Cold Lake, Alberta#Demographics

Cold Lake was first recorded on a 1790 map, by the name of Coldwater Lake.{{cite book|last=Sanders|first=Harry|title=The Story Behind Alberta Names How Cities, Towns, Villages and Hamlets Got their Names|publisher=Red Deer Press|date=2003|page=92|isbn=978-0-88995-256-0}} Originally three communities, Cold Lake was formed by merging the Town of Grand Centre, the Town of Cold Lake, and Medley (CFB Cold Lake) on October 1, 1996. Grand Centre was renamed Cold Lake South, and the original Cold Lake is known as Cold Lake North. Because of its origins, the area is also known as the Tri-Town.

Cold Lake preserves an extensive fossil and subfossil record from the Pleistocene after the Last Glacial Maximum to the Late Holocene. By the Middle Holocene, the mammalian biota in the region was essentially modern.{{Cite journal |last=Jass |first=Christopher N. |last2=Caldwell |first2=Devyn |last3=Barrón-Ortiz |first3=Christina I. |last4=Beaudoin |first4=Alwynne B. |last5=Brink |first5=Jack |last6=Sawchuk |first6=Matthew |date=29 November 2017 |title=Underwater faunal assemblages: radiocarbon dates and late Quaternary vertebrates from Cold Lake, Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada |url=http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/10.1139/cjes-2017-0131 |journal=Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences |language=en |volume=55 |issue=3 |pages=283–294 |doi=10.1139/cjes-2017-0131 |issn=0008-4077 |access-date=13 August 2024 |via=Canadian Science Publishing|hdl=1807/82470 |hdl-access=free }}

The city is situated in Alberta's "Lakeland" district, {{Convert|300|km|abbr=on}} northeast of Edmonton, near the Alberta-Saskatchewan provincial border. The area surrounding the city is sparsely populated, and consists mostly of farmland.

Cold Lake's climate is humid continental (Köppen climate classification Dfb). Summers are generally warm with cool nights, and winters are very cold with moderate snowfall.

{{Weather box

|location = Cold Lake Regional Airport, Alberta (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1952–present)

