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Wildwood, Alberta facts for kids

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Wildwood
Hamlet
Main Street
Main Street
Nickname(s): 
A Place For All Seasons
Wildwood is located in Alberta
Wildwood
Wildwood
Location in Alberta
Country Canada
Province Alberta
Region Central Alberta
Census Division No. 14
Municipal district Yellowhead County
Area
 (2021)
 • Land 0.54 km2 (0.21 sq mi)
Elevation
778 m (2,552 ft)
Population
 (2021)
 • Total 257
 • Density 476.1/km2 (1,233/sq mi)
Time zone UTC−7 (MST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−6 (MDT)
Postal code span
T0E 2M0
Highways Yellowhead Highway
Cowboy Trail
Waterways Lobstick River
Website Yellowhead County

Wildwood is a small community known as a hamlet in Alberta, Canada. It is located in the western part of central Alberta. Wildwood is part of Yellowhead County.

You can find Wildwood right on the Yellowhead Highway (Highway 16). This highway is a major road. The hamlet is about 112 kilometers (70 miles) west of Edmonton. It is also about 82 kilometers (51 miles) east of Edson. Another important road, the Cowboy Trail (Highway 22), meets the Yellowhead Highway just 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) east of Wildwood. The Lobstick River, which flows from Chip Lake, also runs through this hamlet.

Statistics Canada officially recognizes Wildwood as a "designated place." This means it is a specific area used for collecting census information.

Wildwood's Economy

Farming and ranching are very important to Wildwood's economy. These activities help the community thrive.

The Wildwood and District Agricultural Society was started in 1939. This group helps support local farming. They hold an Agricultural Fair every August. This fair is a fun event that celebrates the community's farming roots.

Wildwood's Story

Wildwood was first settled in 1908. It was originally called Junkins. A group of 20 African-American immigrants established the community. They created what is known as a block settlement. This means they settled together in one area.

These new Black Canadian homesteaders came from Oklahoma and Texas. They arrived just three years after Alberta became a province in 1905. The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway reached Junkins in 1908. When people arrived at the "end of steel" (where the railway line ended), they would transfer their goods. They then used wagons to travel to their new homes.

Who Lives in Wildwood?

We can learn about Wildwood's population from the Statistics Canada census.

In the 2021 Census, Wildwood had a population of 257 people. These people lived in 118 homes. This number was a little less than its population in 2016. In 2016, Wildwood had 273 people. They lived in 139 homes.

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