Vulcan County

Welcome

Vulcan County extends an open invitation to anyone looking for a holiday destination point, a location to call home, or a site to establish a business, to come and join us in a region of opportunity and experience Vulcan County!

Area Overview

Vulcan County is conveniently located close to Calgary and Lethbridge in the Alberta's southwest.

The County landscape provides a variety of visual experiences as one travels from one end to the other... flatland to rolling hills, Lake McGregor [a 22-mile long man-made reservoir], to historic attractions and prairie bunchgrass, to refreshing valleys of mature trees and lush green grass.

Vulcan County covers an approximate area of 545,000 hectares and encompasses the Town of Vulcan, the Villages of Carmangay, Champion, Lomond, Milo and Arrowwood, and the Hamlets of Brant, Ensign, Herronton, Kirkcaldy, Mossleigh, Queenstown, Shouldice, and Travers. The population of the County (including the town and villages) is approximately 6,600 people.

To learn more about Vulcan County as a municipality please click here

To learn more about Vulcan County as a region please click here

For a history of the administrative and municipal side of Vulcan County please visit the please click here

Climate

 

Temperature	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Daily Mean(oC)	-9.5	-6.3	-1.3	5.3	10.5	14.5	17.2	16.7	12.0	6.1	-2.5	-7.6
Std. Dev.	5.1	5.4	3.1	2.1	1.4	1.2	1.6	1.8	2.2	1.5	3.6	4.9
Daily Maximum	-4.0	-0.5	4.7	12.2	17.4	21.4	24.7	24.4	19.3	12.9	3.2	-2.1
Daily Minimum	-15	-12	-7.2	-1.7	3.5	7.5	9.8	9.1	4.5	-0.7	-8.0	-13.1
Rainfall (mm)	0.0	0.1	0.7	12.4	59.2	69.6	54.2	52.3	39.0	7.3	0.7	0.3
Snowfall (cm)	14.9	13.3	21.6	13.8	7.3	0.0	0.0	0.5	3.6	9.4	16.9	18.3

Community Services

Municipal

Vulcan County (including all hamlets and subdivisions)
Box 180
Vulcan, Alberta T0L 2B0
Tel: 403-485-2241

Town of Vulcan
Box 360
Vulcan, Alberta T0L 2B0
Tel: 403-485-2417

Village of Arrowwood
Box 36
Arrowwood, Alberta T0L 0B0
Tel: 403-534-3821

Village of Carmangay
Box 130
Carmangay, Alberta T0L 0N0
Tel: 403-643-3595

Village of Champion
Box 367
Champion, Alberta T0L 0R0
Tel: 403-897-3833

Village of Lomond
Box 268
Lomond, Alberta T0L 1G0
Tel: 403-792-3611

Village of Milo
Box 65
Milo, Alberta T0L 1L0
Tel: 403-599-3883

Community Organizations (to list a few)

• Chinook Arch Regional Library System
• Family & Community Support Services
• Rainbow Literacy Society
• Vulcan County Adult Learning Council
• Vulcan Regional Victim Services

Community Lifestyle

Recreation

There are several recreation areas in the County, including the Travers Dam, Lake McGregor, Williams Lake and Badger Lake. Provincial Parks include the Little Bow Provincial Park, Little Bow Reservoir Provincial Recreation Area, McGregor Reservoir Provincial Recreation Area, Travers Reservoir Provincial Recreation area, and the Wyndham-Carseland Provincial Park.

The communities have a wide range of recreational facilities, including playgrounds, baseball diamonds, community centres, tennis courts, golf courses, curling rinks, ice arenas, swimming pools, rodeo arenas, recreation centres, and senior citizens drop-in centres.

Religious Services

Most religious denominations are represented in the County.

Special Attractions

Vulcan County is home to many different attractions sure to satisfy every tourist's need.

Historical attractions such as the Carmangay Tipi Rings and Majorville Medicine Wheel focus on the First Nations heritage while the Royal Canadian Air Force Monument at the Kirkcaldy Industrial Airport celebrate Canada's acheivements during World War Two.

Water attractions include 4 reservoirs in the County (Badger Lake, Lake McGregor, Little Bow and Travers) with recreation areas and provincial parks providing summer escapes for locals and tourists.

