kids encyclopedia robot

Wainwright, Alberta facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Wainwright
Town
Town of Wainwright
Welcome sign
Welcome sign
Nickname(s): 
Buffalo Capital of Canada
Wainwright is located in Alberta
Wainwright
Wainwright
Location in Alberta
Country Canada
Province Alberta
Region Central Alberta
Census division No. 7
Municipal district Municipal District of Wainwright No. 61
Incorporated  
 • Village March 25, 1909
 • Town July 14, 1910
Area
 (2021)
 • Land 12.17 km2 (4.70 sq mi)
Elevation
675 m (2,215 ft)
Population
 (2021)
 • Total 6,606
 • Density 543/km2 (1,410/sq mi)
Time zone UTC−7 (MST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−6 (MDT)
Forward sortation area
T9W
Area code(s) +1-780, +1-587
Highways Highway 14
Highway 41
Waterways Battle River

Wainwright is a town in east-central Alberta, Canada. It is approximately 206 kilometres (128 mi) southeast of Edmonton.

Located west of the AlbertaSaskatchewan border, Wainwright is 61 kilometres (38 mi) south of Vermilion in the Battle River valley. Highway 41, called the Buffalo Trail, and Highway 14 go through the town. CFB Wainwright is located in Denwood, southwest of Wainwright.

Wainwright Entrance
An entrance road to Wainwright

History

Originally named Denwood by settler James Dawson in 1905, the town was relocated by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) west-northwest and renamed Wainwright after General William Wainwright, the second vice-president of railway. The original townsite opened with post office in 1907 along with Denwood Hotel and store. The post office and hotel (becoming Wainwright Hotel) relocated to Wainwright in 1908 with the old townsite later becoming CFB Wainwright.

The town is a divisional point on the Canadian National Railway main line. Wainwright railway station is served by Via Rail's The Canadian.

Second Ave. Wainwright, Alta
A view of Second Ave. featuring the Wainwright Hotel pre-1912.

Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Wainwright had a population of 6,606 living in 2,664 of its 2,914 total private dwellings, a change of 5.1% from its 2016 population of 6,285. With a land area of 12.17 km2 (4.70 sq mi), it had a population density of 542.8/km2 (1,406/sq mi) in 2021.

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Wainwright recorded a population of 6,270 living in 2,524 of its 2,770 total private dwellings, a 5.8% change from its 2011 population of 5,925. With a land area of 9.1 km2 (3.5 sq mi), it had a population density of 689.0/km2 (1,785/sq mi) in 2016.

The Town of Wainwright's 2013 municipal census counted a population of 6,289, an 8.9% increase over its 2008 municipal census population of 5,775.

Arts and culture

Wainwright has the third-largest stampede in Canada. It occurs at the end of June, and includes a rodeo, chuckwagon races, parade, midway, and an agricultural fair.

Education

Buffalo Trail Public Schools Regional Division No. 28

  • Wainwright Elementary School
  • Wainwright High School

East Central Alberta Catholic Separate Schools Regional Division No. 16

  • Blessed Sacrament School
  • Blessed Sacrament Outreach School

Greater North Central Francophone Education Region No. 2

  • École Saint-Christophe

Media

Radio
  • CKKY-FM/K-Rock 101.9 – provides old and new rock music
  • CKWY-FM/Wayne-FM – provides a mix of classic hits and top 40 music
Newspapers

The Edge and The Star (formerly the Star Chronicle) merged to be the Star/Edge in 2013. It is published weekly on Fridays.

Notable people

kids search engine
Wainwright, Alberta Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.