Towns of Alberta
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Towns in Alberta are generally formed from communities with populations of at least 1,000 people.
Alberta has a total of 111 towns, with a population totaling 406,108 in 2005[1]. The average Albertan town has between 3,000 and 4,000 inhabitants. 740 elected town officials ensure town governance throughout the province. When a town's population exceeds 10,000 people, the council may requests a change to city status, but the change in incorporation level is not mandatory[2]. Communities with shrinking populations are allowed to retain town status even if the number of residents falls below the 1,000 limit.
A higher density of towns is found in the 400 km long Calgary-Edmonton Corridor, along the Queen Elizabeth II Highway. 72% of Alberta's population is concentrated in this region[3].
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[edit] Administration
As legislated by the Municipal Government Act[4], a town is governed by a mayor and town council consisting of five to seven councillors. All town officials are elected by popular vote under the provisions of the Local Authorities Election Act[5]. Candidates are required to be residents of their municipality[2]. Alberta Municipal Affairs, a branch of the Cabinet of Alberta, is charged with coordination of all levels of local government. Administrative duties of towns include public safety, local transit, road, drainage, and waterway maintenance and garbage collection as well as coordination of infrastucture with provincial and regional authorities (including road construction, education, and health).
Administration is coordinated with the municipal district or county authorities, except for strong economic centers, which maintain administrative autonomy.
[edit] List of towns
[edit] Most populous towns
- Cochrane - 12,688
- Okotoks - 11,664
- Canmore - 11,442
- Lacombe - 10,850
- Stony Plain - 10,544
- Strathmore - 9,653
- High River - 9,522
- Hinton - 9,405
- Whitecourt - 8,747
- Sylvan Lake - 8,504
The least populated town is Granum with 420 residents.
[edit] See also
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: |
- List of communities in Alberta
- List of Alberta Municipal Districts
- Villages of Alberta
- Hamlets of Alberta
- List of Alberta Indian reserves
- Census divisions of Alberta
[edit] References
- ^ a b Alberta Municipal Affairs - 2005 Municipal Census
- ^ a b Alberta Municipal Affairs - Types of Municipalities in Alberta
- ^ Statistics Canada - Calgary-Edmonton corridor
- ^ Alberta Queens Printer - Municipal Government Act
- ^ Alberta Queens Printer - Local Authorities Election Act
- ^ Alberta Municipal Affairs - Detailed town profiles
| Census divisions | 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - 17 - 18 - 19 |
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| Cities | Airdrie - Brooks - Calgary - Camrose - Cold Lake - Edmonton - Fort Saskatchewan - Grande Prairie - Leduc - Lethbridge - Lloydminster - Medicine Hat - Red Deer - Spruce Grove - St. Albert - Wetaskiwin |
| Communities | Counties and Municipal Districts of Alberta - Towns of Alberta - Villages of Alberta - Hamlets of Alberta - Indian Reserves in Alberta - Métis in Alberta |
