Cochrane ( ) is a town in the Calgary Metropolitan Region of Alberta, Canada. The town is located west of the Calgary city limits along Highway 1A. Cochrane is one of the fastest-growing communities in Canada, and with a population of 32,199 in 2021, it is one of the largest towns in Alberta. It is part of Calgary's census metropolitan area and a member community of the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board (CMRB). The town is surrounded by Rocky View County.
History Cochrane was established in 1881 as the Cochrane Ranche, after Matthew Henry Cochrane, a local rancher. It became a village in 1903 and it had a newspaper and volunteer fire department by 1909. Cochrane incorporated as a town in 1971.
Geography Cochrane is situated at the base of Big Hill in the Bow River Valley. It sits at an elevation of . The town is intersected by Highway 1A and Highway 22. Cochrane has a reputation for its western culture—clearly seen when one wanders the streets (particularly First St). The town is a popular destination for ice cream and coffee in its quaint western-themed stores as well as for windsports, golfing, hiking and other adventure activities.
Cochrane is also a small industrial centre. Major industries include lumber, construction, retail, and agriculture (ranching). It is notable as being one of very few communities in Canada with no business tax.
The hill is also a popular training ground for cyclists from the area, who take advantage of its 7% grade and distance.
Vegetation in the Cochrane area is mostly a complex of grassland and aspen groves. Mixed forest, with white spruce most conspicuous, covers north-facing slopes and part of the Bow River valley.
Neighbourhoods The following neighbourhoods are within Cochrane.
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 Sunterra Ridge Estates The Willows West Pointe West Terrace West Valley
Demographics In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Cochrane had a population of 32,199 living in 12,096 of its 12,578 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 25,853. With a land area of , it had a population density of in 2021.
The population of the Town of Cochrane according to its 2019 municipal census is 29,277, a change of from its 2018 municipal census population of 27,960.
In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Cochrane recorded a population of 25,853 living in 9,757 of its 10,225 total private dwellings, a change from its 2011 population of 17,580. With a land area of , it had a population density of in 2016.
Ethnicity + Panethnic groups in the Town of Cochrane (2001−2021)Panethnic group20212016201120062001 European 27,320 23,015 16,160 13,050 11,170 Indigenous 1,470 1,075 510 285 260 Southeast Asian 980 540 160 60 0 South Asian 510 220 125 20 65 East Asian 350 305 145 65 65 African 350 180 105 45 40 Latin American 280 140 55 0 0 Middle Eastern 100 90 0 20 10 Other/multiracial 115 80 0 45 0 Total responses 31,470 25,640 17,290 13,590 11,610 Total population 32,199 25,853 17,580 13,760 12,041
Arts and culture Cochrane Ranche provided the corral setting for the 1954 National Film Board of Canada documentary Corral, by Colin Low, whose father had worked as a foreman at the ranch. This film played theatrically across Canada and was named Best Documentary at the Venice Film Festival.
Cochrane was used for many of the filming locations for the 1986 Film "Rad" (AKA "Helltrack") starring Bill Allen and Lori Loughlin. In the film, the town of Cochrane was used to represent the fictional town of Cochrane, Oregon, USA. Scenes for the film were shot in many different locations around town and at Spray Lake Sawmills (now known as "West Fraser Cochrane").https://www.cochranenow.com/articles/cochrane-bmx-bringing-80s-movie-rad-back-to-cochranehttps://www.cochraneeagle.ca/local-news/cochranes-rad-big-screen-appearance-celebrates-35th-anniversary-3629242 A former mayor of Cochrane, Jeff Genung 2017-2025, was included as an extra on the film.
Cochrane houses attractions such as Cochrane Ranche Historic Site and Bert Sheppard Stockmen's Foundation Library And Archives, located in the Cochrane Ranchehouse.
Cochrane is home to many annual events each year: Pumpkin lantern festival: October Chamber of Commerce Trade Fair: Early May Canada Day (July 1) Cochrane and Area Events Society, with support from the Town of Cochrane presents the Canada Day Community Celebration: Canada Day (July 1) Labour Day Rodeo & Parade: Labour Day weekend. In 2019 the parade had over 80 floats participate. Terry Fox Run: September Christmas Light-up: Late November
Sports
The Cochrane Generals are a Junior B Hockey Club based out of Cochrane Alberta Canada. The Club has been representing the Town Of Cochrane Since 1984. The team played in the FJHL and the CAJHL before our move to the HJHL (Heritage Junior Hockey League) winning 2 championships both back to back 1985-1986 and 2007-2008. The Local Hockey Club played at the Original Cochrane Arena from 1984-2001/2018-2023 before our move to the SLS Centre. In the 41 year history of the Generals.They have won 6 Division titles and 4 league titles, Including 2 Silver medals at the Alberta Junior B Provincials.
