List of municipal districts in Alberta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Municipal districts of Alberta |
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|---|---|
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| Location | Province of Alberta |
| Number | 63 |
| Populations | 92 (Ranchland) – 39,407 (Rocky View) |
| Areas | 683.6 km2 (Spirit River) – 32,984.24 km2 (Greenview) |
| Government | Municipal district |
| Subdivisions | Hamlets, unincorporated communities |
A municipal district (often called an MD) is a type of local government area in Alberta, Canada. It's the most common way that rural areas in Alberta are organized. Most municipal districts are mostly countryside, with farms, forests, or open land. They can also include small communities called hamlets or other unincorporated communities.
To become a municipal district, an area usually needs at least 1,000 people. Most homes in these areas are on larger pieces of land. The local government applies to Alberta Municipal Affairs, which is a part of the provincial government. If approved, the Lieutenant Governor in Council (a representative of the King) officially creates the municipal district.
In 2011, Alberta had 64 municipal districts. Together, they had about 451,979 people. The average population for a municipal district was around 7,062 people. The largest in population was Rocky View County, and the smallest was the MD of Ranchland No. 66.
About 437 elected officials help run these municipal districts. These include mayors, reeves, and councillors. They make decisions for their local communities.
What's in a Name?
When a municipal district is officially created, it gets a name. Out of Alberta's 63 municipal districts, 16 still have "municipal district" in their official names. However, 47 of them use the word "county" in their names, like Yellowhead County. Some also have a number, such as "No. 8".
Many people think that "county" is a separate type of municipality in Alberta. But it's not! It's just a name that many municipal districts use. This is because "county" used to be a different type of local government in Alberta. When the old "County Act" was changed, these areas became municipal districts but were allowed to keep "county" in their names.
Where are the Offices?
It might seem strange, but many municipal districts have their main offices outside their own area. More than half of the 63 municipal districts have their offices in a nearby city, town, or village. These cities, towns, or villages are separate from the municipal district's control.
However, some municipal districts do have their offices within their own boundaries. For example:
- Nine municipal districts have their offices in a hamlet that is part of their district. These include Acadia in Acadia Valley and Birch Hills in Wanham.
- One municipal district, Ranchland, has its office in a provincial park called Chain Lakes Provincial Park.
- Thirteen municipal districts have their offices in their own area, but not inside a city, town, or village. Examples include Brazeau near Drayton Valley and Red Deer County near Red Deer.
How Municipal Districts Change
Over time, some municipal districts in Alberta have changed their status or even dissolved. This means they either became a different type of municipality or their land was absorbed into other areas.
For example, Lac La Biche County, Mackenzie County, and Strathcona County used to be municipal districts. They later became "specialized municipalities," which is another type of local government in Alberta.
Many other municipal districts have dissolved over the years. Their land was then added to existing municipal districts or new ones that were created. This shows how the map of local governments in Alberta has changed over time.
Images for kids
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Territorial evolution of Alberta's municipalities from 1955 to 2024
