Red Deer Economic Region Workforce Insights

February, 2026

Key Insights

  • Employment increased by 1,000 jobs from the previous month and increased by 14,000 jobs compared to the same month last year.
  • Full-time Employment decreased by 2,600 jobs from the previous month and increased by 8,900 jobs year-over-year.
  • Part-time Employment increased by 3,500 jobs from the previous month and increased by 5,000 jobs year-over-year.
  • Unemployment decreased by 1,100 people from the previous month and decreased by 3,100 people compared to the same month last year.

Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment decreased by 2,600 jobs from last month and increased by 8,900 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment increased by 3,500 jobs from last month and increased by 5,000 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals decreased by 1,100 people from the previous month and decreased by 3,100 people compared to last year.

Scroll down to explore the data

Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate increased by 6.3 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate decreased by 2.9 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate increased by 4.6 percentage points year-over-year.

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels increased by 1,000 jobs from the previous month and increased by 14,000 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment increased by 1,000 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has increased by 14,000 jobs.

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

  • Construction: 15,200 workers.
  • Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: 11,300 workers.
  • Manufacturing: 10,800 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, Manufacturing, which together account for 90.3% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

  • Wholesale and retail trade: 17,900 workers.
  • Health care and social assistance: 16,300 workers.
  • Accommodation and food services: 11,900 workers.

In the Services sector, Wholesale and retail trade, Health care and social assistance, Accommodation and food services lead employment, representing 53.2% of the sector's workforce.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

  • Health care and social assistance: Change of 1,800 workers (increased by 12.41%).
  • Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 1,100 workers (decreased by 5.79%).
  • Construction: Change of 1,000 workers (increased by 7.04%).
  • Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing: Change of 900 workers (decreased by 15%).
  • Professional, scientific and technical services: Change of 900 workers (increased by 21.95%).
  • Educational services: Change of 900 workers (increased by 8.33%).

These industries saw the largest month-over-month changes, indicating short-term trends.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

  • Accommodation and food services: Change of 5,500 workers (increased by 85.94%).
  • Construction: Change of 5,300 workers (increased by 53.54%).
  • Agriculture: Change of 4,000 workers (increased by Inf%).
  • Business, building and other support services: Change of 2,200 workers (decreased by 46.81%).
  • Transportation and warehousing: Change of 2,200 workers (increased by 66.67%).

The year-over-year changes provide insights into longer-term shifts, highlighting industries that have grown or declined significantly.

Conclusion

The overall employment trend is positive, with strong growth in the past year. Key industries driving the trend are: Construction, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services, Health care and social assistance, Accommodation and food services.

Local Workforce Insights

December, 2025

Updated monthly, local monthly workforce trends focus on total employment, and employment and unemployment rates estimates at SLA level
Red Deer County SLA consists of the following communities: Red Deer County, Elnora, Delburne, Bowden, Innisfail, Penhold, Lacombe County, Birchcliff, Eckville, Half Moon Bay, Bentley, Sunbreaker Cove, Gull Lake, Blackfalds, Clive, Alix, Ponoka County, Ponoka, Parkland Beach, Rimbey.

Key Local Labour Market Insights

  • Total local employment stands at 43,370 in December 2025, it showed an uptick of 480 jobs from November and increased by 1,210 jobs year-over-year.
  • The local employment rate stands at 61.7%. It rose by 0.6 percentage points from November and increased by 1.0 percentage points from same month last year.
  • Local unemployment rate is 5.5%. It rose by 0.2 percentage points month-over-month, and declined by 0.3 percentage points year-over-year.

Employment Trends

Total employment in December 2025 was 43,370, showing a moderate increase of 480 from the previous month. Compared to December last year, employment levels rose by 1,210, maintaining momentum.

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Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 61.7% in December 2025. This represents a rise of 0.6 percentage points from November (61.1%). Year-over-year, the rate improved by 1.0 percentage points from 60.7%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 5.5% in December 2025, up 0.2 percentage points from November. Compared to December last year (5.8%), the rate has decreased by 0.3 percentage points.

Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns

The strong correlation (0.89) between regional and local employment levels indicates very similar employment patterns at both geographic levels. This suggests that local employment closely follows regional trends.

Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

Employment rates show a strong correlation (0.87) between regional and local levels. This indicates strong alignment in workforce participation, suggesting that labor market conditions affect both areas similarly.

Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

The unemployment rate correlation of -0.07 shows a weak relationship. This points to distinct local unemployment dynamics, indicating that local unemployment follows its own distinct pattern.

Red Deer County SLA consists of the following communities: Red Deer County, Elnora, Delburne, Bowden, Innisfail, Penhold, Lacombe County, Birchcliff, Eckville, Half Moon Bay, Bentley, Sunbreaker Cove, Gull Lake, Blackfalds, Clive, Alix, Ponoka County, Ponoka, Parkland Beach, Rimbey.

