Strathcona County

www.strathconacounty.com

Welcome

On behalf of Strathcona County Council, thank you for your interest in our community.

Our Council is a dedicated group working as a team with our citizens, our very active volunteers and our employees to make this an even better place to live, work and play. We are proud of the services we share and have built together to provide spiritual, social, recreational, educational and economic benefits.

A unique residential lifestyle - both urban and rural; a range of institutional and shopping facilities and small industries; an excellent education system, recreational programs and facilities catering to people of all ages; and fire, ambulance and police services to rival those of most large cities are a few of the amenities our community takes pride in.

Strathcona County is located in the centre of industrial Alberta, adjacent to the provincial capital, Edmonton. We are Alberta's leading industrial municipality as measured by the value of manufactured goods. Almost 7,000 businesses and organizations are located in Strathcona County including 200 manufacturing industries. They are serving over 80,000 people locally as well as millions in markets near and far afield.

So why Strathcona County? No business license; no business tax; a strong and growing local market - Alberta's third largest municipality; a prime location in the heart of Canada's sixth largest metro region serving 1 million people; fully-serviced land competitively priced; highly-skilled labour force; immediate access to major transportation routes, political dedication to promoting economic growth and a friendly family-orientated community. Our anticipated residential, commercial and industrial growth and the business and investment opportunities combined with a political dedication to growth creates a very positive business environment.

If you wish to consider our community as home for your business, please contact Gerry Gabinet, Manager, Economic Development & Tourism at 1-800-668-5894 or myself at (780)464-8000.

Yours sincerely,

 

Cathy Olesen,
MAYOR STRATHCONA COUNTY



County Hall

Area Overview

Young and vibrant, Strathcona County offers a unique blend of urban and rural lifestyles with a solid -- and growing -- economic base.

Ideally located in central Alberta, Strathcona County accommodates a range of industrial and commercial development within its 480 square miles -- from cottage industries and one-person operations to world-scale plants with more than 400 employees. Situated adjacent to Edmonton, the provincial capital, Strathcona's market base of 1 million and a transportation infrastructure including Canada's newest Trans Canada Highway, two national rail lines and close proximity to an international airport cannot be rivalled by any other community within the metropolitan region.

Some of the advantages which make Strathcona a preferred community in which to locate include: no business tax - no business license; proactive economic development philosophy; efficient transportation links to major markets; wide range of industrial development; extensive infrastructure; investment and development opportunities; substantial market base; solid industrial base; urban amenities in a rural atmosphere; high quality of life; high-quality education; wide range of recreational opportunities; and diversity in residential styles.

Home to more than 80,000 people, Strathcona County offers a quality of life without parallel. Residential options range from family and hobby farming, executive country acreage living and lakeside dwelling to neighbourhood lifestyles in well-planned subdivisions -- all within convenient access to urban amenities.

Residents of Strathcona enjoy a first- class educational system, as well as close proximity to excellent post-secondary institutions. The University of Alberta, Canada's second largest university, is just a 15-minute drive from Sherwood Park.

Residents also have the advantage of a full range of recreational facilities and activities; excellent health facilities and social services; and well-trained, well-equipped police and emergency response units.

Climate

See Climate section on

www.strathconacounty.com



Community Services

Visit Resident for details on:

  • Communities
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  • Recreation

Visit Visitor for details on:

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  • Conference facilities

Community Lifestyle

Relaxing Rural Lifestyle

Strathcona County epitomizes the quality of life that people seek: a clean community, a high standard of living, and all the conveniences of a progressive, modern community.

You can inhale the fresh air, delight in the wide open spaces and succumb to the pleasures of creating a clean, safe haven for yourself in a location far, far from the fast lane. While savoring the advantages of a relaxed, rural setting, you can take comfort in the thriving urban centres of Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, and Edmonton, Alberta’s capital. You can have the best of both worlds!

Strathcona County is a perfect place to mix relaxation with work. Hundreds of Strathcona County residents have successful home-based businesses. These one-person specialist companies include tree farms, ostrich and emu properties, quaint country cafes and bed and breakfast inns. Whether you choose to live, work or play in Strathcona County, you’ll enjoy it. It’s only natural!

Complete Urban Amenities

Strathcona residents have a variety of urban amenities to choose from, both in the County itself and in nearby Edmonton. Sherwood Park boasts numerous restaurants, drug stores, medical clinics, grocery stores, shops, professional services and banks. In addition, County residents can take advantage of a full range of recreational facilities and activities, excellent health care and social services, and well-trained, well-equipped police and emergency response units.



Festival Place in Broadmoor Lake Park

Economic Base

Strathcona County is dedicated to serving its local businesses. The mayor and council are strong advocates of planned development. Likewise, County departments strive to serve businesses and meet their individual needs. Strathcona’s Economic Development and Tourism department works to enhance existing businesses and to attract new developments to the area. In turn, companies find a suitable and hospitable place to locate their business and profit.

Strathcona County’s government responds effectively to the needs of the private sector by espousing a philosophy of “growth through partnership.” In years past, Strathcona County has formed partnerships not only with private businesses, but also with its neighbouring municipalities and the University of Alberta.

A pro-business environment, a favorable tax regime, strong economic growth, a productive labor force, skilled workers, low manufacturing wages, a large customer base, access to suppliers, economical ground transportation, and efficient transportation links are some of the reasons why Strathcona County is your natural location for business.

Visit Business for details on:

  • Market
  • Future outlook
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  • Statistics and publications
  • Property locator, and
  • Policies, bylaws and permits

Key Contacts for Business Development

Municipal

Strathcona County
2001 Sherwood Drive
Sherwood Park, Alberta T8A 3W7
Tel: 780-464-8111
Fax: 780-464-8050

Cathy Oleson
Mayor

Robyn Singleton
Chief Commissioner
Tel: 780-464-8100
Fax: 780-464-8050
singletonsingleton@strathcona.ab.ca

 

Gerry Gabinet
Manager, Economic Development & Tourism
2001 Sherwood Drive
Sherwood Park, Alberta T8A 3W7
Tel: 780-464-8257 or 1-800-668-5894
Fax: 780-464-8444
gabinet@strathcona.ab.ca

Kyle Reiling
Coordinator Business Development and Investment
Economic Development & Tourism
2001 Sherwood Drive
Sherwood Park, Alberta T8A 3W7
Tel: 780-464-8285 or 1-800-668-5894
Fax: 780-464-8444
reiling@strathcona.ab.ca

Provincial

David Pattison
Director, Edmonton Region
Regional Development Branch
Alberta Economic Development
5th Floor, Commerce Place
10155 - 102 Street
Edmonton, AB T5J 4L6
Tel: 780-427-6648
Fax: 780-422-5804
E-Mail: david.pattison@gov.ab.ca

Hon. Iris Evans
Minister of Employment, Immigration and Industry (Update 2007)
Member of the Legislative Assembly [MLA]
Sherwood Park Constituency
Legislature Office:
#208, 10800 - 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6
Tel: 780-4800
Fax: 780-422-9556

Constituency Office:
#116B, 937 Fir Street
Sherwood Park, AB T8A 4N6
Tel: 780-417-4747
Fax: 780-417-4748

Federal

Ken Epp
Member of Parliament [MP]
Elk Island Constituency
Legislature Office:
Parliament Hill
Room 615, Confederation Building
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Tel: 613-995-3611
Fax: 613-995-3612

Constituency Office:
141 Seneca Road
Sherwood Park, AB T8A 4G6
Tel: 780-467-4944
Fax: 780-449-1471

Location

Strathcona County is located just east of the City of Edmonton. It is bounded by the Counties of Lamont and Beaver to the east, the County of Leduc to the south, the City of Edmonton to the west and the Municipal District of Sturgeon to the north.



Population

Total Population    
Population 2006* 80,232
Population 2005* 80,232
Population 2004* 75,949
Population 2003* 75,949
Population 2002* 71,986
Population 2001** 71,985
Population 1996** 64,176
Population 1991** 56,573
Population % change 1991-1996 11.85%
Population % change 1996-2001 10.85%
Population % change 2001-2006 10.28%
* Source: Official Population List, Alberta Municipal Affairs
** Source: Statistics Canada Census

Total Population 1991-2001

Population by Age and Gender  1996 
Male 
1996 
Female 
1996 
Total 
2001 
Male 
2001 
Female 
2001 
Total 
Age 0 - 4 2,345 2,130 4,475 2,270 2,110 4,380
Age 5 - 14 5,770 5,415 11,185 6,105 5,715 11,820
Age 15 - 19 2,820 2,630 5,450 3,130 2,925 6,055
Age 20 - 24 1,945 1,760 3,705 2,085 1,915 4,000
Age 25 - 34 3,930 4,400 8,330 3,870 4,290 8,160
Age 35 - 44 6,015 6,160 12,175 6,445 6,915 13,360
Age 45 - 54 5,240 5,170 10,410 5,910 6,055 11,965
Age 55 - 64 2,615 2,290 4,905 3,760 3,375 7,135
Age 65 - 74 1,190 1,120 2,310 1,705 1,555 3,260
Age 75 and older 485 745 1,230 715 1,125 1,840
Total All Persons 32,360 31,815 64,175 36,005 35,985 71,990
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Strathcona County Population by Age Group (2001)

Education Statistics

Highest level of schooling for Population 20yrs and older  2001 
People without high school certificates 9,160 18.63%
People with high school certificates 5,945 12.09%
People with trades or non-university certificate or diploma 18,075 36.75%
People with post-secondary education (not completed) 5,925 12.05%
People with university diploma/certificate 1,210 2.46%
People with university degree 8,855 18.01%
Total Population 20 years and older 49,180 100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Strathcona County Highest Level of Schooling 2001


Population with Post Secondary Qualifications  1996  2001 
Agriculture and biological sciences 1,040 4.49% 1,170 4.13%
Commerce, management and business administration 4,675 20.19% 5,615 19.83%
Educational, recreational and counseling services 2,735 11.81% 3,575 12.63%
Engineering and applied science tech. and trades 6,755 29.18% 8,245 29.12%
Engineering and applied sciences 1,025 4.43% 1,300 4.59%
Fine and applied arts 980 4.23% 1,280 4.52%
Health professionals, science and technologies 3,140 13.56% 3,520 12.43%
Humanities and related fields 660 2.85% 1,000 3.53%
Mathematics and physical sciences 580 2.51% 755 2.67%
Social sciences and related fields 1,535 6.63% 1,850 6.53%
Other and/or no specialization 10 0.04% 10 0.04%
Total people with post secondary qualifications 23,150 100.00% 28,310 100.00%
Females with post-secondary qualifications 10,590 45.75% 13,425 47.42%
Males with post-secondary qualifications 12,560 54.25% 14,885 52.58%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Labour Force

Labour force by activity  1996  2001 
In the labour force, both sexes 37,340 42,745
Not in the labour force, both sexes 10,815 12,515
Total population 15 and over 48,155 55,255
Employed, both sexes 35,195 41,115
Unemployed, both sexes 2,145 1,625
Participation rate, both sexes 77.00% 77.00%
Unemployment rate, both sexes 5.00% 4.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

 

Labour Force by Industry Division  1996  % of total  2001  % of total 
Agriculture 1,260 3.42% 1,145 2.70%
Mining 960 2.60% 1,030 2.43%
Manufacturing 3,995 10.83% 4,310 10.15%
Construction 3,220 8.73% 3,595 8.47%
Transportation. & Utilities 3,195 8.66% 2,555 6.02%
Retail and Wholesale 6,415 17.39% 6,335 14.92%
Finance 2,040 5.53% 2,675 6.30%
Business & Community Services 13,160 35.68% 18,005 42.41%
Public Administration 2,550 6.91% 2,805 6.61%
Total All Industries 36,880 100.00% 42,455 100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Strathcona County Labour Force By Industry - 2001


 
Labour Force by Major Occupational Groups  1996  2001 
Management occupations 4,015 10.89% 5,775 13.60%
Business, Finances and administrative occupations 8,210 22.26% 8,365 19.70%
Natural and applied sciences and related occupations 2,315 6.28% 3,035 7.15%
Health occupations 1,905 5.17% 2,485 5.85%
Occupations in social science; education; government and religion 2,635 7.14% 3,325 7.83%
Occupations in art; culture; recreation and sport 900 2.44% 1,010 2.38%
Sales and service occupations 8,330 22.59% 8,735 20.57%
Trades; transport; equipment operators and related occupations 5,270 14.29% 6,755 15.91%
Occupations unique to primary industry 1,495 4.05% 1,705 4.02%
Occupations unique to processing; manufacturing and utilities 1,810 4.91% 1,250 2.94%
Occupations not elsewhere classified 460 1.25% 285 0.67%
Total - All Occupations (major groups) 36,880 100.00% 42,460 100.00%
Females - All Occupations 16,870 45.74% 19,905 46.88%
Males - All Occupations 20,010 54.26% 22,555 53.12%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Income

Family Income (Number of Families)  1996  2001 
less than $19,999 605 3.64% 760 4.39%
$20,000 - $39,999 2,265 13.62% 2,250 12.99%
$40,000 - $59,999 3,805 22.88% 3,710 21.42%
$60,000 and over 9,955 59.86% 10,420 60.16%
Total number of families 16,630 100.00% 17,140 98.96%
Average family income $72,263   $86,983  
Median family income $66,585   $78,955  
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Household Income (Number of Households)  1996  2001 
less than $19,999 1,515 7.38% 1,460 6.11%
$20,000 - $39,999 3,420 16.67% 2,830 11.85%
$40,000 - $59,999 4,745 23.13% 4,230 17.71%
$60,000 and over 2,480 12.09% 15,380 64.38%
Total number of households 20,515 100.00% 23,890 100.00%
Average household income $67,173   $83,161  
Median household income $61,967   $74,646  
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Family Expenditure

Expenditure Category  1992  % of total  1996  % of total 
Food and Shelter $239,033,795 35.78% $353,419,632 36.46%
Clothing $49,512,795 7.41% $66,495,455 6.86%
Education and Reading materials $17,250,150 2.58% $24,173,801 2.49%
Health and Personal care $40,202,430 6.02% $59,452,809 6.13%
Hshld. operations and furnishings $74,777,390 11.19% $108,629,747 11.21%
Recreation $63,133,925 9.45% $92,820,863 9.58%
Transportation $134,815,820 20.18% $180,619,930 18.63%
Miscellaneous $49,353,000 7.39% $83,668,341 8.63%
Total Current Consumption $668,123,405 100.00% $969,280,578 100.00%
Total # of Households 17,395   20,516  
Average Consumption per Household $38,409   $47,245  
Source: Statistics Canada Family Expenditure Survey 1992 & 1996 (numbers may not add up due to rounding).

Strathcona County Family Expenditures (1996)

Building Permits

Total Building Permit Values  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
Building Permits Value, Commercial $46,772,000 $26,655,000 $29,330,000 $31,195,000 $30,924,000
Building Permits Value, Industrial $16,745,000 $45,500,000 $3,261,000 $10,329,000 $12,150,000
Building Permits Value, Institutional $7,263,000 $1,829,000 $16,348,000 $2,708,000 $5,146,000
Building Permits Value, Residential $129,564,000 $167,215,000 $185,633,000 $183,753,000 $196,946,000
Building Permits Value, Total $200,344,000 $241,199,000 $234,572,000 $227,985,000 $245,166,000
Total Housing Starts 1,090 1,130 1,112 1,035 1,144
Source: Statistics Canada 2000-2004 Building Permits (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Total Housing Starts

Value of Building Permits

Dwellings

Occupied Private Dwellings by Type  1996  % of total  2001  % of total 
Apartments 415 2.02% 560 2.34%
Detached Duplexes 40 0.19% 95 0.40%
Movable Dwellings 475 2.32% 120 0.50%
Other single attached house 0 0.00% 5 0.02%
Row and semi-detached house 1,310 6.39% 1,595 6.68%
Single-detached house 18,265 89.03% 21,515 90.06%
Total number of occupied private dwellings 20,515 100.00% 23,890 100.00%
Private dwellings, owned 18,515 90.25% 22,045 92.28%
Private Dwellings, rented 2,000 9.75% 1,840 7.70%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)
Private Dwellings by Period of Construction  # of Dwellings  % of total 
Period of construction, before 1946 395 1.65%
Period of construction, 1946 - 1960 1,400 5.86%
Period of construction, 1961 - 1970 3,180 13.31%
Period of construction, 1971 - 1980 7,720 32.32%
Period of construction, 1981 - 1990 4,205 17.61%
Period of construction, 1991 - 2001 6,985 29.24%
Total number of private dwellings constructed 23,885 100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Farming

Strathcona County Total Farm Area : 895 acres

Farms by Total Farm Area (2001)  # of Farms  % of total 
Farms - Under 129 acres 433 48.33%
Farms - 130 to 239 acres 201 22.43%
Farms - 240 to 559 acres 153 17.08%
Farms - 560 to 759 acres 38 4.24%
Farms - 760 to 1,119 acres 29 3.24%
Farms - 1,120 to 1,599 acres 16 1.79%
Farms - 1,600 to 2,239 acres 9 1.00%
Farms - 2,240 acres and over 17 1.90%
Total number of farms reporting 896 100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census of Agriculture(numbers may not add up due to rounding)

# of Farms by Total Farm Area

Farms by Total Gross Farm Receipts - 2001  # of Farms  % of total 
Farms gross farm receipts - under $9,999 325 36.27%
Farms gross farm receipts - $10,000 to $49,999 319 35.60%
Farms gross farm receipts - $50,000 to $99,999 102 11.38%
Farms gross farm receipts - $100,000 to $249,999 87 9.71%
Farms gross farm receipts - $250,000 to $499,999 32 3.57%
Farms gross farm receipts - $500,000 and over 31 3.46%
Total number of farms reporting 896 100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census of Agriculture(numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Total Gross Farm Receipts

Farming, Continued

Characteristics of Farm Operators 
Age - Under 35 years 125 9.36%
Age - 35 to 54 years 705 52.81%
Age - 55 years and over 500 37.45%
Average age of operators 51  
     
Number of operators - Female 430 32.21%
Number of operators - Male 905 67.79%
Total number of operators reporting 1,335 100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census of Agriculture(numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Age of Farm Operators

Projects

Summary of Projects in Strathcona County as of June 2008

Project Sector  Number of Projects  Project Cost 
Oil, Gas & Oilsands  12  $43,786,000,000 
Commercial/Retail and Residential  $400,000,000 
Residential  $268,000,000 
Institutional  $244,400,000 
Infrastructure  $228,800,000 
Pipelines  $180,000,000 
Commercial/Retail  $112,000,000 
Chemicals & Petrochemicals  $70,000,000 
Power  $5,000,000 
Total 37  $45,294,200,000 
This inventory lists projects in Alberta that have recently been completed, are under construction, or are proposed to start construction. Not all projects are listed due to reasons of confidentiality and/or due to information not being available at the time of printing. Project data is obtained from public information sources, where possible, this data has been verified with the project proponent/developer, users of the Inventory may wish to confirm project data with the proponent/developer. The inventory does not breakdown project expenditures by any given year. The cost of a project is the value of expenditures expected over all phases of project construction, which may span over two or more years. Cost of projects listed in the Inventory are estimated values only. Source: Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry.

Value of Projects by Sector (as of June 2008)

Project Status  Number of Projects  Project Cost 
Announced   $6,349,400,000 
Completed   $231,300,000 
Nearing Completion   $2,304,800,000 
Proposed   $28,585,000,000 
Under Construction   13  $7,823,700,000 
Total 37  $45,294,200,000 
This inventory lists projects in Alberta that have recently been completed, are under construction, or are proposed to start construction. Not all projects are listed due to reasons of confidentiality and/or due to information not being available at the time of printing. Project data is obtained from public information sources, where possible, this data has been verified with the project proponent/developer, users of the Inventory may wish to confirm project data with the proponent/developer. The inventory does not breakdown project expenditures by any given year. The cost of a project is the value of expenditures expected over all phases of project construction, which may span over two or more years. Cost of projects listed in the Inventory are estimated values only. Source: Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry.

Largest Projects in Strathcona County as of June 2008

Company Name  Project 
Description 
Project 
Location 
Project 
Cost 
Construction 
Schedule 
Status 
Shell Canada Energy  Scotford Upgrader 2 (SU2)  Strathcona County (Scotford)  $22,000,000,000  Proposed  
Total E&P Canada Ltd.  Bitumen Upgrader Phase 1  Strathcona County  $6,000,000,000  2009-2015  Announced  
Albian Sands Energy Ltd. (Royal Dutch Shell / Chevron Canada / Marathon Oil Corp.)  Scotford Upgrader Expansion (De-bottleneck and Addition of Third Bitumen Process  Strathcona County (Scotford)  $5,600,000,000  2006-2010  Under Construction  
North American oil Sands Corp. (NAOSC) (wholly owned by Statoil Hydro ASA)  Bitumen Upgrader Phase 1  Strathcona County (W of Bruderheim)  $4,000,000,000  Proposed  
Petro - Canada Oil and Gas  Strathcona Refinery Conversion to Upgrade Bitumen  Strathcona County  $2,200,000,000  2005-2008  Nearing Completion  
Value Creation Inc.  'Alberta Heartland' Bitumen Upgrader Phases 2 and 3  Strathcona County  $2,000,000,000  Proposed  
Value Creation Inc.  'Alberta Heartland' Bitumen Upgrader Phase 1  Strathcona County (NW of Bruderheim)  $1,150,000,000  2006-2009  Under Construction  
Harbour Developments and partners  'Wye Crossing' Mixed Use Development  Strathcona County (Sherwood Park)  $400,000,000  2008-2012  Under Construction  
Beaver Hills Processing GP Inc.  Condensate Processing Plant  Strathcona County  $300,000,000  Proposed  
Kinder Morgan Canada Inc.  Trans Mountain Pipeline Edmonton Terminal Expansion (13 Tanks)  Strathcona County  $245,000,000  2008-2010  Announced  

 

 

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