The last municipal census for Woodlands County was done in 2014.

Both a municipal census and a federal census collect demographic information, but they differ in terms of the level of government responsible, their scope, purpose and frequency.

The municipal census is specific to individual municipalities, while the federal census is a nationwide survey conducted by the federal government through Statistics Canada to provide a comprehensive snapshot of the entire Canadian population every five years. 

The municipal censes may also capture more detailed information than the federal census.

Collecting up-to-date population data is an important and effective way to plan for the needs of the community to deliver municipal services.

Many provincial government grants are also awarded on a per capita basis and a precise census count ensures Woodlands County receives the maximum funding it's entitled to.

Census results will be submitted to Alberta Municipal Affairs once all the data is in; population numbers become official once the report is accepted by the province.

Using the same methods and asking consistent questions over a number of years through the Census will improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the census. This will also allow the municipality to compare population counts and any other information collected over time that help make educated decisions based on growth.

• Accurate population count: census data helps Council and administration understand the size and growth of the population over time.
• Resource allocation: census data allows for fair distribution of resources including funding, services and infrastructure planning. Council uses this data to understand the actual needs of the community and allocate resources accordingly.
• Planning and policy creation: census helps Council and administration understand the composition of the population, identify trends and make informed decisions on education, healthcare, housing and transportation.
• Demographic analysis: census data is valuable for understanding the composition and diversity of the population.
• Development: census data helps identify areas that may need targeted development or revitalization efforts; it also helps plan for growth and improvement of communities.
• Business and economic planning: census data is essential for businesses and investors in making informed decisions about market opportunities, labour force availability and economic development.

An accurate census count helps us understand the needs of our community and plan for the future of our region. Based on census information, the Municipality is able responsibly allocate spending for key municipal services, maintenance and equipment, planning for disaster and emergency response services, libraries, affordable housing, long-term care facilities, parks, recreation and sports facilities, public transit, roadways and bridges, solid waste management and more. Census information helps develop indicators and growth projections useful to attract investors and developers.

Enumerators will be visiting residents this summer to collect information. It will only take a few minutes to complete and all enumerators will carry proper identification.

All information collected will be kept confidential and used only for the production of aggregated statistics. Responses will remain anonymous – names will not be collected and exact dwelling addresses will not be associated with the questionnaire responses.

Include:

• all persons who usually live in the dwelling, even if they are temporarily away (such as on a business trip or at school), such as college/university students* who have not established a usual residence elsewhere;
• any persons staying at or visiting the dwelling if they have no other usual home;
• in the case of joint custody, children staying at the dwelling on May 1, 2025, are to be counted;
• hotel residents and employees who have no usual home elsewhere;
• persons in the Armed Forces even if away on tour/rotation;
• infants born before or on May 1, 2025;
• deceased persons who were alive on May 1, 2025;
• any persons who usually live in the dwelling, but are currently in an institution (such as a hospital or correctional institution). However, if they have been in the institution for more than six months, do not include them as a usual resident of the dwelling.

Do not include:

• temporary residents (those who have a usual residence elsewhere);
• members of the household who are now in an institution and have been there for the past six months or longer;
• visitors and those persons who have a usual residence elsewhere;
• infants born after the census date May 1, 2025;
• college/university students who have a usual residence elsewhere;
• members of the household who live elsewhere;
• persons living at temporary residences, such as vacation homes.

*Students are included as usual residents at their home (i.e. parents' home) if they have not established a usual residence elsewhere. If the student rents accommodation for the purposes of attending an educational institution but usually resides with other family members who are usual residents in Woodlands County, the student is still deemed to reside with those family members.

NOTE: A person can have only one place of usual residence. If a person has more than one residence in Alberta, that person shall designate one place of residence as the person's usual residence. A person's usual residence is the place where the person lives and sleeps and to which, when the person is absent from it, the person intends to return. A person shall designate the person's usual residence in accordance with the following factors in the following order of priority:

1. the address shown on the person's driver's license or motor vehicle operator's license issued by or on behalf of the Government of Alberta, or on an identification card issued by or on behalf of the Government of Alberta;
2. the address to which the person's income tax correspondence is addressed and delivered;
3. the address to which the person's mail is addressed and delivered.

The census report can be found on this page after it has been completed.