Peace RiverAlberta

TownGrade

C⁺

#1,518 of 2,556

The town, home to 7,220 people, lies in Alberta. It lies in Division No. 19.

2 places within 19 kmMap →

Photo: Mhalifu · CC BY-SA 3.0

Population

7,220

people, 2025 estimate

Median age

35.6

years · Alberta’s towns: 40.8

Postsecondary

48%

of residents 15 and over hold a postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree · Canadian towns: 56%

Walk, cycle, transit

walk, cycle or take transit to work · Canadian towns: 8%

Is Peace River a good place to live?

Peace River’s weakest subject is safety (D). At C+ overall, Peace River is better than 44% of Canadian towns and ranks #288 of 473 in Alberta. It lags on health as well (C−). The local economy does well (A+). Cost of living is a strength too (B+). Elsewhere it is close to typical: B− for schools and B for walkability.

This town's rent is the 2021 census rent scaled to 2025 by its province's ratio of surveyed to census rents: no rental survey covers it, so its Cost Grade is less sure. Health is graded on the health region's survey figures and life expectancy, with the distance to hospital giving the town its own spread.

StrongestA⁺Jobs & income A⁻Hazard riskWeakestDSafety C⁻Health

How Peace River grades

Each subject compares Peace River with Canadian towns of 2,500 or more, ordered by how far it is from the middle. Towns in other countries are graded separately.

How grading works

Jobs & incomeBased on what households earn, poverty and workA⁺Open →SafetyCrime runs among the highest comparedDOpen →Hazard riskAmong the best of the towns comparedA⁻Open →HealthGraded on how healthy residents areC⁻Open →Cost of livingHomes are easier to afford than in most townsB⁺Open →WalkabilityAbove the middle of the towns comparedBOpen →SchoolsGraded on exam and test resultsB⁻Open →

How TownRatings grades Canadian towns →

What makes Peace River stand out

The 3 things Peace River does most differently from other towns.

Picked automatically from the data

Immigrants

Who lives here

16% are immigrants

Canadian towns centre on 6%

Statistics Canada, Census 2021

Jobs & income

Better than 96%

of Canadian towns on jobs & income

Its jobs & income grade: A+.

Safety

Behind 95%

of Canadian towns on safety

Its safety grade: D.

The data

Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Peace River.

Work & commuteJobs & income A⁺

Commuters in Peace River have a short way to work, 17 min on average, less than in Alberta’s towns and across Canadian towns

7%walk, cycle or take transit

Driving is how 92% of commuters got to work at the census.

How working residents got to work · census 2021

Car or van92%

Walk6%

Bicycle0%

Census 2021	Peace River	Alberta	Canada
Average trip	17 min	26 min	26 min
Car or van	92%	88%	89%

$100,000

median household income, 2020

worked from home, May 2021

89%

of commuters work inside the municipality

Full pagePeace River’s work & commute pageOpen the full Work & commute page

Unemployment7.9% unemployed · Of the labour force · Canadian towns: 9.9%Getting to work7% walk, cycle or take transit Where people commute to95 commuters · The biggest flow out: to Grimshaw

Statistics Canada, Census 2021 (labour and commuting) · The 2021 census was taken in May 2021, during COVID-19 restrictions: more people than usual worked from home or were off work.

SafetySafety D

Violent crime weighs more on Peace River than on Alberta’s towns or Canadian towns: a violent severity index of 229

255Crime Severity Index

Thefts, break-ins and damage came to 142.7 per 1,000 residents a year, higher than both Alberta’s towns (45) and Canadian towns (31.2). The violent crime rate is 40.9 per 1,000 residents a year.

Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year

2023276

2024256

2025232

2023–2025	Peace River	Alberta	Canada
Property crime per 1,000	142.7	45	31.2
Violent crime	40.9	14.2	12
Violent Crime Severity Index	229	109	86

267

non-violent Crime Severity Index

36%

of incidents cleared, 2023–25

Full pagePeace River’s safety reportOpen the full Safety report

Safety255 Crime Severity Index · The index weighs each crime Peace River’s police recorded by how serious it is.Questions“Is Peace River safe?”

Statistics Canada, Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, 2023–2025 average

Natural hazardsHazard risk A⁻

Peace River is on Canada’s flood inventory: 1 listed, led by Government of Alberta

Lowwildfire bandA⁻Hazard risk Grade

Radon tests for the Peace Country Health

Radon topped the guideline in nearly a tenth of tested homes, above Alberta’s towns (7.5%) and Canadian towns (6.6%) alike. Burn scars are few around Peace River, with 0.6% of the land within 25 km touched by fire since 1986 (0.01% a year).