 

Annual Events

Arrowwood

• Community Garage Sale
• Sports Day

Carmangay

• Sports Day

Champion

• Champion Horse Show
• Chrome On The Range

Milo

• Snake Valley Hoedown
• The Lake McGregor Fisherman

Lomond

• Badger Lake Fishing Derby
• Slo-pitch & Beach Volleyball Tournament

Vulcan

• Moonlight Madness
• Spock Days / Galaxyfest
• Show-N-Shine / Demolition Derby
• Tinman Triathlon
• Vulcan County Agricultural BBQ

Economic Base

Much of the economy of Vulcan County is based on agriculture, both in dryland and in irrigation production. Geophysical drilling and pipeline activity have become increasingly important to the County, and many oil & gas deposits have been found and put into production.

In addition, the County also has the capability of supporting new recreational and industrial development, and is focusing on developing its tourism industry.

Economic Facts

The largest industry in Vulcan County is agriculture, encompassing approximately 444,000 hectares of land. The County is a member of the Foothills Little Bow Association and is part of the Bow River Irrigation District.

There are 3 operational grain elevators in Vulcan County; 2 just south of the town of Vulcan, and 1 in the town of Vulcan.

Financial Institutions

Vulcan
Alberta Treasury Branch
**satellite branches in Carmangay, Champion, & Lomond
CIBC
Macleod Savings & Credit Union

Arrowwood
Scotiabank

Lomond
Chinook Credit Union

Milo
Scotiabank

Education

Public School Divisions

Palliser School Division No. 26
#101, 3305 - 18 Avenue
North Lethbridge, AB T1H 5S1
Tel: 403-328-4111
www.pallisersd.ab.ca

Horizon School Division No. 67
6302 56 Street
Taber, AB T1G 1Z9
Tel: 403-223-3547
www.horizon.ab.ca

Arrowwood School (1-9) Box 180, 222 First Avenue NE Arrowwood, AB T0L 0B0 ph:(403) 534-3825	Champion School (1-9) Box 348, 310 Main Street Champion, AB T0L 0R0 ph:(403) 897-3831	Milo School (1-9) Box 90, First Street South Milo, AB T0L 1L0 ph:(403) 599-3817
County Central High School (7-12) Box 390, 504 4 Avenue South Vulcan, AB T0L 2B0 ph:(403) 485-2223	Vulcan Prairieview Elementary (K-6) Box 300, 305 6 Avenue South Vulcan, AB T0L 2B0 ph:(403) 485-2074	Lomond Community School Box 69 Lomond, AB T0L 1G0 ph:(403) 792-3620

Separate School Divisions

Christ the Redeemer Catholic Separate Regional Division No. 3
P.O. Bag #3
46 Elma Street
Okotoks, AB T1S 2A2
Tel: 403-938-2659
www.redeemer.ab.ca

Private Schools

Hope Christian School in Champion [1-12]
Brant Christian School in Brant [1-9]

Post-Secondary Education

Graduates within Vulcan County have a number of post-secondary institutions around Southern Alberta to choose to continue their education at.

University of Calgary
www.ucalgary.ca

University of Lethbridge
www.uleth.ca

Lethbridge Community College
www.lethbridgecollege.ab.ca

Medicine Hat College
www.mhc.ab.ca

Mount Royal College
www.mtroyal.ab.ca

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
www.sait.ab.ca

Emergency Services

Fire Protection

Vulcan County is served by 6 volunteer fire departments:
Carmangay, Champion, Lomond, Milo, Vulcan, and Northwest

Police Services

Vulcan County is served by 4 Royal Canadian Mounted Police [RCMP] detachments:
Gleichen, High River, Vulcan, and Taber/Vauxhall

Ambulance Services

Vulcan County is served by the Vulcan and District Emergency Medical Service located in the town of Vulcan

Health Care

Vulcan County is part of the Calgary Health Region www.calgaryhealthregion.ca.

Vulcan General Hospital serves the hospital needs of the County, and is an 8-bed active facility with 15 long-term care beds, D-level radiology area, fully equipped modern lab, modern emergency area and a separate labour delivery room. In addition, the Little Bow Auxiliary Hospital is located at Carmangay.

Other medical services such as medical clinics, dental clinics, chiropractic and massage therapy, etc., are available in the town of Vulcan with some massage therapy available in the villages.

Key Contacts for Business Development

Municipal

Vulcan County
Box 180
102 Centre Street
Vulcan, Alberta T0L 2B0
Tel: 403-485-2241
Fax: 403-485-2920
Email: administration@vulcancounty.ab.ca

Merle Wyatt
Reeve

Gary Buchanan
Chief Administrative Officer
countyadmin@vulcancounty.ab.ca

Provincial (Updated December 2004)

Barry McFarland
Member of the Legislative Assembly [MLA]
Little Bow Constituency
513 Legislature Building
10800 - 97 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2B6
Tel: 780-427-0879
Fax: 780-427-1835

Federal (Updated June 2004)

Ted Menzies
Member of Parliament [MP]
Macleod Constituency
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
Tel: 613-995-8471

Constituency Office:
126 Elizabeth Street
Okotoks, Alberta T0L 1T0
Tel: 403-938-5005 or 1-800-667-0478
Fax: 403-938-5604

Location

Vulcan County is located in south-central Alberta, southeast of the City of Calgary. The Town of Vulcan is 120 km south of Calgary and 100 km north of Lethbridge.

Vulcan County shares borders to the north with Wheatland County and the Blackfoot Indian Reserve, to the west with the MD of Foothills and the MD of Willow Creek, to the south with the County of Lethbridge and MD of Taber and to the east with the County of Newell.

Taxation

Taxation in Vulcan County is conducted by the Tax Roll Department.

Tax and Assessment Notices are sent June 30th of each year with payment due by September 30th. There are different methods for paying taxes including a monthly payment plan. Please visit the county website at www.vulcancounty.ab.ca for more information.

2004 Mill Rates
Residential - Public and/or Separate - 0.1520
Non-Residential - Public and/or Separate - 0.1665

	Residential/Farmland	Non-Residential
2004
Municipal Tax Rate	10.3900	10.3900
Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate	5.0300	6.4800
Education Opted Out Tax Rate	5.0300	6.4800
Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate	.2100	.2100

Transportation

Air Services

The Town of Vulcan has a municipal airport with a 3,000 foot paved, lighted runway operated by the town and county jointly. The nearest commercial and air freight services are at Lethbridge, while the nearest international airport facility is the Calgary International Airport.

Rail Services

The County is served by Canadian Pacific Railways. Spur trackage is available to industrial developers.

Highways

Highways that run through the County include Highway 23, leading west to Highway 2 and south to Highway 3, and Highway 24, leading north to Highway 1. The County is also served by a network of secondary roads, thereby ensuring easy access to all points within and around the County.

Trucking Firms

Trucking companies that serve the County include Vulcan Transport, Vulcan Express, Milo Transport, Turin Transport, Vaile Trucking, Huffs Trucking, Mensinger Contracting, Cage Transportation LP, Eastway Express and Derksen Transport.

Bus Services

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

Utilities

For more information on who provides electric, gas, water, telephone, and waste management within Vulcan County please visit the business directory located on this site at www.albertafirst.com/directory

Population

Total Population
Population 2004*	3,778
Population 2003*	3,778
Population 2002*	3,778
Population 2001**	3,775
Population 2000*	3,829
Population 1996**	3,829
Population 1991**	3,648
Population % change 1991-1996	4.73%
Population % change 1996-2001	-1.35%
* 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	180	140	320	135	150	285
Age 5 - 14	345	370	715	335	315	650
Age 15 - 19	150	170	320	160	150	310
Age 20 - 24	105	95	200	105	100	205
Age 25 - 34	220	225	445	180	195	375
Age 35 - 44	340	275	615	290	285	575
Age 45 - 54	245	230	475	300	275	575
Age 55 - 64	180	160	340	205	180	385
Age 65 - 74	140	120	260	140	125	265
Age 75 and older	80	60	140	90	65	155
Total All Persons	1,980	1,845	3,825	1,935	1,845	3,780
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Vulcan County Population by Age Group (2001)

Education Statistics

Highest level of schooling for Population 20yrs and older	2001	%
People without high school certificates	1,090	43.34%
People with high school certificates	315	12.52%
People with trades or non-university certificate or diploma	590	23.46%
People with post-secondary education (not completed)	240	9.54%
People with university diploma/certificate	70	2.78%
People with university degree	220	8.75%
Total Population 20 years and older	2,515	100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Vulcan County Highest Level of Schooling 2001

