List of hamlets in Alberta
Hamlets in the Canadian province of Alberta are unincorporated communities administered by, and within the boundaries of, specialized municipalities or rural municipalities (municipal districts, improvement districts and special areas). They consist of five or more dwellings (a majority of which are on parcels of land that are smaller than 1,850 m2), have a generally accepted boundary and name, and contain parcels of land used for non-residential purposes.
Section 59 of the Municipal Government Act (MGA) enables specialized municipalities and municipal districts to designate a hamlet, while Section 590 of the MGA enables the Minister of Alberta Municipal Affairs to designate a hamlet within an improvement district. The Minister may also designate a hamlet within a special area pursuant to Section 10 of the Special Areas Act.
A hamlet can be incorporated as a village when its population reaches 300. However, Alberta has not had a hamlet incorporate as a village since January 1, 1980, when both Barnwell and Wabamun incorporated as villages. Since then, it has been more common for urban municipalities to dissolve from their current municipal status to that of a hamlet under the jurisdiction of its surrounding specialized or rural municipality. As such, the number of hamlets in Alberta has steadily grown over the years.
As of 2026, Alberta has 436 hamlets recognized by Alberta Municipal Affairs, which is up from 433 in 2024.
Alberta's two largest hamlets – Sherwood Park within Strathcona County and Fort McMurray (formerly a city) within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo – have been further designated as urban service areas by Municipal Affairs. If they were to incorporate as cities, Sherwood Park and Fort McMurray would rank sixth and seventh respectively among Alberta's largest cities by population. Lac La Biche (formerly a town) within Lac La Biche County is a third hamlet also designated as an urban service area.
List of hamlets
Notes:
- ↑ Bellis dissolved from village status on December 31, 1945.
- ↑ Blackie dissolved from village status on August 31, 1997.
- ↑ Burdett dissolved from village status on January 1, 2003.
- ↑ Cadogan dissolved from village status on December 31, 1945.
- ↑ Cayley dissolved from village status on June 1, 1996.
- ↑ Chinook dissolved from village status on April 1, 1977.
- ↑ Clairmont dissolved from village status on December 31, 1945.
- ↑ Cluny dissolved from village status on September 15, 1995.
- ↑ Compeer dissolved from village status on December 31, 1936.
- ↑ Craigmyle dissolved from village status on January 1, 1972.
- ↑ Cynthia dissolved from town status on May 1, 1959.
- ↑ Derwent dissolved from village status on September 1, 2010.
- ↑ Diamond City dissolved from village status on June 30, 1937.
- ↑ Dunmore dissolved from village status on February 4, 1919.
- ↑ Eaglesham dissolved from village status on December 31, 1996.
- ↑ Enchant dissolved from village status on January 30, 1945.
- ↑ Entwistle dissolved from village status on December 31, 2000.
- ↑ Erskine dissolved from village status on May 20, 1946.
- ↑ Evansburg dissolved from village status on June 30, 1998.
- ↑ Ferintosh dissolved from village status on January 1, 2020.
- ↑ For Assiniboine dissolved from village status on December 31, 1991.
- ↑ Fort McKay's population does not include portion of community on Indian reserve.
- ↑ Fort McMurray is one of two hamlets designated an urban service area.
- ↑ Fort McMurray's population is that of its population centre as delineated by Statistics Canada.
- ↑ Galahad dissolved from village status on January 1, 2016.
- ↑ Gleichen dissolved from town status on March 31, 1998.
- ↑ Goose Lake is also known as Lone Pine.
- ↑ Grande Cache dissolved from town status on January 1, 2019.
- ↑ Grassy Lake dissolved from village status on July 1, 1996.
- ↑ Grouard, also known as Grouard Mission, dissolved from village status on January 18, 1944.
- ↑ Hairy Hill dissolved from village status on December 31, 1996.
- ↑ Hairy Hill's population is from the 2001 federal census (Statistics Canada did not publish its population in the 2006, 2011 or 2016 federal censuses).
- ↑ Half Moon Lake is also known as Half Moon Estates.
- ↑ Heritage Pointe's population is that of its population centre as delineated by Statistics Canada.
- ↑ Irvine dissolved from town status on December 31, 1996.
- ↑ Islay dissolved from village status on March 2, 1944.
- ↑ Janvier South is also known as Janvier and Chard.
- ↑ Jenner dissolved from village status on June 22, 1943.
- ↑ Kinuso dissolved from village status on September 1, 2009.
- ↑ Lac La Biche dissolved from town status on August 1, 2007, as a result of its amalgamation with Lakeland County to form Lac La Biche County.
- ↑ Langdon dissolved from village status on December 31, 1945.
- ↑ Lavoy dissolved from village status on April 30, 1999.
- ↑ Lodgepole dissolved from new town status on March 1, 1970.
- ↑ Referred to as Lottie Lake Development by Statistics Canada in the 1991 census.
- ↑ Statistics Canada cautioned that Metiskow's population from the 1991 census may be an estimate.
- ↑ Minburn dissolved from village status on July 1, 2015.
- ↑ Mirror dissolved from village status on January 1, 2004.
- ↑ Monarch dissolved from village status on December 31, 1938.
- ↑ Monitor dissolved from village status on December 31, 1945.
- ↑ Mountain View dissolved from village status on September 9, 1915.
- ↑ Mulhurst Bay is also known as Mulhurst.
- ↑ New Norway dissolved from village status on November 1, 2012.
- ↑ New Sarepta dissolved from village status on September 1, 2010.
- ↑ Ohaton dissolved from village status on December 31, 1945.
- ↑ Plamondon dissolved from village status on May 1, 2002.
- ↑ Radway dissolved from village status on December 31, 1996.
- ↑ Ranfurly dissolved from village status on December 31, 1945.
- ↑ Richdale dissolved from village status on June 2, 1931.
- ↑ Rosebud dissolved from village status on December 31, 1945.
- ↑ Rumsey dissolved from village status on January 1, 1995.
- ↑ Sandy Lake is also known as Pelican Mountain.
- ↑ Sangudo dissolved from village status on September 16, 2007.
- ↑ Sherwood Park is one of two hamlets designated an urban service area.
- ↑ Strome dissolved from village status on January 1, 2016.
- ↑ Suffield dissolved from village status on January 1, 1930.
- ↑ Swalwell dissolved from village status on December 31, 1945.
- ↑ Thorhild dissolved from village status on March 18, 2009.
- ↑ Tilley dissolved from village status on August 31, 2013.
- ↑ Torrington dissolved from village status on January 1, 1998.
- ↑ Wabasca was formerly named Wabasca-Desmarais.
- ↑ Statistics Canada cautioned that Wagner's population from the 1991 census may be an estimate.
- ↑ Walsh dissolved from village status on April 30, 1925.
- ↑ Wanham dissolved from village status on December 31, 1999.
- ↑ Warspite dissolved from village status on June 1, 2000.
- ↑ Wildwood dissolved from village status on December 31, 1990.
Former hamlets
Numerous communities in Alberta have been previously recognized as hamlets by the Province of Alberta. The majority were absorbed by urban municipalities through annexation or amalgamation. The following are those hamlets that have had their hamlet designation removed.
| Name | Former municipality | Subsequent municipality | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bankview | MD of Badlands No. 7 | Drumheller | Annexed in 1964 |
| Cambria | MD of Badlands No. 7 | Drumheller | Absorbed as a result of amalgamation January 1, 1998 |
| College Heights | Lacombe County | Lacombe | Annexed January 1, 2000 |
| East Coulee | MD of Badlands No. 7 | Drumheller | Absorbed as a result of amalgamation January 1, 1998 |
| Glenwood | Yellowhead County | Edson | Annexed January 1, 1984 |
| Grande Prairie Trail | Yellowhead County | Edson | Annexed January 1, 1984 |
| Grantville | Kneehill County | Three Hills | Annexed January 1, 1983 |
| Hardieville | Lethbridge County | Lethbridge | Annexed January 1, 1978 |
| Hillcrest | Improvement District No. 5 | Municipality of Crowsnest Pass | Absorbed via amalgamation January 1, 1979 |
| Lake Louise | Improvement District No. 9 | Improvement District No. 9 | Held hamlet designation in 2024 but not in 2025 |
| Lehigh | MD of Badlands No. 7 | Drumheller | Absorbed as a result of amalgamation January 1, 1998 |
| MacKay | Yellowhead County | Yellowhead County | Hamlet status was repealed by Yellowhead County in 2019 after being designated one in 1979 |
| Midlandvale | MD of Badlands No. 7 | Drumheller | Annexed in 1972 |
| Midnapore | MD of Foothills No. 31 | Calgary | Annexed in 1961 |
| Nacmine | MD of Badlands No. 7 | Drumheller | Absorbed as a result of amalgamation January 1, 1998 |
| Newcastle | MD of Badlands No. 7 | Drumheller | Annexed in 1967 |
| North Drumheller | MD of Badlands No. 7 | Drumheller | Annexed in 1967 |
| Pinedale | Yellowhead County | Yellowhead County | Hamlet status was repealed by Yellowhead County in 2019 after being designated one in 1987 |
| Ribstone | MD of Wainwright No. 61 | MD of Wainwright No. 61 | Hamlet status was repealed on January 21, 2024 |
| Rosedale | MD of Badlands No. 7 | Drumheller | Absorbed as a result of amalgamation January 1, 1998 |
| Ruarkville | Kneehill County | Three Hills | Annexed December 31, 1984 |
| Shepard | Rocky View County | Calgary | Annexed July 31, 2007 |
| Waterton Park | Improvement District No. 4 | Improvement District No. 4 | Held hamlet designation in 2024 but not in 2025 |
| Wayne | MD of Badlands No. 7 | Drumheller | Absorbed as a result of amalgamation January 1, 1998 |
| Western Monarch (Atlas) | Wheatland County | MD of Badlands No. 7 | Now within the Town of Drumheller following the amalgamation of the City of Drumheller and the MD of Badlands No. 7 on January 1, 1998 |
See also
- List of census divisions of Alberta
- List of cities in Alberta
- List of communities in Alberta
- List of designated places in Alberta
- List of former urban municipalities in Alberta
- List of ghost towns in Alberta
- List of Indian reserves in Alberta
- List of localities in Alberta
- List of municipal districts in Alberta
- List of municipalities in Alberta
- List of population centres in Alberta
- List of settlements in Alberta
- List of specialized municipalities in Alberta
- List of summer villages in Alberta
- List of towns in Alberta
- List of villages in Alberta
References
- 1 2 "Municipal Government Act". Alberta King's Printer. September 17, 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ↑ "Types of municipalities in Alberta | Alberta.ca". Government of Alberta. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ↑ "Special Areas Act". Alberta Queen's Printer. Retrieved January 1, 2010.
- ↑ "The Alberta Gazette, Order in Council 1164/79 – Incorporation of the Village of Barnwell" (PDF). Province of Alberta. January 31, 1980. Retrieved June 17, 2010.
- ↑ "The Alberta Gazette, Order in Council 1163/79 – Incorporation of the Village of Wabamun" (PDF). Province of Alberta. January 31, 1980. Retrieved June 17, 2010.
- 1 2 3 "2026 Municipal Codes" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. January 8, 2026. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "2024 Municipal Codes" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. June 3, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
- ↑ "Specialized and Rural Municipalities and Their Communities" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- 1 2 "2009 Municipal Census Report" (PDF). County of Thorhild. August 11, 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 20, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions, census subdivisions (municipalities) and designated places (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 "Alberta Population Summary: Alberta's Hamlets Alphabetically, 2010" (PDF). Alberta Population. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 11, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 "91 Census: Unincorporated Places — Population and Dwelling Counts" (PDF). Statistics Canada. June 1993. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Strathcona County census results". Strathcona County. November 1, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
- 1 2 "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and designated places, 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. February 20, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
- 1 2 3 4 "Population and dwelling count amendments, 2021 Census". Statistics Canada. December 1, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- 1 2 3 4 "MD of Bonnyville 2014 Census Results". Municipal District of Bonnyville No. 87. p. 1. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 "County of Grande Prairie 2024 Municipal Census: Demographic Report" (PDF). County of Grande Prairie No. 1. October 23, 2024. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ↑ "2018 Rocky View County Census Results" (PDF). Rocky View County. November 13, 2018. pp. 249–254. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
- 1 2 3 4 "Municipal Census Report 2020". County of Newell. p. 3. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "1981 Census of Canada: Place Name Reference List — Western Provinces and the Territories" (PDF). Statistics Canada. May 1983. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Courtney Whalen (September 7, 2005). "Census reveals growth". Drayton Valley Western Review. Sun Media Community Newspapers.
- 1 2 3 "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities)". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
- 1 2 "2009 Municipal Census". Parkland County. June 29, 2009. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Census Canada 1986: Population — Unincorporated Places (Population and Dwelling Counts – Canada)" (PDF). Statistics Canada. July 1988. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
- ↑ "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population: 48100363 Alberta [Dissemination area]". Statistics Canada. July 24, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
- 1 2 3 "Past Census Trackers: 2013 Municipal Censuses". Alberta Population. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
- ↑ "Order in Council (O.C.) 229/2010". Alberta Queen's Printer. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
- ↑ "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population: 48040045 Alberta [Dissemination area]". Statistics Canada. July 24, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
- ↑ "GeoSearch". Statistics Canada. May 6, 2026. Retrieved September 6, 2026.
Enchant's population is the sum of those residing in dissemination blocks 48020393065 (18), 48020393066 (20), 48020393067 (0), 48020393068 (27), 48020393069 (30), 48020393070 (20), 48020393071 (5), 48020393072 (15), 48020393073 (38), 48020394080 (0), 48020394101 (49), 48020394102 (33), 48020394109 (0), and 48020394110 (51).
- 1 2 3 "census2021 Municipal Census Report" (PDF). Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- 1 2 3 4 "Population and dwelling counts: Canada and population centres". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
- ↑ "O.C. 259/2015". Government of Alberta. September 11, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
- ↑ "Red Deer County News: Gasoline Alley West Becomes County's Newest Hamlet" (PDF). Red Deer County. November 2018. p. 1. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
- 1 2 BMTG – (Streets Improvement Component), Eligible Hamlets – 2013 Pop. Alberta Transportation. 2013.
- ↑ "Order in Council (O.C.) 361/2018". Government of Alberta. November 27, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
- ↑ "2001 Community Profiles". Statistics Canada. Archived from the original on December 22, 2005. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
- ↑ Riley Stovka (June 17, 2024). "RVC designates Harmony as County's newest hamlet". Airdrie City View/Rocky View Weekly. Great West Media. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- 1 2 "Lac La Biche County 2016 Municipal Census Report". Lac La Biche County. p. 13. Archived from the original on September 8, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
- ↑ "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population: 48010233 Alberta [Dissemination area]". Statistics Canada. July 24, 2022. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
- ↑ "Municipal Census Highlights" (PDF). Beaver County. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2012. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
- ↑ "Order in Council (O.C.) 332-2007". Province of Alberta. August 1, 2007. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
- ↑ "2001 Census: Community Highlights for Lavoy, Alberta (Village / Dissolved)". Statistics Canada. February 7, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
- ↑ "County Statistics". Northern Sunrise County. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
- ↑ "County Council Meeting (minutes)" (PDF). Ponoka County. September 3, 2013. p. 2. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
- ↑ "McLaughlin Community Profile" (PDF). County of Vermilion River. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
- ↑ "O.C. 152/2015". Government of Alberta. June 24, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
- ↑ "Planning Toolkit, Module 5 – Implementation Guidelines for Growth Areas Outside of Priority Growth Areas (PGAs) and Cluster Country Residential Areas (CCRAs)" (PDF). Capital Region Board. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 31, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
- ↑ "Order in Council (O.C.) 328/2012". Province of Alberta. October 17, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
- ↑ "Order in Council (O.C.) 230/2010". Alberta Queen's Printer. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
- ↑ "Leduc County Census 2005". Leduc County. Archived from the original on June 29, 2006. Retrieved March 6, 2013.
- ↑ "Rivercourse Community Profile" (PDF). County of Vermilion River. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
- ↑ "Streamstown Community Profile" (PDF). County of Vermilion River. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
- ↑ "O.C. 260/2015". Government of Alberta. November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
- ↑ "O.C. 250/2013". Alberta Queen's Printer. August 13, 2013. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
- ↑ "Tulliby Lake Community Profile" (PDF). County of Vermilion River. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
- ↑ "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population: 48112023 Alberta [Dissemination area]". Statistics Canada. July 24, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
- ↑ Census of Canada, 1956 (PDF). Vol. Population of unincorporated villages and settlements. Dominion Bureau of Statistics. October 25, 1957. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Town of Drumheller Municipal Development Plan: Volume 1 Background Study" (PDF). Town of Drumheller and Palliser Regional Municipal Services. April 21, 2008. p. 5. Archived from the original on April 20, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Location and History Profile: Town of Drumheller". Alberta Municipal Affairs. October 4, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
- ↑ "Board Order: MGB 042/00" (PDF). Municipal Government Board. March 10, 2000. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ↑ "Order in Council (O.C.) 135/2000" (PDF). Province of Alberta. April 12, 2000. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- 1 2 "Board Order No. 16195" (PDF). Local Authorities Board. April 3, 1983. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- 1 2 "The Alberta Gazette (O.C. 640/83)" (PDF). Province of Alberta. August 15, 1983. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ↑ "The Alberta Gazette (Town of Three Hills: Order No. 16267)" (PDF). Local Authorities Board. October 15, 1983. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ↑ "O.C. 483/83" (PDF). Province of Alberta. October 15, 1983. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ↑ "Order No. 10079" (PDF). Local Authorities Board. December 23, 1977. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Dept. of Highways of the Province of Alberta. Alberta Department of Highways. 1958. p. 44 & 46. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- ↑ "Board Order: MGB 131/98" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. June 3, 1998. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
- ↑ "Location and History Profile: Municipality of Crowsnest Pass" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. October 4, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- 1 2 "2025 Municipal Codes" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. November 25, 2025. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ↑ "The Alberta Gazette, 1962 (Volume 58)". Queen's Printer for Alberta. 1963. p. 120. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
- ↑ "The Alberta Gazette (Town of Three Hills: Order No. 17120)" (PDF). Local Authorities Board. January 1, 1985. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ↑ "O.C. 942/84" (PDF). Province of Alberta. January 31, 1985. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ↑ "Board Order: MGB 079/07" (PDF). Municipal Government Board. July 4, 2007. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ↑ "O.C. 333/2007" (PDF). Province of Alberta. August 1, 2007. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- 1 2 "The Alberta Gazette (Board Order No. 20515)" (PDF). Local Authorities Board. December 31, 1992. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ↑ "The Alberta Gazette (O.C. 176/93)" (PDF). Province of Alberta. April 15, 1993. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ↑ "O.C. 414/97" (PDF). Province of Alberta. September 24, 1997. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
Subdivisions of Alberta | |
|---|---|
| Subdivisions | |
| Communities | |
| Cities and urban service areas | |
.svg){kind=small}