Rocky View County


Rocky View County is a municipal district in southern Alberta, Canada that is named for its views of the nearby Rocky Mountains to the west. It surrounds most of Calgary, forming the city's northern boundary and most of the city's western and eastern boundaries. At a population of 39,407 in 2016, Rocky View County is the most populous municipal district in Alberta. Though predominantly rural in nature, Rocky View County is home to 14 hamlets, including Langdon, one of Alberta's most populous hamlets. Its rural areas are home to numerous country residential subdivisions.

History

The Municipal District of Calgary No. 44 was originally formed on January 1, 1955 from part of Improvement District No. 46 and parts of five municipal districts - the MD of Serviceberry No. 43, the MD of Conrich No. 44, the MD of Springbank No. 45, the MD of Kneehill No. 48, and the MD of Mountain View No. 49. The MD of Calgary No. 44 was renamed the MD of Rocky View No. 44 on January 9, 1956.
"Rocky View" was the successful entry selected in December 1955 in a local competition to rename the newly formed municipal district. The entry was submitted by Leslie Burwash of Balzac. "Bow View" and "Chinook" placed second and third respectively in the competition. The name "Rocky View" was successful due to its descriptive nature as most areas within the MD of Rocky View No. 44 have views of the Rocky Mountains to the west.
The MD of Rocky View No. 44 changed its name to Rocky View County on June 24, 2009.

Communities and localities


The following urban municipalities are surrounded by Rocky View County.
;Cities
  • Airdrie
  • Chestermere
;Towns
  • Cochrane
  • Crossfield
  • Irricana
;Villages
  • Beiseker
;Summer villages
  • none
The following hamlets are located within Rocky View County.
;Hamlets
  • Balzac
  • Bottrel
  • Bragg Creek
  • Cochrane Lake
  • Conrich
  • Dalemead
  • Dalroy
  • Delacour
  • Indus
  • Janet
  • Kathyrn
  • Keoma
  • Langdon
  • Madden

The following localities are located within Rocky View County.
;Localities
;Other places
In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Rocky View County recorded a population of 39,407 living in 13,042 of its 13,620 total private dwellings, a change from its 2011 population of 35,754. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2016.
Rocky View County's 2013 municipal census counted a population of 38,055, a 6.4% increase over its adjusted 2011 federal census population of 35,754. Its previous 2006 municipal census counted a population of 34,597.
In the 2011 Census, Rocky View County had a population of 36,461 living in 12,077 of its 12,810 total dwellings, a 9.9% change from its 2006 adjusted population of 33,173. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2011. Following Airdrie's 2011 annexation, Statistics Canada adjusted Rocky View County's 2011 population downward by 707 people to 35,754.

Attractions

Municipal

Rocky View County has a council consisting of elected officials representing nine electoral divisions. Municipal elections, organized under the Alberta Elections Act from Alberta Municipal Affairs, are held every four years, the last being in 2017.
Each October, the councillors elect a reeve and a deputy reeve from among their number.
The Rocky View Council consists of:
Rocky View County is served by the Provincial Electoral Divisions of Airdrie, Chestermere-Rocky View and Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills.
Rocky View is currently represented in the Alberta Legislature by MLA Angela Pitt in the riding of Airdrie, Leela Sharon Aheer in Chestermere-Rocky View and Nathan Cooper in Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills.

Federal

Rocky View is served by three Federal Electoral Divisions: Crowfoot, Macleod and Wild Rose.
Rocky View's northeast and southeast is part of the Federal Electoral district of Crowfoot. This riding has been represented by Kevin Sorenson, who was originally elected as a member of the Reform Party then again as a member of the Canadian Alliance and currently of the Conservative Party.
Rocky View's southwest is part of the Federal Electoral district of Macleod. This riding has been represented by Ted Menzies, who was originally elected as a member of the Canadian Alliance and currently of the Conservative Party.
Rocky View's northwest is part of the Federal Electoral district of Wild Rose. This riding is represented by Blake Richards, who was elected as a member of the Conservative Party on October 14, 2008.
Rocky View and the Calgary Region are also represented by Senator Elaine McCoy was appointed to the Senate of Canada by Prime Minister Paul Martin on March 24, 2005.

Infrastructure

Transportation

;Highways
Rocky View County is bisected by the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 2. Highway 9, a major transportation route between Calgary and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, also bisects the eastern portion of Rocky View County.
;Railways
The main lines of the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Canadian National Railway between Calgary and Edmonton travel through Rocky View County. The CPR main line is routed through the City of Airdrie and the Town of Crossfield, while the CNR main line is routed through the Town of Irricana and the Village of Beiseker.
;Airports
Two airports are located within Rocky View County - Beiseker Airport and Springbank Airport.