Government Municipal politics Cochrane has a town council consisting of an elected mayor and six councillors elected at-large. Councillors are elected by the eligible electors by voting for up to six candidates and the six receiving the largest number of votes being elected. The position of deputy mayor is rotated through the councillors over their term. Elections are held on the third Monday in October every fourth year.
As of April 7, 2026, the town council consists of mayor Morgan Nagel and councillors Marni Fedeyko, Laura McDonald, Tara McFadden, Mikayla Gale, Paul Singh, and Patrick Wilson.
Provincial politics Cochrane is located within the provincial electoral division of Airdrie-Cochrane. It has been represented in the Alberta Legislature by UCP MLA Peter Guthrie since the 2019 provincial election.
+ Airdrie-Cochrane Provincial Election Results Year New Democrats United Conservatives Other Parties 2023 11,223 37.3% 18,074 60.1% 775 2.6% 2019 7,183 25.2% 18,777 66.0% 2,494 8.8%
Federal politics Cochrane was located in the federal electoral district of Banff—Airdrie until 2025. Since the 2025 General Election, it has been part of the Airdrie—Cochrane riding. Cochrane is represented by Blake Richards in the House of Commons. He also represented Cochrane from 2008-2015 as the MP for the federal electoral district of Wild Rose. He replaced long standing MP Myron Thompson, who was originally elected as a member of the Reform Party in 1993.
+ Airdrie—Cochrane Federal Election Results Year Conservatives Liberals New Democrats Other Parties 2025 50,252 71.2% 16,714 23.7% 2,591 3.7% 1,003 1.4% 2021 43,677 56.7% 9,572 12.4% 12,482 16.2% 11,257 14.5% 2019 55,504 71.1% 8,425 10.8% 8,185 10.5% 5,966 7.6%
Transit On October 7, 2019 the town launched COLT (Cochrane On-Demand Local Transit). An app based local transportation service, described as an "Uber bus system". The transit system, which was chosen due to its significantly lower operating cost compared to traditional route based transit, allows for users to request a ride on demand from one of over 150 stops in the town. COLT has a partnership with On-It regional transit, providing a connection between Cochrane and Calgary.
Education
Cochrane is home to schools from the public Rocky View School Division No. 41, the separate Calgary Catholic School District, and the Conseil Scolaire FrancoSud.
As of 2025, there were twelve public and separate schools in operation within the town boundaries. Rocky View School Division No. 41 Cochrane High School: Grades 9–12 Bow Valley High School: Grades 9–12 Rancheview School: Kindergarten, Grades 1-8 Elizabeth Barret Elementary School: Kindergarten, Grades 1–4 Glenbow Elementary School: Kindergarten, Grades 1–4 Mitford School: Grades 5-8 Manachaban Middle School: Grades 5-8 Cochrane Christian Academy: Kindergarten, Grades 1-8 Fireside School: Kindergarten, Grades 1-8 Calgary Catholic School District Holy Spirit: Kindergarten, Grades 1–6 St. Timothy: Grades 7–12 Conseil Scolaire FrancoSud (FrancoSud School Board) Notre Dame Des Vallées: Kindergarten, Grades 1-12 (Catholic)
In November 2006 the Rocky View School Division accepted a proposal by the Cochrane Christ-Centred Education Society to set up a Protestant Christian education program in Cochrane. The Cochrane Christian Academy opened its doors at Mitford Middle School in September 2007, offering kindergarten to grade 4. Approval for expansion to include grade 5 for the 2008–09 school year was given by the board of trustees in April 2008.
There are two trustees (one from each board) elected to represent Cochrane Schools at their respective boards.
The FrancoSud School Board (previously the Greater Southern Alberta Catholic Francophone Region #4) has one trustee for the Region from Cochrane.
Cochrane is also home to the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary, the flagship seminary of the Canadian National Baptist Convention, the Canadian branch of the largest US Protestant denomination.
Notable people Tyrel Bauer, professional ice hockey player Paul Brandt, musician Rohan Campbell, actor Rob Cote, professional football player Justin Dowling, professional ice hockey player Dillon Dubé, professional ice hockey player George Fox, musician Ethan Gage, professional soccer player John Hufnagel, president and GM of Calgary Stampeders Mason Raymond, professional ice hockey player Sarah Wozniewicz, professional ice hockey player
See also List of communities in Alberta List of francophone communities in Alberta
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