Strathcona County

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Municipality in Alberta, Canada

title: "Strathcona County" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["strathcona-county", "1943-establishments-in-alberta", "edmonton-metropolitan-region", "specialized-municipalities-in-alberta"] description: "Municipality in Alberta, Canada" topic_path: "general/strathcona-county" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strathcona_County" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Municipality in Alberta, Canada ::

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

Field	Value
official_name	Strathcona County
settlement_type	Specialized municipality
image_seal	Strathcona County logo.svg
seal_type	Logo
image_map	{{Location map+
float	center
label	Sherwood Park
mark	Western Canada Map Assets City.svg
marksize	10
label_size	120
position	right
lat_deg	53.523333
lon_deg	-113.308889}}
label	Fort Saskatchewan
mark	Western Canada Map Assets City.svg
marksize	10
label_size	120
position	top
lat_deg	53.712778
lon_deg	-113.213333}}
label	Ardrossan
mark	Western Canada Map Assets Hamlet.svg
marksize	4
position	right
lat_deg	53.552222
lon_deg	-113.141667}}
label	Josephburg
mark	Western Canada Map Assets Hamlet.svg
marksize	4
position	bottom
lat_deg	53.713333
lon_deg	-113.07}}
label	South Cooking L.
mark	Western Canada Map Assets Hamlet.svg
marksize	4
position	left
lat_deg	53.411147
lon_deg	-113.118186}}
label	North Cooking L.
mark	Western Canada Map Assets Hamlet.svg
marksize	4
position	bottom
lat_deg	53.461389
lon_deg	-112.939167}}
label	Antler L.
mark	Western Canada Map Assets Hamlet.svg
marksize	4
position	top
lat_deg	53.488889
lon_deg	-112.974722}}
label	Half Moon L.
mark	Western Canada Map Assets Hamlet.svg
marksize	4
position	left
lat_deg	53.459722
lon_deg	-113.093889}}
label	Hastings L.
mark	Western Canada Map Assets Hamlet.svg
marksize	4
position	bottom
lat_deg	53.408611
lon_deg	-112.901944}}
image_map1	AB locator STRATHCONA COUNTY.svg
mapsize1	200
map_caption1	Location within Alberta
subdivision_type	Country
subdivision_name	Canada
subdivision_type1	Province
subdivision_name1	Alberta
subdivision_type2	Region
subdivision_name2	Edmonton Metropolitan Region
subdivision_type3	Census division
subdivision_name3	No. 11
named_for	Donald Smith, 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal
government_footnotes
leader_title	Mayor
leader_name
leader_title1	Governing body
leader_name1
leader_title3	Seat
leader_name3	Sherwood Park
established_title	Incorporated
established_title2	- Municipal district
established_date2	1943
established_title3	- Specialized municipality
established_date3	January 1, 1996
area_footnotes	(2021)
area_land_km2	1170.65
population_as_of	2021
population_footnotes
population_total	99225
population_density_km2	84.8
population_blank1_title	Municipal census (2024)
population_blank1	103829
timezone	MST
utc_offset	−7
timezone_DST	MDT
utc_offset_DST	−6
coordinates
elevation_footnotes
website
seal_size	250px
::

::callout[type=note] the specialized municipality ::

