| High River | |
| Official Name: | Town of High River |
| Settlement Type: | Town |
| Image Blank Emblem: | High River AB logo.gif |
| Blank Emblem Size: | 150px |
| Pushpin Map: | Canada Alberta |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of High River in Alberta |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Canada |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | Alberta |
| Subdivision Type2: | Region |
| Subdivision Name2: | Calgary Region |
| Subdivision Type3: | Census division |
| Subdivision Name3: | 6 |
| Subdivision Type4: | Municipal district |
| Subdivision Name4: | Foothills County |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | Craig Snodgrass |
| Leader Title1: | Governing body[1] |
| Leader Title2: | Manager |
| Leader Name2: | Tom Maier |
| Leader Title4: | MLA |
| Leader Name4: | Chelsae Petrovic |
| Established Title: | Founded |
| Established Title1: | Incorporated[2] |
| Established Date1: | |
| Established Title2: | • Village |
| Established Date2: | December 6, 1901 |
| Established Title3: | • Town |
| Established Date3: | February 12, 1906 |
| Area Footnotes: | (2021) |
| Area Land Km2: | 22.19 |
| Population As Of: | 2021 |
| Population Footnotes: | [3] [4] |
| Population Total: | 14324 |
| Population Density Km2: | 645.4 |
| Population Blank1 Title: | Municipal census (2019) |
| Population Blank1: | 14052 |
| Population Blank2 Title: | Estimate (2020) |
| Population Blank2: | 14434[5] |
| Timezone: | MST |
| Utc Offset: | −7 |
| Timezone Dst: | MDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | −6 |
| Coordinates: | 50.5808°N -113.8744°W |
| Elevation Footnotes: | [6] |
| Elevation M: | 1040 |
| Postal Code Type: | Forward sortation area |
| Postal Code: | T1V |
| Area Code: | 403, 587, 825, 368 |
| Blank Name: | Highways |
| Blank Info: | Highway 2 Highway 23 |
| Blank1 Name: | Waterway |
| Blank1 Info: | Highwood River |
High River is a town within the Calgary Metropolitan Region of Alberta, Canada. It is approximately 68km (42miles) south of Calgary, at the junction of Alberta Highways 2 and 23. High River had a population of 14,324 in 2021.
The community takes its name from the Highwood River, which flows through the town.[7] The area was originally inhabited largely by the Blackfoot First Nation, who called the site Ispitzee (or the "place of high trees along running water"). By 1870, after the arrival of the North-West Mounted Police and after Treaty Number 7 had been signed in 1877, settlers began arriving into the region.[8] [9] High River's development centered on a convenient location for people, horses and cattle to cross the Highwood River - a location known as "The Crossing".[10]
Development of the town was supported by the completion of the Calgary and Edmonton Railway in 1892.[8] [10] High River incorporated as a village on December 5, 1901, and was incorporated as a town on February 12, 1906.[2] Future Senator and area rancher Daniel Edward Riley would serve as the Town of High River's first mayor.[11]
Although growth slowed during the First World War, it continued after the war with the building of brick structures and a number of industries. One of Canada's first air force stations was constructed to the east of the town in 1921[12] [13] The establishment of a British Commonwealth Air Training Plan elementary flying training school at the same air station helped boost High River's economy during the Second World War.[8] [9]
High River continued to grow throughout the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1970s the downtown saw some major redevelopment, and redevelopment is continuing.
See main article: 2013 Alberta floods. The Highwood River is subject to frequent flooding. Flood events of exceptional magnitude occurred in 1894, 1899, 1902, 1908, 1912, 1923, 1929, 1932, 1942, 1995, 2005 and 2013.[14] Most recently during the 2013 Alberta floods, thousands of people in Alberta were ordered to evacuate their homes after the rise of the Highwood River, Bow River, Elbow River, Sheep River, and numerous others.[15] [16] In 2013, three people died as a result of the flooding of the Highwood River.[17]
High River experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb). Summer days are mild to warm with cool nights, while winters are cold and snowy with annual snowfall averaging 69 inches (175 cm).[18]
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of High River had a population of 14,324 living in 5,787 of its 5,950 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 13,594. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2021.[19]
The population of the Town of High River according to its 2019 municipal census is 14,052,[20] a change from its 2010 municipal census population of 11,783.[21]
In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of High River recorded a population of 13,584 living in 5,367 of its 5,655 total private dwellings, a change from its 2011 population of 12,930. With a land area of 21.39km2, it had a population density of in 2016.[22]
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of High River recorded a population of 14,324 living in 5,790 of its 5,790 total private dwellings, a 5.4% change from its 2016 population of 14,324. With a land area of 22.19km2, it had a population density of in 2021.[23]
As part of High River's tourism and heritage endeavours, a number of murals illustrating High River's history were painted around town.[24] The first of which were painted in the 1990s, and the most recent one being completed in 2016.[25]
The Museum of the Highwood (c. 1911–12), which sustained smoke, water and fire damage following a fire in the building's attic in July 2010, is on the Canadian Register of Historic Places.[26]
High River is part of the Foothills School Division No. 38, as well as the Christ The Redeemer Catholic Schools Division.
Foothills School Division:
Christ The Redeemer Catholic Schools:
High River has been used as a filming location for the following films and television series: