List_of_municipalities_in_Alberta

List of municipalities in Alberta

List of municipalities in Alberta

Add article description

Alberta is the fourth-most populous province in Canada with 4,262,635 residents as of 2021 Census of Population and is the fourth-largest in land area at 634,658 km2 (245,043 sq mi).[1] Alberta's 344 municipalities cover 99.7% of the province's land mass and are home to 99% of its population.[2][lower-alpha 1] These municipalities provide local government services, including roads, water, sewer and garbage collection among others, and a variety of programs to their residents.[4][5]

Location of Alberta in Canada
Distribution of Alberta's 6 specialized municipalities (red) and 73 rural municipalities, which include municipal districts (orange), improvement districts (dark green) and special areas (light green)

According to the Municipal Government Act (MGA), which was enacted in 2000, a municipality in Alberta is "a city, town, village, summer village, municipal district or specialized municipality, a town under the Parks Towns Act, or a municipality formed by special Act".[6] The MGA also recognizes improvement districts and special areas as municipal authorities while Metis settlements are recognized as municipalities by the Government of Alberta's Ministry of Municipal Affairs.[6][7] Cities, towns, villages, summer villages, municipal districts, specialized municipalities and improvement districts are formed under the provincial authority of the MGA.[6] Special areas and Metis settlements are formed under the provincial authority of the Special Areas Act (SAA) and the Metis Settlements Act (MSA) respectively, of which both were enacted in 2000.[8][9] As provincial law, the MGA, the SAA and the MSA were passed by the Legislative Assembly of Alberta with royal assent granted by the Lieutenant Governor.[10]

Of Alberta's 344 municipalities, 257 of them are urban municipalities (19 cities, 106 towns, 81 villages and 51 summer villages), 6 are specialized municipalities, 73 are rural municipalities (63 municipal districts, 7 improvement districts and 3 special areas) and 8 are Metis settlements.[2] The MGA, the SAA and the MSA stipulate governance of these municipalities.[6][8][9] Alberta's Ministry of Municipal Affairs is responsible for providing provincial services to municipalities.[11]

Over half of Alberta's population resides in its two largest cities. Calgary, the largest city, is home to 30.7% of the province's population (1,306,784 residents), while Edmonton, Alberta's capital city, is home to 23.7% (1,010,899 residents).[3] Improvement District No. 13 (Elk Island). Improvement District No. 12 (Jasper National Park) and Improvement District No. 25 (Willmore Wilderness) are Alberta's smallest municipalities by population; they are unpopulated according to the 2021 Census of Population.[3][lower-alpha 2] The largest municipality by land area is Mackenzie County at 79,629.26 km2 (30,745.03 sq mi), while the smallest by land area is the Summer Village of Castle Island at 0.05 km2 (0.019 sq mi).[3]

Urban municipalities

Locations of Alberta's urban municipalities
Distribution of Alberta's 260 urban municipalities including 19 cities (black), 106 towns (dark purple), 81 villages (light purple) and 51 summer villages (pink) (2011)

Alberta's Municipal Government Act (MGA), enacted in 2000, defines urban municipality as a "city, town, village or summer village."[6] For federal census purposes, Statistics Canada recognizes all four urban municipality types as census subdivisions.[13]

Combined, Alberta has 257 urban municipalities comprising 19 cities, 106 towns, 81 villages and 51 summer villages.[2] The 257 urban municipalities have a total population of 3,533,377, a total land area of 4,052.34 km2 (1,564.62 sq mi). These totals represent 83% of Alberta's population yet only 0.6% of its land area.

Cities

Main article: List of cities in Alberta

The MGA stipulates that an area may incorporate as a city if it has a population of 10,000 people or more and the majority of its buildings are on parcels of land smaller than 1,850 m2 (19,900 sq ft).[6] Alberta has 19 cities that had a cumulative population of 3,023,641 in the 2021 Census of Population.[2][3] These 19 cities include Lloydminster, of which a portion is located within the neighbouring province of Saskatchewan.[14] Alberta's largest city by population and land area is Calgary with 1,306,784 and 820.62 km2 (316.84 sq mi), while Wetaskiwin is its smallest city by population with 12,594 and land area at 18.75 km2 (7.24 sq mi).[3] Beaumont is Alberta's newest city; it became Alberta's 19th city on January 1, 2019.[15]