Radon tests above the guideline · share of tested homes, 200 Bq/m³

Peace River8.9%

Alberta’s towns7.5%

Canadian towns6.6%

Hazards	Peace River	Alberta	Canada
Radon tests above the guideline	8.9%	7.5%	6.6%
Earthquake loss per $1,000 of buildings a year	$0.005	$0.013	$0.030

$0.005

expected earthquake loss a year per $1,000 of buildings

Low

wildfire band

0.6 km

to the nearest land burned since 1986

flood study on the national inventory

Full pagePeace River’s flood & hazards pageOpen the full Flood & hazards page

FloodOne flood study on record WildfireLow wildfire band · 0.6% of the land within 25 km burned since 1986 Earthquakes$0.005 a year per $1,000 · Canadian towns: $0.030 Radon8.9% of tests above the guideline Be readyAlerts, FireSmart and radon tests

NRCan seismic risk model and burned areas, Health Canada radon survey, the Flood Hazard Map Inventory

HealthHealth C⁻

Peace River’s region trails the typical Canadian town by 3.2 years: life expectancy 78.3

48%very good or excellent healthC⁻Health Grade

Measured across the North Zone: health survey and life expectancy

Closer to home, a hospital sits 3.6 km from the average resident of Peace River, about the norm of 3.7 km. Smoking is commoner than in the province: 17% of adults, against 11% for Alberta. Arthritis, diabetes and high blood pressure affect 21% of the region’s adults on average, above both Alberta’s towns (18%) and Canadian towns (17%). Across the region, 48% of adults say their health is very good or excellent; Alberta as a whole reaches 53%.

Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised

Peace River48%

Alberta’s towns51%

Canadian towns52%

Health	Peace River	Alberta	Canada
Chronic conditions (average share)	21%	18%	17%
Smokers	17%	12%	12%
Life expectancy at birth	78.3	81.2	81.5
Very good or excellent health	48%	51%	52%

78.3

years of life expectancy, 2022/2024

17%

of adults smoke, age-standardised

1.7 km

from homes to a pharmacy, on average

Full pagePeace River’s health pageOpen the full Health page

Health survey48% very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised Getting care3.6 km to a hospital · A pharmacy 1.7 km away on average The wider areaLife expectancy: women 80.9, men 76.1 Conditions and habits21% with chronic conditions · adults, age-standardised

Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey 2023/2024 and life expectancy 2022/2024; Open Database of Healthcare Facilities

HousingCost of living B⁺

Home ownership in Peace River, 59%, runs below Alberta’s towns and Canadian towns

$300,000median home value, 2021B⁺Cost of living Grade

Rent took 16% of household income, below both Alberta’s towns (20%) and Canadian towns (20%). The median home value was $300,000, below Alberta’s towns ($400,000) and Canadian towns ($406,000) alike.

What homes were worth · The median owner’s estimate at the 2021 census

Peace River$300,000

Alberta$400,000

Canadian towns$406,000

Census 2021	Peace River	Alberta	Canada
Households owning their home	59%	74%	74%
Rent as a share of income	16%	20%	20%
Median home value, 2021	$300,000	$400,000	$406,000
Households spending 30%+ on shelter	18%	21%	18%

$1,100

monthly rent for a two-bedroom

$1,480

median monthly shelter cost for owners, 2021

Full pagePeace River’s cost of living pageOpen the full Cost of living page

Owners and renters59% own their home Cost of livingThe median owner’s estimate, $300,000, against the median household income Renting$1,100 a month · The median rent at the 2021 census

Statistics Canada, Census 2021; CMHC Rental Market Survey via Statistics Canada · The 2021 census asked owners what their home was worth; those values, and 2020 incomes, are what this compares.

Climate

Winter nights bite in Peace River: January lows of −20.1°C, colder than Alberta’s towns or Canadian towns

22.7°CJuly afternoons

January is the snowiest month, with 25 cm on average. The thermometer drops below freezing on 206 days a year, above Alberta’s towns (193) and Canadian towns (159) alike. The frost-free season runs from 21 May to 13 September, 114 days. In July, daytime highs in Peace River average 22.7°C.

Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020

Winter−8.1°C

Spring8.7°C

Summer21.7°C

Autumn7.4°C

Normals, 1991–2020	Peace River	Alberta	Canada
January night low	−20.1°C	−14.7°C	−13.5°C
July afternoon high	22.7°C	23.5°C	25.5°C
Precipitation a year	384 mm	431 mm	883 mm
Days with frost a year	206	193	159

206

days with frost a year

114

frost-free days, 21 May to 13 Sep

days with precipitation a year

Full pagePeace River’s climate pageOpen the full Climate page

The yearJuly highs 22.7°C, January lows −20.1°C Rain and snow384 mm a year · Canadian towns: 883 mm Snow128 cm of snow a year Weather station10 km to the station · Peace River

Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020 (Peace River)

Who lives here

More of Peace River’s residents have an Indigenous identity than in Alberta’s towns or Canadian towns: 19%

35.6median age

The 65-and-over age group makes up just over one in ten residents. 20% are under 15, above both Alberta’s towns (18%) and Canadian towns (16%).

Peace RiverAlbertaCanada

AlbertaCanada

Ages · Share of residents in each age group, Census 2021

20%

Schooling · Highest qualification, residents 15 and over

No certificate, diploma or degree21%

Postsecondary qualification48%

Women and men · all residents

Women make up 49.7% of Peace River

By the 2021 count the town had 3,285 women and 3,330 men, while Canada has 50.9% women.

Who lives in Peace River
	Peace River	Alberta	Canada
Under 15	20%	18%	16%
15 to 64	68%	67%	64%
65+	12%	15%	19%
No certificate, diploma or degree	21%	15%	16%
Postsecondary qualification	48%	54%	56%

Full pagePeace River’s Who lives here pageOpen the full Who lives here page

Immigrants16% are immigrants · 15% belong to a visible minority Ages35.6 median age · 12% are 65 or over Households2,590 households · 2.5 people per household English and French12% speak both · 0.1% speak French but not English

Statistics Canada, Census 2021; Alberta and Canada: medians of towns of 2,500+

Weather

Peace River in November: highs near −3°C, lows near −12°C

−3°Ca normal November afternoon

A normal December brings highs of −8°C, lows of −18°C. Precipitation in November averages 20 mm. Also worth knowing: the forecast on the Weather page is ECCC’s for Peace River.

Normal highs, the months ahead · ECCC normals, 1991–2020

November−3°C

December−8°C

January−10°C

February−6°C

Season	High	Low	Rain and snow
Winter	−8°C	−18°C	56 mm
Spring	9°C	−4°C	74 mm
Summer	22°C	9°C	173 mm
Autumn	7°C	−4°C	81 mm

−12°C

a normal November night

20 mm

of rain and snow in a normal November

Full pagePeace River’s weather pageOpen the full Weather page

Next 24 hoursTemperature and chance of rain, hour by hour The week aheadECCC’s days ahead, beside the normals The yearWarmest July, coldest January

ECCC normals, 1991–2020 (Peace River); the forecast is on the Weather page

Library & civic lifeCivic life grade A⁻

At 7.1 visits per person served, Peace River Municipal Library is busier than 88% of Alberta’s town libraries

Peace River Municipal Library has one location for the 6,842 people it serves.

Full pagePeace River’s library & civic life pageOpen the full Library & civic life page

The libraries1 Libraries Places to belong4.2 charities per 1,000 residents

Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada

SchoolsSchools B⁻

In the lower two fifths in Alberta: 4 of the 5 schools around Peace River with results

8schools within 3 kmB⁻Schools Grade

Of the 8, one teaches in French (2% of schools in Alberta). 3 boards run its schools.

School	Level	Students	System
Good Shepherd School CatholicLargest elementary schoolElementary · Grades K–6	Elementary · Grades K–6	395	English Catholic
Glenmary School CatholicLargest secondary schoolSecondary · Grades 7–12	Secondary · Grades 7–12	419	English Catholic
École des Quatre-Vents FrenchTeaches in FrenchAll grades · Grades K–12	All grades · Grades K–12	126	French public

See all 8 schools →

Schools by system · Schools within 3 km

English public5

English Catholic2

French public1

Schools within 3 km	Peace River	Alberta	Canada
School boards	3	3	3

1,918

students at the schools within 3 km, 2025/26

0.1 km

to the nearest secondary school

Full pagePeace River’s schools pageOpen the full Schools page

Results1 of 5 in the top two fifths · of the schools with results, placed against every school in Alberta Every school8 schools within 3 km · 3 elementary schools, 3 secondary schools and 2 schools for every grade Language1 of 8 teach in French · 2% of schools in Alberta The boards3 school boards · The Peace River School Division Questions“What schools are there in Peace River?”

Provincial school lists and results, 2025/26

Outdoors

More of the land around Peace River is protected than around 8 in 10 Canadian towns

8.4%of the land within 10 km protected

The nearest national park is more than 100 km away.

