List of hamlets in Alberta explained

Hamlets in the Canadian province of Alberta are unincorporated communities administered by, and within the boundaries of, specialized municipalities or rural municipalities (municipal districts, improvement districts and special areas). They consist of five or more dwellings (a majority of which are on parcels of land that are smaller than 1,850 m2), have a generally accepted boundary and name, and contain parcels of land used for non-residential purposes.[1] [2]

Section 59 of the Municipal Government Act (MGA) enables specialized municipalities and municipal districts to designate a hamlet, while Section 590 of the MGA enables the Minister of Alberta Municipal Affairs to designate a hamlet within an improvement district. The Minister may also designate a hamlet within a special area pursuant to Section 10 of the Special Areas Act.[3]

A hamlet can be incorporated as a village when its population reaches 300. However, Alberta has not had a hamlet incorporate as a village since January 1, 1980, when both Barnwell and Wabamun incorporated as villages.[4] [5] Since then, it has been more common for urban municipalities to dissolve from their current municipal status to that of a hamlet under the jurisdiction of its surrounding specialized or rural municipality. As such, the number of hamlets in Alberta has steadily grown over the years.

As of 2024, Alberta has 433 hamlets recognized by Alberta Municipal Affairs, which is up from 403 in 2023.[6] A 434th hamlet, Harmony in Rocky View County, was designated in June 2024 though is not yet recognized by Alberta Municipal Affairs.

Alberta's two largest hamlets – Sherwood Park within Strathcona County and Fort McMurray (formerly a city) within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo – have been further designated as urban service areas by Municipal Affairs. If they were to incorporate as cities, Sherwood Park and Fort McMurray would rank sixth and seventh respectively among Alberta's largest cities by population. Lac La Biche (formerly a town) within Lac La Biche County is a third hamlet also designated as an urban service area.

List of hamlets

NameSpecialized or rural municipalityLatest populationCensus year
2009[7]
2021[8]
2003[9]
1991[10]
2024[11]
2021
2016[12]
1991
2021[13]
2024
2021
2006
1991
2021
2014[14]
2008
2021
2024[15]
1991
2021
2018[16]
2020[17]
2021
2007
1991
1981[18]
1991
2021
2005[19]
2021
2024
2021
2021
2021
2009[20]
2008
1991
2020
1986[21]
2021
2021[22]
1991
2021
2008
2014
2021
1991
2021
Clairmont2024
2021
2008
2021
2024
1991
2021
2013[23]
Cynthia2005
2021
2021
1981
2003
2021
1991
2021
2008
2021
2024
2021
2021[24]
2021
2024
2021
2016
1991
2021
Dunmore
1991
2021
1986
2021
2024
2016[25]
2021
2007
2021
1991
2021
2021
2007
2021
2009
1991
2021
1991
2021
1991
2021
2021[26]
Fort McMurray2021[27]
2024
2021
Red Deer County[28]  <---->
2020
2021
2008
2024
unpublished[29]
2021
2008
2007
2021
unpublished
2021
1991
2021
2001[30]
2024
2024
Harmony[31] 2021
1991
2021
2024
2021
1991
2021
2007
2021
1991
2024
2021
2016[32]
2024
1991
2021
 <---->
2021
2021[33]
2021
2006
2021
1991
1986
2021
2024
2021
2008
2021
2009[34]
2021
1981
2007
1991
2014
2024
2024
2021
Lac La Biche2021
1991
2011[35]
2021
2008
1991
2021
2001[36]
2008
1991
2021
1991
2021
2021[37]
1991
2021
1991
2021
1986
2021
2024
2021
1991
2010[38]
2021
1991
Maskwacis (formerly Hobbema)[39] 2021
2015[40]
2021
2008
2021
1991
2013
2003
2021
1986<--Population of "Mitsue".-->
2021
1991
2021
1981
2021
2007
2021
1991
2021
2010[41]
1991
1991
2021
1991
2021
2005[42]
2021
1986
2024
1991
2021
2009
1991
2021
1991
2021
1986
2021
2008
2021
2005
2003
2021
2007
2021
2020
2021
2008
1991
2015[43]
1991
2021
2008
2005
2021
2021
2013
2021
Sangudo
2021
2021
2021
1991
2021
1986
Sherwood Park2024
2007
1991
2021
2024
1991
2008
2021
1991
1991
2021
1991
1991
2015[44]
2021
1991
2021
1991
2021
2024
2021
2014
Thorhild2021
1991
2021
2021
2007
2015[45]
2021
2024
2021
2016
2006
2021
2005
2021[46]
Wabasca2021
1991
2021
1991
2021
1991
2021
2021
1991
2024
2008
1991
2021
1981
2021
1956[47]
1991
2021
1991
1986
2008
1991
2021
Notes:

Former hamlets

Numerous communities in Alberta have been previously recognized as hamlets by the Province of Alberta. The majority were absorbed by urban municipalities through annexation or amalgamation. The following are those hamlets that have had their hamlet designation removed.

NameFormer municipalitySubsequent municipalityclass=unsortable Remarks
BadlandsAnnexed in 1964[48]
BadlandsAbsorbed as a result of amalgamation January 1, 1998[49]
Annexed January 1, 2000[50] [51]
BadlandsAbsorbed as a result of amalgamation January 1, 1998
Annexed January 1, 1984[52] [53]
Annexed January 1, 1984
Annexed January 1, 1983[54] [55]
LethbridgeAnnexed January 1, 1978[56]
Hillcrest[57] [58] Improvement District No. 5 CrowsnestAbsorbed via amalgamation January 1, 1979[59]
BadlandsAbsorbed as a result of amalgamation January 1, 1998
YellowheadYellowhead County Hamlet status was repealed by Yellowhead County in 2019 after being designated one in 1979
BadlandsAnnexed in 1972
FoothillsAnnexed in 1961[60]
BadlandsAbsorbed as a result of amalgamation January 1, 1998
BadlandsAnnexed in 1967
BadlandsAnnexed in 1967
YellwoheadYellowhead County Hamlet status was repealed by Yellowhead County in 2019 after being designated one in 1987
WainwrightMD of Wainwright No. 61 Hamlet status was repealed on January 21, 2024
BadlandsAbsorbed as a result of amalgamation January 1, 1998
Annexed December 31, 1984[61] [62]
Annexed July 31, 2007[63] [64]
BadlandsAbsorbed as a result of amalgamation January 1, 1998
Western Monarch (Atlas) BadlandsMD of Badlands No. 7[65] [66] Now within the Town of Drumheller following the amalgamation of the City of Drumheller and the MD of Badlands No. 7 on January 1, 1998[67]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Municipal Government Act . Alberta King's Printer . September 17, 2012 . 2023-09-20.
  2. Web site: Types of municipalities in Alberta Alberta.ca . 2023-09-20 . Government of Alberta . en.
  3. Web site: Special Areas Act . Alberta Queen's Printer . January 1, 2010.
  4. Web site: The Alberta Gazette, Order in Council 1164/79 – Incorporation of the Village of Barnwell . Province of Alberta . January 31, 1980 . June 17, 2010.
  5. Web site: The Alberta Gazette, Order in Council 1163/79 – Incorporation of the Village of Wabamun . Province of Alberta . January 31, 1980 . June 17, 2010.
  6. Web site: 2023 Municipal Codes . . January 23, 2023 . June 17, 2024.
  7. Web site: 2009 Municipal Census Report . https://web.archive.org/web/20110720134853/http://www.thorhildcounty.com/Text/2009%20Census%20Report.pdf . July 20, 2011 . County of Thorhild . August 11, 2009 . March 6, 2013.
  8. Web site: Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions, census subdivisions (municipalities) and designated places (Alberta) . . February 9, 2022 . July 25, 2022.
  9. Web site: Alberta Population Summary: Alberta's Hamlets Alphabetically, 2010 . Alberta Population . February 7, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211211031124/http://www.altapop.ca/popsums/2010/2010hamletsalpha.pdf . December 11, 2021.
  10. Web site: 91 Census: Unincorporated Places — Population and Dwelling Counts . . June 1993 . February 23, 2020.
  11. Web site: Strathcona County census results . Strathcona County . November 1, 2024 . November 2, 2024.
  12. Web site: Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and designated places, 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta) . . February 20, 2019 . February 2, 2020.
  13. Web site: Population and dwelling count amendments, 2021 Census. . December 1, 2023 . June 17, 2024.
  14. Web site: MD of Bonnyville 2014 Census Results . Municipal District of Bonnyville No. 87 . 1 . February 1, 2015.
  15. Web site: County of Grande Prairie 2024 Municipal Census: Demographic Report . County of Grande Prairie No. 1 . October 23, 2024 . December 1, 2024.
  16. Web site: 2018 Rocky View County Census Results . Rocky View County . 249–254 . November 13, 2018 . February 3, 2020.
  17. Web site: Municipal Census Report 2020 . County of Newell . 3 . October 13, 2020.
  18. Web site: 1981 Census of Canada: Place Name Reference List — Western Provinces and the Territories . . May 1983 . February 23, 2020.
  19. News: Census reveals growth . Courtney Whalen . Drayton Valley Western Review . Sun Media Community Newspapers . September 7, 2005.
  20. Web site: 2009 Municipal Census . Parkland County . June 29, 2009 . January 6, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110715045055/http://www.parklandcounty.com/AssetFactory.aspx?did=3442 . July 15, 2011 .
  21. Web site: Census Canada 1986: Population — Unincorporated Places (Population and Dwelling Counts – Canada) . . July 1988 . February 23, 2020.
  22. Web site: Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population: 48100363 Alberta [Dissemination area] ]. . July 24, 2022 . July 27, 2022.
  23. Web site: Past Census Trackers: 2013 Municipal Censuses . Alberta Population . February 8, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211117063455/http://www.altapop.ca/censustrackers.htm . November 17, 2021.
  24. Web site: Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population: 48040045 Alberta [Dissemination area] ]. . July 24, 2022 . July 27, 2022.
  25. Web site: About Us: Population & Statistics . Municipal District of Taber . February 3, 2020.
  26. Web site: census2021 Municipal Census Report . Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo . September 13, 2024.
  27. Web site: Population and dwelling counts: Canada and population centres . . February 9, 2022 . July 25, 2022.
  28. Web site: Red Deer County News: Gasoline Alley West Becomes County's Newest Hamlet . Red Deer County . 1 . November 2018 . May 12, 2020.
  29. Book: – (Streets Improvement Component), Eligible Hamlets – 2013 Pop. . . 2013.
  30. Web site: 2001 Community Profiles . Statistics Canada . January 3, 2010 . December 22, 2005 . https://web.archive.org/web/20051222170659/http://www12.statcan.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Index.cfm?Lang=E . dead .
  31. News: RVC designates Harmony as County's newest hamlet . Airdrie City View/Rocky View Weekly . Riley Stovka . Great West Media . June 17, 2024 . June 17, 2024.
  32. Web site: Lac La Biche County 2016 Municipal Census Report . . 13 . February 3, 2020 . September 8, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200908102534/http://laclabichecounty.com/home/showdocument?id=5054 . dead .
  33. Web site: Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population: 48010233 Alberta [Dissemination area] ]. . July 24, 2022 . July 28, 2022.
  34. Web site: Municipal Census Highlights . https://web.archive.org/web/20120226224539/http://www.beaver.ab.ca/municipal/beaver/beaver-website.nsf/AllDoc/18C009BD52DFF1BB872576B40003E8CF/%24File/Municipal_Census_Highlights.pdf . February 26, 2012 . Beaver County . 2009 . July 29, 2010 . dead .
  35. Web site: Evaluation of Parks Canada's Townsite Management Sub-Program . . January 11, 2017 . February 2, 2020.
  36. Web site: 2001 Census: Community Highlights for Lavoy, Alberta (Village / Dissolved) . . February 7, 2019 . February 2, 2020.
  37. Web site: Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities) . . February 9, 2022 . July 25, 2022.
  38. Web site: County Statistics . Northern Sunrise County . March 30, 2011.
  39. Web site: County Council Meeting (minutes) . . PDF . 2 . September 3, 2013 . January 1, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150512005311/https://ponokacounty.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?Id=14042&Search=1&Result=1 . May 12, 2015 . dead .
