List of municipalities in Alberta

Alberta is the fourth-most populous province in Canada with 4,067,175 residents as of 2016 Census of Population and is the fourth-largest in land area at 640,330 km2 (247,230 sq mi).[1] Alberta's 352 municipalities cover 98.1% of the province's land mass and are home to 98.6% of its population.[2][3][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 74 rural municipalities, which include municipal districts (orange), improvement districts (dark green) and special areas (light green) (2020)

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 352 municipalities, 264 of them are urban municipalities (18 cities, 108 towns, 87 villages and 51 summer villages), 6 are specialized municipalities, 74 are rural municipalities (63 municipal districts, 8 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 30.5% of the province's population (1,239,220 residents), while Edmonton, Alberta's capital city, is home to 22.9% (932,546 residents).[3] Improvement District No. 13 (Elk Island), Improvement District No. 25 (Willmore Wilderness) and Improvement District No. 349 are Alberta's smallest municipalities by population; all four are unpopulated according to the 2016 Census of Population.[3][lower-alpha 2] The largest municipality by land area is Mackenzie County at 80,458.19 km2 (31,065.08 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
Distribution of Alberta's 260 urban municipalities including 19 cities (black), 106 towns (dark purple), 84 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.[12]

Combined, Alberta has 264 urban municipalities comprising 18 cities, 108 towns, 87 villages and 51 summer villages.[2] The 264 urban municipalities have a total population of 3,337,538, a total land area of 3,948.85 km2 (1,524.66 sq mi). These totals represent 82% 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 2,820,115 in the 2016 Census of Population.[2][3] These 18 cities include Lloydminster, of which a portion is located within the neighbouring province of Saskatchewan.[13] Alberta's largest city by population and land area is Calgary with 1,239,220 and 825.56 km2 (318.75 sq mi), while Wetaskiwin is its smallest city by population with 12,655 and land area at 18.31 km2 (7.07 sq mi).[3] Beaumont is Alberta's newest city, it became Alberta's 19th city on January 1, 2019.[14]

Of Alberta's 19 cities, Cold Lake has less than the current minimum density requirement of 400 residents per square kilometre. Cold Lake was incorporated as a town prior to the MGA being enacted in 2000.[6][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 108 towns that had a cumulative population of 475,148 in the 2016 Census of Population.[2][3][16] The province's largest and smallest towns by population are Okotoks and Granum with 28,881 and 406 respectively, while its largest and smallest by land area are Drumheller and Eckville with 108.03 km2 (41.71 sq mi) and 1.60 km2 (0.62 sq mi) respectively.[3] Thorsby is Alberta's newest town, which changed from a village to a town on January 1, 2017.[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 87 villages that had a cumulative population of 37,099 in the 2016 Census of Population.[2][3] The province's largest and smallest villages by population are Nobleford and Gadsby with 1,278 and 40 respectively, while its largest and smallest by land area are Chipman and Edberg with 9.61 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 5,176 in the 2016 Census of Population.[2][3] The province's largest summer village by population is Sandy Beach with 278, while Betula Beach is Alberta's smallest summer village with a population of 0.[3][lower-alpha 2] The province's largest and smallest summer villages by land area are Silver Sands and Castle Island with 2.41 km2 (0.93 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.[22] 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][23]