Towns

Main article: List of towns in Alberta

The MGA stipulates that an area may incorporate as a town if it has a population of 1,000 people or more and the majority of its buildings are on parcels of land smaller than 1,850 m2 (19,900 sq ft).[6] Alberta has 105 towns that had a cumulative population of 471,028 in the 2021 Census of Population.[2][3][16] The province's largest and smallest towns by population are Cochrane and Rainbow Lake with 32,199 and 495 respectively, while its largest and smallest by land area are Drumheller and Eckville with 107.56 km2 (41.53 sq mi) and 1.61 km2 (0.62 sq mi) respectively.[3] Diamond Valley is Alberta's newest town, formed by the amalgamation of Black Diamond and Turner Valley on January 1, 2023.[17]

Villages

Main article: List of villages in Alberta

The MGA stipulates that an area may incorporate as a village if it has a population of 300 people or more and the majority of its buildings are on parcels of land smaller than 1,850 m2 (19,900 sq ft).[6] Alberta has 81 villages that had a cumulative population of 32,753 in the 2021 Census of Population.[2][3] The province's largest and smallest villages by population are Stirling and Halkirk with 1,164 and 92 respectively, while its largest and smallest by land area are Chipman and Edberg with 9.60 km2 (3.71 sq mi) and 0.35 km2 (0.14 sq mi) respectively.[3] The last communities to incorporate as villages were Alberta Beach and Spring Lake, which both changed from summer villages to villages on January 1, 1999.[18]

Summer villages

Main article: List of summer villages in Alberta

Under previous legislation, a community could incorporate as a summer village if it had "a minimum of 50 separate buildings occupied as dwellings at any time during a six-month period".[19] A community can no longer incorporate as a summer village under the MGA.[6][20]

Alberta has 51 summer villages that had a cumulative population of 5,955 in the 2021 Census of Population.[2][3] The province's largest summer village by population is Norglenwold with 306, while Castle Island is Alberta's smallest summer village with a population of 15.[3] The province's largest and smallest summer villages by land area are Silver Sands and Castle Island with 2.51 km2 (0.97 sq mi) and 0.05 km2 (0.019 sq mi) respectively.[3] Gull Lake and Kapasiwin were the last communities in Alberta to incorporate as summer villages. Both were incorporated on September 1, 1993.[21] Since then, two summer villages have incorporated as villages (Alberta Beach and Edmonton Beach, now named Spring Lake) and one has dissolved (White Gull).[18][22]

List of urban municipalities

  • Skyline of Calgary
    Calgary, Alberta's largest city
  • Skyline of Edmonton
    Edmonton, Alberta's capital and second largest city
  • Aerial view of Red Deer
    Red Deer, Alberta's third largest city, is located at the midpoint between Calgary and Edmonton.
  • Skyline of Lethbridge
    Lethbridge is Alberta's fourth largest city.
  • Downtown Airdrie
    Airdrie, Alberta's fifth largest city, is located adjacent to Calgary.
More information Name, Status ...

Specialized municipalities

Distribution of Alberta's six specialized municipalities and three urban service areas (2020)
Sherwood Park is an urban service area within Strathcona County.
Fort McMurray is an urban service area within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
Main article: List of specialized municipalities in Alberta

Specialized municipalities in Alberta are unique local governments.[25] Alberta's Municipal Government Act (MGA), enacted in 2000, provides the authority to form a specialized municipality under the following scenarios:[6]

  • where the Minister of Municipal Affairs is satisfied that the other incorporated statuses under the MGA do not meet the needs of the proposed municipality's residents;
  • to form a local government that, in the opinion of the Minister of Municipal Affairs, will provide for the orderly development of the municipality in a similar fashion to the other incorporated statuses within the MGA, including other previously incorporated specialized municipalities; or
  • for any other circumstances that are deemed appropriate by the Minister of Municipal Affairs.

Alberta has six specialized municipalities, which are recognized as census subdivisions by Statistics Canada.[2][13] In the 2021 Census of Population, they had a cumulative population of 202,461, a total land area of 155,463.32 km2 (60,024.72 sq mi).[3] These totals represent 5% of Alberta's population yet 24.5% of its land area.