| official_name = Strathcona County | other_name = | nickname = | settlement_type = Specialized municipality | image_skyline = | image_caption = | image_seal = Strathcona County logo.svg | seal_type = Logo | image_map = {{Location map+ |CAN AB Strathcona |caption = |float = center |places = |label = Sherwood Park |mark = Western Canada Map Assets City.svg |marksize = 10 |label_size = 120 |position = right |lat_deg = 53.523333 |lon_deg = -113.308889}} |label = Fort Saskatchewan |mark = Western Canada Map Assets City.svg |marksize = 10 |label_size = 120 |position = top |lat_deg = 53.712778 |lon_deg = -113.213333}} |label = Ardrossan |mark = Western Canada Map Assets Hamlet.svg |marksize = 4 |position = right |lat_deg = 53.552222 |lon_deg = -113.141667}} |label = Josephburg |mark = Western Canada Map Assets Hamlet.svg |marksize = 4 |position = bottom |lat_deg = 53.713333 |lon_deg = -113.07}} |label = South Cooking L. |mark = Western Canada Map Assets Hamlet.svg |marksize = 4 |position = left |lat_deg = 53.411147 |lon_deg = -113.118186}} |label = North Cooking L. |mark = Western Canada Map Assets Hamlet.svg |marksize = 4 |position = bottom |lat_deg = 53.461389 |lon_deg = -112.939167}} |label = Antler L. |mark = Western Canada Map Assets Hamlet.svg |marksize = 4 |position = top |lat_deg = 53.488889 |lon_deg = -112.974722}} |label = Half Moon L. |mark = Western Canada Map Assets Hamlet.svg |marksize = 4 |position = left |lat_deg = 53.459722 |lon_deg = -113.093889}} |label = Hastings L. |mark = Western Canada Map Assets Hamlet.svg |marksize = 4 |position = bottom |lat_deg = 53.408611 |lon_deg = -112.901944}} | image_map1 = AB locator STRATHCONA COUNTY.svg | mapsize1 = 200 | map_caption1 = Location within Alberta | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Canada | subdivision_type1 = Province | subdivision_name1 = Alberta | subdivision_type2 = Region | subdivision_name2 = Edmonton Metropolitan Region | subdivision_type3 = Census division | subdivision_name3 = No. 11 | named_for = Donald Smith, 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal | government_footnotes = | government_type = | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = | leader_title1 = Governing body | leader_name1 = | leader_title3 = Seat | leader_name3 = Sherwood Park | established_title = Incorporated | established_date = | established_title2 = - Municipal district | established_date2 = 1943 | established_title3 = - Specialized municipality | established_date3 = January 1, 1996 | area_footnotes = (2021) | area_land_km2 = 1170.65 | population_as_of = 2021 | population_footnotes = | population_note = | population_total = 99225 | population_density_km2 = 84.8 | population_blank1_title = Municipal census (2024) | population_blank1 = 103829 | population_blank2_title = | population_blank2 = | timezone = MST | utc_offset = −7 | timezone_DST = MDT | utc_offset_DST = −6 | coordinates = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | postal_code_type = | postal_code = | area_code = | website = | footnotes = | seal_size = 250px

Strathcona County is a specialized municipality in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region within Alberta, Canada between Edmonton and Elk Island National Park. It forms part of Census Division No. 11.

Strathcona County is both urban and rural in nature. Approximately of its population lives in Sherwood Park, which is an urban service area east of Edmonton, remains an unincorporated hamlet. The balance lives beyond Sherwood Park within a rural service area.

History

In Treaty 6, the First Nations ceded their title to the land that would become Strathcona County. Local governance began in 1893 when the North-West Territorial Legislature established an area east of Edmonton as Statute Labour District No. 2. It then grew in size over the following decade and was renamed Local Improvement District (LID) No. 517 in 1913. In 1918, LID No. 517 became a municipal district under the name of the Municipal District (MD) of Clover Bar No. 517. At the same time, the neighbouring LID No. 518 to the south became the MD of Strathcona No. 518.

The MD of Clover Bar No. 517 and the MD of Strathcona No. 518 amalgamated on March 1, 1943, into a larger municipal district under the name of the MD of Strathcona No. 517. It was subsequently renumbered as the MD of Strathcona No. 83 in 1945. Upon further amalgamating with the Clover Bar School Division No. 13, the MD of Strathcona No. 83 incorporated as a county under the name of the County of Strathcona No. 20 on January 1, 1962. Its county status reverted to municipal district status in 1995 when the County Act was repealed by the provincial legislature though its name remained County of Strathcona No. 20. Its name was officially changed to Strathcona County on April 26, 1995. Shortly thereafter, Strathcona County's status was changed from municipal district to specialized municipality on January 1, 1996.

The purpose of Strathcona County's change to specialized municipality status was to provide "for the unique needs of a municipality that includes both a large urban centre and a significant rural territory and population." Its remaining rural territory was specifically designated a rural service area deemed equivalent to a municipal district.

Geography

Strathcona County is in the central portion of the province of Alberta and forms the eastern portion of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region. It borders Lamont County to the northeast, Improvement District No. 13 (Elk Island National Park) to the east, Beaver County to the southeast, Leduc County to the south, the City of Edmonton to the west, the City of Fort Saskatchewan to the northeast, and Sturgeon County to the north. The North Saskatchewan River forms its municipal boundary with Sturgeon County. Some of its water bodies include Cooking Lake, Half Moon, and Hastings Lake.

