Lac La Biche County is a specialized municipality within Division No. 12 in northern Alberta, Canada. It was established through the amalgamation of the Town of Lac La Biche and Lakeland County in 2007.
History
Lac La Biche County was originally established as a municipal district on August 1, 2007 through the amalgamation of Lakeland County with the Town of Lac La Biche. Its predecessor municipal district, Lakeland County, was originally incorporated on July 1, 1998, formed from the northwestern part of the Municipal District of Bonnyville No. 87. Lac La Biche County converted from municipal district status to specialized municipality status on January 1, 2018.
Geography
Lac La Biche County is in northeast Alberta. It borders the Regional Municipality (RM) of Wood Buffalo to the north; the Municipal District (MD) of Bonnyville No. 87 to the east (including the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range); the County of St. Paul No. 19 and Smoky Lake County to the south; the Kikino Metis Settlement and the Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement to the southwest; and Athabasca County and the MD of Opportunity No. 17 to the west. The eponymous lake, Lac la Biche, is in the southwest portion of Lac La Biche County while the Athabasca River forms the municipal boundary between it and the MD of Opportunity No. 17. Other water bodies include Beaver Lake, Pinehurst Lake, Seibert Lake, Touchwood Lake, and Winefred Lake (also partially within the RM of Wood Buffalo and the MD of Bonnyville No. 87).
Communities and localities
The following urban municipalities are surrounded by Lac La Biche County. Cities none Towns none Villages none Summer villages none
The following hamlets are located within Lac La Biche County. Hamlets Beaver Lake Hylo Lac La Biche (dissolved from town status in the 2007 amalgamation, location of municipal office) Plamondon (dissolved from village status in 2002) Venice
The following localities are located within Lac La Biche County. Localities
Avenir
Barnegat
Behan
Bone Town (designated place) Brièreville Craigend Deer Ridge Park Subdivision Elinor Lake Subdivision Fork Lake Helina Imperial Mills Lac La Biche Mission Lakeview Estates Margie
Mile West Trailer Park
Noral
Normandeau
Owl River
Pelican Portage
Philomena
Pine Lane Trailer Court
Pitlochrie
Rich Lake
Rossian or Russian Colony (designated place) Snug Cove Sunset Bay Tweedie
The Lac La Biche Settlement is also within Lac La Biche County.
First Nations have the following Indian reserves within Lac La Biche County. Indian reserves Beaver Lake 131 Heart Lake 167 White Fish Lake 128 (portion, with balance split between Smoky Lake County and the County of St. Paul No. 19)
Demographics
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Lac La Biche County had a population of 7,673 living in 2,949 of its 3,777 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 8,330. With a land area of , it had a population density of in 2021.
The population of Lac La Biche County according to its 2019 municipal census is 8,654, a change from its 2016 municipal census population of 8,544. The 2019 and 2016 municipal censuses also counted temporary residents. In 2019, 982 temporary residents were counted in comparison to 987 in 2016.
In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Lac La Biche County had a population of 8,330 living in 3,076 of its 3,998 total private dwellings, a change from its 2011 population of 8,402. With a land area of , it had a population density of in 2016.
Economy
Lac La Biche County's economy is based on the oil and gas industry, agriculture, and tourism. Some sawmills are also present.
Attractions
The following provincial protected areas are within Lac La Biche County. Crow Lake Provincial Park Lakeland Provincial Park Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park
Other attractions include Lac La Biche Mission, the Lac La Biche Golf and Country Club, and the following campgrounds.
Diesel Own Hoot Cabins & Campgrounds
Elinor Lake Resort
Fish’N Friends Beaver Lake Campground
Fork Lake
Kinsmen Park Beaver Lake Group Camp Area
Plamondon White Sands
Spruce Point Resort
Steepbank Wilderness Resort
Young's Beach Campground
Community halls in Lac La Biche County include Craigend, Hylo, Owl River, Plamondon, and Rich Lake.