|single line = Yes

|metric first = Yes

|Jan maximum humidex = 10.6

|Feb maximum humidex = 12.1

|Mar maximum humidex = 17.1

|Apr maximum humidex = 28.7

|May maximum humidex = 33.8

|Jun maximum humidex = 38.0

|Jul maximum humidex = 43.2

|Aug maximum humidex = 39.0

|Sep maximum humidex = 32.8

|Oct maximum humidex = 27.7

|Nov maximum humidex = 18.3

|Dec maximum humidex = 10.0

|year maximum humidex =

|Jan record high C = 10.6

|Feb record high C = 14.1

|Mar record high C = 17.9

|Apr record high C = 29.4

|May record high C = 32.5

|Jun record high C = 36.3

|Jul record high C = 36.1

|Aug record high C = 36.1

|Sep record high C = 32.8

|Oct record high C = 27.4

|Nov record high C = 18.9

|Dec record high C = 10.1

|year record high C =

|Jan high C = -9.9

|Feb high C = -6.3

|Mar high C = 0.5

|Apr high C = 9.4

|May high C = 17.1

|Jun high C = 21.0

|Jul high C = 23.6

|Aug high C = 22.5

|Sep high C = 16.9

|Oct high C = 8.4

|Nov high C = -1.9

|Dec high C = -8.7

|year high C = 7.7

|Jan mean C = -14.8

|Feb mean C = -11.8

|Mar mean C = -5.1

|Apr mean C = 3.6

|May mean C = 10.6

|Jun mean C = 15.1

|Jul mean C = 17.7

|Aug mean C = 16.4

|Sep mean C = 10.9

|Oct mean C = 3.6

|Nov mean C = -5.9

|Dec mean C = -13.1

|year mean C = 2.3

|Jan low C = -19.6

|Feb low C = -17.3

|Mar low C = -10.7

|Apr low C = -2.2

|May low C = 4.1

|Jun low C = 9.2

|Jul low C = 11.8

|Aug low C = 10.3

|Sep low C = 4.9

|Oct low C = -1.3

|Nov low C = -9.8

|Dec low C = -17.4

|year low C = -3.2

|Jan record low C = -48.3

|Feb record low C = -42.8

|Mar record low C = -41.1

|Apr record low C = -34.4

|May record low C = -9.9

|Jun record low C = -3.3

|Jul record low C = 0.0

|Aug record low C = -1.5

|Sep record low C = -9.4

|Oct record low C = -23.5

|Nov record low C = -36.7

|Dec record low C = -44.4

|year record low C = -48.3

|Jan chill = -53.3

|Feb chill = -55.4

|Mar chill = -49.3

|Apr chill = -37.2

|May chill = -14.7

|Jun chill = -6.7

|Jul chill = 0.0

|Aug chill = -6.0

|Sep chill = -14.9

|Oct chill = -29.0

|Nov chill = -48.5

|Dec chill = -52.6

|year chill = -55.4

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 17.4

|Feb precipitation mm = 12.6

|Mar precipitation mm = 17.8

|Apr precipitation mm = 33.9

|May precipitation mm = 39.9

|Jun precipitation mm = 85.5

|Jul precipitation mm = 79.4

|Aug precipitation mm = 52.3

|Sep precipitation mm = 38.8

|Oct precipitation mm = 23.7

|Nov precipitation mm = 19.2

|Dec precipitation mm = 16.0

|year precipitation mm =

|rain colour = green

|Jan rain mm = 0.7

|Feb rain mm = 0.2

|Mar rain mm = 2.6

|Apr rain mm = 20.1

|May rain mm = 38.1

|Jun rain mm = 85.4

|Jul rain mm = 79.4

|Aug rain mm = 52.1

|Sep rain mm = 38.6

|Oct rain mm = 15.1

|Nov rain mm = 1.6

|Dec rain mm = 0.4

|year rain mm =

|snow colour = green

|Jan snow cm = 23.4

|Feb snow cm = 16.5

|Mar snow cm = 18.0

|Apr snow cm = 14.3

|May snow cm = 2.0

|Jun snow cm = 0.1

|Jul snow cm = 0.0

|Aug snow cm = 0.1

|Sep snow cm = 0.3

|Oct snow cm = 7.8

|Nov snow cm = 22.6

|Dec snow cm = 21.9

|year snow cm =

|humidity colour = green

|Jan humidity = 69.8

|Feb humidity = 62.0

|Mar humidity = 53.8

|Apr humidity = 45.7

|May humidity = 40.4

|Jun humidity = 49.5

|Jul humidity = 51.6

|Aug humidity = 50.7

|Sep humidity = 51.1

|Oct humidity = 55.9

|Nov humidity = 69.8

|Dec humidity = 73.4

|year humidity =

|unit precipitation days = 0.2 mm

|Jan precipitation days = 10.5

|Feb precipitation days = 7.6

|Mar precipitation days = 7.6

|Apr precipitation days = 8.1

|May precipitation days = 9.4

|Jun precipitation days = 13.2

|Jul precipitation days = 14.0

|Aug precipitation days = 11.9

|Sep precipitation days = 10.1

|Oct precipitation days = 9.0

|Nov precipitation days = 9.1

|Dec precipitation days = 9.7

|year precipitation days =

|unit rain days = 0.2 mm

|Jan rain days = 0.9

|Feb rain days = 0.23

|Mar rain days = 1.4

|Apr rain days = 5.2

|May rain days = 9.0

|Jun rain days = 13.2

|Jul rain days = 14.0

|Aug rain days = 11.9

|Sep rain days = 10.0

|Oct rain days = 6.2

|Nov rain days = 1.3

|Dec rain days = 0.47

|year rain days=

|unit snow days = 0.2 cm

|Jan snow days = 10.7

|Feb snow days = 8.5

|Mar snow days = 6.9

|Apr snow days = 4.4

|May snow days = 0.8

|Jun snow days = 0.03

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.03

|Sep snow days = 0.23

|Oct snow days = 4.2

|Nov snow days = 8.9

|Dec snow days = 10.5

|year snow days =

|Jan sun = 87.1

|Feb sun = 118.2

|Mar sun = 172.3

|Apr sun = 221.6

|May sun = 260.0

|Jun sun = 265.2

|Jul sun = 283.0

|Aug sun = 279.9

|Sep sun = 176.9

|Oct sun = 140.9

|Nov sun = 82.2

|Dec sun = 68.3

|year sun = 2155.5

|Jan percentsun = 35.4

|Feb percentsun = 43.1

|Mar percentsun = 47.0

|Apr percentsun = 52.6

|May percentsun = 52.3

|Jun percentsun = 51.6

|Jul percentsun = 54.9

|Aug percentsun = 60.6

|Sep percentsun = 46.2

|Oct percentsun = 43.1

|Nov percentsun = 32.1

|Dec percentsun = 29.7

|year percentsun = 45.7

|source 1 = Environment Canada

{{cite web

|url = https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1991_2020_e.html?searchType=stnProv&lstProvince=&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=278000000&dispBack=0

|publisher = Environment and Climate Change Canada

|title = Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020

|access-date = November 20, 2023

}}

{{cite web

|url = https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/index_e.html

|publisher = Environment and Climate Change Canada

|title = Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010

|access-date = November 20, 2023

}}

}}

{{stack|{{Historical populations

|title = Federal census
population history
(post-amalgamation)

|type = Canada

|align = right

|width = 14em

|state =

|shading =

|percentages =

|footnote = Source: Statistics Canada
{{cite web | title=Population and Dwelling Counts, for Canada, Provinces and Territories, and Census Divisions, 2001 and 1996 Censuses - 100% Data (Alberta) | url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/census01/products/standard/popdwell/Table-CSD-D.cfm?PR=48 | publisher=Statistics Canada | access-date=2012-04-02}}{{cite web | title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data (Alberta) | url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/hlt/97-550/Index.cfm?TPL=P1C&Page=RETR&LANG=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=1&O=A&RPP=9999&PR=48&CMA=0 | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=2010-01-06 | access-date=2012-04-02}}{{cite web | url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/hlt-fst/pd-pl/Table-Tableau.cfm?LANG=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=51&O=A&RPP=9999&PR=48&CMA=0 | title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=2012-02-08 | access-date=2012-02-08}}
Note: The 1996 population is the adjusted population of the amalgamated City of Cold Lake formed on October 1, 1996.

|1996|11791

|2001|11520

|2006|11991

|2011|13839

|2016|14961

}}}}

{{stack|{{Historical populations

|title = Federal census
population history
(pre-amalgamation)

|type = Canada

|align = right

|width = 14em

|state =

|shading =

|percentages =

|footnote = Source: Statistics Canada
{{cite book | title=Ninth Census of Canada, 1951 | publisher=Dominion Bureau of Statistics | volume=SP-7, Population: Unincorporated villages and hamlets | pages=55–57}}{{cite book | title=Census of Canada, 1956| volume=Population, Counties and Subdivisions | year=1957 | publisher=Dominion Bureau of Statistics | location=Ottawa | page=6.50–6.53 | chapter=Table 6: Population by sex, for census subdivisions, 1956 and 1951}}{{cite book | title=1961 Census of Canada | series=Series 1.1: Historical, 1901–1961 | volume=I: Population | year=1963 | publisher=Dominion Bureau of Statistics | location=Ottawa | page=6.77-6.83 | chapter=Table 6: Population by census subdivisions, 1901–1961}}{{cite book | title=Census of Canada, 1966 | volume=Population, Specified Age Groups and Sex for Counties and Census Subdivisions, 1966 | year=1968 | publisher=Dominion Bureau of Statistics | location=Ottawa | page=6.50–6.53 | chapter=Population by specified age groups and sex, for census subdivisions, 1966}}{{cite book | title=1971 Census of Canada | volume=I: Population, Census Subdivisions (Historical) | year=1973 | publisher=Statistics Canada | location=Ottawa | page=2.102-2.111 | chapter=Table 2: Population of Census Subdivisions, 1921–1971}}{{cite book | title=1976 Census of Canada | series=Census Divisions and Subdivisions, Western Provinces and the Territories | volume=I: Population, Geographic Distributions | year=1977 | publisher=Statistics Canada | location=Ottawa | page=3.40–3.43| chapter=Table 3: Population for census divisions and subdivisions, 1971 and 1976}}{{cite book | title=1981 Census of Canada | volume=II: Provincial series, Population, Geographic distributions (Alberta) | year=1982 | publisher=Statistics Canada | location=Ottawa | page=4.1–4.10| chapter=Table 4: Population and Total Occupied Dwellings, for Census Divisions and Subdivisions, 1976 and 1981 | isbn=0-660-51095-2}}{{cite book | title=Census Canada 1986 | volume=Population and Dwelling Counts – Provinces and Territories (Alberta) | year=1987 | publisher=Statistics Canada | location=Ottawa | page=2.1–2.10 | chapter=Table 2: Census Divisions and Subdivisions – Population and Occupied Private Dwellings, 1981 and 1986 | isbn=0-660-53463-0}}{{cite book | title=91 Census | volume=Population and Dwelling Counts – Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions | year=1992 | publisher=Statistics Canada | location=Ottawa | pages=100–108 | chapter=Table 2: Population and Dwelling Counts, for Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 1986 and 1991 – 100% Data | isbn=0-660-57115-3}}{{cite book | title=96 Census | volume=A National Overview – Population and Dwelling Counts | year=1997 | publisher=Statistics Canada | location=Ottawa | pages=136–146 | chapter=Table 10: Population and Dwelling Counts, for Census Divisions, Census Subdivisions (Municipalities) and Designated Places, 1991 and 1996 Censuses – 100% Data | isbn=0-660-59283-5}}{{cite web | title=2001 Community Profiles – Cold Lake, Alberta (Town / Dissolved) | url=http://www12.statcan.ca/english/profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4812006&Geo2=PR&Code2=48&Data=Count&SearchText=cold_lake&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=2007-02-01 | access-date=2012-04-02}}{{cite web | url=http://coldlake.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentDisplay.aspx?Id=4403 | title=2017 Growth Study Addendum | publisher=City of Cold Lake | page=368 | date=February 2018 | access-date=October 21, 2018 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
Note: The 2001 population is of the former Town of Cold Lake that amalgamated with the Town of Grand Centre and Medley (CFB 4 Wing) on October 1, 1996.