Communities and localities{{anchor|Communities}}

The following urban municipalities are surrounded by Strathcona County. ;Cities

Fort Saskatchewan ;Towns
none ;Villages
none ;Summer villages
none The following hamlets are located within Strathcona County. ;Hamlets
Antler Lake
Ardrossan
Collingwood Cove
Half Moon Lake
Hastings Lake
Josephburg
North Cooking Lake
Sherwood Park (urban service area)
South Cooking Lake The following localities are located within Strathcona County. ;Localities
Adam Lily Acres
Akenside
Akenside Estates
Arddmoor-Rosswood
Ardmoor
Artesian Estates
Aspen Heights
Aspen View
Aurora Place
Avery Park
Ball Meadows
Baronwood
Beaver Brook Estates
Beaver Valley Estates
Beck Estates
Belvedere Heights
Belvedere Heights East
Belvedere Heights West
Berry Hill
Best Estates
Beverly Hills
Birch Park
Birchwood Village
Brecken Woods
Bremner
Bretona
Bretville Junction
Bristol Estates
Brookville Estates
Busenius Estates
Calebo Estates
Camelot Square
Campbelltown
Campbelltown Heights
Carriage Lane
Caswellem
Century Estates
Century Meadows
Chrenek Acres
Chrenek Estates
Claireridge Estates
Clarkdale Meadows
Clover Bar
Cloverlea
Colonel Younger Estates
Colonial Estates
Cooking Lake
Country Club Estates
Craigavon
Cranston Place
Croftland
Dasmarinas Estates
Deer Horn Estates
Deville
Dixon Crescent
Dixon Place
Donaldson Park
Dowling Estates
Dunbar
East Edmonton
East Whitecroft
Easton Acres
Eastwood Estates
Elk Island
Elkland Estates
Executive Estates
Farrell Estates
Farrell Properties
Forest Hills Country Estates
Fulham Park
Galloway Park Subdivision
Garden Estates
Garden Heights
Glenwood Park Estates
Good Hope
Graham Heights
Gray Drive Estates
Greenbrae
Greenhaven
Greenhaven Estates
Greenwood Estates
Griesbach
Gunnmanor
Half Moon Estates
Hanson Estates
Hercules
Heritage Hills
High Ridge Place
Highroad Estates
Hillsdale
Hillside Park
Holland Subdivision
Horton Place
Hulbert Crescent
Hunter Heights
Hunter Hill Estates
Hyland Hills
Ireland Subdivision
Ithacan Drive
Jidaro Valley Subdivision
Keding Estates
Lakeland Village
Lakeland Village Trailer Park
Lakeview
Lakeview Estates
Lakewood Acres
Lark Hill Farms
Las Villas
Laurina Estates
Levder's Ridge Subdivision
Lina Country Estates
Lincoln Green
Lindale
Lindale Park
Lindberg
Lueder Ridge
Lynley Ridge
Mark Iv Estates
Marler Subdivision
Marvin Gardens
McConnell Estates
Meadow Court
Meadow Land Estates
Meadowbrook Heights
Meyers Lakeshore Estates
Midway Estates
Military Point
Miniskic Estates
Newton Estates
North Queensdale Place
Ordze Park and Wye Road Garden
Parker Ridge
Parklane Estates
Parkside Estates
Parkview Ridge
Parkwood Place
Partridge Hill
Paso Valley Subdivision
Patricia Estates
Pebble Court
Penridge Estates
Pine Grove Acres
Pleasant View
Pleasantview Acreages
Pointe Aux Pins Estates
Poplar Lake Estates
Portas Gardens
Queensdale Place
Quesnel Country Estates
Regency Park Estates
Reno-Ville
Richlyn Estates
Rolling Forest Estates
Roman Estates
Rose Burn Estate
Rossbrooke Estates
Royal Estates
Royal Gardens
Ryedale Estates
Sconadale
Sconaglen Estates
Scot Haven
Scotford
Shady Lanes
Sherwood Place
Sierra Grand Estates
Silver Birch Hills
Simmons
Simpson Grange
Smithson Acres
South Bailey
South Queensdale Place
Springhill Estate
Spruce Bend Estate
Summerwood
Sun Hill Estates
Tanglewood Estates
Tidan Heights
Trans Oak Estates
Trevithick
Trevithick Subdivision
Twin Island Air Park
Uncas
Valley Point
Verden Place
Voyageur Estates
Wellington Estates
West Whitecroft
Westpark Estates
Whitecroft
Wildwood Village
Williams Park
Willow Lake Estates
Willowdale Estates
Winfield Heights
Woodland Downs
Woodland Park
Woodville Estates
Wye Haven
Wye Knott Village
Wyeclif
Wyeknot Village

Demographics

|1931|6293 |1936|6844 |1941|6725 |1946|6383 |1951|7591 |1956|8873 |1961|12075 |1966|16185 |1971|25634 |1976|42278 |1981|51579 |1986|49802 |1991|56573 |1996|64176 |2001|71986 |2006|82511 |2011|92490 |2016|98044 |2021|99225

The population of Strathcona County according to its 2024 municipal census is 103,829, a change of from its 2022 municipal census population of 100,362. Its 2024 population includes 75,575 or living in the Sherwood Park urban service area and 28,253 or in the rural service area.

