With a land area of , it had a population density of in 2021. The population of the City of Lacombe according to its 2019 municipal census is 13,985, a change of from its 2014 municipal census population of 12,728. In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the City of Lacombe had a population of 13,057 living in 4,797 of its 5,034 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2011 population of 11,707. With a land area of , it had a population density of in 2016. Economy Nestled in one of Central Alberta's most fertile valleys between Calgary and Edmonton, the local economy includes a strong agricultural base supplemented by oil and gas industry. The city is also home to the Lacombe Research and Development Centre where the first livestock breed developed in Canada, the Lacombe hog, was produced. Lacombe Research and Development Centre For more than a century, the federal government has funded agricultural research through a network of research centres strategically placed in almost every province. This research program has played a major role in developing the more than $120-billion Canadian agrifood industry. The Lacombe Research and Development Centre (LRDC) is one of a network of 20 national agricultural research centres operated by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The Centre conducts research in field crops and livestock production relevant to the central Alberta region. The Centre's main research focuses on the factors that influence red meat: yield, quality, safety and preservation. The Centre also develops integrated, sustainable crop and animal production systems and crop varieties for the short-season environments of the parkland and northwestern Canada. The LRDC developed a variety of hog called Lacombe. Work began in 1947. It took 12 years to develop the 'Lacombe' variety which is noted for its characteristics suitable to the harsh prairie environment. 'Lacombe' is 55% Danish Landrace, 22% Chester White, and 23% Berkshire. The 'Lacombe' hog was the first livestock breed to be developed in Canada. Sports The Lacombe Generals of Allan Cup Hockey West played out of the Gary Moe Auto Group Sportsplex from 2016–19. Jeff Purdy also played volleyball for the SAIT Trojans from 1998-2000. Government Lacombe Police Service The Lacombe Police Service (LPS) is the municipal police force for the City of Lacombe. Founded in 1900, the LPS is one of Alberta's eldest police forces. As of 2020, the LPS has 21 police officers,