A Closer Look AT STRATHCONA COUNTY
STRATHCONA COUNTY HAS A LOT TO OFFER AS A DIVERSE, SUCCESSFUL MUNICIPALITY AND KEY PLAYER IN ALBERTA’S ENERGY SECTOR. by Nerissa McNaughton
COUNTY SNAPSHOT – A FASCINATING HISTORY WITH A BOLD FUTURE Strathcona County is a young, successful and vibrant community of almost 96,000 residents. The County, located on the eastern boundary of Edmonton, includes the urban community of Sherwood Park and a large rural area of farms, acreages and smaller hamlets. Currently, just over 70 per cent of the County’s population lives in an urban setting, with the remainder living in a rural environment. It is home to 75 per cent of refining in Western Canada and is a hub for product distribution. The County has much to offer its diverse mix of residents and businesses, including access to some of the best nature sites in the vicinity. The Beaver Hills Biosphere is located in the south east corner of Sherwood Park and extends east of Elk Island National Park. The Beaver Hills is the second Biosphere to be designated by UNESCO in Alberta, and joins a network of 669 biospheres in 120 countries worldwide. Strathcona County has been a member of the Beaver Hills Initiative since it formed in 2002, working to address sustainable development, stewardship and land use planning within the moraine. Strathcona County | Page 1
Discovery of oil in the late 1940s brought new opportunities to the Edmonton region. Strathcona County has since become the western Canadian hub for oil refining, petrochemical production and the storage and distribution of these products. This prosperity has led to the attraction of other sectors creating business opportunities, quality jobs and population growth to the entire region.
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