List of urban municipalities
  • Calgary, Alberta's largest city
  • Edmonton, Alberta's capital and second largest city
  • Red Deer, Alberta's third largest city, is located at the midpoint between Calgary and Edmonton.
  • Lethbridge is Alberta's fourth largest city.
  • St. Albert, Alberta's fifth largest city, is located adjacent to Edmonton.
List of urban municipalities in Alberta
Name Status[2] Incorporation date
(current status)
[15][17][18][22]		 2016 Census of Population[3]
Population
(2016)		 Population
(2011)		 Change
(%)		 Land
area
(km²)		 Population
density
(per km²)
AcmeVillageJuly 7, 1910653 653 0.0%2.48263.3/km2
AirdrieCityJanuary 1, 198561,581 43,271 +42.3%84.57728.2/km2
Alberta BeachVillageJanuary 1, 19991,018 865 +17.7%2.01506.5/km2
AlixVillageJune 3, 1907734 830 −11.6%3.13234.5/km2
AllianceVillageAugust 26, 1918154 174 −11.5%0.51302.0/km2
AmiskVillageJanuary 1, 1956204 207 −1.4%0.76268.4/km2
AndrewVillageJune 24, 1930425 379 +12.1%1.17363.2/km2
Argentia BeachSummer villageJanuary 1, 196727 15 +80.0%0.7337.0/km2
ArrowwoodVillageMay 13, 1926207 188 +10.1%0.75276.0/km2
Athabasca[lower-alpha 3]TownSeptember 19, 19112,965 2,990 −0.8%17.65168.0/km2
BanffTownJanuary 1, 19907,851 7,584 +3.5%4.771,645.9/km2
BarnwellVillageJanuary 1, 1980947 771 +22.8%1.51627.2/km2
BaronsVillageMay 6, 1910341 315 +8.3%0.81421.0/km2
BarrheadTownNovember 26, 19464,579 4,432 +3.3%8.17560.5/km2
BashawTownMay 1, 1964830 873 −4.9%2.99277.6/km2
BassanoTownJanuary 16, 19111,206 1,282 −5.9%5.22231.0/km2
BawlfVillageOctober 12, 1906422 403 +4.7%0.89474.2/km2
BeaumontCityJanuary 1, 198017,396 13,284 +31.0%10.471,661.5/km2
BeaverlodgeTownJanuary 24, 19562,465 2,365 +4.2%5.73430.2/km2
BeisekerVillageFebruary 23, 1921819 785 +4.3%2.85287.4/km2
BentleyTownJanuary 1, 20011,078 1,073 +0.5%2.24481.3/km2
BerwynVillageNovember 28, 1936538 526 +2.3%1.58340.5/km2
Betula BeachSummer villageJanuary 1, 196016 10 +60.0%0.2564.0/km2
Big ValleyVillageMarch 9, 1942346 364 −4.9%1.86186.0/km2
Birch CoveSummer villageDecember 31, 198845 45 0.0%0.3150.0/km2
BirchcliffSummer villageJanuary 1, 1972117 112 +4.5%1.03113.6/km2
Bittern Lake[lower-alpha 4]VillageNovember 2, 1904220 224 −1.8%6.5733.5/km2
Black DiamondTownJanuary 1, 19562,700 2,373 +13.8%3.84703.1/km2
BlackfaldsTownApril 1, 19809,328 6,300 +48.1%16.44567.4/km2
Bon AccordTownNovember 20, 19791,529 1,488 +2.8%2.13717.8/km2
BondissSummer villageJanuary 1, 1983110 106 +3.8%1.2389.4/km2
BonnyvilleTownFebruary 3, 19485,975[25] 6,216 −3.9%14.18421.4/km2
Bonnyville BeachSummer villageJanuary 1, 195884 95 −11.6%0.17494.1/km2
Bow IslandTownFebruary 1, 19121,983 2,025 −2.1%5.81341.3/km2
BowdenTownSeptember 1, 19811,240 1,241 −0.1%2.8442.9/km2
BoyleVillageDecember 31, 1953845 916 −7.8%7.13118.5/km2
BretonVillageJanuary 1, 1957574 496 +15.7%1.72333.7/km2
BrooksCitySeptember 1, 200514,451 13,676 +5.7%18.59777.4/km2
BruderheimTownSeptember 17, 19801,308 1,155 +13.2%7.12183.7/km2
Burnstick LakeSummer villageDecember 31, 199115[25] 16 −6.2%0.1883.3/km2
CalgaryCityJanuary 1, 18941,239,220 1,096,833 +13.0%825.561,501.1/km2
CalmarTownJanuary 19, 19542,228 1,970 +13.1%4.68476.1/km2
CamroseCityJanuary 1, 195518,742 17,286 +8.4%42.62439.7/km2
CanmoreTownJune 1, 196613,992 12,288 +13.9%69.43201.5/km2
CarbonVillageNovember 18, 1912454 592 −23.3%1.99228.1/km2
CardstonTownJuly 2, 19013,585 3,580 +0.1%8.59417.3/km2
CarmangayVillageMarch 4, 1936242 367 −34.1%1.86130.1/km2
CarolineVillageDecember 31, 1951512 501 +2.2%2.04251.0/km2
CarstairsTownSeptember 1, 19664,077 3,442 +18.4%11.92342.0/km2
Castle IslandSummer villageJanuary 1, 195510 19 −47.4%0.05200.0/km2
CastorTownJune 27, 1910929 932 −0.3%2.63353.2/km2
CerealVillageAugust 19, 1914111 134 −17.2%0.79140.5/km2
ChampionVillageMay 27, 1911317 378 −16.1%0.89356.2/km2
ChauvinVillageDecember 30, 1912335 334 +0.3%2.24149.6/km2
Chestermere[lower-alpha 5]CityJanuary 1, 2015[26]19,887 14,824 +34.2%32.94603.7/km2
ChipmanVillageOctober 21, 1913274 284 −3.5%9.6128.5/km2
ClaresholmTownAugust 31, 19053,780 3,758 +0.6%8.11466.1/km2
CliveVillageJanuary 9, 1912715 675 +5.9%2.17329.5/km2
ClydeVillageJanuary 28, 1914430 503 −14.5%1.31328.2/km2
CoaldaleTownJanuary 7, 19528,215 7,493 +9.6%7.991,028.2/km2
CoalhurstTownJune 1, 19952,668 1,978 +34.9%3.11857.9/km2
CochraneTownFebruary 15, 197125,853 17,580 +47.1%29.83866.7/km2
Cold LakeCityOctober 1, 200014,961 13,839 +8.1%59.92249.7/km2
ConsortVillageSeptember 23, 1912729 689 +5.8%3.05239.0/km2
CoronationTownApril 29, 1912940 947 −0.7%3.62259.7/km2
CouttsVillageJanuary 1, 1960245 277 −11.6%1.24197.6/km2
CowleyVillageAugust 16, 1906209 236 −11.4%1.37152.6/km2
CremonaVillageJanuary 1, 1955444 457 −2.8%1.94228.9/km2
CrossfieldTownAugust 1, 19802,983 2,853 +4.6%11.96249.4/km2
Crystal SpringsSummer villageJanuary 1, 195751 90 −43.3%0.5789.5/km2
CzarVillageNovember 12, 1917202 167 +21.0%1.12180.4/km2
DayslandTownApril 2, 1907824 807 +2.1%1.75470.9/km2
DelburneVillageJanuary 17, 1913892 830 +7.5%3.98224.1/km2
Delia[lower-alpha 6]VillageJuly 20, 1914216 186 +16.1%1.33162.4/km2
DevonTownFebruary 24, 19506,578 6,515 +1.0%14.3460.0/km2
DewberryVillageJanuary 1, 1957186 201 −7.5%0.82226.8/km2
DidsburyTownSeptember 27, 19065,268 4,957 +6.3%16.37321.8/km2
DonaldaVillageDecember 30, 1912219 259 −15.4%0.99221.2/km2
DonnellyVillageJanuary 1, 1956342 305 +12.1%1.31261.1/km2
Drayton ValleyTownFebruary 1, 19577,235 7,118 +1.6%30.72235.5/km2
Drumheller[lower-alpha 7]TownMarch 2, 1916
January 1, 1998		7,982 8,029 −0.6%108.0373.9/km2
DuchessVillageMay 12, 19211,085 992 +9.4%1.96553.6/km2
EckvilleTownJuly 1, 19661,125 1,125 0.0%1.6703.1/km2
EdbergVillageFebruary 4, 1930151 168 −10.1%0.35431.4/km2
EdgertonVillageSeptember 11, 1917384 317 +21.1%2.04188.2/km2
EdmontonCityOctober 8, 1904932,546 812,201 +14.8%685.251,360.9/km2
EdsonTownSeptember 21, 19118,414 8,475 −0.7%29.72283.1/km2
Elk PointTownJanuary 1, 19621,452 1,412 +2.8%4.91295.7/km2
ElnoraVillageJuly 22, 1929298 313 −4.8%1.47202.7/km2
EmpressVillageFebruary 5, 1914135 188 −28.2%1.5885.4/km2
FairviewTownApril 25, 19492,998 3,162 −5.2%11.36263.9/km2
FalherTownJanuary 1, 19551,047 1,075 −2.6%2.78376.6/km2
FerintoshVillageJanuary 9, 1911202 181 +11.6%0.66306.1/km2
ForemostVillageDecember 31, 1950541 526 +2.9%2.16250.5/km2
ForestburgVillageAugust 21, 1919875 831 +5.3%2.73320.5/km2
Fort Macleod[lower-alpha 8]TownMarch 29, 19122,967 3,117 −4.8%23.41126.7/km2
Fort SaskatchewanCityJuly 1, 198524,149 19,051 +26.8%48.18501.2/km2
Fox CreekTownSeptember 1, 19831,971 1,969 +0.1%12.36159.5/km2
GadsbyVillageMay 6, 191040 25 +60.0%0.7553.3/km2
Ghost LakeSummer villageDecember 31, 195382 81 +1.2%0.67122.4/km2
GibbonsTownApril 1, 19773,159 3,030 +4.3%7.5421.2/km2
GirouxvilleVillageDecember 31, 1951219 266 −17.7%0.67326.9/km2
GlendonVillageJanuary 1, 1956493 486 +1.4%1.99247.7/km2
GlenwoodVillageJanuary 1, 1961316 287 +10.1%1.37230.7/km2
Golden DaysSummer villageJanuary 1, 1965160 141 +13.5%2.2870.2/km2
Grande PrairieCityJanuary 1, 195863,166 55,655 +13.5%132.73475.9/km2
GrandviewSummer villageJanuary 1, 1967114 108 +5.6%0.79144.3/km2
Granum[lower-alpha 9]TownNovember 7, 1910406 447 −9.2%1.91212.6/km2
GrimshawTownFebruary 2, 19532,718 2,515 +8.1%7.09383.4/km2
Gull LakeSummer villageSeptember 1, 1993176 122 +44.3%0.7251.4/km2
Half Moon BaySummer villageJanuary 1, 197842 38 +10.5%0.11381.8/km2
HalkirkVillageFebruary 10, 1912112 121 −7.4%0.61183.6/km2
HannaTownApril 14, 19142,559 2,673 −4.3%8.81290.5/km2
HardistyTownNovember 9, 1910554 639 −13.3%5.13108.0/km2
Hay Lakes[lower-alpha 10]VillageApril 17, 1928495 425 +16.5%0.59839.0/km2
HeislerVillageJanuary 1, 1961160 151 +6.0%0.64250.0/km2
High LevelTownSeptember 1, 19833,159 3,641 −13.2%29.2108.2/km2
High PrairieTownJanuary 10, 19502,564 2,600 −1.4%7.22355.1/km2
High RiverTownFebruary 12, 190613,584 12,930 +5.1%21.39635.1/km2
Hill SpringVillageJanuary 1, 1961162 186 −12.9%0.96168.8/km2
Hines CreekVillageDecember 31, 1951346 380 −8.9%5.3364.9/km2
HintonTownDecember 29, 19589,882 9,640 +2.5%33.52294.8/km2
HoldenVillageApril 14, 1909350 381 −8.1%1.74201.1/km2
Horseshoe BaySummer villageJanuary 1, 198549 37 +32.4%1.1443.0/km2
HughendenVillageDecember 27, 1917243 230 +5.7%0.78311.5/km2
HussarVillageApril 20, 1928190 176 +8.0%0.75253.3/km2
HytheVillageAugust 31, 1929827 820 +0.9%4.1201.7/km2
InnisfailTownNovember 20, 19037,847 7,876 −0.4%19.4404.5/km2
InnisfreeVillageMarch 11, 1911193 220 −12.3%1.01191.1/km2
IrmaVillageMay 30, 1912521 457 +14.0%1.34388.8/km2
IrricanaTownJune 9, 20051,216 1,162 +4.6%3.23376.5/km2
