Calgary Region
Encyclopedia
The Calgary Region is an area centred around Calgary
, Alberta
, Canada
. It consists of the City of Calgary, Rocky View County and the municipalities it encloses, and the Municipal (M.D.) District of Foothills No. 31
and the municipalities it encloses. The Calgary Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) and Calgary Region are different entities. Some municipalities within the region have little or no metropolitan relationship to Calgary in terms of commuting for employment or commerce purposes.
The Calgary Region is a major transportation hub for southern Alberta
, Saskatchewan
, eastern British Columbia
, and parts of the northern United States
. It is home to the Calgary International Airport
, the third busiest airport in the country.
The population of the Calgary CMA is 1,079,310 per the 2006 census by Statistics Canada, which makes it the largest CMA in Alberta and the fifth largest in Canada. The 2006 Calgary CMA population does not include the incompletely enumerated Tsuu T'ina Nation.
According to Statistics Canada estimates dated July 1, 2009, the Calgary CMA surpassed the Ottawa-Gatineau CMA to become the fourth largest CMA in the country with an estimated population of 1,230,248. However, an emerging trend of out-migration may return the Calgary CMA to its previous ranking.
The total area of the Calgary CMA is 5107 square kilometres (1,971.8 sq mi), which makes it the second largest CMA in Alberta in terms of area behind the Edmonton CMA.
Also in terms of area, the Calgary CMA makes up approximately 40% of Statistics Canada's Division No. 6
in Alberta. The balance of Division No. 6 includes Municipal (M.D.) District of Foothills No. 31
to the south, Mountain View County
to the north, and the municipalities they each enclose, most notably the towns of Okotoks
and High River
.
The M.D. of Foothills No. 31 and the municipalities within are often considered as part of Calgary's metropolitan area due to, among other things, the M.D.’s shared boundary with the City of Calgary and the bedroom community nature of towns like Okotoks, High River, Black Diamond
and Turner Valley
.
, Black Diamond, Canmore
, Chestermere, Cochrane, Crossfield, High River, Irricana, Nanton
, Okotoks, Strathmore
, and Turner Valley), and one townsite (Redwood Meadows). Of these 15 municipalities, four of the 12 towns (Banff, Canmore, Nanton, and Strathmore) are outside, but in proximity to, the Calgary Region's boundaries as defined in this article. Of the remaining eight towns, four of them (Black Diamond, High River, Okotoks, and Turner Valley) are outside of the Calgary CMA boundaries as defined by Statistics Canada.
, the M.D. of Foothills No. 31, Rocky View County, and Wheatland County
. The M.D. of Bighorn No. 8 pulled out of the CRP in March 2009 due to the lack of opportunity for infrastructure connectivity to the balance of the Calgary Region. In June 2009, the latter three opposed the Calgary Metropolitan Plan that was being considered for approval by the CRP's member municipalities. All three subsequently withdrew from the CRP in September 2009.
, Canmore
and Strathmore
, are not listed as they are considered to be located within the neighbouring regions of Alberta's Rockies
and Southern Alberta
.
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It consists of the City of Calgary, Rocky View County and the municipalities it encloses, and the Municipal (M.D.) District of Foothills No. 31
Foothills No. 31, Alberta
The Municipal District of Foothills No. 31 is a municipal district in southern Alberta, Canada adjacent to the south side of Calgary in Census Division No. 6...
and the municipalities it encloses. The Calgary Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) and Calgary Region are different entities. Some municipalities within the region have little or no metropolitan relationship to Calgary in terms of commuting for employment or commerce purposes.
The Calgary Region is a major transportation hub for southern Alberta
Southern Alberta
Southern Alberta is a region located in the Canadian province of Alberta. As of the year 2004, the region's population was approximately 272,017. The primary cities are Lethbridge and Medicine Hat...
, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
, eastern British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, and parts of the northern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is home to the Calgary International Airport
Calgary International Airport
Calgary International Airport, , is the international airport that serves Calgary, Alberta, Canada and the surrounding region; it is situated approximately northeast of downtown Calgary...
, the third busiest airport in the country.
Calgary CMA
The Calgary CMA, as defined by Statistics Canada, includes the following nine municipalities:- two cities (AirdrieAirdrie, AlbertaAirdrie is a city in Alberta, Canada, located just north of Calgary within the Calgary–Edmonton Corridor. The City of Airdrie is part of Calgary's Census Metropolitan Area and a member community of the Calgary Regional Partnership . Due to its proximity to Calgary, Airdrie's population has been...
and Calgary); - one municipal district (Rocky View County, which includes LangdonLangdon, AlbertaLangdon is a hamlet in southern Alberta, Canada under the jurisdiction of Rocky View County.At an elevation of , Langdon is located east of the City of Calgary at the intersection of Highways 560 and 797, south of the Trans Canada Highway and north of Highway 22X.The hamlet is located in census...
– the CMA's largest hamlet); - four towns (ChestermereChestermere, AlbertaChestermere is a town adjacent to the City of Calgary in the Province of Alberta, Canada within Rocky View County. It is largely a bedroom community of Calgary and is a member municipality of the Calgary Regional Partnership...
, CochraneCochrane, AlbertaCochrane is a town in the Canadian province of Alberta. The town is located 18 km west of the Calgary city limits along Highway 1A. With a population of 15,424 , Cochrane is the second largest town in Alberta and one of the fastest growing communities in Canada...
, CrossfieldCrossfield, AlbertaCrossfield is a town in southern Alberta, Canada within Rocky View County.Crossfield is located 43 kilometers or north of the City of Calgary, on Highway 2....
, and IrricanaIrricana, AlbertaIrricana is a town in southern Alberta, Canada. It is located in the wide-open spaces of the Canadian prairies, northeast of Calgary, and west of the Drumheller badlands off Highway 9....
); - one village (BeisekerBeiseker, AlbertaBeiseker is a village in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is approximately northeast of Calgary. It is considered to be an outermost part of the Calgary Region and is included within Calgary's Census Metropolitan Area...
); and - one First Nations reserve (Tsuu T'ina NationTsuu T'ina NationThe Tsuu T'ina Nation is a First Nation in Canada. Their territory is located on the Indian reserve Tsuu T'ina Nation 145, whose east side is adjacent to the southwest city limits of Calgary, Alberta...
, which includes the Townsite of Redwood MeadowsRedwood Meadows, AlbertaRedwood Meadows is a unique community known as a townsite in Alberta, Canada – the only townsite recognized by Alberta Municipal Affairs at this time....
).
The population of the Calgary CMA is 1,079,310 per the 2006 census by Statistics Canada, which makes it the largest CMA in Alberta and the fifth largest in Canada. The 2006 Calgary CMA population does not include the incompletely enumerated Tsuu T'ina Nation.
According to Statistics Canada estimates dated July 1, 2009, the Calgary CMA surpassed the Ottawa-Gatineau CMA to become the fourth largest CMA in the country with an estimated population of 1,230,248. However, an emerging trend of out-migration may return the Calgary CMA to its previous ranking.
The total area of the Calgary CMA is 5107 square kilometres (1,971.8 sq mi), which makes it the second largest CMA in Alberta in terms of area behind the Edmonton CMA.
Also in terms of area, the Calgary CMA makes up approximately 40% of Statistics Canada's Division No. 6
Division No. 6, Alberta
Division No. 6 is a census division in Alberta, Canada. Surrounding the City of Calgary, the majority of the division comprises Alberta's Calgary Region, while the northern portion of the division is located within central Alberta. The division also forms the southern segment of the...
in Alberta. The balance of Division No. 6 includes Municipal (M.D.) District of Foothills No. 31
Foothills No. 31, Alberta
The Municipal District of Foothills No. 31 is a municipal district in southern Alberta, Canada adjacent to the south side of Calgary in Census Division No. 6...
to the south, Mountain View County
Mountain View County, Alberta
Mountain View County is a municipal district in Division No. 6 in the central Alberta, Canada. It is located between the cities of Calgary and Red Deer within the Calgary-Edmonton corridor. Mountain View County is a member of the Central Alberta Economic Partnership, Alberta Association of...
to the north, and the municipalities they each enclose, most notably the towns of Okotoks
Okotoks, Alberta
Okotoks is a town situated on the Sheep River, south of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The town is a member of the Calgary Regional Partnership, a cooperative of communities within the Calgary Region. Okotoks has become a popular bedroom community for the City of Calgary...
and High River
High River, Alberta
High River is a town in southwestern Alberta, Canada with a population of 10,716. It is south of the city of Calgary, at the junction of Alberta Highways 2 and 23...
.
The M.D. of Foothills No. 31 and the municipalities within are often considered as part of Calgary's metropolitan area due to, among other things, the M.D.’s shared boundary with the City of Calgary and the bedroom community nature of towns like Okotoks, High River, Black Diamond
Black Diamond, Alberta
Black Diamond is a sister town to Turner Valley. There exists a three-kilometer trail next to the roadway between Black Diamond and Turner Valley named the Friendship Trail. It has a hospital, shops, hotels and residences, an elementary school [K-6] and highschool [7-12] as well a hockey rink and...
and Turner Valley
Turner Valley, Alberta
Turner Valley is a town in Alberta, Canada. It is located southwest of Calgary.Situated on Highway 22 , the town was once the centre of an oil and natural gas boom. For 30 years, the Turner Valley Oilfields was a major supplier of oil and gas and the largest producer in the British Empire, but is...
.
Calgary Regional Partnership
Founded in 1999, the Calgary Regional Partnership (CRP) is a cooperative between 15 urban municipalities in the greater Calgary area that deals with regional growth and planning issues. The CRP's motto is Thinking regionally... acting locally...Membership
The CRP's current membership includes two cities (Airdrie and Calgary), 12 towns (BanffBanff, Alberta
Banff is a town within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It is located in Alberta's Rockies along the Trans-Canada Highway, approximately west of Calgary and east of Lake Louise....
, Black Diamond, Canmore
Canmore, Alberta
Canmore is a town in Alberta, Canada, located approximately west of the City of Calgary near the southeast boundary of Banff National Park. It is located in the Bow Valley within Alberta's Rockies. The town shares a border with Kananaskis Country to the west and south and the Municipal District of...
, Chestermere, Cochrane, Crossfield, High River, Irricana, Nanton
Nanton, Alberta
Nanton is a town in southern Alberta, Canada. Nanton was named after Sir Augustus Meredith Nanton, of Winnipeg who directed firms that offered financing for farms and ranches throughout the west...
, Okotoks, Strathmore
Strathmore, Alberta
Strathmore is a town located along the Trans-Canada Highway in southern Alberta, Canada, east of the city of Calgary, within the boundaries of Wheatland County.- History :...
, and Turner Valley), and one townsite (Redwood Meadows). Of these 15 municipalities, four of the 12 towns (Banff, Canmore, Nanton, and Strathmore) are outside, but in proximity to, the Calgary Region's boundaries as defined in this article. Of the remaining eight towns, four of them (Black Diamond, High River, Okotoks, and Turner Valley) are outside of the Calgary CMA boundaries as defined by Statistics Canada.
Past members
Membership in the CRP once consisted of the four municipal districts that surround 14 of the 15 current municipal members. These included the M.D. of Bighorn No. 8Bighorn No. 8, Alberta
The Municipal District of Bighorn No. 8 is a municipal district situated in Census Division No. 15 of Alberta, Canada. It is located between Calgary and Banff National Park, north of Kananaskis Improvement District. Highway 1 bisects this county.It was created as a municipal district on January 1,...
, the M.D. of Foothills No. 31, Rocky View County, and Wheatland County
Wheatland County, Alberta
Wheatland County is a municipal district in south-central Alberta, Canada, east of Calgary.It is located in Census Division 5. The municipal seat is the Town of Strathmore.-Demographics:...
. The M.D. of Bighorn No. 8 pulled out of the CRP in March 2009 due to the lack of opportunity for infrastructure connectivity to the balance of the Calgary Region. In June 2009, the latter three opposed the Calgary Metropolitan Plan that was being considered for approval by the CRP's member municipalities. All three subsequently withdrew from the CRP in September 2009.
List of municipalities
The following is a list of municipalities in the Calgary Region. Those municipalities that are within the region and are either part of the Calgary CMA, members of the CRP or both are indicated accordingly. CRP members that are proximate to, yet located outside of, the Calgary Region, such as BanffBanff, Alberta
Banff is a town within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It is located in Alberta's Rockies along the Trans-Canada Highway, approximately west of Calgary and east of Lake Louise....
, Canmore
Canmore, Alberta
Canmore is a town in Alberta, Canada, located approximately west of the City of Calgary near the southeast boundary of Banff National Park. It is located in the Bow Valley within Alberta's Rockies. The town shares a border with Kananaskis Country to the west and south and the Municipal District of...
and Strathmore
Strathmore, Alberta
Strathmore is a town located along the Trans-Canada Highway in southern Alberta, Canada, east of the city of Calgary, within the boundaries of Wheatland County.- History :...
, are not listed as they are considered to be located within the neighbouring regions of Alberta's Rockies
Alberta's Rockies
Alberta's Rockies comprises the Canadian Rockies in the province of Alberta, Canada. It is a region on the southwestern part of the province, along the British Columbia border. It covers all but the south of Census Division 15....
and Southern Alberta
Southern Alberta
Southern Alberta is a region located in the Canadian province of Alberta. As of the year 2004, the region's population was approximately 272,017. The primary cities are Lethbridge and Medicine Hat...