The province's largest and smallest specialized municipalities by population are Strathcona County and the Municipality of Jasper with 99,225 and 4,738 respectively, while its largest and smallest by land area are Mackenzie County and the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass with 79,629.26 km2 (30,745.03 sq mi) and 370.15 km2 (142.92 sq mi) respectively.[3] Lac La Biche County is Alberta's newest specialized municipality, which was formed on January 1, 2018.[26] Alberta's first specialized municipality was the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, which formed on April 1, 1995.[26]

Strathcona County and the Regional Municipality (RM) of Wood Buffalo are home to the unincorporated hamlets of Sherwood Park and Fort McMurray respectively.[27] These communities are designated urban service areas, which are deemed equivalents of cities.[28][29] Excluding Sherwood Park and Fort McMurray, 18 other unincorporated communities, also recognized as hamlets by Alberta Municipal Affairs, are distributed among Mackenzie County, Strathcona County and the RM of Wood Buffalo.[27]

More information Name, Region ...

Rural municipalities

Distribution of Alberta's 73 rural municipalities as of May 2021 including 63 municipal districts (orange), 7 improvement districts (green) and 3 special areas (brown)

Rural municipalities in Alberta include municipal districts, improvement districts and special areas.[32] For federal census purposes, Statistics Canada recognizes all three rural municipality types as census subdivisions.[13] However, Statistics Canada embeds Alberta's eight Metis settlements, a separate type of municipality, into the census subdivisions for six municipal districts.[33]

Combined, Alberta has 73 rural municipalities comprising 63 municipal districts, 7 improvement districts and 3 special areas.[2] The 73 rural municipalities have a total population of 481,120, a total land area of 468,246.83 km2 (180,791.11 sq mi).[3][lower-alpha 6] These totals represent 11% of Alberta's population yet 73.8% of its land area.

Municipal districts

Main article: List of municipal districts in Alberta

In Alberta, a municipal district, typically branded as a county, is a type of rural municipality.[32] The MGA, enacted in 2000, stipulates that an area may incorporate as a municipal district if it has a population of 1,000 people or more and the majority of its buildings are on parcels of land larger than 1,850 m2 (19,900 sq ft).[6]

Alberta has 63 municipal districts that had a cumulative population of 470,620 in the 2021 Census of Population.[2][3] The province's largest and smallest municipal districts by population are Rocky View County and the Municipal District (MD) of Ranchland No. 66 with 41,028 and 110 respectively, while its largest and smallest by land area are the MD of Greenview No. 16 and the MD of Spirit River No. 133 with 32,925.53 km2 (12,712.62 sq mi) and 679.86 km2 (262.50 sq mi) respectively.[3] Unincorporated communities recognized as hamlets by Alberta Municipal Affairs are located within every municipal district with the exception of Mountain View County, the MD of Ranchland No. 66 and the MD of Spirit River No. 133.[27]

Improvement districts

In Alberta, an improvement district is a type of rural municipality that can be incorporated by the Lieutenant Governor in Council on the recommendation of Alberta's Minister of Municipal Affairs under the authority of the MGA.[6][32] Improvement districts are administered by the Province of Alberta through its Ministry of Municipal Affairs.[32]

Alberta had eight improvement districts that had a cumulative population of 2,024 in the 2021 Census of Population.[2][3] The number of improvement districts was reduced to seven on May 1, 2021 when Improvement District (ID) No. 349 dissolved by way of annexation to the MD of Bonnyville No. 87.[34] Five of Alberta's improvement districts are within national parks while two are within provincial parks.[32] Alberta's largest improvement district by population is ID No. 9, located within Banff National Park, with 1,004, while its largest by land area is ID No. 24, located within Wood Buffalo National Park, at 33,053.78 km2 (12,762.14 sq mi).[3][32] ID No. 13 (Elk Island), ID No. 12 (Jasper National Park) and ID No. 25 (Willmore Wilderness) are unpopulated,[lower-alpha 2] while its smallest by land area is ID No. 13 (Elk Island) at 165.00 km2 (63.71 sq mi).[3] Alberta Municipal Affairs recognizes two unincorporated communities within improvement districts as hamlets – Lake Louise within ID No. 9 (Banff National Park) and Waterton Park within ID No. 4 (Waterton Lakes National Park).[27]

Special areas

Main article: Special Areas Board

In Alberta, a special area is a type of rural municipality that can be incorporated by the Lieutenant Governor in Council under the authority of the Special Areas Act, which was enacted in 2000.[8][32] They were originally created in 1938 as a result of hardship brought upon a particular area in southeastern Alberta during the drought of the 1930s.[32]

Alberta has three special areas that had a cumulative population of 4,238 in the 2021 Census of Populations.[2][3] The province's largest by population and land area is Special Area (SA) No. 2 with 1,860 and 9,195.06 km2 (3,550.23 sq mi) respectively. Alberta's smallest by population is SA No. 3 with 1,142, while its smallest by land area is SA No. 4 with 4,299.80 km2 (1,660.16 sq mi).[3] The last special area to form was SA No. 4, which incorporated on January 1, 1969 through the removal of certain lands from SA No. 3.[35] The three special areas are administered as a single unit by the Special Areas Board, and are home to 16 unincorporated communities recognized as hamlets by Alberta Municipal Affairs.[32][35]

List of rural municipalities

More information Name, Status ...