Island Lake SouthSummer villageJanuary 1, 1983228 243 −6.2%1.85123.2/km2
Island LakeSummer villageJanuary 1, 195861 72 −15.3%0.6791.0/km2
Itaska BeachSummer villageJune 30, 195323 20 +15.0%0.2979.3/km2
Jarvis BaySummer villageJanuary 1, 1986213 203 +4.9%0.53401.9/km2
KapasiwinSummer villageSeptember 1, 199310 10 0.0%0.333.3/km2
KillamTownMay 1, 1965989 981 +0.8%6.75146.5/km2
KitscotyVillageMarch 22, 1911925 846 +9.3%1.51612.6/km2
LacombeCitySeptember 5, 201013,057 11,707 +11.5%20.81627.4/km2
LakeviewSummer villageOctober 25, 191330 26 +15.4%0.3585.7/km2
LamontTownMay 31, 19681,774 1,753 +1.2%9.2192.8/km2
LarkspurSummer villageJanuary 1, 198544 38 +15.8%0.26169.2/km2
LeducCitySeptember 1, 198329,993 24,304 +23.4%42.44706.7/km2
LegalTownJanuary 1, 19981,345 1,225 +9.8%3.18423.0/km2
LethbridgeCityMay 9, 190692,729 83,517 +11.0%122.09759.5/km2
LindenVillageJanuary 1, 1964828 725 +14.2%2.58320.9/km2
Lloydminster (part)[lower-alpha 11]CityJanuary 1, 195819,645 18,032 +8.9%24.04817.2/km2
LomondVillageFebruary 16, 1916166 173 −4.0%1.21137.2/km2
LongviewVillageJanuary 1, 1964307 307 0.0%1.1279.1/km2
LougheedVillageNovember 7, 1911256 233 +9.9%2.1121.9/km2
MagrathTownJuly 24, 19072,374 2,217 +7.1%5.99396.3/km2
Ma-Me-O BeachSummer villageDecember 31, 1948110 113 −2.7%0.52211.5/km2
ManningTownJanuary 1, 19571,183 1,164 +1.6%4.05292.1/km2
MannvilleVillageDecember 29, 1906828 803 +3.1%1.64504.9/km2
MarwayneVillageDecember 31, 1952564 612 −7.8%1.6352.5/km2
MayerthorpeTownMarch 20, 19611,320 1,398 −5.6%4.37302.1/km2
McLennanTownFebruary 11, 1948701 809 −13.3%3.71188.9/km2
Medicine HatCityMay 9, 190663,260 60,005 +5.4%112.04564.6/km2
Mewatha BeachSummer villageJanuary 1, 197890 79 +13.9%0.8112.5/km2
Milk RiverTownFebruary 7, 1956827 811 +2.0%2.33354.9/km2
MilletTownSeptember 1, 19831,945 2,092 −7.0%3.72522.8/km2
MiloVillageMay 7, 193191 122 −25.4%0.9892.9/km2
MorinvilleTownApril 21, 19119,848 8,569 +14.9%11.15883.2/km2
MorrinVillageApril 16, 1920240 245 −2.0%0.67358.2/km2
MundareTownJanuary 4, 1951852 855 −0.4%4.21202.4/km2
MunsonVillageMay 5, 1911192 204 −5.9%2.5375.9/km2
MyrnamVillageAugust 22, 1930339 370 −8.4%2.79121.5/km2
NampaVillageJanuary 1, 1958364 362 +0.6%1.71212.9/km2
Nakamun ParkSummer villageJanuary 1, 196696 36 +166.7%0.45213.3/km2
NantonTownAugust 9, 19072,181[25] 2,132 +2.3%4.87447.8/km2
NoblefordTownFebruary 28, 19181,278 1,000 +27.8%1.59803.8/km2
NorglenwoldSummer villageJanuary 1, 1965273 232 +17.7%0.62440.3/km2
Norris BeachSummer villageDecember 31, 198838 46 −17.4%0.2190.0/km2
OkotoksTownJune 1, 190428,881 24,511 +17.8%19.631,471.3/km2
OldsTownJuly 1, 19059,184 8,235 +11.5%14.93615.1/km2
OnowayTownSeptember 1, 20051,029 1,039 −1.0%3.32309.9/km2
OyenTownSeptember 1, 19651,001 973 +2.9%5.28189.6/km2
Paradise ValleyVillageJanuary 1, 1964179 174 +2.9%0.63284.1/km2
Parkland BeachSummer villageJanuary 1, 1984153 124 +23.4%0.95161.1/km2
Peace River[lower-alpha 12]TownDecember 1, 19196,842 6,729 +1.7%26.26260.5/km2
Pelican NarrowsSummer villageJuly 1, 1979151 162 −6.8%0.72209.7/km2
PenholdTownSeptember 1, 19803,277 2,375 +38.0%5.29619.5/km2
Picture ButteTownJanuary 1, 19601,810 1,650 +9.7%2.85635.1/km2
Pincher CreekTownMay 12, 19063,642 3,685 −1.2%10.09361.0/km2
Point AlisonSummer villageDecember 31, 195010 15 −33.3%0.1662.5/km2
PonokaTownOctober 15, 19047,229 6,778 +6.7%17.33417.1/km2
Poplar BaySummer villageJanuary 1, 1967103 80 +28.8%0.67153.7/km2
ProvostTownDecember 29, 19521,998 2,041 −2.1%4.72423.3/km2
Rainbow LakeTownSeptember 1, 1995795 870 −8.6%10.7673.9/km2
RaymondTownJuly 1, 19033,708 3,743 −0.9%6.66556.8/km2
Red DeerCityMarch 25, 1913100,418 90,564 +10.9%104.73958.8/km2
RedcliffTownAugust 5, 19125,600 5,588 +0.2%16.25344.6/km2
RedwaterTownDecember 31, 19502,053 1,915 +7.2%20.03102.5/km2
RimbeyTownDecember 13, 19482,567 2,378 +7.9%11.4225.2/km2
Rochon SandsSummer villageMay 17, 192986 65 +32.3%2.1639.8/km2
Rocky Mountain HouseTownAugust 31, 19396,635 6,933 −4.3%12.71522.0/km2
RockyfordVillageMarch 28, 1919316 325 −2.8%1.08292.6/km2
RosalindVillageJanuary 1, 1966188 190 −1.1%0.62303.2/km2
RosemaryVillageDecember 31, 1951396 342 +15.8%0.59671.2/km2
Ross HavenSummer villageJanuary 1, 1962160 137 +16.8%0.71225.4/km2
RycroftVillageMarch 15, 1944612 628 −2.5%1.92318.8/km2
