List of cities in Alberta
Encyclopedia
A city is the highest form of all incorporated urban municipality statuses used in the Canadian Province of Alberta
. Alberta cities are created when communities with populations of at least 10,000 people, where a majority of their buildings are on parcels of land smaller than 1,850 m², apply to Alberta Municipal Affairs
for city status under the authority of the Municipal Government Act. Applications for city status are approved via orders in council made by the Lieutenant Governor in Council under recommendation from the Minister of Municipal Affairs.
Alberta has 17 cities with a cumulative population of 2,394,041 (not including the population in the Saskatchewan
portion of Lloydminster
) and an average population of 140,826. Alberta's largest and smallest cities are Calgary
and Lacombe
with populations of 1,071,515 and 11,733 respectively.
Alberta welcomed Lacombe as its 17th city on September 5, 2010.
143 elected city officials (17 mayors and 126 councillors) ensure city governance throughout the province.
The highest density of cities in Alberta is found in the Edmonton Capital Region
(Edmonton
, Fort Saskatchewan
, Leduc
, Spruce Grove
and St. Albert
) with another two just outside the region to the southeast (Camrose
and Wetaskiwin
). The Calgary Region
has two cities (Airdrie
and Calgary
).
City councils are governed by a mayor that is elected at large and an even number of councillors, resulting in a total odd number of councillors to avoid tie votes on council matters. For the councillors, a city council may establish ward systems with the same amount of councillors per ward. In order to be elected as a councillor of a ward, the candidate must be a resident of that ward. If no ward system is in place, councillors are elected at large like the mayor.
All city councillors are elected by popular vote
under the provisions of the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA). Mayoral or councillor candidates are required to be residents of their municipality for a minimum of six consecutive months prior to nomination day. The last municipal election for all cities, with the exception of the border city of Lloydminster
, was held October 18, 2010
. Lloydminster's elections are aligned with Saskatchewan's municipal election schedule.
Alberta Municipal Affairs, a ministry of the Cabinet of Alberta
, is charged with coordination of all levels of local government.
Administrative duties of cities include public safety, local transit, roads, water service, drainage and waste collection, as well as coordination of infrastructure with provincial and regional authorities (including road construction, education, and health).
>
Notes:
incorporated as a city on March 15, 1907, and subsequently amalgamated with Edmonton on February 1, 1912. Fort McMurray was incorporated as a city on September 1, 1980, but reverted to its current urban service area form as a result of its amalgamation with Improvement District (I.D.) No. 143 on April 1, 1995. The Town of Drumheller was incorporated as a city on April 3, 1930 (well before the current requirement to have a population in excess of 10,000 people), and reverted to town status on January 1, 1998, when it amalgamated with the surrounding Municipal District of Badlands No. 7.
, Chestermere, Cochrane
, High River, Okotoks, Stony Plain
, Strathmore
, and Sylvan Lake
– that are eligible for city status having populations in excess of 10,000.
Strathmore surveyed its residents on becoming a city in its 2010 municipal census. Of a total of 4,912 dwelling units surveyed, 1,784 (36%) expressed support for changing to city status during the town's centennial, while 1,434 (29%) expressed opposition. Its town council approved initiation of extensive public consultation on changing to city status in July 2011.
The Town of Hinton
has recently expressed interest in incorporating as a city once it surpasses 10,000 people.
Alberta's two urban service areas – Fort McMurray and Sherwood Park – are also eligible for city status. As noted above, Fort McMurray was previously incorporated as a city until it amalgamated with I.D. No. 143 on April 1, 1995. Meanwhile, Sherwood Park has remained a hamlet since its first residents arrived in 1955 and, in 1987, 89% of Strathcona County
residents voted in favour of maintaining a single municipal government for Sherwood Park and the rural portion of the county. If they were to incorporate as cities, Fort McMurray and Sherwood Park would rank fifth and sixth respectively among Alberta's largest cities by population.
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...
. Alberta cities are created when communities with populations of at least 10,000 people, where a majority of their buildings are on parcels of land smaller than 1,850 m², apply to Alberta Municipal Affairs
Alberta Municipal Affairs
Alberta Municipal Affairs is a ministry of the Executive Council of Alberta. Its major responsibilities include assisting municipalities in the provision of local government, administering a safety system for the construction and maintenance of buildings and equipment, and managing Alberta's...
for city status under the authority of the Municipal Government Act. Applications for city status are approved via orders in council made by the Lieutenant Governor in Council under recommendation from the Minister of Municipal Affairs.
Alberta has 17 cities with a cumulative population of 2,394,041 (not including the population in the 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....
portion of Lloydminster
Lloydminster
Lloydminster is a Canadian city which has the unusual geographic distinction of straddling the provincial border between Alberta and Saskatchewan...
) and an average population of 140,826. Alberta's largest and smallest cities are 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...
and Lacombe
Lacombe, Alberta
Lacombe is a city in Alberta, Canada. It is located north of Red Deer, the nearest major city, and south of Edmonton, the nearest metropolitan area...
with populations of 1,071,515 and 11,733 respectively.
Alberta welcomed Lacombe as its 17th city on September 5, 2010.
143 elected city officials (17 mayors and 126 councillors) ensure city governance throughout the province.
The highest density of cities in Alberta is found in the Edmonton Capital Region
Edmonton Capital Region
The 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....
(Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, Fort Saskatchewan
Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta
Fort Saskatchewan is a city in Alberta, Canada, located northeast of downtown Edmonton, Alberta's capital city, along the North Saskatchewan River. Fort Saskatchewan is part of the Edmonton Census Metropolitan Area and is one of 24 municipalities on the Capital Region Board...
, Leduc
Leduc, Alberta
- Demographics :The population of the City of Leduc according to its 2011 municipal census is 24,139, a 3.6% increase over its 2010 municipal census population of 23,293....
, Spruce Grove
Spruce Grove, Alberta
Spruce Grove is a city in the vicinity of Edmonton, Alberta. Like nearby Stony Plain it is surrounded by Parkland County.With a population of 24,646, Spruce Grove is the 11th largest city in Alberta. The Horizon Stage Performing Arts Centre is the local theatre, and its TransAlta Tri Leisure Centre...
and St. Albert
St. Albert, Alberta
St. Albert is a suburban city in Alberta, located northwest of Edmonton, on the Sturgeon River. It was originally settled as a Métis community, and is now the second largest city in the Edmonton area. St...
) with another two just outside the region to the southeast (Camrose
Camrose, Alberta
Camrose is a city in central Alberta, Canada, amid some of the richest farmland in the prairies. It is a relatively small city which originally grew up along a railroad and now grows along Highway 13. Camrose is a scenic community with many parks, leading to its moniker "The Rose City"...
and Wetaskiwin
Wetaskiwin, Alberta
Wetaskiwin is a small city in the province of Alberta, Canada. The city is located south of the provincial capital of Edmonton. The city name comes from the Cree word wītaskīwin-ispatinaw , meaning "the hills where peace was made"....
). The Calgary Region
Calgary Region
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 District of Foothills No. 31 and the municipalities it encloses. The Calgary Census Metropolitan Area and Calgary...
has two cities (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...
and 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...
).
Administration
Pursuant to Part 5, Division 1 of the Municipal Government Act (MGA), each municipality created under the authority of the MGA is governed by a council. As a requirement of the MGA, a city council consists of an odd number of councillors, one of which is the city's chief elected official (CEO) or mayor. A city council consists of seven councillors by default, but it can consist of a higher or lower odd number if council passes a bylaw altering its size (so long as it does not consist of fewer than three councillors).City councils are governed by a mayor that is elected at large and an even number of councillors, resulting in a total odd number of councillors to avoid tie votes on council matters. For the councillors, a city council may establish ward systems with the same amount of councillors per ward. In order to be elected as a councillor of a ward, the candidate must be a resident of that ward. If no ward system is in place, councillors are elected at large like the mayor.
All city councillors are elected by popular vote
Universal suffrage
Universal suffrage consists of the extension of the right to vote to adult citizens as a whole, though it may also mean extending said right to minors and non-citizens...
under the provisions of the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA). Mayoral or councillor candidates are required to be residents of their municipality for a minimum of six consecutive months prior to nomination day. The last municipal election for all cities, with the exception of the border city of Lloydminster
Lloydminster
Lloydminster is a Canadian city which has the unusual geographic distinction of straddling the provincial border between Alberta and Saskatchewan...
, was held October 18, 2010
Alberta municipal elections, 2010
Municipal elections were held in Alberta, Canada on Monday, October 18, 2010. Since 1968, provincial legislation has required every municipality to hold triennial elections...
. Lloydminster's elections are aligned with Saskatchewan's municipal election schedule.
Alberta Municipal Affairs, a ministry of the Cabinet of Alberta
Executive Council of Alberta
The Executive Council of Alberta is the cabinet of that Canadian province.Almost always made up of members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, the Cabinet is similar in structure and role to the Cabinet of Canada while being smaller in size...
, is charged with coordination of all levels of local government.
Administrative duties of cities include public safety, local transit, roads, water service, drainage and waste collection, as well as coordination of infrastructure with provincial and regional authorities (including road construction, education, and health).
List of cities
| City | Incorporation Date (city) |
Council Size |
Region | Area (km², 2008) |
Population | Census Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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... |
7 | Calgary Region Calgary Region 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 District of Foothills No. 31 and the municipalities it encloses. The Calgary Census Metropolitan Area and Calgary... |
34 | 39,822 | 2010 | |
| Brooks Brooks, Alberta Brooks is a city in southeast Alberta, Canada surrounded by the County of Newell. It is located on Highway 1 and the Canadian Pacific Railway, approximately southeast of Calgary, and northwest of Medicine Hat. The city has an elevation of .- History :The area that is now Brooks was originally... |
7 | 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... |
38 | 13,581 | 2007 | |
| 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... |
15 | Calgary Region Calgary Region 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 District of Foothills No. 31 and the municipalities it encloses. The Calgary Census Metropolitan Area and Calgary... |
848 | 1,071,515 | 2010 | |
| Camrose Camrose, Alberta Camrose is a city in central Alberta, Canada, amid some of the richest farmland in the prairies. It is a relatively small city which originally grew up along a railroad and now grows along Highway 13. Camrose is a scenic community with many parks, leading to its moniker "The Rose City"... |
9 | Central Alberta Central Alberta Central Alberta is a region located in the Canadian province of Alberta.Central Alberta is the most densely populated rural area in the province... |
32 | 16,543 | 2008 | |
| Cold Lake Cold Lake, Alberta Cold Lake is a city in northeastern Alberta, Canada, named after the lake it is situated near.-Geography:The city is situated in Alberta's "Lakeland" district, 300 km northeast of Edmonton, near the Alberta-Saskatchewan provincial border. The area surrounding the city is sparsely populated,... |
7 | Central Alberta Central Alberta Central Alberta is a region located in the Canadian province of Alberta.Central Alberta is the most densely populated rural area in the province... |
60 | 13,924 | 2009 | |
| Edmonton Edmonton Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census... |
13 | Edmonton Capital Region Edmonton Capital Region The 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.... |
700 | 782,439 | 2009 | |
| Fort Saskatchewan | 7 | Edmonton Capital Region Edmonton Capital Region The 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.... |
48 | 18,653 | 2010 | |
| Grande Prairie | 9 | Northern Alberta Northern Alberta Northern Alberta is a region located in the Canadian province of Alberta.Its primary industry is oil and gas, with large heavy oil reserves being exploited at the Athabasca Oil Sands and Wabasca Area in the east of the region... |
73 | 50,227 | 2007 | |
| Lacombe Lacombe, Alberta Lacombe is a city in Alberta, Canada. It is located north of Red Deer, the nearest major city, and south of Edmonton, the nearest metropolitan area... |
7 | Central Alberta Central Alberta Central Alberta is a region located in the Canadian province of Alberta.Central Alberta is the most densely populated rural area in the province... |
18 | 11,733 | 2009 | |
| Leduc Leduc, Alberta - Demographics :The population of the City of Leduc according to its 2011 municipal census is 24,139, a 3.6% increase over its 2010 municipal census population of 23,293.... |
7 | Edmonton Capital Region Edmonton Capital Region The 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.... |
38 | 23,293 | 2010 | |
| Lethbridge Lethbridge Lethbridge is a city in the province of Alberta, Canada, and the largest city in southern Alberta. It is Alberta's fourth-largest city by population after Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer, and the third-largest by area after Calgary and Edmonton. The nearby Canadian Rockies contribute to the city's... |
9 | 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... |
124 | 86,659 | 2010 | |
| Lloydminster Lloydminster Lloydminster is a Canadian city which has the unusual geographic distinction of straddling the provincial border between Alberta and Saskatchewan... |
7 | Central Alberta Central Alberta Central Alberta is a region located in the Canadian province of Alberta.Central Alberta is the most densely populated rural area in the province... |
42 | 26,502 Includes 9,100 in the 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.... portion of Lloydminster. |
2009 | |
| Medicine Hat | 9 | 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... |
120 | 61,097 | 2009 | |
| Red Deer Red Deer, Alberta Red Deer is a city in Central Alberta, Canada. It is located near the midpoint of the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor and is surrounded by Red Deer County. It is Alberta's third-most-populous city – after Calgary and Edmonton. The city is located in aspen parkland, a region of rolling hills... |
9 | Central Alberta Central Alberta Central Alberta is a region located in the Canadian province of Alberta.Central Alberta is the most densely populated rural area in the province... |
76 | 90,084 | 2010 | |
| Spruce Grove | 7 | Edmonton Capital Region Edmonton Capital Region The 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.... |
32 | 24,646 | 2010 | |
| St. Albert St. Albert, Alberta St. Albert is a suburban city in Alberta, located northwest of Edmonton, on the Sturgeon River. It was originally settled as a Métis community, and is now the second largest city in the Edmonton area. St... |
7 | Edmonton Capital Region Edmonton Capital Region The 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.... |
50 | 60,138 | 2010 | |
| Wetaskiwin | 7 | Central Alberta Central Alberta Central Alberta is a region located in the Canadian province of Alberta.Central Alberta is the most densely populated rural area in the province... |
17 | 12,285 | 2009 |
Notes:
Former cities
Alberta has recognized three other cities in its history. The Town of StrathconaStrathcona, Alberta
Strathcona was a city in Alberta, Canada, located on the south of the North Saskatchewan River opposite of the City of Edmonton. It amalgamated with Edmonton on February 1, 1912....
incorporated as a city on March 15, 1907, and subsequently amalgamated with Edmonton on February 1, 1912. Fort McMurray was incorporated as a city on September 1, 1980, but reverted to its current urban service area form as a result of its amalgamation with Improvement District (I.D.) No. 143 on April 1, 1995. The Town of Drumheller was incorporated as a city on April 3, 1930 (well before the current requirement to have a population in excess of 10,000 people), and reverted to town status on January 1, 1998, when it amalgamated with the surrounding Municipal District of Badlands No. 7.
| Community | Date of City Incorporation |
Previous Municipal Status |
Date of Subsequent Status Change |
Subsequent Municipal Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drumheller | Town | Town | ||
| Fort McMurray | New town | Urban service area | ||
| Strathcona Strathcona, Alberta Strathcona was a city in Alberta, Canada, located on the south of the North Saskatchewan River opposite of the City of Edmonton. It amalgamated with Edmonton on February 1, 1912.... |
Town | City amalgamation |
City status eligibility
There are currently nine towns – Beaumont, CanmoreCanmore, 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
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...
, High River, Okotoks, Stony Plain
Stony Plain, Alberta
Stony Plain is a large town in rural Alberta, Canada, just west of Edmonton.Stony Plain is a rapidly growing town with strong historical roots. It is located west of Spruce Grove and surrounded by Parkland County. The town is governed by one mayor and six councillors. The region is dominated by...
, 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 Sylvan Lake
Sylvan Lake, Alberta
Sylvan Lake is a town in central Alberta, Canada. It is located west of the City of Red Deer along Highway 11 or Highway 11A. It is situated on the southeast edge of Sylvan Lake, a long freshwater lake, in Red Deer County....
– that are eligible for city status having populations in excess of 10,000.
Strathmore surveyed its residents on becoming a city in its 2010 municipal census. Of a total of 4,912 dwelling units surveyed, 1,784 (36%) expressed support for changing to city status during the town's centennial, while 1,434 (29%) expressed opposition. Its town council approved initiation of extensive public consultation on changing to city status in July 2011.
The Town of Hinton
Hinton, Alberta
Hinton is a town in west-central Alberta, Canada.It is located in Yellowhead County, northeast of Jasper and about west of Alberta's capital city, Edmonton, at the intersection of Yellowhead and Bighorn Highway, in the Athabasca River valley.-History:...
has recently expressed interest in incorporating as a city once it surpasses 10,000 people.
Alberta's two urban service areas – Fort McMurray and Sherwood Park – are also eligible for city status. As noted above, Fort McMurray was previously incorporated as a city until it amalgamated with I.D. No. 143 on April 1, 1995. Meanwhile, Sherwood Park has remained a hamlet since its first residents arrived in 1955 and, in 1987, 89% of Strathcona County
Strathcona County, Alberta
Strathcona County is a specialized municipality in central Alberta, Canada between Edmonton and Elk Island National Park.It is located in Division No. 11 and is also part of the Edmonton Census Metropolitan Area. More than half of the population lives in Sherwood Park, a large community east of...
residents voted in favour of maintaining a single municipal government for Sherwood Park and the rural portion of the county. If they were to incorporate as cities, Fort McMurray and Sherwood Park would rank fifth and sixth respectively among Alberta's largest cities by population.
See also
- List of communities in Alberta
- List of towns in Alberta
- List of villages in Alberta
- List of summer villages in Alberta
- List of hamlets in Alberta
- List of census divisions of Alberta
- List of urban areas in Alberta
- List of municipal districts in Alberta
- List of mayors in Alberta