Devon, Alberta Facts for Kids

Devon is a town located in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region of Alberta, Canada. It's about 26 kilometers (16 miles) southwest of Edmonton, which is Alberta's capital city. The town sits on the southern bank of the North Saskatchewan River.

History of Devon
What's the Weather Like?
How Many People Live in Devon?
Devon's Economy
Fun Things to Do in Devon
Schools in Devon
Other Interesting Facts

History of Devon

Leduc No. 1 oil well

Devon exists because of a huge oil discovery! On February 13, 1947, the Leduc No. 1 oil well found oil. Soon after, the company Imperial Oil built the town of Devon for its workers.

Imperial Oil wanted Devon to be a very well-planned community. Because of this, Devon was the first Canadian town to be approved by a special regional planning group. This means it was carefully designed from the start.

Even today, the oil industry is important to Devon's economy. However, the town has also grown to include other businesses like tourism, manufacturing, and research.

The town of Devon gets its name from the Devonian rock layer. This was the layer where the Leduc No. 1 oil well found oil. The Devonian layer itself is named after a county in England.

What's the Weather Like?

Devon has a climate with warm summers. On average, the temperature goes above 30 degrees Celsius (86°F) about 3.6 days a year. It doesn't always get hotter than 35 degrees Celsius (95°F), but it happens about four years out of every ten.

In winter, temperatures can drop below -30 degrees Celsius (-22°F) about 8.8 nights each year. For more than half the year, the temperature can be at or below freezing. Usually, there is no frost from early June until the first week of September, which is about 96 days.

How Many People Live in Devon?

In 2021, the town of Devon had a population of 6,545 people. These people lived in 2,496 homes. This was a small decrease from its population of 6,578 in 2016.

Devon covers a land area of 14.26 square kilometers (5.51 square miles). This means that in 2021, there were about 459 people living in each square kilometer.

Devon's Economy

Devon is part of a group called the Leduc-Nisku Economic Development Association. This group works to promote the area around the Edmonton International Airport for business and growth.

Fun Things to Do in Devon

University of Alberta Botanic Garden near Devon

Devon has many great places for its residents and visitors. There are schools, community services like the Devon General Hospital, and lots of places for sports and fun.

The town is only about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the Edmonton International Airport. It's also close to major roads and train tracks.

Near Devon, you can find a motor sports park and a special place for birds. The University of Alberta Botanic Garden is also close by. Devon is very popular with people who love to cycle. It has many paved country roads and mountain bike trails. Devon has even hosted big cycling events, like Canada's National Road Championships in 2010.

Schools in Devon

Devon Christian School
[Holy Spirit Catholic School]
John Maland High School
Riverview Middle School
Robina Baker Elementary

Other Interesting Facts

Devon has a "sister city" in Germany called Grimma. In 2008, a group of students and important people from Devon went to Grimma to perform in a music festival. Then, in 2010, members of Grimma's Youth Orchestra came to Devon to perform and explore Alberta.

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Devon, Alberta Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.

Devon, Alberta facts for kids

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