|1941|302

|1951|414

|1956|1097

|1961|1307

|1966|1289

|1971|1309

|1976|1317

|1981|2110

|1986|3195

|1991|3878

|1996|4089

|2001|4676

|2006|5560

|2011|6455

|2016|7121

}}}}

The population of the City of Cold Lake according to its 2022 municipal census is 16,302,{{cite web | url=https://coldlake.ic11.esolg.ca/en/city-hall/resources/Census-Data-and-Statistics/2022-Municipal-Census-Report---Final.pdf | title=City of Cold Lake Municipal Census 2022 Report | publisher=City of Cold Lake | accessdate=September 15, 2022 | archive-date=September 15, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915094400/https://coldlake.ic11.esolg.ca/en/city-hall/resources/Census-Data-and-Statistics/2022-Municipal-Census-Report---Final.pdf | url-status=dead }} a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:16302-15736}}|15736|1}} from its 2014 municipal census population of 15.736.{{cite web | url=http://www.coldlake.com/municipal/coldlake/webcms.nsf/AllDoc/F7FE7892B9EA848687257D1000704517?OpenDocument | title=Census shows more than 9 per cent growth over two years | publisher=City of Cold Lake | date=July 9, 2014 | access-date=July 9, 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://archive.today/20140711103925/http://www.coldlake.com/municipal/coldlake/webcms.nsf/AllDoc/F7FE7892B9EA848687257D1000704517?OpenDocument | archive-date=July 11, 2014 }}

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the City of Cold Lake had a population of 15,661 living in 6,114 of its 6,767 total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:15661-14976}}|14976|1}} from its 2016 population of 14,976. With a land area of {{cvt|66.61|km2}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|15661|66.61|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.{{cite web | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000202&geocode=A000248 | title=Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=February 9, 2022 | accessdate=February 9, 2022}}

In the Canada 2016 census conducted by Statistics Canada, the City of Cold Lake had a population of 14,961 living in 5,597 of its 6,657 total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:14961-13839}}|13839|1}} from its 2011 population of 13,839. With a land area of {{convert|59.92|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|14961|59.92|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2016.{{cite web | url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/hlt-fst/pd-pl/Table.cfm?Lang=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=86&O=A&RPP=9999&PR=48 | title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=February 8, 2017 | access-date=February 8, 2017}}

