About the County
County at a Glance
The County of Wetaskiwin, located in central Alberta on the Highway 2 corridor, offers a casual country setting with a diverse farming community. The County stretches from Bittern Lake on the east boundary to the Alder Flats area in the west. Geographically centered in the Province, a network of provincial primary and secondary highways provide quick and easy access to and from major centers in Alberta. It is rich in natural attractions boasting several lakes, nestled in forested, hilly parkland settings and home to a variety of wildlife. The County is continually striving to enrich and improve its community, while still maintaining an old fashioned attitude and hospitality.
The moderate weather in Central Alberta provides residents with an opportunity to enjoy the change of seasons. Average summer temperatures are in the range of 17.1 C and winter temperatures - 16.6 C. Precipitation averages 52 inches, of which 39.3 falls in the form of snow
There is a strong local workforce well represented in all occupational and industry sectors including retail/wholesale jobs, agriculture, business and community services. The solid base of farming families contributes to the sustainability of the rural population. Nearly half of the labour force in the area has some level of post-secondary education with a range of studies varying from trades, administration, educational, recreational, counseling, health professions, sciences and technologies.
Average housing prices are generally lower than surrounding communities providing a strong incentive for residential relocations from neighboring urban centers. Residential development on Pigeon Lake and Buck Lake offers close proximity for recreational opportunities. Additionally competitively priced industrial land is an attraction in the County of Wetaskiwin for new business ventures.
Emergency Services
Emergency, fire and protective services are well-represented with local ambulance services, volunteer fire departments, amalgamated rural and urban detachments of the RCMP and local Community Peace Officers.
Economic Development
The County's economic base includes agricultural products, distribution, tourism, oil and gas exploration and development. Investors would benefit from easy access to major transportation routes, low cost housing, and proximity to the Edmonton International airport.
General Information
- Incorporated: January 1, 1958
- Population: (2021 Federal Census) 11,217
- Location: 50 km (30 miles) south of Edmonton on Highway 2
- Area: 3,322.4 square kms
- Major Economic Generators: Agriculture, Oil and Gas, Forestry, Manufacturing, Construction & Tourism
- Comprises: Hamlets (unincorporated communities administered by, and within the boundaries of, the County of Wetaskiwin): Alder Flats, Buck Lake, Falun, Gwynne, Mulhurst Bay, Village of Pigeon Lake, Westerose and Winfield.
Other municipalities within the County of Wetaskiwin boundaries are: City of Wetaskiwin, Town of Millet and Summer Villages of Argentia Beach, Crystal Springs, Grandview, Ma-Me-O Beach, Norris Beach, Poplar Bay and Silver Beach.
Climate
| Average Climate | Temperature & Precipitation |
|---|---|
| Total precipitation | 45 cm (including rain and snow) |
| Average snowfall | 150 cm |
| Average summer temperature | +21°C |
| Average winter temperature | -16°C |
| Average frost free days | 102 days |
Transportation
- Numbered Highways: #2, #2A, #13, #20, #22, #771, #616, #611, #822, #613, #814, #795
- Rail: Canadian Pacific Railways
- Air: Wetaskiwin Regional Airport, Edmonton International Airport
Enforcement
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- Community Peace Officers
Health Care
- Wetaskiwin Hospital, Wetaskiwin
- Health Unit, Wetaskiwin and Winfield
- Home Support Services
Education
- Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools has elementary schools located in Alder Flats, Winfield, Lakedell, Falun, Millet, Gwynne, Pipestone and Wetaskiwin and junior and senior high schools in Buck Lake, Falun and Wetaskiwin.
- STAR Catholic (St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Schools) has K to 9 in the City of Wetaskiwin, Pre-K to 12 in Drayton Valley and Pre-K to 12 in Leduc.
- Post Secondary Education is available nearby at Edmonton based post secondary institutions such as the University of Alberta (Edmonton and Camrose Campuses), Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), Grant MacEwan College, Norquest College (Wetaskiwin Campus) and Red Deer College.