Strathcona County is a dynamic, vibrant and diverse municipality located in Alberta's Capital Region.

Strathcona County is made up of the urban area of Sherwood Park surrounded by a large adjacent rural area of country residential acreages, farms and smaller hamlets. Strathcona is classified as a Specialized Municipality in recognition of its combination of urban and rural areas under one municipal government.

Vision - Mayor and Council - Did you know...? - Population - Economic Development - Transportation - Planning and development services - Protective Services - Community services - Outdoor recreation - Indoor recreation - Utility operations - County map - 2006 Budget highlights - Property tax

Strathcona County's Vision

Strathcona County is a safe, caring and autonomous community that treasures its unique blend of urban and rural lifestyles while balancing the natural environment with economic prosperity; and through strong, effective leadership is a vibrant community of choice.

Mayor and Council

Did you know…?

• The community centre, now under construction, will be a year round hub for civic and cultural activities, community events and learning.  It is scheduled to open 2010.
• 211 is an easy to remember phone number that connects people to social, health and government services in the community.  A qualified Information Referral Specialist is available 24/7 to assess your situation, help you find answers and provide options and referrals.
• Pride of Strathcona is an annual awards program designed to recognize Strathcona County residents for outstanding achievements and contributions.  Nominations are accepted year round.  Deadline for nominations is January 31.
• The Beaver Hills (amisk-wa-chi in Cree), also known as the Cooking Lake Moraine was created by the glacial retreat about 12,000 years ago.  This treed, upland area consists of hummock "knob and kettle" terrain.  The wetlands, lakes and dry mixed wood Boreal forest form a perfect habitat for diverse vegetation, mammals and birds.

Strathcona County is home to …

• young families—the average age of residents is 36.2 years
• 34 schools—and 69 per cent of adults have post-secondary education
• 107 conservation easements, covering a total of 1,276 hectares (3,153 acres)
• North America's largest classic-style, cross-country ski event—the Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival
• 22,393 acres of parks, recreational areas and natural spaces
• 896 farms—including 7500 horses (the most for any one area in Alberta), cattle, dairy and poultry operations; fruit growers; and grain and specialty farms
• Canada's largest oil refining complex and North America's third largest petrochemical complex

More facts and figures at a glance

Population

*Country residential properties on acreages, farms and in rural hamlets

Economic development (2007)

No business licence; no business tax

Served by both CN Rail and CP Rail

Four airports within 30 minutes

$22.8 billion in major projects announced, under construction and recently completed

Transportation (2007)

Strathcona Airport: 100 weekday movements and up to 100 on weekends

Planning and development services (2007)

Protective services (2007)

RCMP Victim Services Unit  assisted 937 adults, 305 children

Fire stations (5) – Sherwood Park (2), Heartland Hall, South Cooking Lake and Ardrossan

Community services (2007)

Family and Community Services partners with 8 agencies providing 4,000 residents:

• Student Health Initiative
• Youth Justice
• Community Mediation
• Family Home Visitation
• Big Sisters Big Brothers
• Boys and Girls Club of Strathcona County
• Parents' Place
• Parent Link Centre
• Community Adult Learning
• Adult Literacy Councils

Library: 808,412 visits to Strathcona County Library,
Bookmobile and online - 1,160,619 resources used; 66,243 questions answered.

Visit www.sclibrary.ab.ca

Information and Volunteer Centre www.ivcstrathcona.org

Residents enjoy a high quality of life thanks to over 400 active community organizations. 51% of Strathcona County residents volunteer.

Outdoor recreation services (2007)

Indoor recreation services (2007)

Number of visitors annually at:

Utility operations (2007)

The Green Routine program commenced on June 16, 2008.  During the first three months 74% of waste was diverted from the landfill.
Tonnes diverted from landfill due to recycling                           12,000+
Household and hazardous waste and paint diverted                   50,000 kg
Electronics recycled                                                                2,300 units

Maps - County-wide and Sherwood Park

1,265 square kilometres (488 square miles)

2008 Budget highlights

Estimated 2008 allocation of each dollar of residential property tax:

• Municipal services: 62.1¢
• Education: 34.3 ¢
• Seniors management services: 1.3¢
• Library: 2.3¢

Estimated municipal regular property tax ($million)

Municipal property tax rate structure
Approved May 2008