Drumheller

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title: "Drumheller" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["drumheller", "1913-establishments-in-alberta", "towns-in-alberta", "cities-in-alberta"] topic_path: "geography" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drumheller" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

FieldValue
nameDrumheller
official_nameTown of Drumheller
native_name
nicknameDinosaur Capital of the World
settlement_typeTown
image_skylineDowntown Drumheller, Alberta.jpg
image_captionDowntown Drumheller
image_flagFlag of Drumheller.png
image_mapAB locator TOWN OF DRUMHELLER.svg
mapsize200
map_captionLocation within Alberta
subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_nameCanada
subdivision_type1Province
subdivision_name1Alberta
subdivision_type2Region
subdivision_name2Southern Alberta
subdivision_type3Census division
subdivision_name35
subdivision_type4Adjacent municipal districts
subdivision_name4Kneehill County, Starland County and Wheatland County
subdivision_type5Adjacent special area
subdivision_name5Special Area No. 2
government_footnotes
leader_titleMayor
leader_nameTony Miglecz
leader_title3MP
leader_name3Pierre Poilievre (Battle River—Crowfoot)
leader_title4MLA
leader_name4Nate Horner (Drumheller-Stettler)
established_titleFounded
established_date1911
established_title1Incorporated
established_date1
established_title2• Village
established_date2May 15, 1913
established_title3• Town
established_date3March 2, 1916
established_title4• City
established_date4April 3, 1930
established_title5• Town
established_date5January 1, 1998
established_title6Amalgamated
established_date6January 1, 1998
area_footnotes(2021)
area_land_km2107.56
population_as_of2021
population_footnotes
population_total7909
population_density_km273.5
timezoneMST
utc_offset−7
timezone_DSTMDT
utc_offset_DST−6
coordinates
elevation_footnotes
elevation_m670
postal_code_typeForward sortation area
postal_codeT0J
area_codes+1-403, +1-587
website
::

| name = Drumheller | official_name = Town of Drumheller | other_name = | native_name = | nickname = Dinosaur Capital of the World | settlement_type = Town | motto = | image_skyline = Downtown Drumheller, Alberta.jpg | image_caption = Downtown Drumheller | image_flag = Flag of Drumheller.png | image_seal = | image_shield = | image_map = AB locator TOWN OF DRUMHELLER.svg | mapsize = 200 | map_caption = Location within Alberta | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Canada | subdivision_type1 = Province | subdivision_name1 = Alberta | subdivision_type2 = Region | subdivision_name2 = Southern Alberta | subdivision_type3 = Census division | subdivision_name3 = 5 | subdivision_type4 = Adjacent municipal districts | subdivision_name4 = Kneehill County, Starland County and Wheatland County | subdivision_type5 = Adjacent special area | subdivision_name5 = Special Area No. 2 | government_footnotes = | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = Tony Miglecz | leader_title3 = MP | leader_name3 = Pierre Poilievre (Battle River—Crowfoot) | leader_title4 = MLA | leader_name4 = Nate Horner (Drumheller-Stettler) | established_title = Founded | established_date = 1911 | established_title1 = Incorporated | established_date1 =
| established_title2 = • Village | established_date2 = May 15, 1913 | established_title3 = • Town | established_date3 = March 2, 1916 | established_title4 = • City | established_date4 = April 3, 1930 | established_title5 = • Town | established_date5 = January 1, 1998 | established_title6 = Amalgamated | established_date6 = January 1, 1998 | area_footnotes = (2021) | area_land_km2 = 107.56 | area_urban_km2 = | population_as_of = 2021 | population_footnotes = | population_note = | population_total = 7909 | population_density_km2 = 73.5 | population_urban = | population_density_urban_km2 = | population_blank1_title = | population_blank1 = | population_density_blank1_km2 = | population_density_blank1_sq_mi = | timezone = MST | utc_offset = −7 | timezone_DST = MDT | utc_offset_DST = −6 | coordinates = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 670 | postal_code_type = Forward sortation area | postal_code = T0J | area_codes = +1-403, +1-587 | website = | footnotes =

Drumheller () is a town on the Red Deer River in the badlands of east-central Alberta, Canada. It is located 110 km northeast of Calgary and 97 km south of Stettler. The Drumheller portion of the Red Deer River valley, often referred to as Dinosaur Valley, has an approximate width of 2 km and an approximate length of 28 km.

Drumheller was named after Samuel Drumheller, who, after purchasing the homestead of Thomas Patrick Greentree, had it surveyed into the original Drumheller townsite and put lots on the market in 1911. Also in 1911, Samuel Drumheller started coal mining operations near the townsite.

Drumheller got a railway station in 1912. It was then incorporated as a village on May 15, 1913, a town on March 2, 1916, and a city on April 3, 1930. Over a 15-year period, Drumheller's population increased from 312 in 1916 to 2,987 in 1931 shortly after becoming a city.

Drumheller boomed until the end of the Second World War when coal lost most of its value.

The City of Drumheller amalgamated with the Municipal District of Badlands No. 7 on January 1, 1998, to form the current Town of Drumheller. Some of the reasons the two municipalities amalgamated included Badlands No. 7 having more in common with Drumheller than other surrounding rural municipalities and both were experiencing similar planning and development issues due to their locations within the Red Deer River valley. As a result of the amalgamation, Drumheller became Alberta's largest town in terms of land area at 107.93 km2.

The 1998 amalgamation resulted in Drumheller absorbing six hamlets that were previously under the jurisdiction of the Municipal District of Badlands No. 7—Cambria, East Coulee, Lehigh, Nacmine, Rosedale and Wayne. and Willow Creek.

In total, Drumheller has absorbed at least 13 other communities in its history, some of which are now recognized as neighbourhoods or districts within the town.

Geography

Climate

Drumheller experiences a semi-arid climate (BSk) with very cold winters and hot summers. The highest temperature ever recorded in Drumheller was 40.6 C on July 18, 1941. The coldest temperature ever recorded was -43.9 C on January 29, 1996.