About 8.7% of residents identified themselves as aboriginal at the time of the 2006 census.{{cite web | title = Cold Lake | work = Aboriginal Identity (8), Sex (3) and Age Groups (12) for the Population of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2006 Census - 20% Sample Data | publisher = Statistics Canada | date = 2008-01-15 | url = http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/topics/RetrieveProductTable.cfm?ALEVEL=3&APATH=3&CATNO=&DETAIL=0&DIM=&DS=99&FL=0&FREE=0&GAL=0&GC=99&GK=NA&GRP=1&IPS=&METH=0&ORDER=1&PID=89122&PTYPE=88971&RL=0&S=1&ShowAll=No&StartRow=1&SUB=0&Temporal=2006&Theme=73&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF=&GID=838058 | access-date = 2008-02-06 | archive-date = 2008-06-12 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080612220406/http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/topics/RetrieveProductTable.cfm?ALEVEL=3&APATH=3&CATNO=&DETAIL=0&DIM=&DS=99&FL=0&FREE=0&GAL=0&GC=99&GK=NA&GRP=1&IPS=&METH=0&ORDER=1&PID=89122&PTYPE=88971&RL=0&S=1&ShowAll=No&StartRow=1&SUB=0&Temporal=2006&Theme=73&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF=&GID=838058 | url-status = dead }}

Almost 89% of residents identified English and more than 7% identified French as their first language. Almost 1% identified German, 0.5% identified Chinese, 0.4% each identified Dutch and Ukrainian, and 0.3% each identified Cree and Arabic as their first language learned.{{cite web | title = Cold Lake | work = Detailed Mother Tongue (186), Knowledge of Official Languages (5), Age Groups (17A) and Sex (3) for the Population of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2001 and 2006 Censuses - 20% Sample Data | publisher = Statistics Canada | date = 2007-11-20 | url = http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/topics/RetrieveProductTable.cfm?ALEVEL=3&APATH=3&CATNO=&DETAIL=0&DIM=&DS=99&FL=0&FREE=0&GAL=0&GC=99&GK=NA&GRP=1&IPS=&METH=0&ORDER=1&PID=89201&PTYPE=88971&RL=0&S=1&ShowAll=No&StartRow=1&SUB=701&Temporal=2006&Theme=70&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF=&GID=838058 | access-date = 2008-02-06 | archive-date = 2008-06-12 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080612220801/http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/topics/RetrieveProductTable.cfm?ALEVEL=3&APATH=3&CATNO=&DETAIL=0&DIM=&DS=99&FL=0&FREE=0&GAL=0&GC=99&GK=NA&GRP=1&IPS=&METH=0&ORDER=1&PID=89201&PTYPE=88971&RL=0&S=1&ShowAll=No&StartRow=1&SUB=701&Temporal=2006&Theme=70&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF=&GID=838058 | url-status = dead }}

About 82 percent of residents identified as Christian at the time of the 2001 census, while more than 17 percent indicated they had no religious affiliation. For specific denominations Statistics Canada found that 40% of residents identified as Roman Catholic, 14% identified with the United Church of Canada, 5.5% identified as Anglican, 3% as Baptist, 2.5% as Lutheran, and 2% as Pentecostal.{{cite web | title = Cold Lake | work = Religion (95A), Age Groups (7A) and Sex (3) for Population, for Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 1991 and 2001 Censuses - 20% Sample Data | publisher = Statistics Canada | date = 2007-03-01 | url = http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/standard/themes/RetrieveProductTable.cfm?Temporal=2001&PID=55822&APATH=3&METH=1&PTYPE=55440&THEME=56&FOCUS=0&AID=0&PLACENAME=0&PROVINCE=0&SEARCH=0&GC=99&GK=NA&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF=&FL=0&RL=0&FREE=0&GID=431644 | access-date = 2008-02-06 | archive-date = 2008-06-12 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080612220402/http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/standard/themes/RetrieveProductTable.cfm?Temporal=2001&PID=55822&APATH=3&METH=1&PTYPE=55440&THEME=56&FOCUS=0&AID=0&PLACENAME=0&PROVINCE=0&SEARCH=0&GC=99&GK=NA&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF=&FL=0&RL=0&FREE=0&GID=431644 | url-status = dead }}

The city's economy is inextricably linked to military spending at CFB Cold Lake. The region also supports oil and gas exploration and production. The Athabasca Oil Sands project in Fort McMurray is having a growing influence in the region as well. The Cold Lake oil sands may become a significant contributor to the local economy.

A job market analysis from December 2024 to January 2025 showed that the Oil & Gas sector accounted for 33% of job postings in the region, with administrative roles and skilled trades also in high demand.[https://lakelandjobboard.ca/blog/cold-lake-bonnyville-jobs-job-market-trends-opportunities-in-2024-2025 Cold Lake & Bonnyville Jobs: Job Market Trends & Opportunities in 2024-2025 ]

Every year Cold Lake hosts military forces from around the world for Exercise Maple Flag, a training exercise where pilots and support staff of NATO allies can take advantage of the Air Weapons Range and relatively open rural air space. Running from 4 to 6 weeks and starting in May of each year, commercial accommodations in the entire region are left with little to no vacancy. This annual exercise contributes a substantial amount of capital into these industries and other hospitality-related businesses.