Ryley[lower-alpha 13]VillageApril 2, 1910483 497 −2.8%2.61185.1/km2
Sandy BeachSummer villageJanuary 1, 1956278 223 +24.7%2.4115.8/km2
Seba BeachSummer villageAugust 20, 1920169 143 +18.2%0.86196.5/km2
SedgewickTownMay 1, 1966811 857 −5.4%2.72298.2/km2
SexsmithTownOctober 15, 19792,620 2,418 +8.4%13.24197.9/km2
Silver BeachSummer villageDecember 31, 195365 52 +25.0%0.64101.6/km2
Silver SandsSummer villageJanuary 1, 1969160 85 +88.2%2.4166.4/km2
Slave LakeTownAugust 2, 19656,651 6,782 −1.9%14.44460.6/km2
Smoky LakeTownFebruary 1, 1962964 1,022 −5.7%4.26226.3/km2
South BaptisteSummer villageJanuary 1, 198366 52 +26.9%0.9371.0/km2
South ViewSummer villageJanuary 1, 197067 35 +91.4%0.41163.4/km2
Spirit RiverTownSeptember 18, 1951995 1,025 −2.9%3.14316.9/km2
Spring Lake[lower-alpha 14]VillageJanuary 1, 1999699 533 +31.1%2.33300.0/km2
Spruce GroveCityMarch 1, 198634,066 26,171 +30.2%32.21,058.0/km2
St. AlbertCityJanuary 1, 197765,589 61,466 +6.7%48.451,353.7/km2
St. Paul[lower-alpha 15]TownDecember 15, 19365,827 5,405 +7.8%8.64674.4/km2
StandardVillageApril 29, 1922353 379 −6.9%2.35150.2/km2
StavelyTownMay 25, 1912541 505 +7.1%1.83295.6/km2
StettlerTownNovember 23, 19065,952 5,748 +3.5%13.14453.0/km2
StirlingVillageSeptember 3, 1901978 1,090 −10.3%2.71360.9/km2
Stony PlainTownDecember 10, 190817,189 15,051 +14.2%35.72481.2/km2
StrathmoreTownJuly 6, 191113,756 12,305 +11.8%27.4502.0/km2
Sunbreaker CoveSummer villageDecember 31, 199081 69 +17.4%0.5162.0/km2
Sundance BeachSummer villageJanuary 1, 197073 82 −11.0%0.44165.9/km2
SundreTownJanuary 1, 19562,729 2,610 +4.6%11.11245.6/km2
Sunrise BeachSummer villageDecember 31, 1988135 149 −9.4%1.6681.3/km2
Sunset BeachSummer villageMay 1, 197749 44 +11.4%0.7466.2/km2
Sunset PointSummer villageJanuary 1, 1959169 221 −23.5%1.15147.0/km2
Swan HillsTownJanuary 1, 19671,301 1,465 −11.2%26.1249.8/km2
Sylvan LakeTownMay 20, 194614,816 12,362 +19.9%23.36634.2/km2
TaberTownJuly 1, 19078,428 8,104 +4.0%15.67537.8/km2
ThorsbyTownJanuary 1, 2017985 951 +3.6%3.85255.8/km2
Three HillsTownJanuary 1, 19293,212 3,198 +0.4%6.75475.9/km2
TofieldTownSeptember 10, 19092,081 2,182 −4.6%8.21253.5/km2
TrochuTownAugust 1, 19621,058 1,072 −1.3%2.78380.6/km2
Turner ValleyTownSeptember 1, 19772,559 2,167 +18.1%5.79442.0/km2
Two HillsTownJanuary 1, 19551,352 1,379 −2.0%3.38400.0/km2
Val QuentinSummer villageJanuary 1, 1966252 157 +60.5%0.31812.9/km2
ValleyviewTownFebruary 5, 19571,863 1,761 +5.8%9.32199.9/km2
VauxhallTownJanuary 1, 19611,222 1,288 −5.1%2.72449.3/km2
VegrevilleTownAugust 15, 19065,708 5,717 −0.2%14.08405.4/km2
VermilionTownAugust 27, 19064,084 3,930 +3.9%12.93315.9/km2
VeteranVillageJune 30, 1914207 249 −16.9%0.84246.4/km2
VikingTownNovember 10, 19521,083 1,041 +4.0%3.7292.7/km2
VilnaVillageJune 23, 1923290 249 +16.5%0.96302.1/km2
VulcanTownJune 15, 19211,917 1,836 +4.4%6.34302.4/km2
WabamunVillageJanuary 1, 1980682 661 +3.2%3.58190.5/km2
WainwrightTownJuly 14, 19106,270 5,925 +5.8%9.1689.0/km2
WaiparousSummer villageJanuary 1, 198649 42 +16.7%0.41119.5/km2
WarburgVillageDecember 31, 1953766 789 −2.9%2.68285.8/km2
WarnerVillageNovember 12, 1908373 331 +12.7%1.16321.6/km2
WaskatenauVillageMay 19, 1932186 255 −27.1%0.6310.0/km2
WembleyTownAugust 1, 19801,516 1,383 +9.6%4.75319.2/km2
West BaptisteSummer villageJanuary 1, 198338 52 −26.9%0.6558.5/km2
West CoveSummer villageJanuary 1, 1963149 121 +23.1%1.33112.0/km2
WestlockTownJanuary 7, 19475,101 4,823 +5.8%13.37381.5/km2
WetaskiwinCityMay 9, 190612,655 12,525 +1.0%18.31691.2/km2
Whispering HillsSummer villageJanuary 1, 1983142 108 +31.5%1.6884.5/km2
White SandsSummer villageJanuary 1, 1980120 91 +31.9%1.5875.9/km2
WhitecourtTownDecember 20, 197110,204 9,605 +6.2%26.44385.9/km2
YellowstoneSummer villageJanuary 1, 1965137 124 +10.5%0.28489.3/km2
YoungstownVillageDecember 31, 1936154 178 −13.5%1.11138.7/km2
Total cities — — 2,837,511 2,488,211 +14.0% 2,465.94 1,150.7/km2
Total towns — — 454,181 420,498 +8.0% 1,248.01 363.9/km2
Total villages — — 37,099 36,470 +1.7% 159.14 233.1/km2
Total summer villages — — 5,176 4,586 +12.9% 40.79 126.9/km2
Total urban municipalities — — 3,333,967 2,950,215 +13.0% 3,913.88 851.8/km2
Province of Alberta — — 4,067,175 3,645,257 +11.6% 640,330.46 6.4/km2