Protected land · of the land within 10 km

Peace River8.4%

Alberta’s towns0.4%

Canadian towns2.3%

Outdoors	Peace River	Alberta	Canada
Protected land within 10 km	8.4%	0.4%	2.3%
Public protected areas within 10 km	2	2	4

At the edge

to Greene Valley Provincial Park

Full pagePeace River’s outdoors pageOpen the full Outdoors page

Protected landof the land within 10 km Protected areas2 protected areas within 10 km · Peace River Wildland Provincial Park National & provincial parksAt the edge to a provincial park · Greene Valley Provincial Park

Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD), OpenStreetMap routes and beaches

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Peace River

15pages on Peace River

The big questions

SafetyDCrime Severity Index 255 Housing & costB⁺Homes 3 × income Property pricesSchoolsB⁻8 schools within 3 km HealthC⁻Life expectancy 78.3 in its region Work & commuteA⁺67% of adults in work Natural hazardsA⁻Wildfire band: low

Out and about

Outdoors8.4% of the land within 10 km protected AttractionsClimateJuly afternoons around 23°C WeatherECCC’s forecast, beside the normals

The story

Who lives hereMedian age 35.6 HistoryTown hallFamous people

Nearby attractions

St. James' Cathedral and 2 more in and around Peace River

From museums to parks and historic sites: Peace River’s places to visit and those just beyond its edge, most famous first.

All attractions →

CathedralCathedralSt. James' Cathedralin town Ski hillSki hillMisery Mountain Ski Hillin town MuseumMuseumPeace River Museum Archives & Mackenzie Centrein town

Famous people from Peace River

17 notable people were born in Peace River.

See all 17 →

Chrystia FreelandCanadian politician and journalist · born 1968

Chris OsgoodCanadian ice hockey player · born 1972

Brian SkrudlandCanadian ice hockey player · born 1963

Jillian HarrisCanadian television presenter · born 1979

Linden GaydoshGridiron football player from Canada · born 1991

Ken LovsinCanadian ice hockey defenceman · born 1966

Photo credits

Chrystia Freeland: https://www.kmu.gov.ua/ua/mediagallery/premyer-ministr-ukrayini-volodimir-grojsman-zustrivsya-z-ministrom-zakordonnih-sprav-kanadi-hristeyu-friland, CC BY 4.0 · Chris Osgood: TheAHL, CC BY 2.0 · Brian Skrudland: Resolute, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Jillian Harris: Angela George at https://www.flickr.com/photos/sharongraphics/, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Linden Gaydosh: Cmm3, CC BY-SA 4.0

About Peace River

Town in Alberta

Every figure TownRatings gives for Peace River covers the municipality as Statistics Canada maps it, one census subdivision in Alberta.

Statistics Canada: population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155), Census of Population 2021, 2021 census boundaries.

Population: 7,220 (people, 2025 estimate)
Province or territory: Alberta
Census division: Division No. 19
Census subdivision: 4819038

Peace River’s neighbours

The nearest places of 1,000 or more. Statistics Canada

Northern Sunrise CountyPeace No. 135Peace River

How the neighbours grade

Town	People	km	Overall	Cost	Safety	Health
Peace River	7,220	—	C⁺	B⁺	D	C⁻
Northern Sunrise County	1,848	9.7	—	B⁺	C	D
Peace No. 135	1,581	11	—	C	C⁻	D

People: Statistics Canada, Census 2021. Distances: centre to centre.

Questions about Peace River

Has Peace River grown?

It went from 6,842 people in 2016 to 6,619 in 2021, down 3.3%, while the median of Canadian towns grew 4.1%. StatCan’s 2025 estimate is 7,220.

What kind of homes are in Peace River?

62% of homes are single-detached houses, against 64% for the median of Canadian towns, and 0% are in apartment buildings of five storeys or more. A household averages 2.5 people; 30% are one person living alone.

Is Peace River a young town or an old one?

At 35.6, its median age compares with 45.2 across Canadian towns. Children make up 20% of the population and seniors 12%.

Sources: Statistics Canada, Census of Population 2021 · population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155) and 2021 census boundaries · Uniform Crime Reporting Survey 2023–25 (35-10-0026, 35-10-0183 to 35-10-0190) · CMHC rents as published by Statistics Canada (34-10-0133) · grades by TownRatings. Under the Statistics Canada Open Licence.

Adapted from Statistics Canada (Census of Population 2021, population estimates 2025, 2021 census boundaries) under the Statistics Canada Open Licence; this does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada. Neighbourhood names in some cities © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).