Cochrane, Alberta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cochrane
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Town
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Town of Cochrane | ||
![]() Overview of Cochrane
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Motto(s):
How the West is Now
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![]() Boundaries of Cochrane
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Country | Canada | |
Province | Alberta | |
Metropolitan area | Calgary | |
Planning region | South Saskatchewan | |
Municipal district | Rocky View County | |
Incorporated | ||
• Village | June 17, 1903 | |
• Town | February 15, 1971 | |
Area
(2021)
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• Land | 31.58 km2 (12.19 sq mi) | |
Elevation | 1,159 m (3,802 ft) | |
Population
(2021)
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• Total | 32,199 | |
• Density | 1,019.5/km2 (2,640/sq mi) | |
Demonym(s) | Cochranite | |
Time zone | UTC−07:00 (MST) | |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−06:00 (MDT) | |
Forward sortation area |
T4C
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Area code(s) | 403, 587, 825, 368 | |
Highways | ![]() ![]() |
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Railways | Canadian Pacific Kansas City |
Cochrane (pronounced KOK-rən) is a lively town in Alberta, Canada. It's part of the Calgary Metropolitan Region, located about 18 kilometers (11 miles) west of Calgary. Cochrane is one of Canada's fastest-growing communities. In 2021, its population was 32,199, making it one of the largest towns in Alberta. The town is surrounded by Rocky View County.
Contents
History of Cochrane
Cochrane began in 1881 as the Cochrane Ranche. It was named after Matthew Henry Cochrane, a rancher in the area. The community grew over time.
- In 1903, Cochrane became a village.
- By 1909, it had its own newspaper and a volunteer fire department.
- In 1971, Cochrane officially became a town.
Exploring Cochrane's Geography
Cochrane is nestled at the base of a large hill called Big Hill. It sits in the Bow River Valley, about 1,186 meters (3,891 feet) above sea level. Two main highways, Highway 1A and Highway 22, pass through the town.
Cochrane is known for its strong western culture. You can see this when you walk through the streets, especially First Street. It's a popular spot for:
- Enjoying ice cream and coffee in unique western-themed shops.
- Trying windsports like kiteboarding.
- Playing golf.
- Going hiking and other outdoor adventures.
Cochrane is also a small center for industries like lumber, construction, and retail. Agriculture, especially ranching, is also important. It's one of the few places in Canada that doesn't have a business tax.
The Big Hill is a favorite training spot for cyclists. It has a steep 7% slope and is 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) long. The area around Cochrane has a mix of grassland and aspen trees. You can also find mixed forests with white spruce trees, especially on north-facing slopes and in parts of the Bow River valley.
Cochrane Neighbourhoods
Cochrane has many different neighborhoods where people live. Some of these include:
- Bow Meadows
- Bow Ridge
- Cochrane Heights
- Downtown
- East End
- Fireside
- Glenbow
- GlenEagles
- Greystone
- Heartland
- Heritage Hills
- Jumping Pound Ridge
- Precedence
- Rivercrest
- Riversong
- Riviera
- Riverview
- Rolling Range Estates
- Rolling Trails
- Southbow Landing
- South Ridge
- Sunset Ridge
- The Willows
- West Pointe
- West Terrace
- West Valley
Population and Demographics
Cochrane is growing quickly! In the 2021 Census, the town had 32,199 people living there. This was a big jump from its population of 25,853 in 2016.
The town covers a land area of about 31.58 square kilometers (12.19 square miles). This means there are about 1,019 people living in each square kilometer.
Cochrane is now large enough to become a city. According to Alberta's Municipal Government Act, a town can become a city once it reaches 10,000 residents.
How Cochrane's Population Grew | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: Statistics Canada |
Arts and Culture in Cochrane
Cochrane has a rich history and a vibrant cultural scene. The Cochrane Ranche Historic Site is a special place that was even featured in a 1954 documentary film called Corral. You can also visit the Bert Sheppard Stockmen's Foundation Library And Archives, located in the Cochrane Ranchehouse.
The town hosts many fun events throughout the year:
- Pumpkin Lantern Festival: Held in October, it's a spooky and fun event.
- Chamber of Commerce Trade Fair: Happens in early May, showcasing local businesses.
- Canada Day Community Celebration: On July 1st, the town celebrates Canada's birthday with a big party.
- Labour Day Rodeo & Parade: This exciting event takes place on Labour Day weekend. In 2019, over 80 different groups participated in the parade!
- Terry Fox Run: A charity run held in September to raise money for cancer research.
- Christmas Light-up: In late November, the town lights up for the holiday season.
Sports in Cochrane
Cochrane is home to the Cochrane Generals, a Junior B Hockey Club. They have been playing hockey for the town since 1984. The Generals have won two championships in the Heritage Junior Hockey League (HJHL), in 1985-1986 and 2007-2008. They have also won 6 division titles and 4 league titles, and two silver medals at the Alberta Junior B Provincials.
Getting Around: Transit
Cochrane has a modern way for people to get around called COLT (Cochrane On-Demand Local Transit). Launched in 2019, COLT is an app-based service, much like an "Uber bus system." Users can request a ride from over 150 stops in town. This system is more affordable than traditional bus routes. COLT also connects with On-It regional transit, which allows people to travel between Cochrane and Calgary.
Education in Cochrane
Cochrane has many schools for students of all ages. These schools are part of different school boards:
- The public Rocky View School Division No. 41.
- The separate Calgary Catholic School District.
- The Greater Southern Alberta Catholic Francophone Region #4 (CSCFSA), which offers French-Catholic education.
As of 2022, there were twelve public and separate schools in Cochrane:
- Rocky View School Division No. 41
- Cochrane High School: For Grades 9–12.
- Bow Valley High School: For Grades 9–12.
- Rancheview School: For Kindergarten and Grades 1-8.
- Elizabeth Barret Elementary School: For Kindergarten and Grades 1–4.
- Glenbow Elementary School: For Kindergarten and Grades 1–4.
- Mitford School: For Grades 5-8.
- Manachaban Middle School: For Grades 5-8.
- Cochrane Christian Academy: For Kindergarten and Grades 1-8.
- Fireside School: For Kindergarten and Grades 1-8.
- Calgary Catholic School District
- Holy Spirit: For Kindergarten and Grades 1–6.
- St. Timothy: For Grades 7–12.
- Greater Southern Alberta Catholic Francophone Region #4
- Nôtre Dame Des Vallées: A French-Catholic school for Kindergarten and Grades 1–12.
Cochrane is also home to the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary, which is a training school for religious leaders.
Notable People from Cochrane
Many talented people have come from Cochrane, including:
- Rohan Campbell, an actor.
- Rob Cote, a professional football player.
- Justin Dowling, a professional ice hockey player.
- George Fox, a musician.
- Ethan Gage, a professional soccer player.
- Mason Raymond, a professional ice hockey player.
- Dillon Dubé, a professional ice hockey player.
- Paul Brandt, a musician.
- John Hufnagel, President and General Manager of the Calgary Stampeders football team.
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Cochrane (Alberta) para niños