Cold Lake is the home of Marvel comic book character Wolverine.{{cite news|author=Brisebois, Dan|date=July 27, 2020|url=https://www.coldlakesun.com/news/local-news/a-statue-fit-for-a-super-hero|title=Celebrating a super hero's roots|website=Cold Lake Sun|publisher=Postmedia Network|access-date=June 2, 2024|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731140326/https://www.coldlakesun.com/news/local-news/a-statue-fit-for-a-super-hero|url-status=live}}

File:Cold Lake Curling Club School, Alberta.jpg

Cold Lake has a variety of sports, including:

• Hockey (Home to the Cold Lake Ice, Junior B Team) & (Home to the Cold Lake Freeze, Minor Hockey Teams)
• Lacrosse (Home to the Cold Lake Heat, Minor Lacrosse Teams)[http://www.lakelandlacrosse.ca/ Lakeland Lacrosse] Lakeland Lacrosse
• Volleyball (Assumption and CLHS Royals)
• Football (CLHS Royals)
• Basketball (Assumption and CLHS Royals)
• Soccer (Indoor and outdoor-Cold Lake Minor Soccer{{cite web|author=Jesse Nesvold |url=http://clmsa.com/ |title=CLMSA |publisher=CLMSA |date=2017-02-25 |access-date=2017-04-30}})
• Baseball
• Rugby (Assumption Crusader's and CLHS Royals combined team and Cold Lake Penguins Men's RFC)
• Hapkido
• Tae Kwon Do (Hetlinger taekwondo, and occasionally International Taekwon-Do Federation or World Taekwondo Federation)
• Figure Skating (Cold Lake Figure Skating Club){{cite web|url=http://clfsc.weebly.com/|title=Cold Lake Figure Skating Club (CLFSC)|website=Cold Lake Figure Skating Club}}
• Figure Skating (Norlight Skating Club)
• Downhill Skiing (Kinosoo Ridge Snow Resort)
• Dancing (Pirouette School of Dance with award-winning dance team, Fame Dance (Located at the Energy Centre){{cite web|url=http://www.pirouettedance.ca/|title=Pirouette School of Dance|website=Pirouette School of Dance|access-date=2010-10-06|archive-date=2011-07-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706193633/http://www.pirouettedance.ca/|url-status=dead}}
• Mixed Martial Arts (Team Sparta)
• Roller Derby (Lakeland Ladykillers Roller Derby League)
• Swimming (Cold Lake Marlins Swim Club){{cite web|url=https://www.marlinsswim.com/|title=502 Bad Gateway|website=www.marlinsswim.com}}
• Powerlifting (Cold Lake Bar Benders)
• Gymnastics (Lakeland Gymnastics Club)
• Disc Golf
• Pickleball
• Bowling (Marina Bowling Centre)

Mayors:

• Craig Copeland, 2007–present
• Allan Buck, 2004–2007
• Hansa Thaleshvar, 1998–2004
• Raymond Coates, 1996–1998

The last local election was held in October 2021. As of 2021, the councillors of Cold Lake are Bob Mattice, Chris Vining, Vicky Lefebvre, Adele Richardson, Ryan Bailey, and Bill Parker.

At the provincial level, the city is in the district of Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul. Its current representative is Scott Cyr, from the United Conservative Party.

At the federal level, the city is in the district of Fort McMurray—Cold Lake. Its current representative is Laila Goodridge, from the Conservative Party of Canada.