Monthly Local Workforce Trends

December, 2025

Updated monthly, local monthly workforce trends focus on total employment, and employment and unemployment rates estimates at SLA level

Red Deer County SLA consists of the following communities: Red Deer County, Elnora, Delburne, Bowden, Innisfail, Penhold, Lacombe County, Birchcliff, Eckville, Half Moon Bay, Bentley, Sunbreaker Cove, Gull Lake, Blackfalds, Clive, Alix, Ponoka County, Ponoka, Parkland Beach, Rimbey.

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Local area

Employment Trends

Total employment in December 2025 was 43,370, showing a moderate increase of 480 from the previous month. Compared to December last year, employment levels rose by 1,210, maintaining momentum.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026
Local area

Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 61.7% in December 2025. This represents a rise of 0.6 percentage points from November (61.1%). Year-over-year, the rate improved by 1.0 percentage points from 60.7%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 5.5% in December 2025, up 0.2 percentage points from November. Compared to December last year (5.8%), the rate has decreased by 0.3 percentage points.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026
Local area

Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

Employment rates show a strong correlation (0.87) between regional and local levels. This indicates strong alignment in workforce participation, suggesting that labor market conditions affect both areas similarly.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026
Local area

Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

The unemployment rate correlation of -0.07 shows a weak relationship. This points to distinct local unemployment dynamics, indicating that local unemployment follows its own distinct pattern.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026
Economic region

Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment decreased by 2,600 jobs from last month and increased by 8,900 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment increased by 3,500 jobs from last month and increased by 5,000 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals decreased by 1,100 people from the previous month and decreased by 3,100 people compared to last year.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026
Economic region

Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate increased by 6.3 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate decreased by 2.9 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate increased by 4.6 percentage points year-over-year.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026
Economic region

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels increased by 1,000 jobs from the previous month and increased by 14,000 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment increased by 1,000 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has increased by 14,000 jobs.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026
Economic region

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

  • Construction: 15,200 workers.
  • Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: 11,300 workers.
  • Manufacturing: 10,800 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, Manufacturing, which together account for 90.3% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

  • Wholesale and retail trade: 17,900 workers.
  • Health care and social assistance: 16,300 workers.
  • Accommodation and food services: 11,900 workers.

In the Services sector, Wholesale and retail trade, Health care and social assistance, Accommodation and food services lead employment, representing 53.2% of the sector's workforce.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026
Economic region

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

  • Health care and social assistance: Change of 1,800 workers (increased by 12.41%).
  • Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 1,100 workers (decreased by 5.79%).
  • Construction: Change of 1,000 workers (increased by 7.04%).
  • Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing: Change of 900 workers (decreased by 15%).
  • Professional, scientific and technical services: Change of 900 workers (increased by 21.95%).
  • Educational services: Change of 900 workers (increased by 8.33%).

These industries saw the largest month-over-month changes, indicating short-term trends.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026
Economic region

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

  • Accommodation and food services: Change of 5,500 workers (increased by 85.94%).
  • Construction: Change of 5,300 workers (increased by 53.54%).
  • Agriculture: Change of 4,000 workers (increased by Inf%).
  • Business, building and other support services: Change of 2,200 workers (decreased by 46.81%).
  • Transportation and warehousing: Change of 2,200 workers (increased by 66.67%).

The year-over-year changes provide insights into longer-term shifts, highlighting industries that have grown or declined significantly.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026
Economic region

Conclusion

The overall employment trend is positive, with strong growth in the past year. Key industries driving the trend are: Construction, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services, Health care and social assistance, Accommodation and food services.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026

Employment rate Provincial Comparison

Among 65 small areas in Alberta, Red Deer County ranks 23rd with an employment rate of 61.7%. The provincial range is 51.1% to 69.6%, with half of areas between 58.7% and 63.3% (median: 60.6%).

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026

Unemployment rate Provincial Comparison

Among 65 small areas in Alberta, Red Deer County ranks 12th with an unemployment rate of 5.5%. The provincial range is 4.6% to 11.3%, with half of areas between 5.7% and 6.7% (median: 6.2%).

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026

Recruitment and Retention

Remote Work as Incentive

Anticipated to work remotely

Recruitment, Retention and Training Plans

Recruitment, Retention and Training Plans

Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work (geography)

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work as for recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work (organization size)

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work as for recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work (organization type)

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work as for recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training - by business size

Organization's current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training in the next 12 months (Q1 2023)

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training - by organization type

Organization's current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training in the next 12 months (Q1 2023)

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training - by geography

Organization's current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training in the next 12 months (Q1 2023)

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Anticipated Work Arrangement in the Next Three Months

Anticipated Work Arrangement in the Next Three Months

Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely (geography)

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely over the next three months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely (organization size)

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely over the next three months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely (organization type)

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely over the next three months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Anticipated work arrangement - by business size

Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Anticipated work arrangement - by organization type

Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Anticipated work arrangement - by geography

Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions