| Strathcona County | |||
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| — Specialized municipality — | |||
| Welcome sign on Highway 14 | |||
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| Coordinates: | |||
| Country | Canada | ||
| Province | Alberta | ||
| Region | Edmonton Region | ||
| Census division | No. 11 | ||
| Incorporated [1][2] | |||
| - Municipal district | 1943 | ||
| - Specialized municipality | January 1, 1996 | ||
| Government[3] | |||
| • Mayor | Linda Osinchuk | ||
| • Governing body |
Strathcona County Council
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| • Chief Commissioner | Robyn W. Singleton | ||
| • Municipal seat | Sherwood Park | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 1,179 km2 (455.2 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2006)[4] | |||
| • Total | 82,511 | ||
| • Density | 70/km2 (181.3/sq mi) | ||
| • Dwellings | 29,293 | ||
| Time zone | MST (UTC-7) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | MDT (UTC-6) | ||
| Website | Strathcona County | ||
Strathcona County is a specialized municipality in central Alberta, Canada between Edmonton and Elk Island National Park.
It is located in Division No. 11 and is also part of the Edmonton Census Metropolitan Area. More than half of the population lives in Sherwood Park, a large community east of Edmonton that has opted to retain hamlet status. Strathcona County was designated as a specialized municipality on January 1, 1996, in order to accommodate the specific needs of an area that includes both urban and rural territory.[5]
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Unlike most Albertan municipal districts, where council appoints a reeve, Strathcona County elects a mayor. Linda Osinchuk was elected in 2010.
The population of Strathcona County according to its 2009 municipal census is 87,998.[6][7] In 2006, Strathcona County had a population of 82,511 living in 29,293 dwellings, a 14.6% increase from 2001. The specialized municipality has a land area of 1,179.43 km2 (455.38 sq mi) and a population density of 70.0 /km2 (181 /sq mi).[4]
According to the Canada 2001 Census,[8] Strathcona County had a population of 71,986 (increased to 80,232 in 2005[9]), a 12.2% increase from 1996. With a land area of 1,182.11 square kilometres (456.42 sq mi) and 24,528 dwellings, it had a population density was 60.9 persons per square kilometre in 2001.
First officially recognized in 1893 by the territorial legislature (it was then part of the North West Territories) as Statute Labour District #2, Strathcona County has changed immensely since its inception. In 1913 Statute Labour District #2 was renamed to Local Improvement District #517 (Clover Bar), which then, in 1943, merged with Local Improvement District #518 (Strathcona) to become Municipal District #83 (Strathcona). By joining with local school divisions in 1962, Municipal District #83 officially became a county. County status was subsequently revoked in 1995 when the County Act was repealed by the provincial legislature, but was quickly returned in 1996 when the County of Strathcona #20 officially changed its name to Strathcona County and received Specialized Municipality status.[5]
On March 29, 2007 the county announced plans to create an entirely new urban settlement from scratch to complement Sherwood Park. This development is supposed to be more dense and pedestrian friendly, and could hold up to 200,000 people. However, opponents have pointed out that the development will destroy land of high agricultural value, and the City of Edmonton opposes it as another example of urban sprawl in the region.[10]
Hamlets
| City of Fort Saskatchewan | Sturgeon County | Lamont County | ||
| City of Edmonton | Elk Island National Park | |||
| Strathcona County | ||||
| Leduc County | Leduc County | Beaver County |