Portage College operates a campus at Cold Lake. Program offerings include academic upgrading, accounting, community social works, nursing, power engineering and university studies among others.{{cite web | title=Cold Lake Campus | url=http://www.portagecollege.ca/Campus_Locations/Cold_Lake.htm | publisher=Portage College | access-date=July 2, 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622215509/http://www.portagecollege.ca/Campus_Locations/Cold_Lake.htm | archive-date=June 22, 2013 }}

Lakeland Catholic School District No. 150 and Northern Lights School Division No. 69 operate public schools within Cold Lake.{{cite web | url=http://www.lcsd150.ab.ca/ | title=Lakeland Catholic Schools | publisher=Lakeland Catholic School District | access-date=2012-08-29}}{{cite web | url=http://www.nlsd.ab.ca/ | title=Welcome | publisher=Northern Lights School Division No. 69 | access-date=2012-08-29}} Cold Lake also hosts a Francophone school named École Voyageur that offers French programming for kindergarten through grade 12,{{cite web | url=https://cfmws.ca/cold-lake/relocating-to-cold-lake/schools | title=CFMWS Cold Lake Schools | publisher=Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services | access-date=2025-03-09}}{{cite web | url=https://voyageur.centreest.ca/ | title=École Voyageur | publisher=Conseil scolaire Centre-Est | access-date=2025-03-09}}as well as the Cold Lake Cadet Summer Training Centre.

;Lakeland Catholic School District No. 150

• Holy Cross Elementary School (offering kindergarten through grade 6 programming){{cite web | url=http://www.lcsd150.ab.ca/index.php/schools/holy-cross-elementary | title=Holy Cross Elementary | publisher=Lakeland Catholic School District | access-date=2012-08-29}}
• École St. Dominic School (offering pre-kindergarten through grade 6 English and French programming){{cite web | url=http://www.lcsd150.ab.ca/index.php/schools/st-dominic | title=St. Dominic Elementary School | publisher=Lakeland Catholic School District | access-date=2012-08-29 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915063303/http://www.lcsd150.ab.ca/index.php/schools/st-dominic | archive-date=2012-09-15 }}
• Assumption Junior/Senior High School (offering grade 7 through grade 12 English and French programming){{cite web | url=http://www.lcsd150.ab.ca/index.php/schools/assumption-jrsr-high | title=Assumption Jr/Sr High School | publisher=Lakeland Catholic School District | access-date=2012-08-29 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915063223/http://www.lcsd150.ab.ca/index.php/schools/assumption-jrsr-high | archive-date=2012-09-15 }}

;Northern Lights School Division No. 69

• Cold Lake Elementary School (offering pre-kindergarten through grade 3 programming){{cite web | url=https://www.coldlakeelementary.ca/about/our-school/staff-directory | title=Cold Lake Elementary: Staff Directory | publisher=Northern Lights School Division No. 69 | access-date=2012-08-29}}
• Ecole North Star Elementary School (offering kindergarten through grade 3 English and French programming){{cite web | url=http://www.northstarelementary.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=257&Itemid=269 | title=Ecole North Star Elementary School: Programs | publisher=Northern Lights School Division No. 69 | access-date=2012-08-29}}
• Nelson Heights School (offering grade 4 through grade 6 programming){{cite web | url=http://www.nelsonheightsschool.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=257&Itemid=269 | title=Nelson Heights School: Programs | publisher=Northern Lights School Division No. 69 | access-date=2012-08-29}}
• Cold Lake Junior High (offering grade 7 through grade 9){{cite web | url=https://www.coldlakejuniorhigh.ca/about/our-schooloption=com_content&view=article&id=257&Itemid=269 | title=Cold Lake Middle School: Programs | publisher=Northern Lights School Division No. 69 | access-date=2012-08-29}}
• Cold Lake High School (offering grade 10 through grade 12 programming){{cite web | url=https://www.coldlakehighschool.ca/about/our-schooloption=com_content&view=article&id=257&Itemid=269 | title=Cold Lake High School: Programs | publisher=Northern Lights School Division No. 69 | access-date=2012-08-29}}
• Bridges Outreach School (offering grade 8 and grade 9 programming){{cite web | url=http://www.bridgesoutreach.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=257&Itemid=269 | title=Bridges Outreach School: Programs | publisher=Northern Lights School Division No. 69 | access-date=2012-08-29 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150604062501/http://www.bridgesoutreach.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=257&Itemid=269 | archive-date=2015-06-04 }}
• Cold Lake Outreach School (offering grade 10 through grade 12 programming){{cite web | url=http://www.coldlakeoffcampus.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=257&Itemid=269 | title=Cold Lake Outreach School: Programs | publisher=Northern Lights School Division No. 69 | access-date=2012-08-29 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115093242/http://www.coldlakeoffcampus.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=257&Itemid=269 | archive-date=2013-01-15 }}

Cold Lake is situated near many campgrounds due to its proximity to the lake. The M.D. campground has powered sites, shower facilities with flush toilets, and a covered camp picnic area. The Cold Lake Provincial Park has many sites, and is more secluded than the M.D. site (which is surrounded by development). The Provincial campground boasts a wilderness trail system, a beach, boat launch and a powered section. Nearby Meadow Lake Provincial Park to the east, across the border in Saskatchewan, has facilities similar to Cold Lake Provincial Park.

