Bonnyville, Alberta is a charming town nestled in East Northern Alberta, Canada, between Cold Lake and St. Paul. The town is enveloped by the Municipal District (MD) of Bonnyville No. 87. The community's name is a tribute to Father Bonnin, a Roman Catholic priest.
Bonnyville is beautifully situated on the north shore of Jessie Lake. This lake serves as a crucial staging area for thousands of migrating birds, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. Other nearby lakes include Moose Lake and Muriel Lake, adding to the town's natural allure.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Bonnyville had a population of 6,404 living in 2,537 of its 2,986 total private dwellings. This marked a 7.2% increase from its 2016 population of 5,975. With a land area of 14.17 km2 (5.47 sq mi), the town had a population density of 451.9/km2 (1,170.5/sq mi) in 2021. The 2017 municipal census reported a population of 6,422, a decrease of 7.2% from its 2014 municipal census population of 6,921.
The determination of Bonnyville's population has been a subject of controversy since 2006. The 2016 census reported an overall population of 5,417, which was significantly lower than the 6,921 residents counted in the town's own census conducted in 2014. This discrepancy led to Bonnyville being recognized as the municipality in Canada with the greatest percentage loss in population between 2011 and 2016. However, the town disputed these results and conducted its own census in 2017, which counted a population of 6,422.
While English is the dominant language in Bonnyville, the town is home to a notable Franco-Albertan minority. Other common non-official mother tongues include Tagalog and Ukrainian, reflecting the town's cultural diversity.
In 2007, to celebrate Bonnyville's centennial year, the town constructed the Centennial Centre. This educational and recreational centre serves as an extension of the R. J. Lalonde Arena and the Bonnyville & District Agriplex. Despite initial controversy over its cost and the resulting tax hike, the Centennial Centre has become a central hub for community activities.
Bonnyville offers a variety of banking services to its residents. Financial institutions in the town include Lakeland Credit Union, ATB Financial, RBC Royal Bank of Canada, TD Canada Trust, and CIBC.
