Strathmore is a town in southern Alberta, Canada. Surrounded by Wheatland County, it is along the Trans-Canada Highway about east of Calgary.
History The town began as a hamlet for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) lines that were built in the area in 1883. The CPR named the town after one of its benefactors: Claude Bowes-Lyon, the Earl of Strathmore. The Earl's granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth – as consort to King George VI – later passed through the community on the "Royal Train" in late May 1939.
A track-laying record was made between Strathmore and Cheadle when the railway was built. In one hour one mile (1.6 km) of steel was laid and – at the end of the ten-hour working day – the rails were laid to Cheadle, for a record. The passing of the Canadian government's Dominion Lands Act in 1872, encouraging settlement, led to increases in Strathmore's population and its importance as a rail supply stop.
Strathmore's first school opened in 1908. The CPR railway tracks are now gone, the land having been subdivided.
In 2011, the Town of Strathmore celebrated its centennial – and released the book 100 Years of Memories: Celebrating Strathmore's Centennial through Polished Publishing Group in early 2012.
Demographics
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Strathmore had a population of 14,339 living in 5,517 of its 5,754 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 13,756. With a land area of , it had a population density of in 2021.
In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Strathmore recorded a population of 13,756 living in 5,148 of its 5,358 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2011 population of 12,305. With a land area of , it had a population density of in 2016.
The Town of Strathmore's 2015 municipal census counted a population of 13,327, a change of from its 2012 municipal census population of 12,352.
+ Panethnic groups in the Town of Strathmore (2001−2021)Panethnic group20212016201120062001 European 12,055 11,695 11,205 9,315 7,160 Indigenous 925 805 475 355 220 Southeast Asian 465 375 220 105 20 African 170 155 90 50 40 South Asian 170 105 40 45 0 East Asian 155 160 55 90 20 Latin American 75 35 35 50 20 Middle Eastern 25 40 0 70 0 Other/multiracial 70 35 30 10 25 Total responses 14,110 13,390 12,165 10,085 7,490 Total population 14,339 13,756 12,305 10,225 7,621
Economy
Today, the town is an important agricultural community. Oil and gas exploration is also a growing interest in the area. It is the headquarters of Golden Hills School Division No. 75.
Many residents commute daily from Strathmore to Calgary. In the 21st century, the town has seen a major growth in commercial development, with many franchise restaurants and a few big-box chain stores opening in the community.
Transportation Strathmore has no public transit system, but people without their own vehicles can opt to use a local taxi or a Strathmore Handi-Bus for residents with mobility issues to travel on-demand. Initially administered by the Town of Strathmore, the Handi-Bus program was transferred to the non-profit charity Strathmore Handibus Association.
Sports
Strathmore was the home of the Strathmore Rockies, a team in the WWHL. It is currently home to the Strathmore Wheatland Kings of the Heritage Junior "B" league; as well as the former home of the UFA Bisons of the AMHL, who have helped produce NHL players Peyton Krebs, Zach Boychuk, and Mason Raymond among others.
The Strathmore Spartans football team has alumni players throughout the CJFL, Canadian University system and the CFL.
The Strathmore Venom Junior "B" lacrosse team won the provincial title in 2010 for the first time since the team was founded in 2004.
Strathmore was one of the hosts for the 2013 Tour of Alberta Pro Cycling Festival.
Every year Strathmore holds its Heritage Days celebrations, which include the Strathmore Stampede, Canada's third largest rodeo.
Education
Strathmore is part of the Golden Hills School Division.
Strathmore has three elementary schools (Wheatland, Westmount and Brentwood), two Kindergarten to grade 9 schools (George Freeman School and Trinity Christian Academy), one junior high school (Crowther Memorial Junior High School), two high schools (Strathmore High School and Strathmore Storefront School) and a Catholic School providing Kindergarten through grade 6 (Sacred Heart Academy) as well as a grade 7 to 12 Catholic school (Holy Cross Collegiate).
Strathmore was the home of Covenant Bible College Canada. The CBC-C campus relocated in 1995 from its prior home in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. In Covenant Bible College, students took a course in religious studies. It was closed in 2007 due to dropping student enrollment and other fiscal problems. The former CBC campus was sold for $5.5 million to another Christian organization, EnCharis.
In September 2008, Trinity Christian Academy opened at the former Covenant Bible College property. Trinity Christian is a Christian school providing Kindergarten through grade 9 and is publicly funded.
See also List of communities in Alberta List of towns in Alberta
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