Poverty and living standards in Edmonton, Canada: official figures
10.0% of people in private households in Edmonton, 99,210 in all, were in low income in 2020 by the low-income measure after tax (LIM-AT), 32nd lowest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site; the rate for Canada was 11.1%.
How many children in Edmonton live in poverty?
12.9% of children under 18 in Edmonton lived in low-income households in 2020 (LIM-AT), joint 27th highest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site (Canada: 11.9%); among residents aged 65 and over the rate was 10.7% (Canada: 15.0%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyWhat is the low-income cut-off rate in Edmonton?
By the stricter low-income cut-offs after tax (LICO-AT), 6.2% of people in Edmonton were in low income in 2020 (Canada: 5.2%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow many households in Edmonton are in core housing need?
12.0% of households in Edmonton, 46,155, were in core housing need in 2021, meaning their home was unaffordable, crowded or in need of major repairs and they could not afford an acceptable local alternative; that was 19th highest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site (Canada: 10.1%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow many households in Edmonton spend too much on housing?
24.3% of households in Edmonton spent 30% or more of their income on shelter costs in 2021, 22nd highest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site (Canada: 20.9%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow many renters in Edmonton struggle with housing costs?
Among renter households in Edmonton in 2021, 35.9% spent 30% or more of income on shelter, 23.6% were in core housing need and 9.1% lived in subsidized housing; among owners, 17.7% spent 30% or more and 5.5% were in core need (Canada: renters 33.2% and 20.0%, owners 14.8% and 5.3%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow Edmonton compares with other cities in Canada
Prevalence of low income (LIM-AT), 2020 income, 2021 Census (2020)
Edmonton ranks 38 of 69, highest first.
| Rank | City | Prevalence of low income (LIM-AT), 2020 income, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Québec | 10.5% |
| 36 | Oshawa | 10.2% |
| 37 | Kelowna | 10.1% |
| 38 | Edmonton | 10.0% |
| 39 | Kitchener | 9.9% |
| 40 | Gatineau | 9.9% |
| 41 | Chilliwack | 9.9% |
Children aged 0-17 in low income (LIM-AT), 2020 income, 2021 Census (2020)
Edmonton ranks 27 of 69, highest first.
| Rank | City | Children aged 0-17 in low income (LIM-AT), 2020 income, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Vancouver | 13.0% |
| 25 | Hamilton | 13.0% |
| 26 | Richmond Hill | 13.0% |
| 27 | Edmonton | 12.9% |
| 28 | Coquitlam | 12.9% |
| 29 | Nanaimo | 12.7% |
| 30 | Kitchener | 12.5% |
Households in core housing need, 2021 Census (2021)
Edmonton ranks 19 of 69, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households in core housing need, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Barrie | 12.8% |
| 17 | Halifax | 12.2% |
| 18 | St. Catharines | 12.2% |
| 19 | Edmonton | 12.0% |
| 20 | Nanaimo | 11.9% |
| 21 | Winnipeg | 11.8% |
| 22 | St. John's | 11.3% |
Households spending 30% or more of income on shelter, 2021 Census (2021)
Edmonton ranks 22 of 69, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households spending 30% or more of income on shelter, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Kingston | 25.0% |
| 20 | Ajax | 24.7% |
| 21 | Nanaimo | 24.4% |
| 22 | Edmonton | 24.3% |
| 23 | Montréal | 24.2% |
| 24 | London | 24.2% |
| 25 | Waterloo | 24.0% |
More on Edmonton: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · all cities in Canada
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population (98-316-X2021001): census subdivisions, selected characteristics (Census Profile SDMX API extract, dataflow DF_CSD, gender total, counts and rates), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 46d086943a5e…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.