| metric first = yes | single line = yes | width = auto | location = Drumheller, 1981−2010 normals, extremes 1923−present |Jan record high C = 15.5 |Feb record high C = 18.0 |Mar record high C = 28.0 |Apr record high C = 33.9 |May record high C = 37.0 |Jun record high C = 39.4 |Jul record high C = 40.6 |Aug record high C = 38.1 |Sep record high C = 37.2 |Oct record high C = 33.3 |Nov record high C = 25.9 |Dec record high C = 17.3 |year record high C = 40.6 | Jan high C = -6.0 | Feb high C = -0.4 | Mar high C = 3.7 | Apr high C = 12.9 | May high C = 18.4 | Jun high C = 22.1 | Jul high C = 26.7 | Aug high C = 26.1 | Sep high C = 20.0 | Oct high C = 13.2 | Nov high C = 3.1 | Dec high C = -2.5 | year high C = 11.4 | Jan mean C = -12.3 | Feb mean C = -7.5 | Mar mean C = -2.7 | Apr mean C = 5.9 | May mean C = 11.5 | Jun mean C = 15.8 | Jul mean C = 19.4 | Aug mean C = 18.3 | Sep mean C = 12.5 | Oct mean C = 5.9 | Nov mean C = -3.0 | Dec mean C = -8.8 | year mean C = 4.5 | Jan low C = -18.6 | Feb low C = -14.6 | Mar low C = -9.2 | Apr low C = -1.1 | May low C = 4.5 | Jun low C = 9.4 | Jul low C = 12.0 | Aug low C = 10.4 | Sep low C = 4.9 | Oct low C = -1.4 | Nov low C = -9.1 | Dec low C = -15.1 | year low C = -2.3 |Jan record low C = -43.9 |Feb record low C = -41.4 |Mar record low C = -37.8 |Apr record low C = -26.7 |May record low C = -9.4 |Jun record low C = -2.8 |Jul record low C = -2.8 |Aug record low C = -6.7 |Sep record low C = -11.7 |Oct record low C = -22.5 |Nov record low C = -35.1 |Dec record low C = -42.8 |year record low C = -43.9 | precipitation colour = green | Jan precipitation mm = 12.3 | Feb precipitation mm = 10.2 | Mar precipitation mm = 15.0 | Apr precipitation mm = 25.7 | May precipitation mm = 47.7 | Jun precipitation mm = 69.3 | Jul precipitation mm = 64.4 | Aug precipitation mm = 51.4 | Sep precipitation mm = 41.2 | Oct precipitation mm = 13.4 | Nov precipitation mm = 11.2 | Dec precipitation mm = 10.4 | year precipitation mm = 372.1 |rain colour = green |Jan rain mm = 0.0 |Feb rain mm = 0.1 |Mar rain mm = 1.5 |Apr rain mm = 20.5 |May rain mm = 43.6 |Jun rain mm = 69.3 |Jul rain mm = 64.4 |Aug rain mm = 51.0 |Sep rain mm = 40.5 |Oct rain mm = 9.7 |Nov rain mm = 1.1 |Dec rain mm = 0.0 |year rain mm = 301.7 |Jan snow cm = 12.2 |Feb snow cm = 10.1 |Mar snow cm = 13.5 |Apr snow cm = 5.2 |May snow cm = 4.0 |Jun snow cm = 0.0 |Jul snow cm = 0.0 |Aug snow cm = 0.4 |Sep snow cm = 0.7 |Oct snow cm = 3.8 |Nov snow cm = 10.1 |Dec snow cm = 13.4 |year snow cm = 70.5 | source 1 = Environment Canada{{Cite web |url=http://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_stations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=drumheller&searchMethod=contains&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=1950&Year=2016&Month=7&Day=4&selRowPerPage=25 |title=Drumheller |date=31 October 2011 |publisher=Environment Canada |access-date=5 July 2016 }}{{Cite web |url=http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?hlyRange=%7C&dlyRange=1923-04-01%7C1968-05-31&mlyRange=1923-01-01%7C1968-12-01&StationID=2077&Prov=AB&urlExtension=_e.html&searchType=stnName&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=1950&selRowPerPage=25&Line=0&searchMethod=contains&Month=7&Day=4&txtStationName=drumheller&timeframe=2&Year=1941 |title=Daily Data Report for July 1941 |date=31 October 2011 |publisher=Environment Canada |access-date=5 July 2016 }}{{Cite web |url=http://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_stations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=drumheller+east&searchMethod=contains&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&Year=2016&Month=7&Day=4&selRowPerPage=25 |title=Daily Drumheller East |date=31 October 2011 |publisher=Environment Canada |access-date=5 July 2016 }}{{Cite web |url=http://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_stations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=drumheller+institution&searchMethod=contains&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&Year=2016&Month=7&Day=5&selRowPerPage=25 |title=Daily Drumheller Institution |date=31 October 2011 |publisher=Environment Canada |access-date=5 July 2016 }}{{Cite web |url=http://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_stations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=drumheller+city&searchMethod=contains&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&Year=2016&Month=7&Day=5&selRowPerPage=25 |title=Daily Drumheller City |date=31 October 2011 |publisher=Environment Canada |access-date=5 July 2016 }}{{Cite web |url=http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?hlyRange=1994-02-01%7C2016-07-04&dlyRange=1995-10-06%7C2016-07-03&mlyRange=1996-04-01%7C2007-10-01&StationID=10708&Prov=AB&urlExtension=_e.html&searchType=stnName&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&selRowPerPage=25&Line=0&searchMethod=contains&Month=1&Day=4&txtStationName=drumheller+east&timeframe=2&Year=1996 |title=Daily Data Report for January 1996 |date=31 October 2011 |publisher=Environment Canada |access-date=5 July 2016 }}{{Cite web |url=http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=2078&autofwd=1 |title=Drumheller Andrew |date=25 September 2013 |publisher=Environment Canada |access-date=7 July 2016 }} | source 2 = Weatherbase | date = January 2012}}

