Mountain View County

Welcome

Welcome to our community. We hope the information contained within this profile is useful. If additional information is required, please contact our representative from the "Key Contacts" section.

Area Overview

Pioneering families were wise in selecting the rich lands of the County of Mountain View for their homesteads. Ample rainfall and fertile soils produced crops and grasses of immeasurable quality and quantity, and provided the back-bone of the region's economy. '

The last few decades have seen changes, as oil & gas exploration and development has created new jobs and businesses, and lured new residents to the County's urban areas. The expansion of commercial and industrial activities has complemented, rather than disrupted, the agricultural community.

The harmonious growth has led to a diversity of opportunity for employment and lifestyle. Superb municipal and school facilities, varied recreational opportunities and modern housing in comparable scenery has turned the County into an exciting and vibrant region.

Community Services

Municipal

Mountain View County
Bag 100
Didsbury, Alberta
T0M 0W0
Tel: 403-335-3311
Fax: 403-335-9207

• Public Works
• Administration

Provincial

Several provincial departments such as Alberta Agriculture, Alberta Hail and Crop Insurance, Attorney General, Public Works, Solicitor General, Transportation and Utilities, Family and Social Services, Fish and Wildlife, Housing Authority, Sports Council and Mental Health have offices in the County.

Federal

• Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
• Canada Post
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police

 

Community Lifestyle

Recreation

There are many recreation opportunities in the County of Mountain View. The high alpine peaks of the Rocky Mountains act as a scenic backdrop to the vast Forest Reserve with its abundance of wildlife. Hiking, canoeing, water skiing, sailing, fishing, and camping are readily available for the outdoor enthusiast. The Red Deer River, which runs through the County, provides many water activities including canoeing, sailing, water skiing, and white-water rafting. There are many white-water rafting companies that use the river just upstream from Sundre. In the winter, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are available.

Each of the communities has a wide range of recreation facilities such as curling rinks, indoor arenas, golf courses, tennis courts, playgrounds, baseball diamonds and hiking/walking trails.

Community Organizations

There are several community organizations, sports clubs and service groups that are active in the County.

Religious Services

Most religious denominations are represented in the County.

Special Annual Events/Attractions

Each of the communities hold numerous annual events throughout the year, from professional rodeos and agricultural fairs to skating exhibitions. The County also plays host to a number of competitive sporting events, including the Big Country Winter Games and National Championships in Kayaking, Biathlon, Skiing, Orienteering and Jetboat Racing, to name a few.

Hospitality

Accommodation

Overnight accommodation is available throughout the County.

Restaurants

Dining establishments are available throughout the County.

Economic Base

The main economic base of the region is agriculture. Modern farms produce the full variety of agricultural products. A prosperous rural population is engaged in grain, oilseed, beef, dairy, sheep, hogs, poultry and horse enterprises. The urban centres provide extensive services and supplies to support the surrounding farmers.

Forestry is also important to the County. A booming provincial economy has placed great demands on the forestry industry to meet increasing requirements for building materials for all types of construction. Lumber produced in area mills is marketed throughout Canada and the United States. The industry provides employment for many area residents in falling, skidding, trucking or in the lumber mills.

Oil & gas is also important to the area. Every year, numerous wells are drilled and brought into production. Plants built to process the vast quantities of natural gas under much of the County are among the largest in North America. Numerous pipelines transport these essential materials in Canada and throughout the United States. Many oil & gas support services have been established to service the industry.

Economic Facts

Major Businesses Products/Services

N/A

Financial Institutions

Financial institutions such as the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Bank of Montreal, Royal Bank of Canada, The Bank of Nova Scotia, Toronto Dominion Bank, Mountain View Credit Union Ltd. and Alberta Treasury Branch have offices in the County.

Education

The County is part of the Chinook's Edge Regional Division No. 5, headquartered in Innisfail [Tel: 403-227-4272].

Daycare/Nursery

Day cares and nurseries are located throughout the County.

Public

Public Schools are located in Cremona [1-12], Olds [K-4, 5-7, 8-12], Didsbury [1-4, 5-8, 9-12], Carstairs [K-12], Sundre [1-8, 9-12], Reed Ranch and Midway.

Separate

N/A

Private

Koinonia Christian Schools [Olds and Water Valley]

Emergency Services

Fire Protection

There are volunteer fire departments in each of the towns [Didsbury, Olds, Carstairs, Sundre] and a number of the smaller communities.

Police Services

The County is served by three detachments [Didsbury, Olds, Sundre] of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police [RCMP].

Ambulance Services

Ambulance service is available throughout the County.

Health Care

Hospitals are located in Didsbury, Olds and Sundre.

Key Contacts for Business Development

Municipal

Mountain View County
Bag 100
Didsbury, Alberta
T0M 0W0
Tel: 403-335-3311
Fax: 403-335-9207
E-Mail:mvadmin@mountainviewcounty.com

Albert Kemmere
Reeve

Doug Plamping
Chief Administrative Officer
doug.plamping@mountainviewcounty.com

Provincial (Updated December 2004)

Alberta Economic Development
2nd Floor, Provincial Building
4920 - 51 Street
Red Deer, Alberta
T4N 6K8
Tel: 403-340-5300
Fax: 403-340-5231

Andre Tremblay
Regional Manager
andre.tremblay@gov.ab.ca

Dawna Allard
Regional Development Officer
dawna.allard@gov.ab.ca

Lisa Houle
Regional Project Officer
lisa.houle@gov.ab.ca

Richard Marz
Member of the Legislative Assembly [MLA]
Olds- Didsbury-Three Hills Constituency
610 Legislature Annex
9718 - 107 Street
Edmonton, Alberta
T5K 1E4
Tel: 780-415-0994
Fax: 780-415-0951

Hon. Ty Lund
Minister of Infrastructure
Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA)
424 Legislature Building
10800 - 97 Avuene
Edmonton, Alberta
T5K 2B6
Tel: 780-427-2080
Fax: 780-422-2722

Federal (Updated June 2001)

Myron Thompson
Member of Parliament [MP]
Wild Rose Constituency
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Tel: 613-996-5152
Fax: 613-947-4601
Constituency Office:
Box 3816
Airdrie, Alberta
T4B 2B9
Tel: 403-948-5103 or 1-800-667-0410
Fax: 403-948-0879

 

Location

The County of Mountain View is located in central Alberta, south of the City of Red Deer.

Post Secondary Education

Olds Agricultural College, located in Olds, provides the training in technologies which support direct production agriculture i.e. mechanics, ag. production, plant and animal science, business and computer applications.

County residents also have access to Calgary-based post-secondary institutions such as The University of Calgary, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology [SAIT] and Mount Royal College, as well as Red Deer College in Red Deer.

Taxation

	Residential/Farmland	Non-Residential
2006
Municipal Tax Rate	3.89	5.41
Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate	4.09	4.09
Mountain View Waste Management	.09	.09
Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate	.14	.14

Transportation

Air Services

There are two local airports in the County -- the Sundre Airport [3,000 foot paved runway, a modern terminal and two hangars] and the Olds-Didsbury Airport [all weather facilities and a 900 meter runway]. The nearest commercial and air freight service is available at Calgary International Airport

Rail Services

The County is served by Canadian Pacific Railways.

Highways

Highways that run through the County include Highway 2, Highway 2A, Highway 22, Highway 27, Secondary Highway 580, and Secondary Highway 582.

Bus Services

Greyhound Bus Lines provides regularly scheduled inter-community service to the County.

Couriers and Taxis

Several local and regional couriers serve the County.

 

Utilities

Electrical Power

Fortis Alberta Inc.
Toll Free 310-9473

Natural Gas

Atco Gas
Didsbury [Tel: 403-335-3320]
Olds [Tel: 403-556-3798]

Telephone

Telus Communications
Residental Services: 310-2255

Water Supply

The County is part of the Mountain View Regional Water Services Commission. The source of water for most of the County is the Red Deer River.

Waste Management

Each of the communities have their own communal sewage treatment facilities.

 

Population

Total Population
Population 2004*	12,134
Population 2003*	12,134
Population 2002*	12,134
Population 2001**	12,135
Population 2000*	11,277
Population 1996**	11,277
Population 1991**	9,951
Population % change 1991-1996	11.76%
Population % change 1996-2001	7.06%
* Source: Official Population List, Alberta Municipal Affairs ** Source: Statistics Canada 1991, 1996, & 2001 Census

Total Population 1991-2001

Population by Age and Gender	1996  Male	1996  Female	1996  Total	2001  Male	2001  Female	2001  Total
Age 0 - 4	415	395	810	365	360	725
Age 5 - 14	995	880	1,875	960	970	1,930
Age 15 - 19	510	425	935	525	440	965
Age 20 - 24	280	225	505	310	245	555
Age 25 - 34	655	740	1,395	575	605	1,180
Age 35 - 44	1,040	990	2,030	1,065	1,050	2,115
Age 45 - 54	790	705	1,495	1,020	985	2,005
Age 55 - 64	575	500	1,075	685	590	1,275
Age 65 - 74	435	365	800	470	415	885
Age 75 and older	200	185	385	255	230	485
Total All Persons	5,885	5,395	11,280	6,235	5,900	12,135
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Mountain View County Population by Age Group (2001)

Education Statistics

Highest level of schooling for Population 20yrs and older	2001	%
People without high school certificates	2,420	28.44%
People with high school certificates	1,225	14.39%
People with trades or non-university certificate or diploma	3,055	35.90%
People with post-secondary education (not completed)	815	9.58%
People with university diploma/certificate	170	2.00%
People with university degree	840	9.87%
Total Population 20 years and older	8,510	100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Mountain View County Highest Level of Schooling 2001

Population with Post Secondary Qualifications	1996	%	2001	%
Agriculture and biological sciences	505	15.28%	440	10.77%
Commerce, management and business administration	445	13.46%	720	17.63%
Educational, recreational and counseling services	425	12.86%	445	10.89%
Engineering and applied science tech. and trades	945	28.59%	1,265	30.97%
Engineering and applied sciences	70	2.12%	125	3.06%
Fine and applied arts	190	5.75%	165	4.04%
Health professionals, science and technologies	340	10.29%	445	10.89%
Humanities and related fields	135	4.08%	190	4.65%
Mathematics and physical sciences	65	1.97%	100	2.45%
Social sciences and related fields	175	5.30%	190	4.65%
Other and/or no specialization	10	0.30%	0	0.00%
Total people with post secondary qualifications	3,305	100.00%	4,085	100.00%
Females with post-secondary qualifications	1,590	48.11%	2,060	50.43%
Males with post-secondary qualifications	1,715	51.89%	2,025	49.57%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Labour Force

Labour force by activity	1996	2001
In the labour force, both sexes	6,535	7,420
Not in the labour force, both sexes	2,100	2,035
Total population 15 and over	8,635	9,455
Employed, both sexes	6,270	7,250
Unemployed, both sexes	265	170
Participation rate, both sexes	75.00%	79.00%
Unemployment rate, both sexes	4.00%	2.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

 

Labour Force by Industry Division	1996	% of total	2001	% of total
Agriculture	2,220	34.13%	2,345	31.69%
Mining	330	5.07%	425	5.74%
Manufacturing	345	5.30%	520	7.03%
Construction	485	7.46%	605	8.18%
Transportation. & Utilities	395	6.07%	325	4.39%
Retail and Wholesale	760	11.68%	760	10.27%
Finance	160	2.46%	165	2.23%
Business & Community Services	1,400	21.52%	2,135	28.85%
Public Administration	180	2.77%	125	1.69%
Total All Industries	6,505	100.00%	7,400	100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Mountain View County Labour Force By Industry - 2001

 

Labour Force by Major Occupational Groups	1996	%	2001	%
Management occupations	350	5.38%	525	7.09%
Business, Finances and administrative occupations	765	11.77%	865	11.68%
Natural and applied sciences and related occupations	160	2.46%	315	4.25%
Health occupations	185	2.85%	225	3.04%
Occupations in social science; education; government and religion	250	3.85%	350	4.73%
Occupations in art; culture; recreation and sport	110	1.69%	95	1.28%
Sales and service occupations	1,085	16.69%	1,015	13.71%
Trades; transport; equipment operators and related occupations	975	15.00%	1,230	16.61%
Occupations unique to primary industry	2,260	34.77%	2,405	32.48%
Occupations unique to processing; manufacturing and utilities	365	5.62%	390	5.27%
Occupations not elsewhere classified	35	0.54%	20	0.27%
Total - All Occupations (major groups)	6,500	100.00%	7,405	100.00%
Females - All Occupations	2,835	43.62%	3,220	43.48%
Males - All Occupations	3,665	56.38%	4,185	56.52%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Income

Family Income (Number of Families)	1996	%	2001	%
less than $19,999	340	11.26%	275	9.05%
$20,000 - $39,999	945	31.29%	710	23.36%
$40,000 - $59,999	740	24.50%	980	32.24%
$60,000 and over	995	32.95%	1,000	32.89%
Total number of families	3,020	100.00%	2,965	97.53%
Average family income	$52,756		$64,080
Median family income	$45,624		$55,096
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Household Income (Number of Households)	1996	%	2001	%
less than $19,999	755	19.36%	555	12.74%
$20,000 - $39,999	1,210	31.03%	950	21.81%
$40,000 - $59,999	820	21.03%	1,085	24.91%
$60,000 and over	390	10.00%	1,750	40.18%
Total number of households	3,900	100.00%	4,355	100.00%
Average household income	$47,466		$59,154
Median household income	$39,856		$51,228
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Family Expenditure

Expenditure Category	1992	% of total	1996	% of total
Food and Shelter	$38,698,830	36.88%	$50,817,607	35.14%
Clothing	$7,295,905	6.95%	$8,972,114	6.20%
Education and Reading materials	$2,272,635	2.17%	$3,006,316	2.08%
Health and Personal care	$6,543,965	6.24%	$9,555,928	6.61%
Hshld. operationas and furnishings	$11,546,095	11.00%	$17,672,644	12.22%
Recreation	$8,650,990	8.24%	$12,127,938	8.39%
Transportation	$21,578,065	20.56%	$28,468,324	19.68%
Miscellaneous	$8,327,660	7.94%	$14,011,417	9.69%
Total Current Consumption	$104,939,495	100.00%	$144,632,288	100.00%
Total # of Households	3,405		3,900
Average Consumption per Household	$30,819		$37,085
Source: Statistics Canada Family Expenditure Survey 1992 & 1996 (numbers may not add up due to rounding).

Mountain View County Family Expenditures (1996)

Building Permits

Total Building Permit Values	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
Building Permits Value, Commercial	$1,919,000	$311,000	$550,000	$726,000	$4,027,000
Building Permits Value, Industrial	$7,581,000	$2,371,000	$2,548,000	$6,842,000	$539,000
Building Permits Value, Institutional	$2,445,000	$1,700,000	$24,000	$38,000	$0
Building Permits Value, Residential	$3,304,000	$4,182,000	$8,035,000	$5,695,000	$9,161,000
Building Permits Value, Total	$15,249,000	$8,564,000	$11,157,000	$13,301,000	$13,727,000
Total Housing Starts	35	34	56	38	46
Source: Statistics Canada 2000-2004 Building Permits (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Total Housing Starts

Value of Building Permits

Dwellings

Occupied Private Dwellings by Type	1996	% of total	2001	% of total
Apartments	15	0.38%	5	0.11%
Detached Duplexes	10	0.26%	5	0.11%
Movable Dwellings	670	17.18%	740	17.01%
Other single attached house	0	0.00%	15	0.34%
Row and semi-detached house	20	0.51%	5	0.11%
Single-detached house	3,185	81.67%	3,585	82.41%
Total number of occupied private dwellings	3,900	100.00%	4,350	100.00%
Private dwellings, owned	3,300	84.62%	3,740	85.98%
Private Dwellings, rented	600	15.38%	615	14.14%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Private Dwellings by Period of Construction	# of Dwellings	% of total
Period of construction, before 1946	690	15.86%
Period of construction, 1946 - 1960	475	10.92%
Period of construction, 1961 - 1970	410	9.43%
Period of construction, 1971 - 1980	950	21.84%
Period of construction, 1981 - 1990	790	18.16%
Period of construction, 1991 - 2001	1,035	23.79%
Total number of private dwellings constructed	4,350	100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Farming

Mountain View County Total Farm Area : 1,850 acres

Farms by Total Farm Area (2001)	# of Farms	% of total
Farms - Under 129 acres	361	19.52%
Farms - 130 to 239 acres	514	27.80%
Farms - 240 to 559 acres	452	24.45%
Farms - 560 to 759 acres	158	8.55%
Farms - 760 to 1,119 acres	163	8.82%
Farms - 1,120 to 1,599 acres	112	6.06%
Farms - 1,600 to 2,239 acres	54	2.92%
Farms - 2,240 acres and over	35	1.89%
Total number of farms reporting	1,849	100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census of Agriculture(numbers may not add up due to rounding)

# of Farms by Total Farm Area

Farms by Total Gross Farm Receipts - 2001	# of Farms	% of total
Farms gross farm receipts - under $9,999	342	18.50%
Farms gross farm receipts - $10,000 to $49,999	690	37.32%
Farms gross farm receipts - $50,000 to $99,999	289	15.63%
Farms gross farm receipts - $100,000 to $249,999	346	18.71%
Farms gross farm receipts - $250,000 to $499,999	124	6.71%
Farms gross farm receipts - $500,000 and over	58	3.14%
Total number of farms reporting	1,849	100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census of Agriculture(numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Total Gross Farm Receipts

Farming, Continued

Characteristics of Farm Operators	#	%
Age - Under 35 years	305	11.30%
Age - 35 to 54 years	1,440	53.33%
Age - 55 years and over	955	35.37%
Average age of operators	50
Number of operators - Female	870	32.22%
Number of operators - Male	1,830	67.78%
Total number of operators reporting	2,700	100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census of Agriculture(numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Age of Farm Operators