Statistics
THE REGION AT A GLANCE
The Battle River region in eastern Alberta covers an area of about 26,000 square kilometers, larger in size than the state of Connecticut. The region accounts for 4.1% of Alberta’s land mass and for 2.0% of Alberta’s population.
According to the latest federal Census, the region’s population totaled 65,559 in 2006, and the number of employees was 35,965. According to the Labour Force Survey, the region’s unemployment rate was less than 3% in 2008.
The region’s largest industry on an employment basis is agriculture, accounting for 15% of total employment, followed by health care and social assistance at 11%, and retail trade, and oil and gas at between 9% and 10% each. The fastest growing industry between Census years 2001 and 2006 was the oil and gas sector, which increased its employment by 40%. Employment in the agricultural sector, which has been on a long and steady decline in the province, fell by 16% in the Battle River region between the two Census years.
According to personal income taxfiler data the average individual income was $30,600 in 2007, a large 39% increase from 2003. Average income for couples was $93,100 in 2007, a 44% rise from 2003.
The Battle River region is one of Alberta’s top agricultural regions, accounting for 8.7% of Alberta farm cash receipts in Census year 2005. It accounts for 13% of the province’s cropland and for 9.6% of Alberta's cattle and calves, and is the province’s largest producer of spring wheat and oats, and the second largest producer of canola. It is also the province’s second largest producer of conventional crude oil.
Although very few current indicators are available on a regional basis, it is clear that the global economic crisis has also impacted this region: for instance the number of Employment Insurance beneficiaries receiving regular benefits in the Battle River region increased by 192% between December 2008 and December 2009.
Regional Economic Indicators for the Battle River Region for July, 2009, gives more detailed information on major municipalities, demographics, industry, income, etc.