  40. Web site: McLaughlin Community Profile . County of Vermilion River . September 3, 2018.
  41. Web site: Planning Toolkit, Module 5 – Implementation Guidelines for Growth Areas Outside of Priority Growth Areas (PGAs) and Cluster Country Residential Areas (CCRAs) . https://web.archive.org/web/20160731121554/http://capitalregionboard.ab.ca/-/toolkit/module5-implementationguidelinesforgrowthareasoutsideofpgasandccras.pdf . July 31, 2016 . Capital Region Board . August 30, 2010 . dead .
  42. Web site: Leduc County Census 2005 . Leduc County . March 6, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060629055528/http://leduc-county.com/about/leduc_county_census_statistic.htm . June 29, 2006.
  43. Web site: Rivercourse Community Profile . County of Vermilion River . September 3, 2018.
  44. Web site: Streamstown Community Profile . County of Vermilion River . September 3, 2018.
  45. Web site: Tulliby Lake Community Profile . County of Vermilion River . September 3, 2018.
  46. Web site: Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population: 48112023 Alberta [Dissemination area] ]. . July 24, 2022 . July 27, 2022.
  47. Book: Census of Canada, 1956 . . Population of unincorporated villages and settlements . October 25, 1957 . November 29, 2021.
  48. Web site: Town of Drumheller Municipal Development Plan: Volume 1 Background Study . Town of Drumheller and Palliser Regional Municipal Services . PDF . 5 . April 21, 2008 . October 10, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140420042307/https://drumheller.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentDisplay.aspx?Id=13207 . April 20, 2014 . dead .
  49. Web site: Location and History Profile: Town of Drumheller . Alberta Municipal Affairs . October 4, 2013 . October 10, 2013.
  50. Web site: Board Order: MGB 042/00 . . March 10, 2000 . November 20, 2012.
  51. Web site: Order in Council (O.C.) 135/2000 . Province of Alberta . April 12, 2000 . November 20, 2012.
  52. Web site: Board Order No. 16195 . Local Authorities Board . April 3, 1983 . November 20, 2012.
  53. Web site: The Alberta Gazette (O.C. 640/83) . Province of Alberta . August 15, 1983 . November 20, 2012.
  54. Web site: The Alberta Gazette (Town of Three Hills: Order No. 16267) . Local Authorities Board . October 15, 1983 . November 20, 2012.
  55. Web site: O.C. 483/83 . Province of Alberta . October 15, 1983 . November 20, 2012.
  56. Web site: Order No. 10079 . Local Authorities Board . December 23, 1977 . November 20, 2012.
  57. Book: Annual Report of the Dept. of Highways of the Province of Alberta . 1958 . . 44 & 46 . October 11, 2013.
  58. Web site: Board Order: MGB 131/98 . . June 3, 1998 . August 28, 2012.
  59. Web site: Location and History Profile: Municipality of Crowsnest Pass . . PDF . October 4, 2013 . October 11, 2013.
  60. Web site: The Alberta Gazette, 1962 (Volume 58) . Queen's Printer for Alberta . 120 . 1963 . February 21, 2016.
  61. Web site: The Alberta Gazette (Town of Three Hills: Order No. 17120) . Local Authorities Board . January 1, 1985 . November 20, 2012.
  62. Web site: O.C. 942/84 . Province of Alberta . January 31, 1985 . November 20, 2012.
  63. Web site: Board Order: MGB 079/07 . Municipal Government Board . July 4, 2007 . November 20, 2012.
  64. Web site: O.C. 333/2007 . Province of Alberta . August 1, 2007 . November 20, 2012.
  65. Web site: The Alberta Gazette (Board Order No. 20515) . Local Authorities Board . December 31, 1992 . November 20, 2012.
  66. Web site: The Alberta Gazette (O.C. 176/93) . Province of Alberta . April 15, 1993 . November 20, 2012.
  67. Web site: O.C. 414/97 . Province of Alberta . September 24, 1997 . November 20, 2012.

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