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.[32] 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][12] In the 2016 Census of Population, they had a cumulative population of 199,313, a total land area of 157,285.11 km2 (60,728.12 sq mi).[3] These totals represent 5% of Alberta's population yet 24.6% of its land area.

The province's largest and smallest specialized municipalities by population are Strathcona County and the Municipality of Jasper with 98,044 and 4,590 respectively, while its largest and smallest by land area are Mackenzie County and the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass with 80,458.19 km2 (31,065.08 sq mi) and 371.44 km2 (143.41 sq mi) respectively.[3] Lac La Biche County is Alberta's newest specialized municipality, which was formed on January 1, 2018.[33] Alberta's first specialized municipality was the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, which formed on April 1, 1995.[34]

Strathcona County and the Regional Municipality (RM) of Wood Buffalo are home to the unincorporated hamlets of Sherwood Park and Fort McMurray respectively.[35] These communities are designated urban service areas, which are deemed equivalents of cities.[36][37] 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.[35]

List of specialized municipalities
List of specialized municipalities in Alberta
Name Incorporation date
(specialized
municipality)[34]		 Population
(2016)[38]		 Population
(2011)[38]		 Change
(%)[38]		 Land
area
(km²)[38]		 Population
density
(per km²)[38]
Crowsnest Pass, Municipality ofJanuary 16, 20085,589 5,565 +0.4%371.4415.0/km2
Jasper, Municipality ofJuly 20, 20014,590 4,432 +3.6%924.065.0/km2
Lac La Biche County[lower-alpha 16]January 1, 2018[33]8,330 8,397 −0.8%12,570.990.7/km2
Mackenzie CountyJune 23, 199911,171 10,927 +2.2%80,458.190.1/km2
Strathcona CountyJanuary 1, 199698,044 92,490 +6.0%1,182.7882.9/km2
Wood Buffalo, Regional Municipality ofApril 1, 199571,589 65,565 +9.2%61,777.651.2/km2
Total specialized municipalities — 199,313 187,376 +6.4% 157,285.11 1.3/km2
Province of Alberta — 4,067,175 3,645,257 +11.6% 640,330.46 6.4/km2

Rural municipalities
Distribution of Alberta's 74 rural municipalities including 64 municipal districts (orange), 8 improvement districts (dark green) and 3 special areas (light green) (2020)

Rural municipalities in Alberta include municipal districts (counties), improvement districts and special areas.[40] For federal census purposes, Statistics Canada recognizes all three rural municipality types as census subdivisions.[12] However, Statistics Canada embeds Alberta's eight Metis settlements, a separate type of municipality, into the census subdivisions for six municipal districts.[39]

Combined, Alberta has 74 rural municipalities comprising 63 municipal districts, 8 improvement districts and 3 special areas.[2] The 74 rural municipalities have a total population of 471,911, a total land area of 467,243.41 km2 (180,403.69 sq mi).[3][lower-alpha 17] These totals represent 12% of Alberta's population yet 73% of its land area.

Municipal districts
Main article: List of municipal districts in Alberta

In Alberta, a municipal district, also known as a county, is a type of rural municipality.[40] 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 465,672 in the 2016 Census of Population.[2][3][25] The province's largest and smallest municipal districts by population are Rocky View County and the Municipal District (MD) of Ranchland No. 66 with 39,407 and 92 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 32,984.24 km2 (12,735.29 sq mi) and 683.60 km2 (263.94 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.[35]

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][40] Improvement districts are administered by the Province of Alberta through its Ministry of Municipal Affairs.[40]

Alberta has eight improvement districts that had a cumulative population of 2,055 in the 2016 Census of Population.[2][3] Five of them are within national parks while two are within provincial parks.[40] Alberta's largest improvement district by population is Improvement District (ID) No. 9, located within Banff National Park, with 1,028, while its largest by land area is ID No. 24, located within Wood Buffalo National Park, at 33,416.30 km2 (12,902.11 sq mi).[3][40] ID No. 13 (Elk Island), ID No. 25 (Willmore Wilderness) and ID No. 349 are Alberta's three unpopulated improvement districts,[lower-alpha 2] while its smallest by land area is ID No. 13 (Elk Island) at 165.05 km2 (63.73 sq mi).[3] ID No. 349 is also Alberta's newest improvement district, which was formed on January 1, 2012 from portions of Lac La Biche County and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.[41] 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).[35]

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][40] 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.[40]

Alberta has three special areas that had a cumulative population of 4,184 in the 2016 Census of Populations.[2][3] The province's largest by population and land area is Special Area (SA) No. 2 with 1,905 and 9,347.57 km2 (3,609.12 sq mi) respectively. Alberta's smallest by population is SA No. 3 with 1,042, while its smallest by land area is SA No. 4 with 4,402.64 km2 (1,699.87 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.[42] 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.[40][42]