Metis settlements

Distribution of Alberta's 8 Metis settlements among its 63 municipal districts (2020)
Main article: Metis in Alberta

Metis settlements are unique local governments dedicated to Alberta's Metis people.[38][lower-alpha 13] The settlements were originally created in 1938 under the authority of the Metis Population Betterment Act with land and governance being transferred to the settlements in 1989.[38] Metis settlements are presently under the jurisdiction of the Metis Settlements Act, which was enacted in 2000.[9]

Alberta has eight Metis settlements.[2] Unlike the other types of municipalities, Metis settlements are not recognized as census subdivisions by Statistics Canada for federal census purposes.[13] Rather, Statistics Canada recognizes them as designated places embedded within six municipal districts.[33]

Alberta's eight Metis settlements had a cumulative population of 4,238 in the 2021 Census of Population.[31][39] The province's largest and smallest Metis settlements by population are Kikino and East Prairie with 978 and 310 respectively, while the largest and smallest by land area are Paddle Prairie and Elizabeth at 1,726.45 km2 (666.59 sq mi) and 246.45 km2 (95.15 sq mi) respectively.[31]

More information Name, 2021 Census of Population ...

See also

Notes

  1. The remaining 1% of Alberta's population resides on Indian reserves or Indian settlements, which occupy the remaining 0.3% of the province's land mass.[3]
  2. Actual population may not be 0 as Statistics Canada, to protect privacy, rounds population to the nearest 5 in the event a geographic area's actual population is less than 15.[12]
  3. Jasper's 2011 municipal census also counted a shadow (non-permanent resident) population of 652 for a combined population of 5,236.
  4. Excludes the unpopulated land area of the portion of the Kikino Metis Settlement that is within Lac La Biche County.
  5. Wood Buffalo's 2015 municipal census also counted a shadow population of 43,084 for a combined population of 125,032.
  6. Statistics presented for six municipal districts (the Big Lakes County, the MD of Bonnyville No. 87, Lac La Biche County, the County of Northern Lights, Northern Sunrise County and Smoky Lake County) differ from statistics for their corresponding census subdivisions published by Statistics Canada to recognize that Alberta's eight Metis settlements, which are designated places located within these six municipal districts, are separate municipalities.[33] The statistics presented for total municipal districts and total rural municipalities therefore exclude the statistics associated with the eight Metis settlements.
  7. Excludes the populations and land areas of the East Prairie and Peavine Metis settlements and the portion of the Gift Lake Metis Settlement that are within Big Lakes County.
  8. Includes the population and land area of the former Improvement District No. 349 that dissolved by way of annexation to the MD of Bonnyville No. 87 on May 1, 2021.[34]
  9. Excludes the populations and land areas of the Elizabeth and Fishing Lake Metis settlements that are within the Municipal District of Bonnyville No. 87.
  10. Excludes the population and land area of the Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement that is within the County of Northern Lights.
  11. Excludes the unpopulated land area of the portion of the Gift Lake Metis Settlement that is within Northern Sunrise County.
  12. Excludes the populations and land areas of the Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement and the portion of the Kikino Metis Settlement that are within Smoky Lake County.
  13. The Metis are descendants of people of mixed First Nations and European heritage.
  14. Gift Lake comprises two parts. The majority is located within Big Lakes County, while the balance is located within Northern Sunrise County. The Big Lakes County portion (part "A") had a population of 625 living on 802.46 km2 (309.83 sq mi) in 2021, while the Northern Sunrise County portion (part "B") had a population of 0 living on 0.83 km2 (0.32 sq mi).[31]
  15. Kikino comprises two parts. The majority is located within Smoky Lake County, while the balance is located within Lac La Biche County. The Smoky Lake County portion (part "A") had a population of 978 living on 440.92 km2 (170.24 sq mi) in 2021, while the Lac La Biche County portion (part "B") had a population of 0 living on 0.77 km2 (0.30 sq mi).[31]