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Strathcona County had a population of 99,225 living in 37,128 of its 38,203 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 98,024. With a land area of 1170.65 km2, it had a population density of in 2021.

::data[format=table title="Strathcona County municipal census population breakdown"] | url=https://www.strathcona.ca/files/files/lls-2018-municipalcensusreport.pdf | title=Census 2018 Results Report | publisher=Strathcona County | date=August 30, 2018 | access-date=October 19, 2021}} | 2024 population | url= https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/4c49acbd063c44fbb0a206d1734d466d#n-cpxMUd | title=Strathcona County Census Results: Population Breakdown | date=6 October 2023 | publisher=Strathcona County | accessdate=September 12, 2024}} | 2018 population | |---|---|---|---| | Sherwood Park urban service area | **** | **** | **** | | Rural service area | **** | **** | **** | | – Hamlet of Antler Lake | | | | | – Hamlet of Ardrossan | | | | | – Hamlet of Collingwood Cove | | | | | – Hamlet of Half Moon Lake | | | | | – Hamlet of Hastings Lake | | | | | – Hamlet of Josephburg | | | | | – Hamlet of North Cooking Lake | | | | | – Hamlet of South Cooking Lake | | | | | Total Strathcona County | **** | **** | **** | ::

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Strathcona County had a population of 98,044 living in 35,567 of its 36,354 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2011 population of 92,490. With a land area of 1182.78 km2, it had a population density of in 2016.

Ethnicity

::data[format=table title="[[Panethnicity|Panethnic]] groups in the Municipality of Strathcona County (2001−2021)"] | Panethnic group | 2021 | 2016 | 2011 | 2006 | 2001 | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Total responses | 97,730 | 97,020 | 91,495 | 81,845 | 71,420 | Total population | 99,225 | 98,044 | 92,490 | 82,511 | 71,986 | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | European | 83,940 | | 85,990 | | 82,960 | | 75,970 | | 67,930 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Indigenous | 4,600 | | 3,880 | | 3,480 | | 2,270 | | 1,510 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Southeast Asian | 2,820 | | 2,110 | | 1,150 | | 860 | | 365 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | South Asian | 2,650 | | 1,820 | | 1,425 | | 805 | | 485 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | East Asian | 1,315 | | 1,280 | | 1,015 | | 980 | | 545 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | African | 985 | | 775 | | 455 | | 450 | | 360 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Latin American | 570 | | 455 | | 525 | | 160 | | 85 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Middle Eastern | 370 | | 325 | | 175 | | 160 | | 50 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Other/multiracial | 480 | | 380 | | 315 | | 180 | | 95 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ::

Economy

;Industrial Strathcona County had over $12.0 billion worth of industrial projects completed, announced, or under construction. This is aided in part by the concentration of oil refineries on the west side of Sherwood Park. This district, known as Refinery Row, includes some of the largest industrial facilities in Western Canada, such as Imperial's Strathcona Refinery. Originally built in the 1940s, a new refinery was constructed in 1976 and is one of the largest refining facilities in Canada. As well, the Suncor's Edmonton Refinery produces 142,000 oilbbl/d of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and aviation gasoline. This refinery sits on 247 hectares of land and has been operating for over 65 years. A founding member of Alberta's Industrial Heartland, Strathcona County is home to Canada's largest hydrocarbon refining cluster.

In 2002, when reporting on the industrial growth of Strathcona County, the National Post focused specifically on the companies Lockerbie & Hole Contracting and Jireh Industries. Regarding Jireh Industries, the National Post stated that the company "does aerospace quality machining and makes robots that inspect on-surface and underwater pipelines for cracks and corrosion." , the leading industries in Strathcona County were extraction, manufacturing, scientific, construction, trucking and engineering.

;Commercial Strathcona County is home to more than 11,000 businesses, with 3,500 of those businesses comprising employees. A market area population of 1.4 million has resulted in household spending power of $5.6 billion. Strathcona County has over 15,800 highly-skilled graduates available with 94% of residents holding a diploma, certificate, or degree. Within the active business community, there are several resources available to local entrepreneurs to help support their businesses:

Small Business Week and Conference
Business Visitation Program
Business Startup Seminars and Support
Business Planning and Site Selection Resources

Arts and culture ==

Strathcona County Library is a publicly funded library with its main branch in Sherwood Park. Its bookmobile provides service to rural residents through 14 regular weekly stops.

The Smeltzer House Visual Arts Centre is operated by Strathcona County as arts and culture programming space. The main home is primarily used for art exhibitions, while the 1920 and 1950s garages have been outfitted as a glass and clay studio respectively.

Attractions

Elk Island National Park is adjacent to Strathcona County to the east.

Government

Unlike most Albertan municipal districts, where council appoints a reeve, Strathcona County elects a mayor. Rod Frank was elected in 2017, replacing Roxanne Carr who was elected in 2013.

Infrastructure

;Airports Strathcona County is home to two public airports. Cooking Lake Airport, which operates as a condo board, accommodates 87 per cent of Strathcona County's public aeronautical transportation needs. It is also the oldest operating public airport in Canada and approved for international flights under the Canada Border Services Agency CANPASS program.

The Warren Thomas Aerodrome, better known as the Josephburg Airport, serves the remaining 13 per cent of Strathcona County's public aeronautical transportation needs.

;Roads The following provincial highways service Strathcona County.

(Poundmaker Highway)
(Yellowhead Highway route of Trans-Canada Highway)
(Sherwood Park Freeway)
(Anthony Henday Drive)
(Wye Road)

;Transit Main article: Strathcona County Transit

;Sports Strathcona Druids RFC

Notes

References

{{Strathcona County Council. ref
Strathcona County. (2010-04-27). "Local Government History". Strathcona County.
Alberta Municipal Affairs. (2010-09-17). "Municipal Profile – Strathcona County".
(March 3, 2021). "Local government timeline". Strathcona County.
(October 15, 2021). "Location and History Profile – Strathcona County". [[Alberta Municipal Affairs]].
(December 6, 1995). "Order in Council (O.C.) 761/95". Province of Alberta.
(July 26, 2021). "2021 Provincial Base Map: Municipalities". Alberta Environment and Parks.
(March 26, 2018). "Edmonton Metropolitan Region". [[Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board]].
(2012-06-20). "Fort Saskatchewan, City (Census Subdivision), Alberta". [[Statistics Canada]].
{{AltaML
(2010-03-05). "Standard Geographical Classification (SGC) 2006, Economic Regions: 4811052 - Strathcona County, geographical codes and localities, 2006". [[Statistics Canada]].
(October 26, 2020). "Geo-Administrative Areas (Hamlet, Locality and Townsite Culture Points)". AltaLIS.
(1949). "Census of the Prairie Provinces, 1946". [[Statistics Canada.
(1958). "Census of Canada, 1956". [[Statistics Canada.
(1967). "1966 Census of Canada". [[Statistics Canada.
(1977). "1976 Census of Canada". [[Statistics Canada]].
(1982). "1981 Census of Canada". [[Statistics Canada]].
(1992). "91 Census". [[Statistics Canada]].
"Population and Dwelling Counts, for Canada, Provinces and Territories, and Census Divisions, 2001 and 1996 Censuses – 100% Data (Alberta)". [[Statistics Canada]].
(January 6, 2010). "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)". [[Statistics Canada]].
"2024 Municipal Census: Results Summary". Strathcona County.
(February 9, 2022). "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities)". [[Statistics Canada]].
(August 30, 2018). "Census 2018 Results Report". Strathcona County.
(6 October 2023). "Strathcona County Census Results: Population Breakdown". Strathcona County.
(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]].
Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2022-10-26). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population".
Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2021-10-27). "Census Profile, 2016 Census".
Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2015-11-27). "NHS Profile".
Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2019-08-20). "2006 Community Profiles".
Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2019-07-02). "2001 Community Profiles".
"Strathcona County 2020 Facts".
"Strathcona".
"Edmonton Refinery – Refining and Marketing".
"Story Map Cascade".
Cook, Roy. (April 9, 2002). "Strathcona County". [[The National Post]].
"Business educational opportunities".
"Business visitation programs".
"Bookmobile".
"Smeltzer House Visual Arts Centre".
"2017 Election Results". Strathcona County.
Aubrianna, Snow. (July 21, 2018). "Condo board that represents private airport wants public dollars". Forsaskonline.
Johannsson, Jim. (August 10, 2018). "Airport continues fight on taxes". Sherwood Park News.
Westhaver, Eric. (September 23, 2015). "Edmonton-area airport now accepting international flights". Global News.

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