Demographics

| title = Population history of Drumheller (pre-1998 boundaries) | type = Canada | align = right | width = | shading = | percentages = | state = | footnote = Percent changes for 1966, 1971, and 1976 are inflated due to intercensal municipal boundary adjustments including the annexation of Bankview in 1964, Newcastle and North Drumheller in 1967, and Midlandvale in 1972. | source = Statistics Canada

|1916|312 |1921|2499 |1926|2578 |1931|2987 |1936|2912 |1941|2748 |1946|2659 |1951|2601 |1956|2632 |1961|2931 |1966|3574 |1971|5446 |1976|6154 |1981|6528 |1986|6366 |1991|6277 |1996|6587 |2001|6503 | title = Population history of the Town of Drumheller (current boundary) | type = Canada | align = right | width = | shading = | percentages = | state = | footnote = | source = Statistics Canada

|1956|8134 |1961|7401 |1966|6977 |1971|7306 |1976|7420 |1981|7791 |1986|7511 |1991|7468 |1996|7833 |2001|7785 |2006|7932 |2011|8029 |2016|7982 |2021|--

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Drumheller had a population of 7,909 living in 3,198 of its 3,557 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 7,982. With a land area of 107.56 km2, it had a population density of in 2021.

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Drumheller recorded a population of 7,982 living in 3,164 of its 3,471 total private dwellings, a change from its 2011 population of 8,029. With a land area of 108.03 km2, it had a population density of in 2016.

Economy

Drumheller was once the largest coal producing city in Western Canada, with the Atlas Coal Mine. Now, coal mining has been replaced by natural gas and oil. Drumheller has Alberta's second largest natural gas field, the West Drumheller Field. However, Drumheller is planning to transition away from fossil fuels and emphasize renewable energy sources, such as wind power, in its economy.

Currently, tourism is Drumheller's main industry. A federal prison and regional medical complex also contribute to the economy. Agriculture is also quite important.

Attractions

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9e/Close_up_of_the_Hoodoos_at_Drumheller.jpg" caption="Hoodoos]]'' at Drumheller"] ::

South of the traffic bridge over the Red Deer river on Highway 9 is the World's Largest Dinosaur, a 26.2-metre (86 ft) high fiberglass Tyrannosaurus rex that can be entered for a view of the Badlands, including the adjacent 23 metre (75 ft) water fountain, again one of the largest in Canada. It was announced in March 2025 that the dinosaur will close in December 2029 at the end of the current lease term.

Tourist attractions also include the Star Mine Suspension Bridge, Atlas Coal Mine, Canadian Badlands Passion Play, Horseshoe Canyon, Rotary Spray Park, Aquaplex (with indoor and outdoor pools), Horse Thief Canyon, Hoodoos, Midland Provincial Park, the Rosedeer Hotel in Wayne, 27 km of constructed pathways, Bleriot Ferry, East Coulee School Museum, the Homestead Museum, Barney's Adventure Park, and the Little Church, which is capable of seating only six patrons.

Next to the now-closed Drumheller ski hill is the Canadian Badlands Passion Play site where performances are held for two weeks each July. The Badlands Amphitheatre began hosting the Passion Play in 1991. Companies are composed of actors from all over Alberta. The site also offers small plays throughout the summer and an interpretive centre.

Drumheller was also home to the Valley Doll Museum and Gifts, where it displayed over 700 dolls.

Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology

The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology is a museum that hosts Canada's largest collection of dinosaur fossils. It boasts 500,000 visitors a year, the largest of all provincial museum attractions. It opened on September 25, 1985. The museum is located in the northwest quadrant of the Town of Drumheller, in Midland Provincial Park and is operated by the Government of Alberta under the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Status of Women.

Media

Digital

DrumhellerOnline.com is Drumheller's local news portal.

Radio

Newspapers

Newspapers covering Drumheller include the weekly Drumheller Mail, which has been publishing every Wednesday since 1911 and has been owned by the Sheddy family since 1954.

Television

All stations are analogue relays of stations from Calgary.

Transportation

Drumheller/Ostergard's Airport and Drumheller Municipal Airport are in the vicinity of Drumheller. None have regular passenger flights.