References

  1. [1]
    "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, 2021 and 2016 censuses – 100% data". Statistics Canada. March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  2. [2]
    "2021 Municipal Codes" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. February 11, 2021. p. 1 of 13. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  3. [3]
    "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), Alberta". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  4. [4]
    "What Are Municipalities?". Alberta Municipal Affairs. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
  5. [5]
    "The Provisions of Programs and Services Through Municipalities". Alberta Municipal Affairs. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
  6. [6]
    "Municipal Government Act, Revised Statutes of Alberta 2000, Chapter M–26 (Office Consolidation)" (PDF). Alberta Queen's Printer. June 17, 2013. pp. 30–31, 47, 64–66, 69, 306. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  7. [7]
    "Types Of Municipalities In Alberta". Alberta Municipal Affairs. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  8. [8]
    "Special Areas Act, Revised Statutes of Alberta 2000, Chapter S–16 (Office Consolidation)" (PDF). Alberta Queen's Printer. May 27, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  9. [9]
    "Metis Settlements Act, Revised Statutes of Alberta 2000, Chapter M–14 (Office Consolidation)" (PDF). Alberta Queen's Printer. June 17, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  10. [10]
    "Information Sheet: The Legislative Assembly of Alberta" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of Alberta. p. 2. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  11. [11]
    "About The Ministry of Municipal Affairs". Alberta Municipal Affairs. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  12. [12]
    "Population and Dwelling Count Highlight Tables, 2011 Census – Notes (Adjustment of population counts)". Statistics Canada. January 30, 2013. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  13. [13]
    "Interim List of Changes to Municipal Boundaries, Status, and Names: From January 2, 2012 to January 1, 2013" (PDF). Statistics Canada. pp. 6–7. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  14. [14]
    "2012 Municipal Affairs Population List" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. November 22, 2012. pp. 1–2, 10. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  15. [15]
    "Order in Council (O.C.) 395/2018". Government of Alberta. December 11, 2018. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  16. [16]
    "Order in Council (O.C.) 344/2016" (PDF). Province of Alberta. December 13, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  17. [17]
    "O.C. 156/2022". Government of Alberta. May 25, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  18. [18]
    "Municipal Profiles: Summary Reports (Villages)" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  19. [19]
    Jack K. Masson with Edward C. LeSage (1994). Alberta's Local Governments: Politics and Democracy. The University of Alberta Press. p. 69. ISBN 0-88864-251-2.
  20. [20]
    "Types of Municipalities in Alberta: Urban Municipal Governments". Alberta Municipal Affairs. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  21. [21]
    "Municipal Profiles: Summary Reports (Summer Villages)" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  22. [22]
    "Order in Council 461/2002". Government of Alberta. October 8, 2002. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  23. [23]
    "Municipal Profiles: Summary Reports (Cities)" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  24. [24]
    "Municipal Profiles: Summary Reports (Towns)" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  25. [25]
    "Types Of Municipalities In Alberta: Specialized Municipalities". Alberta Municipal Affairs. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
  26. [26]
    "Municipal Profiles (Specialized Municipalities)" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. February 11, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  27. [27]
    "Specialized and Rural Municipalities and Their Communities" (PDF) (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. August 30, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  28. [28]
    "Order in Council 817/94" (PDF). Province of Alberta. December 21, 1994. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  29. [29]
    "Order in Council 761/95" (PDF). Province of Alberta. December 6, 1995. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  30. [30]
    2015 Municipal Affairs Population List (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. ISBN 978-1-4601-2630-1. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
  31. [31]
    "Population and dwelling counts: Canada and designated places". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  32. [32]
    "Types Of Municipalities In Alberta: Rural Municipal Governments". Alberta Municipal Affairs. October 28, 2013.
  33. [33]
    "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions, census subdivisions (municipalities) and designated places". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  34. [34]
    "O.C. 121/2021". Government of Alberta. April 28, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  35. [35]
    "Municipal Profiles: Summary Reports (Special Areas Board)" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. October 18, 2013. p. 1. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  36. [36]
    "Municipal Profiles: Summary Reports (Municipal Districts)" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  37. [37]
    "Municipal Profiles: Summary Reports (Improvement Districts)" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. October 18, 2013. pp. PDF pages 1, 9, 17, 25, 33, 41, 48 and 56. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  38. [38]
    "Premier Redford celebrates Metis Settlements 75th anniversary". Alberta Government. August 15, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  39. [39]
    "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and designated places, 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article List_of_municipalities_in_Alberta, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.