List of rural municipalities
List of rural municipalities in Alberta
Name Status[2] Incorporation date
(current status)
[43][41][42]		 2016 Census of Population[3]
Population
(2016)		 Population
(2011)		 Change
(%)		 Land
area
(km²)		 Population
density
(per km²)
AcadiaMD of Acadia No. 34Municipal districtDecember 9, 1913493 495 −0.4%1,082.60.5/km2
Athabasca CountyMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 19477,869 7,662 +2.7%6,124.431.3/km2
Barrhead County of Barrhead No. 11Municipal districtJanuary 1, 19556,288 6,096 +3.1%2,406.252.6/km2
Beaver CountyMunicipal districtFebruary 1, 19435,905 5,689 +3.8%3,317.571.8/km2
Big Lakes County[lower-alpha 17]Municipal districtJanuary 1, 19954,103[44] 4,194 −2.2%11,979.930.3/km2
Bighorn MD of Bighorn No. 8Municipal districtJanuary 1, 19881,334 1,341 −0.5%2,761.180.5/km2
Birch Hills CountyMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 19951,553 1,582 −1.8%2,859.60.5/km2
Bonnyville MD of Bonnyville No. 87[lower-alpha 17]Municipal districtJanuary 1, 195511,661[25][44] 10,101 +15.4%5,456.782.3/km2
Brazeau CountyMunicipal districtJuly 1, 19887,771 7,132 +9.0%3,005.352.6/km2
Camrose CountyMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 19448,458 8,004 +5.7%3,324.212.5/km2
Cardston CountyMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 19544,481 4,167 +7.5%3,429.821.3/km2
Clear Hills CountyMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 19953,023 2,801 +7.9%15,125.490.2/km2
Clearwater CountyMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 198511,947 12,278 −2.7%18,682.450.6/km2
Cypress CountyMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 19857,662 7,214 +6.2%13,173.250.6/km2
Fairview MD of Fairview No. 136Municipal districtDecember 9, 19141,604 1,673 −4.1%1,387.581.2/km2
Flagstaff CountyMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 19443,738 3,591 +4.1%4,067.580.9/km2
Foothills MD of Foothills No. 31Municipal districtJanuary 1, 195422,766 21,248 +7.1%3,636.86.3/km2
Forty Mile County of Forty Mile No. 8Municipal districtJanuary 1, 19543,581 3,336 +7.3%7,249.310.5/km2
Grande Prairie County of Grande Prairie No. 1Municipal districtDecember 21, 194322,502[25] 19,724 +14.1%5,802.213.9/km2
Greenview MD of Greenview No. 16Municipal districtJanuary 1, 19945,583 5,299 +5.4%32,984.240.2/km2
Imp004Improvement District No. 4 (Waterton)Improvement districtJanuary 1, 1944105 88 +19.3%485.660.2/km2
Imp009Improvement District No. 9 (Banff)Improvement districtApril 1, 19451,028 1,175 −12.5%6,787.280.2/km2
Imp012Improvement District No. 12 (Jasper National Park)Improvement districtApril 1, 194553 34 +55.9%10,185.750.0/km2
Imp013Improvement District No. 13 (Elk Island)Improvement districtApril 1, 19580 10 −100.0%165.050.0/km2
Imp024Improvement District No. 24 (Wood Buffalo)Improvement districtJanuary 1, 1967648 590 +9.8%33,416.30.0/km2
Imp025Improvement District No. 25 (Willmore Wilderness)Improvement districtJanuary 2, 19940 0 NA4,605.630.0/km2
Imp349Improvement District No. 349Improvement districtJanuary 1, 20120 0 NA5,639.630.0/km2
Kananaskis Improvement DistrictImprovement districtJanuary 1, 1983221 249 −11.2%4,213.950.1/km2
Kneehill CountyMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 19445,001 4,921 +1.6%3,381.021.5/km2
Lac Ste. Anne CountyMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 194410,899 10,260 +6.2%2,850.383.8/km2
Lacombe CountyMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 194410,343 10,307 +0.3%2,765.163.7/km2
Lamont CountyMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 19443,899 3,872 +0.7%2,385.091.6/km2
Leduc CountyMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 194413,780 13,494 +2.1%2,601.495.3/km2
Lesser Slave River MD of Lesser Slave River No. 124Municipal districtJanuary 1, 19952,803 2,929 −4.3%10,074.390.3/km2
Lethbridge CountyMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 195410,353 10,046 +3.1%2,836.643.6/km2
Minburn County of Minburn No. 27Municipal districtJanuary 30, 19423,188 3,383 −5.8%2,913.021.1/km2
Mountain View CountyMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 194413,074 12,359 +5.8%3,782.643.5/km2
Newell County of NewellMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 19537,524 7,138 +5.4%5,904.671.3/km2
Northern Lights County of Northern Lights[lower-alpha 17]Municipal districtJanuary 1, 19953,656[44] 3,555 +2.8%19,016.550.2/km2
Northern Sunrise County[lower-alpha 17]Municipal districtApril 1, 19941,891 1,791 +5.6%21,149.920.1/km2
Opportunity MD of Opportunity No. 17Municipal districtAugust 1, 19953,181 3,074 +3.5%29,142.10.1/km2
Paintearth County of Paintearth No. 18Municipal districtJanuary 1, 19442,102 2,029 +3.6%3,283.360.6/km2
Parkland CountyMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 196932,097 30,568 +5.0%2,390.2313.4/km2
Peace MD of Peace No. 135Municipal districtDecember 11, 19161,747 1,446 +20.8%847.472.1/km2
Pincher Creek MD of Pincher Creek No. 9Municipal districtJanuary 1, 19442,965 3,158 −6.1%3,482.050.9/km2
Ponoka CountyMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 19529,806 8,856 +10.7%2,814.263.5/km2
Provost MD of Provost No. 52Municipal districtMarch 1, 19432,205 2,288 −3.6%3,628.390.6/km2
Ranchland MD of Ranchland No. 66Municipal districtJanuary 1, 199592 79 +16.5%2,638.70.0/km2
Red Deer CountyMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 194419,541 18,316 +6.7%3,961.854.9/km2
Rocky View CountyMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 195539,407 35,754 +10.2%3,836.3310.3/km2
Saddle Hills CountyMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 19952,225 2,288 −2.8%5,838.150.4/km2
Smoky Lake County[lower-alpha 17]Municipal districtMarch 1, 19432,461[44] 2,459 +0.1%2,633.680.9/km2
Smoky River MD of Smoky River No. 130Municipal districtJanuary 1, 19522,023 2,126 −4.8%2,840.140.7/km2
Special Area No. 2Special areaApril 7, 19591,905 2,025 −5.9%9,347.570.2/km2
Special Area No. 3Special areaApril 7, 19591,042 1,122 −7.1%6,625.580.2/km2
Special Area No. 4Special areaJanuary 1, 19691,237 1,352 −8.5%4,402.640.3/km2
Spirit River MD of Spirit River No. 133Municipal districtDecember 11, 1916700 713 −1.8%683.61.0/km2
St. Paul County of St. Paul No. 19Municipal districtJanuary 30, 19426,036 5,826 +3.6%3,309.441.8/km2
Starland CountyMunicipal districtFebruary 1, 19432,066 2,057 +0.4%2,559.950.8/km2
Stettker County of Stettler No. 6Municipal districtMarch 1, 19435,322 5,103 +4.3%4,018.841.3/km2
Sturgeon CountyMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 195520,495 19,578 +4.7%2,090.139.8/km2
Taber MD of TaberMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 19547,098 6,851 +3.6%4,201.651.7/km2
Thorhild CountyMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 19553,254 3,417 −4.8%2,001.741.6/km2
Two Hills County of Two Hills No. 21Municipal districtJanuary 1, 19443,322 3,160 +5.1%2,637.181.3/km2
Vermilion River County of Vermilion RiverMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 19448,267 7,905 +4.6%5,519.751.5/km2
Vulcan CountyMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 19513,984 3,875 +2.8%5,433.430.7/km2
Wainwright MD of Wainwright No. 61Municipal districtJanuary 30, 19424,479 4,138 +8.2%4,156.561.1/km2
Warner County of Warner No. 5Municipal districtJanuary 1, 19543,947[25] 3,841 +2.8%4,531.550.9/km2
Westlock CountyMunicipal districtFebruary 1, 19437,220 7,644 −5.5%3,171.832.3/km2
Wetaskiwin County of Wetaskiwin No. 10Municipal districtFebruary 1, 194311,181 10,866 +2.9%3,132.063.6/km2
Wheatland CountyMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 19558,788 8,285 +6.1%4,545.921.9/km2
Willow Creek MD of Willow Creek No. 26Municipal districtJanuary 1, 19545,179 5,107 +1.4%4,558.141.1/km2
Woodlands CountyMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 19944,754 4,306 +10.4%7,669.130.6/km2
Yellowhead CountyMunicipal districtJanuary 1, 199410,995 10,469 +5.0%22,293.160.5/km2
Total municipal districts — — 465,672 443,264 +5.1% 381,368.37 1.2/km2
Total improvement districts — — 2,055 2,146 −4.2% 65,499.25 0.0/km2
Total special areas — — 4,184 4,499 −7.0% 20,375.79 0.2/km2
Total rural municipalities — — 471,911 449,909 +4.9% 467,243.41 1.0/km2
Province of Alberta — — 4,067,175 3,645,257 +11.6% 640,330.46 6.4/km2

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

Metis settlements are unique local governments dedicated to Alberta's Metis people.[45][lower-alpha 18] 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.[45] 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.[12] Rather, Statistics Canada recognizes them as designated places embedded within six municipal districts.[39]

Alberta's eight Metis settlements had a cumulative population of 4,858 in the 2016 Census of Population.[46] The province's largest and smallest Metis settlements by population are Kikino and East Prairie with 934 and 304 respectively, while the largest and smallest by land area are Paddle Prairie and Elizabeth at 1,738.82 km2 (671.36 sq mi) and 252.44 km2 (97.47 sq mi) respectively.[47]

List of Metis settlements
List of Metis settlements in Alberta
Name Municipal district or
specialized municipality
[35][39]		 Population
(2016)[47]		 Population
(2011)[47]		 Change
(%)[47]		 Land
area
(km²)[47]		 Population
density
(per km2)[47]
Buffalo LakeSmoky Lake County712 492 +44.7%336.972.1/km2
East PrairieBig Lakes County304 366 −16.9%334.440.9/km2
ElizabethBonnyvilleMD of Bonnyville No. 87653 654 −0.2%252.442.6/km2
Fishing LakeBonnyvilleMD of Bonnyville No. 87446 436 +2.3%355.511.3/km2
Gift Lake[lower-alpha 19]Big Lakes County
Northern Sunrise County		658 662 −0.6%812.730.8/km2
Kikino[lower-alpha 20]Smoky Lake County
Lac La Biche County		934 964 −3.1%443.572.1/km2
Paddle PrairieNorthern LightsCounty of Northern Lights544 562 −3.2%1,738.820.3/km2
PeavineBig Lakes County607 690 −12.0%816.380.7/km2
Total Metis settlements — 4,858 4,826 +0.7% 5,090.86 1.0/km2
Province of Alberta — 4,067,175 3,645,257 +11.6% 640,330.46 6.4/km2

See also

Notes
  1. The remaining 1.3% of Alberta's population resides on Indian reserves or Indian settlements, which occupy the remaining 1.1% 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.[21]
  3. Athabasca was formerly known as Athabasca Landing prior to August 4, 1913.[17]
  4. Bittern Lake was formerly known as Rosenroll prior to December 16, 1911.[24]
  5. Chestermere was formerly known as Chestermere Lake prior to March 1, 1993.[17]
  6. Delia was formerly known as Highland prior to December 9, 1915.[27]
  7. Drumheller originally incorporated as a city on April 3, 1930 but reverted from city status as a result of its amalgamation with the M.D. of Badlands No. 7 in 1998.[17]
  8. Fort Macleod was formerly known as Macleod prior to April 1, 1952.[17]
  9. Granum was formerly known as Leavings prior to March 31, 1908.[17]
  10. Hay Lakes was formerly known as Hay Lake prior to January 1, 1932.[18]
  11. The balance of Lloydminster is located within Saskatchewan. The 2011 and 2006 populations presented here do not include 9,772 and 8,118 in the Saskatchewan portion of Lloydminster respectively, while the land area also does not include 17.34 km2 (6.70 sq mi) in the Saskatchewan portion. The city's total populations in 2011 and 2006 were 27,804 and 24,028 respectively, while its total land area was 41.53 km2 (16.03 sq mi).[28]
  12. Peace River was formerly known as Peace River Crossing prior to May 22, 1916.[17]
  13. Ryley was also known as Equity in 1909.[29]
  14. Spring Lake was formerly known as Edmonton Beach prior to January 1, 1999.[30]
  15. St. Paul was originally named St. Paul de Metis.[31]
  16. 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.[39] The statistics presented for total municipal districts and total rural municipalities therefore exclude the statistics associated with the eight Metis settlements.
  17. 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.[39] The statistics presented for total municipal districts and total rural municipalities therefore exclude the statistics associated with the eight Metis settlements.
  18. The Metis are descendants of people of mixed First Nations and European heritage.
  19. 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 658 living on 811.68 km2 (313.39 sq mi) in 2016, while the Northern Sunrise County portion (part "B") had a population of 0 living on 1.05 km2 (0.41 sq mi).[47]
  20. 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 934 living on 442.27 km2 (170.76 sq mi) in 2016, while the Lac La Biche County portion (part "B") had a population of 0 living on 1.30 km2 (0.50 sq mi).[47]

References
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