Passenger rail service ran from 1912 up until 1981 but freight continued on the through lines up until 2014.

The railway was decommissioned and demolished in 2014, and replaced by the Rails To Trails project to allow for better pedestrian travel throughout the valley.

Notable people

References

References

  1. "The Dinosaur Capital of the World". traveldrumheller.com.
  2. {{Drumheller Town Council. ref
  3. (June 17, 2016). "Location and History Profile: Town of Drumheller". [[Alberta Municipal Affairs]].
  4. (February 9, 2022). "Population and dwelling counts: Canada and population centres". [[Statistics Canada]].
  5. (January 2012). "Alberta Private Sewage Systems 2009 Standard of Practice Handbook: Appendix A.3 Alberta Design Data (A.3.A. Alberta Climate Design Data by Town)". Safety Codes Council.
  6. "Drumheller {{!}} The Canadian Encyclopedia".
  7. The Canadian Encyclopedia. "Drumheller".
  8. (March 5, 2013). "Municipal Profile – Town of Drumheller". [[Alberta Municipal Affairs]].
  9. (1918). "Census of Prairie Provinces, 1916". [[Government of Canada]].
  10. (1932). "Census of Canada, 1931". [[Government of Canada]].
  11. (October 4, 2013). "Location and History Profile: Town of Drumheller". Alberta Municipal Affairs.
  12. Pat Kolafa. (April 22, 2011). "The original Dr. Phil". Drumheller Mail.
  13. (2012-02-08). "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses (Alberta)". Statistics Canada.
  14. (March 5, 2010). "Drumheller, geographical codes and localities". Statistics Canada.
  15. Town of Drumheller. "Town of Drumheller maps".
  16. "Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Drumheller, Alberta, Canada". Weatherbase.com.
  17. (August 22, 1949). "1946 Census of Alberta". [[Statistics Canada.
  18. (March 8, 1963). "1961 Census of Canada". [[Statistics Canada.
  19. (October 1967). "1961 Census of Canada". [[Statistics Canada.
  20. (March 2022). "1971 Census of Canada". [[Statistics Canada]].
  21. (June 1977). "Population: Geographic Distributions – Census Divisions and Subdivisions, Western Provinces and the Territories". [[Statistics Canada]].
  22. (April 21, 2008). "Town of Drumheller Municipal Development Plan: Volume 1 Background Study". Town of Drumheller and Palliser Regional Municipal Services.
  23. (August 15, 2012). "Population and Dwelling Counts, for Canada, Provinces and Territories, and Census Divisions, 2001 and 1996 Censuses - 100% Data (Alberta)". [[Statistics Canada]].
  24. (July 20, 2021). "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data (Alberta)". [[Statistics Canada]].
  25. (February 9, 2022). "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities)". [[Statistics Canada]].
  26. (February 8, 2017). "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)". [[Statistics Canada]].
  27. (2014-09-07). "Town of Drumheller".
  28. "Drumheller {{!}} The Canadian Encyclopedia".
  29. "The World's Largest Dinosaur".
  30. Ridder, Eli J.. "Drumheller’s iconic ‘World’s Largest Dinosaur’ set to close in 2029, shocking town council".
  31. "Rotary Spray Park".
  32. (2024-04-05). "Barneys Adventure Park - Homepage - Barney's Adventure Park".
  33. "The Little Church". Drumheller Chamber of Commerce.
  34. (2017-06-21). "Lots of new touches for this year's Canadian Badlands Passion Play - Lacombe Express".
  35. "Badlands Amphitheatre {{!}} Canada's largest outdoor stage".
  36. "Rise and Fall of Passenger Rail in Central Alberta - Forth Junction Project".
  37. (8 July 2014). "Rail era ending". [[Drumheller Mail]].
  38. "Drumheller Strikes a Deal With CN for Trail Development".
  39. (October 29, 1942). "Dr. Frank Sandercock Past-Pres. Of C.A.H.A., Dies In City Tuesday". Drumheller Mail.

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drumheller1913-establishments-in-albertatowns-in-albertacities-in-alberta