File:Cold Lake featuring Kinosoo Beach.jpg

Kinosoo Beach is a favorite destination during the hot summer months between June and August.

The Iron Horse Trail, a recreational trail situated on a former railway line (see rail trail) has its easternmost terminus in Cold Lake.

Recreational pastimes include, among others:

{{Div col}}

• Hockey{{cite web|url=http://www.clmh.com/page/show/904127-home|title=Home|website=Cold Lake Minor Hockey Association|access-date=2019-04-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402042810/https://www.clmh.com/page/show/904127-home|archive-date=2019-04-02|url-status=dead}}
• Box Lacrosse{{cite web|url=http://www.lakelandlacrosse.ca/|title=Lakeland Lacrosse Association : Website by RAMP InterActive|website=www.lakelandlacrosse.ca}}
• Geocaching
• Martial Arts
• Rugby
• Soccer
• Swimming
• Bowling
• Curling
• Gymnastics
• Golf
• Horseback Riding
• 4H (in Cherry Grove)
• Rodeo (Cold Lake Ag Society)
• Dance
• Sailing{{cite web|url=http://www.sailcoldlake.com/|title=Cold Lake Sailing Club|access-date=2010-01-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302075554/http://www.sailcoldlake.com/|archive-date=2009-03-02|url-status=dead}}
• Boating
• scuba diving
• Fishing
• Downhill Skiing[http://www.kinosooridge.ca/ Kinosoo Ridge Snow Resort] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929200245/http://www.kinosooridge.ca/ |date=2007-09-29 }}
• Roller Derby{{cite web|url=http://lakelandladykillers.com/|title=Lakeland Ladykillers Roller Derby League|website=Lakeland Ladykillers Roller Derby League}}

{{Div col end}}

Image:CLAFM HFR.JPG

{{main|Cold Lake Air Force Museum}}

The Air Force Museum preserves and exhibits the history of CFB Cold Lake and of 42 Radar Squadron. 42 Radar was on this site from 1954 to 1992, so Cold War era technology is mostly on display in their exhibit. An example of this is the General Electric Height Finder Radar on display.

The Museum has much 4 Wing history on display. The current 4 Wing standing squadrons such as 409 Squadron, 410 Squadron, 419 Squadron, 1 Air Maintenance Squadron, Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment and others are displayed in the Museum. There are a few exhibits of purely historic nature, such as displays on 441 and 416, Squadrons which stood down in 2006 to be amalgamated into 409 Squadron.

The Museum also has four aircraft on display outside, including the CF-5 Freedom Fighter, CT-133 Silver Star, the CT-114 Tutor and the CT-134 Musketeer. The newest addition to the air park is a CF-188 Decoy.James Knaus Curator Cold Lake Air force Museum

This exhibit was designed, researched and constructed by Grand Centre High School students. This museum explains the history of Oil and gas in the Cold Lake area from Paleolithic times to the present.

The Heritage Museum exhibits a time line of life in Cold Lake, both domestic and commercial. The museum also boasts some impressive murals.

The Aboriginal Museum displays the history of the Dene, Cree and Metis peoples in time lines, maps, crafts and cultural displays. There are also bears on display.

• Alex Auld, NHL goaltender
• Garry Howatt, NHL forward
• Alex Janvier, artist
• Bonnie McFarlane, comedian
• René Richard, artist{{Cite web |title=René Richard: Cold Laker, Québécois, and the Tom Thomson of the North – Respect |url=https://respectnews.ca/news/rene-richard-cold-laker-quebecois-and-the-tom-thomson-of-the-north/ |access-date=2023-03-22 |language=en-US}}
• Curtis Hargrove, charity runner
• James "Logan" Howlett, The Wolverine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolverine_(character)#Publication_history

• List of francophone communities in Alberta

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{{Wikivoyage|Cold Lake}}

• {{official website|http://www.coldlake.com}}

{{Subdivisions of Alberta}}

{{Alberta Regions Lower Athabasca}}

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Category:1953 establishments in Alberta

Category:Cities in Alberta

Category:Hudson's Bay Company trading posts