Edmonton vs Winnipeg: Population & Income Compared

Edmonton and Winnipeg are frequently compared across the Prairies. The numbers put population, growth, income, and age side by side. Here is a clear head-to-head.

Population & growth

Edmonton counted 1,010,899 residents in 2021, compared with Winnipeg at 749,607. Size, however, is not the same as momentum. Edmonton's population rose 8.3% from 2016 to 2021, while Winnipeg grew 6.3% over the same period.

In short: Edmonton leads on municipal population; Edmonton grew faster during the last census cycle.

Income

Median after-tax household income tells another part of the story. Edmonton households sat at $79,500 (median after tax), versus $69,500 in Winnipeg. That gap matters for cost-of-living and labour-market conversations across the two cities.

Age profile

Average age was 38.4 years in Edmonton and 40.3 in Winnipeg. Edmonton's younger profile contrasts with Winnipeg in this census snapshot.

Quick comparison table

• Population (2021): Edmonton 1,010,899 · Winnipeg 749,607
• Growth 2016–2021: Edmonton 8.3% · Winnipeg 6.3%
• Median HH income (after tax): Edmonton $79,500 · Winnipeg $69,500
• Average age: Edmonton 38.4 · Winnipeg 40.3

Edmonton leads on population; Edmonton grew faster over 2016–2021; Edmonton posts higher median after-tax household income, with Edmonton slightly younger on average age.

Explore the full datasets

Dig into every section (households, labour, languages, dwellings) on the location profiles, or build your own side-by-side:

• Edmonton demographic profile
• Winnipeg demographic profile
• Location Comparison tool — select Census subdivision, then Edmonton and Winnipeg