.
| Municipality | Municipal Status |
Federal Census Population (2006) |
Latest Municipal Census Population (2006-2010) |
Latest Municipal Census Year |
Calgary CMA |
CRP Member |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airdrie Airdrie, Alberta Airdrie is a city in Alberta, Canada, located just north of Calgary within the Calgary–Edmonton Corridor. The City of Airdrie is part of Calgary's Census Metropolitan Area and a member community of the Calgary Regional Partnership . Due to its proximity to Calgary, Airdrie's population has been... |
City | 28,927 | 39,822 | 2010 | Y | Y |
| Beiseker Beiseker, Alberta Beiseker is a village in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is approximately northeast of Calgary. It is considered to be an outermost part of the Calgary Region and is included within Calgary's Census Metropolitan Area... |
Village | 804 | 837 | 2008 | Y | |
| Black Diamond Black Diamond, Alberta Black Diamond is a sister town to Turner Valley. There exists a three-kilometer trail next to the roadway between Black Diamond and Turner Valley named the Friendship Trail. It has a hospital, shops, hotels and residences, an elementary school [K-6] and highschool [7-12] as well a hockey rink and... |
Town | 1,900 | 2,308 | 2009 | Y | |
| Calgary Calgary Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies... |
City | 988,193 | 1,071,515 | 2010 | Y | Y |
| Chestermere Chestermere, Alberta Chestermere is a town adjacent to the City of Calgary in the Province of Alberta, Canada within Rocky View County. It is largely a bedroom community of Calgary and is a member municipality of the Calgary Regional Partnership... |
Town | 9,564 | 14,285 | 2010 | Y | Y |
| Cochrane Cochrane, Alberta Cochrane is a town in the Canadian province of Alberta. The town is located 18 km west of the Calgary city limits along Highway 1A. With a population of 15,424 , Cochrane is the second largest town in Alberta and one of the fastest growing communities in Canada... |
Town | 13,760 | 15,424 | 2009 | Y | Y |
| Crossfield Crossfield, Alberta Crossfield is a town in southern Alberta, Canada within Rocky View County.Crossfield is located 43 kilometers or north of the City of Calgary, on Highway 2.... |
Town | 2,648 | 2,861 | 2010 | Y | Y |
| Eden Valley 216 Eden Valley 216 Eden Valley 216 is an Indian reserve located near Longview, Alberta. It is shared by the Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Wesley bands of the Nakoda nation.-References:... |
Indian reserve | 370 | ||||
| Foothills No. 31, M.D. of Foothills No. 31, Alberta The Municipal District of Foothills No. 31 is a municipal district in southern Alberta, Canada adjacent to the south side of Calgary in Census Division No. 6... |
Municipal district | 19,736 | ||||
| High River High River, Alberta High River is a town in southwestern Alberta, Canada with a population of 10,716. It is south of the city of Calgary, at the junction of Alberta Highways 2 and 23... |
Town | 10,716 | 11,783 | 2010 | Y | |
| Irricana Irricana, Alberta Irricana is a town in southern Alberta, Canada. It is located in the wide-open spaces of the Canadian prairies, northeast of Calgary, and west of the Drumheller badlands off Highway 9.... |
Town | 1,243 | Y | Y | ||
| Longview Longview, Alberta Longview is a village in southern Alberta, Canada. It is located in the Canadian Rockies foothills, on Cowboy Trail, 32 km west of High River and 64 km south of Calgary... |
Village | 300 | 334 | 2007 | ||
| Okotoks Okotoks, Alberta Okotoks is a town situated on the Sheep River, south of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The town is a member of the Calgary Regional Partnership, a cooperative of communities within the Calgary Region. Okotoks has become a popular bedroom community for the City of Calgary... |
Town | 17,145 | 23,201 | 2010 | Y | |
| Rocky View County | Municipal district | 34,171 | 34,597 | 2006 | Y | |
| Tsuu T'ina Nation 145 Tsuu T'ina Nation 145, Alberta Tsuu T'ina Nation 145 is the name of an Indian reserve in southern Alberta, Canada. It is the home of the Tsuu T'ina Nation. The reserve was created by Treaty 7. Reserve lands are between Southwest Calgary, Alberta in the east and Bragg Creek, Alberta in the west. The north boundary is just... |
Indian reserve | n/a | 1,443 | 2009 | Y | |
| Turner Valley Turner Valley, Alberta Turner Valley is a town in Alberta, Canada. It is located southwest of Calgary.Situated on Highway 22 , the town was once the centre of an oil and natural gas boom. For 30 years, the Turner Valley Oilfields was a major supplier of oil and gas and the largest producer in the British Empire, but is... |
Town | 1,908 | 2,022 | 2008 | Y |
See also
- CalgaryCalgaryCalgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
- Calgary-Edmonton CorridorCalgary-Edmonton CorridorThe Calgary–Edmonton Corridor is a geographical region of the Canadian province of Alberta. It is the most urbanized area in Alberta and is one of Canada's four most urban regions. It consists of Statistics Canada census divisions No. 11, No. 8, and No. 6. Measured from north to south, the region...
- Edmonton Capital RegionEdmonton Capital RegionThe Edmonton Capital Region , also commonly referred to as the Alberta Capital Region, Greater Edmonton or Metro Edmonton, is a conglomeration of municipalities centred around Edmonton – Alberta's provincial capital....
- Census Metropolitan Area