# Lac La Biche County

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 localities are located within Lac La Biche County.

#### Localities

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 8,117 living in 3,120 of its 3,996 total private dwellings, a change of -2.6% from its 2016 population of 8,330. With a land area of 12,528.25 km$^2$ (4,837.18 sq mi), it had a population density of 0.6/km$^2$ (1.7/sq mi) in 2021.
The population of Lac La Biche County according to its 2019 municipal census is 8,654, a 1.3% 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 -0.9% change from its 2011 population of 8,402. With a land area of 12,572.29 km$^2$ (4,854.19 sq mi), it had a population density of 0.7/km$^2$ (1.7/sq mi) 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.
Community halls in Lac La Biche County include Craigend, Hylo, Owl River, Plamondon, and Rich Lake.

## Infrastructure
### Transportation
#### Air

The full air-service Lac La Biche Airport is located west of the Hamlet of Lac La Biche, 0.7 km (0.43 mi) north of Highway 55. The airstrip is 5,700 ft (1,700 m) in length and 100 ft (30 m) wide and can accommodate 737 jets. Numerous carriers offer scheduled charter flights out of the airport. Alberta Air Spray Wildfire protection also uses the airstrip as a base accommodating large water tankers.

#### Rail

A rail line bisects Lac La Biche County, running through the hamlets of Hylo, Venice, and Lac La Biche. The rail line is operated by Canadian National.

#### Roads

The following provincial highways service Lac La Biche County.

## Education

Northern Lights School Division No. 69
* Vera M Welsh Elementary (K-3)
* Aurora Middle School (4-8)
* J.A. Williams High School (9-12)
* Off Campus High School
* Portage College
Lakeland Catholic Schools
* Light of Christ Catholic School
Conseil Centre-Est
* École Sainte-Catherine (K-3)

## Media
### Newspapers

Lac La Biche County is served by the weekly Lac La Biche Post and the Town and Country.

### Radio

Two FM radio stations broadcast out of Lac La Biche – BOOM (CILB FM 103.5) and Aboriginal Radio (CFWE FM 89.9).