied and 40.8% are rented. Meanwhile, 195 dwellings sit vacant.

Occupied dwellings
1,930
Occupancy breakdown
Rented households
40.8%
Owned households
59.2%
Value Percent
Rented households 785 40.8%
Owned households 1,140 59.2%
Unoccupied dwellings
195
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 Meadow Lake, homeowners pay a median of $1,280 per month on shelter costs, while renters spend around $950. About 86% of households spend less than 30% of their income on housing, while 14% exceed that threshold.

Median monthly shelter costs for owned dwellings
$1,280
Median monthly shelter costs for rented dwellings
$950
Income spent on housing
<30% on shelter
86%
≥30% on shelter
14%
Value Percent
<30% on shelter 1,655 86%
≥30% on shelter 270 14%
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 Meadow Lake

Meadow Lake education at a glance

In Meadow Lake, educational attainment varies across the community. About 23% of residents have no formal diploma, while 30.3% have completed high school and 11.2% hold an apprenticeship certificate. Meanwhile, 16.3% have graduated from college. Finally, 3.1% earned a non-bachelor university diploma, and 16.1% hold a university degree.

Education level
Value Percent
No diploma 895 23%
High school diploma 1,180 30.3%
Apprenticeship diploma 435 11.2%
College diploma 635 16.3%
University diploma (below bachelor diploma) 120 3.1%
University degree 625 16.1%
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 Meadow Lake

How much people earn in Meadow Lake

In Meadow Lake, the median household income sits at $86,000, while the median after-tax household income is $76,500.

Median household income
$86,000/year
Median after-tax household income
$76,500/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.

Meadow Lake income by age

Young adults in Meadow Lake between 15 and 24 have a median income of $18,600, 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 $48,000, and by 35 to 44 it reaches $59,200. Among individuals 45 to 54, the median wage is $58,000, followed by $50,400 for those in their pre-retirement years. Finally, residents over 65, many of whom are already retired, typically earn $32,400.

Income breakdown by age
Value
15 - 24 18,600
25 - 34 48,000
35 - 44 59,200
45 - 54 58,000
55 - 64 50,400
Over 65 32,400

Employment in Meadow Lake

Workforce and job sectors in Meadow Lake

In Meadow Lake, 2,560 residents are part of the labour force, with an unemployment rate of 10.5%. The local economy spans a wide range of sectors. Notably, sales and service, trades and transport, and education, law, community and government services employ the largest shares of the working population, shaping the city's job market.

Workforce demographics

Labour force
2,560
Unemployment rate
10.5%
Major job markets
Value Percent
Management 10 0.4%
Business, finance and administration 315 12.6%
Natural and applied sciences 90 3.6%
Health 245 9.8%
Education, law, community and government services 415 16.6%
Art, culture, recreation and sport 30 1.2%
Sales and service 665 26.6%
Trades and transport 470 18.8%
Natural resources and agriculture 110 4.4%
Manufacturing and utilities 155 6.2%
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 Meadow Lake

How people get around in Meadow Lake

In Meadow Lake, the average commute is 13 minutes. The remaining 0.7% use other methods, such as scooters or motorcycles.

Average commute time
13 min
Travel time
Less than 15 minutes
70.8%
15 to 29 minutes
19.3%
30 to 44 minutes
5.3%
45 to 59 minutes
1.4%
More than 60 minutes
3.1%
Value Percent
Less than 15 minutes 1,470 70.8%
15 to 29 minutes 400 19.3%
30 to 44 minutes 110 5.3%
45 to 59 minutes 30 1.4%
More than 60 minutes 65 3.1%
Means of transportation
Value Percent
By car, truck or van 1,805 87.2%
By bicycle/by walking 250 12.1%
By other methods 15 0.7%
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 Meadow Lake demographics 

What is the current total population in Meadow Lake?

Meadow Lake has a population of 5,322, according to Statistics Canada’s official 2024 figure, as published in their Annual Demographic Estimates: Subprovincial Areas report. This represents a +2.7% change compared to the previous year. 

What is the population density of Meadow Lake?  

Meadow Lake has a population density of 430.2 people per square kilometre. 

What is the gender distribution in Meadow Lake?

Meadow Lake has the following gender distribution:
  • 48.8% males (2,600 residents)  
  • 51.2% females (2,725 residents)

What is the age distribution of Meadow Lake residents?  

The age distribution of Meadow Lake residents is as follows: 
  • Under 15: 24.6% (1,305 residents)   
  • 15-24: 14.1% (750 residents)   
  • 25-34: 14.4% (765 residents)   
  • 35-44: 12.6% (670 residents)   
  • 45-54: 11.5% (610 residents)   
  • 55-64: 10.1% (535 residents)   
  • Over 64: 12.8% (680 residents)  

What is the population distribution by immigration status in Meadow Lake? 

Here’s the population distribution by immigration status in Meadow Lake: 
  • 90% non-immigrants (4,680 residents)  
  • 7.4% immigrants (385 residents)  
  • 2.5% non-permanent residents (130 residents)  

What are the primary languages spoken in Meadow Lake?  

Here’s a breakdown of the languages spoken in Meadow Lake: 
  • English: 99.2% 
  • French: 0.6% 
  • English and French: 0% 
  • Neither English nor French: 0.2% 

What is the typical household size in Meadow Lake?  

The typical household size in Meadow Lake is 2.7 people. 

What is the median household income in Meadow Lake?  

The median household income in Meadow Lake is $86,000 annually, according to Statistics Canada’s latest release—Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population

What is the educational attainment level of Meadow Lake residents?  

The educational attainment breakdown in Meadow Lake is as follows: 
  • No diploma: 23% (895 residents) 
  • High school diploma: 30.3% (1,180 residents) 
  • Apprenticeship diploma: 11.2% (435 residents) 
  • College diploma: 16.3% (635 residents) 
  • University diploma (below bachelor): 3.1% (120 residents) 
  • University degree: 16.1% (625 residents) 

What are the most common occupations in Meadow Lake?  

The most common occupations in Meadow Lake fall within the sectors listed below:
  • Art, culture, recreation and sport: 1.2% 
  • Business, finance and administration: 12.6% 
  • Education, law, community and government services: 16.6% 
  • Health: 9.8% 
  • Management: 0.4% 
  • Manufacturing and utilities: 6.2% 
  • Natural and applied sciences: 3.6% 
  • Natural resources and agriculture: 4.4% 
  • Sales and service: 26.6% 
  • Trades and transport: 18.8% 

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