| Magrath | |
| Official Name: | Town of Magrath |
| Nickname: | Garden City[1] |
| Settlement Type: | Town |
| Image Blank Emblem: | Town of Magrath Logo.jpg |
| Pushpin Map: | Canada Alberta |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Canada |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | Alberta |
| Subdivision Type2: | Region |
| Subdivision Name2: | Southern Alberta |
| Subdivision Type3: | Census division |
| Subdivision Name3: | 3 |
| Subdivision Type4: | Municipal district |
| Subdivision Name4: | Cardston County |
| Government Footnotes: | [2] |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | Byrne Cook |
| Leader Title1: | Governing body |
| Leader Name1: | Magrath Town Council |
| Leader Title2: | CAO |
| Leader Name2: | James Suffredine |
| Leader Title3: | MP |
| Leader Name3: | Glen Motz |
| Leader Title4: | MLA |
| Leader Name4: | Joseph Schow |
| Established Title: | Founded |
| Established Title1: | Incorporated[3] |
| Established Date1: | |
| Established Title2: | • Village |
| Established Date2: | August 20, 1901 |
| Established Title3: | • Town |
| Established Date3: | July 24, 1907 |
| Named For: | Charles Alexander Magrath |
| Area Footnotes: | (2021) |
| Area Land Km2: | 5.88 |
| Population As Of: | 2021 |
| Population Footnotes: | [4] |
| Population Total: | 2481 |
| Population Density Km2: | 422 |
| Timezone: | MST |
| Utc Offset: | −7 |
| Timezone Dst: | MDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | −6 |
| Coordinates: | 49.4239°N -112.8683°W |
| Elevation Footnotes: | [5] |
| Elevation M: | 983 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code span |
| Postal Code: | T0K 1J0 |
| Area Code: | +1-403 |
Magrath is a town in Cardston County, Alberta, Canada. Its population was 2,481 in 2021. Magrath is 32km (20miles) (approximately 25 minutes) south of Lethbridge and 242km (150miles) (approximately 2.5 hours) south of Calgary.
Magrath was established in 1899 by settlers sent by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from Utah and Idaho. These Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints settlers were recruited by the Alberta Railway and Irrigation Company to construct irrigation works in the area funded by British interests by the family of Sir Alexander Galt. The settlers were paid in cash and land in the town. This was the first major irrigation work in Canada and was made possible by the settlers' experience with the extensive irrigation projects undertaken by their church in Utah and Idaho.
The irrigation system was completed in November 1899 and spanned ninety-miles. It was the first large-scale irrigation system in Canada. The area's irrigation canal system supplies water to farmers throughout Southern Alberta and was the first major irrigation project in Canada. In its early years Magrath was known as The Irrigation Capital of Canada, and later as "The Garden City" for its beautiful natural setting and plentiful trees. The design and layout of Magrath was based on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 'Plat of Zion' urban design model. Magrath also has historical links to the internationally recognized British Garden City tradition which was piloted in England during this same period.
Magrath was named after Charles Alexander Magrath, the son-in-law of Sir Alexander Galt.[6] Magrath post office was established 1 March 1900, with Ammon Mercer as first postmaster.[7]
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Magrath had a population of 2,481 living in 803 of its 830 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 2,374. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2021.[8]
The population of the Town of Magrath according to its 2017 municipal census is 2,435,[9] a change of from its 2015 municipal census population of 2,398.[10]
In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Magrath recorded a population of 2,374 living in 757 of its 794 total private dwellings, a change from its 2011 population of 2,217. With a land area of 5.99km2, it had a population density of in 2016.[11]
The following is a breakdown of Magrath's population by religious affiliation from the 2001 federal census.[12]
Statistics Canada includes 44 churches in its 2001 Protestant definition, including members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Community of Christ.[13]
The religious affiliation within Magrath is primarily from the LDS Church. There is a stake based in Magrath, which is composed of ten congregations (eight wards and two branches) in the town and surrounding area.[14] As of June 2016, the total membership in the Magrath Alberta Stake was reported as 2433 members.