Originally named after Willow Lake, the previous name of Gregoire Lake, the community were mostly non-status or non-treaty Cree whose ancestors had migrated to the Athabasca Basin area from what was to become northern Manitoba, mostly displacing the original Beaver and Chipewyan occupants of the area.
During World War II a road was built from the rail siding to service and construct a US Army base on Stoney Mountain.
The area has seen significant growth corresponding to that of Fort McMurray and the oil industry.
The hamlet was ordered to be evacuated on May 5, 2016, due to the spread of the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire.
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Anzac had a population of 506 living in 190 of its 256 total private dwellings, a change of -7.7% from its 2016 population of 548. With a land area of 8.57 km2 (3.31 sq mi), it had a population density of 59.0/km2 (152.9/sq mi) in 2021.[3]
The population of Anzac according to the 2018 municipal census conducted by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is 659,[19] an increase from its 2015 municipal census population count of 606.[20]
As a designated place in the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Anzac had a population of 548 living in 197 of its 286 total private dwellings, a change of -6.3% from its 2011 population of 585. With a land area of 8.56 km2 (3.31 sq mi), it had a population density of 64.0/km2 (165.8/sq mi) in 2016.[18]
^"Geographical Identification and Population for Unincorporated Places of 25 persons and over, 1971 and 1976". 1976 Census of Canada(PDF). Supplementary Bulletins: Geographic and Demographic (Population of Unincorporated Places—Canada). Vol. Bulletin 8SG.1. Ottawa: Statistics Canada. 1978. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
^1981 Census of Canada(PDF). Place name reference list. Vol. Western provinces and the Territories. Ottawa: Statistics Canada. 1983. Retrieved September 26, 2024.