Strathcona County, Alberta

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Strathcona County
Location of Strathcona County in Alberta
Strathcona County
Location of Strathcona County in Alberta
Coordinates: 53°31′24″N 113°18′32″W / 53.52333, -113.30889
Country Flag of Canada Canada
Province Flag of Alberta Alberta
Region Edmonton Region
Census division No. 11
Established 1962
Incorporated 1962
Government [1]
 - Governing body Strathcona County Council
 - Mayor Cathy Olesen
 - Municipal seat Sherwood Park
Area
 - Total 1,179 km² (455.2 sq mi)
Population (2006)[2]
 - Total 82,511
 - Density 70/km² (181.3/sq mi)
 - Dwellings 29,293
Time zone MST (UTC-7)
Website: Strathcona County

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 Edmonton that has opted to retain hamlet status. Strathcona county was designated as a Specialized Municipality on Jan 01, 1996, in order to accommodate the specific needs of an area that includes both urban and rural territory[3].

Contents

[edit] Demographics

According to the Canada 2001 Census[4], the county had a population of 71,986 (increased to 80,232 in 2005 [5]), a 12.2% increase from 1996. With and area of 1,182.11 square kilometers (456.4 sq mi) and 24,528 dwellings, the population density was 60.9 persons per square kilometre in 2001.

In 2006, Strathcona County had a population of 82,511 living in 29,293 dwellings, a 14.6% increase from 2001. The specialized municipality has a land area of 1,179.43 km² (455.4 sq mi) and a population density of 70.0/km² (181.3/sq mi).[2]

Unlike other Albertan counties, which elect reeves as governors, Strathcona County elects a mayor. Cathy Olesen was elected in 2004 and re-elected in 2007.

[edit] History

First officially recognized in 1893 by the territorial legislature (it was then part of the North West Territories) as Statute Labour District #2, Strathcona County has changed immensely since its inception. In 1913 Statute Labour District #2 was renamed to Local Improvement District #517 (Clover Bar), which then, in 1943, merged with Local Improvement District #518 (Strathcona) to become Municipal District #83 (Strathcona). By joining with local school divisions in 1962, Municipal District #83 officially became a county. County status was subsequently revoked in 1995 when the County Act was repealed by the provincial legislature, but was quickly returned in 1996 when the County of Strathcona #20 officially changed its name to Strathcona County and received Specialized Municipality status[3].

On March 29, 2007 the county announced plans to create an entirely new urban settlement from scratch to complement or Sherwood Park. This development is supposed to be more dense and pedestrian friendly, and could hold up to 200,000 people. However opponents have pointed out that the development will destroy land of high agricultural value, and the City of Edmonton opposes it an another example of urban sprawl in the region.[1]

[edit] Communities

Hamlets

Other Communities

  • Akenside
  • Antler Meadows
  • Belvedere Heights
  • Birch Park Estates
  • Bremner
  • Bretona
  • Brookville
  • Century
  • Chrenek
  • Clover Bay
  • Croftland Subdivision
  • Deville
  • Elk Island
  • Forest Hills
  • Forest Hills Country Estates
  • Fountain Creek
  • Good Hope
  • Graham Heights
  • Greenwood Park Estates
  • Griesbach
  • Hude Estates
  • Lakewood Acres
  • Lina Country Estates
  • Los Villas
  • Lynley Ridge
  • Ministik
  • Parkview Ridge Estates
  • Partridge Hill
  • Pointe aux Pins Estates
  • Queensdale Place
  • Sconadale
  • Scotford
  • Silver Birch Hills
  • Steinke Estates
  • Trevithick Park
  • Uncas
  • Valley Point
  • Whitecroft
  • Winfield Heights
  • Woodland Downs
  • Wyecliff

[edit] References

  1. ^ Strathcona County. Council. Retrieved on 2007-07-09.
  2. ^ a b Statistics Canada (Census 2006). Strathcona County - Community Profile. Retrieved on 2007-06-11.
  3. ^ a b Municipality Profile - Alberta Municipal Affairs
  4. ^ Strathcona County Community Profile - Statistics Canada. 2002. 2001 Community Profiles. Released June 27, 2002. Last modified: 2005-11-30. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 93F0053XIE
  5. ^ Strathcona County 2005 Census Report

[edit] External links