Population with Post Secondary Qualifications	1996	%	2001	%
Agriculture and biological sciences	155	19.75%	175	19.66%
Commerce, management and business administration	145	18.47%	145	16.29%
Educational, recreational and counseling services	60	7.64%	80	8.99%
Engineering and applied science tech. and trades	215	27.39%	245	27.53%
Engineering and applied sciences	0	0.00%	10	1.12%
Fine and applied arts	30	3.82%	35	3.93%
Health professionals, science and technologies	105	13.38%	140	15.73%
Humanities and related fields	10	1.27%	10	1.12%
Mathematics and physical sciences	20	2.55%	10	1.12%
Social sciences and related fields	25	3.18%	35	3.93%
Other and/or no specialization	0	0.00%	0	0.00%
Total people with post secondary qualifications	785	100.00%	890	100.00%
Females with post-secondary qualifications	415	52.87%	470	52.81%
Males with post-secondary qualifications	370	47.13%	420	47.19%
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	2,310	2,140
Not in the labour force, both sexes	525	675
Total population 15 and over	2,840	2,820
Employed, both sexes	2,260	2,105
Unemployed, both sexes	50	35
Participation rate, both sexes	81.00%	76.00%
Unemployment rate, both sexes	2.00%	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	1,520	66.09%	1,260	58.88%
Mining	45	1.96%	65	3.04%
Manufacturing	40	1.74%	50	2.34%
Construction	55	2.39%	100	4.67%
Transportation. & Utilities	130	5.65%	60	2.80%
Retail and Wholesale	85	3.70%	135	6.31%
Finance	50	2.17%	10	0.47%
Business & Community Services	295	12.83%	410	19.16%
Public Administration	75	3.26%	35	1.64%
Total All Industries	2,300	100.00%	2,140	100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Vulcan County Labour Force By Industry - 2001

 

Labour Force by Major Occupational Groups	1996	%	2001	%
Management occupations	80	3.47%	100	4.67%
Business, Finances and administrative occupations	170	7.38%	145	6.78%
Natural and applied sciences and related occupations	30	1.30%	30	1.40%
Health occupations	50	2.17%	75	3.50%
Occupations in social science; education; government and religion	60	2.60%	40	1.87%
Occupations in art; culture; recreation and sport	10	0.43%	55	2.57%
Sales and service occupations	330	14.32%	225	10.51%
Trades; transport; equipment operators and related occupations	195	8.46%	215	10.05%
Occupations unique to primary industry	1,330	57.70%	1,235	57.71%
Occupations unique to processing; manufacturing and utilities	45	1.95%	20	0.93%
Occupations not elsewhere classified	10	0.43%	0	0.00%
Total - All Occupations (major groups)	2,305	100.00%	2,140	100.00%
Females - All Occupations	970	42.08%	885	41.36%
Males - All Occupations	1,335	57.92%	1,255	58.64%
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	150	17.44%	50	6.02%
$20,000 - $39,999	250	29.07%	295	35.54%
$40,000 - $59,999	230	26.74%	215	25.90%
$60,000 and over	230	26.74%	280	33.73%
Total number of families	860	100.00%	840	101.20%
Average family income	$46,350		$58,689
Median family income	$42,882		$51,046
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	265	23.98%	130	11.56%
$20,000 - $39,999	320	28.96%	330	29.33%
$40,000 - $59,999	245	22.17%	235	20.89%
$60,000 and over	70	6.33%	425	37.78%
Total number of households	1,105	100.00%	1,125	100.00%
Average household income	$43,821		$57,343
Median household income	$38,141		$45,788
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	$11,253,225	37.44%	$14,108,285	35.22%
Clothing	$2,027,110	6.74%	$2,472,909	6.17%
Education and Reading materials	$613,370	2.04%	$836,022	2.09%
Health and Personal care	$1,880,255	6.26%	$2,644,659	6.60%
Hshld. operationas and furnishings	$3,298,590	10.97%	$4,906,466	12.25%
Recreation	$2,397,940	7.98%	$3,333,639	8.32%
Transportation	$6,160,500	20.49%	$7,864,480	19.63%
Miscellaneous	$2,416,370	8.04%	$3,893,550	9.72%
Total Current Consumption	$30,059,300	100.00%	$40,060,010	100.00%
Total # of Households	1,055		1,108
Average Consumption per Household	$28,492		$36,155
Source: Statistics Canada Family Expenditure Survey 1992 & 1996 (numbers may not add up due to rounding).

Vulcan County Family Expenditures (1996)

Building Permits

Total Building Permit Values	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
Building Permits Value, Commercial	$70,000	$91,000	$542,000	$0	$225,000
Building Permits Value, Industrial	$6,160,000	$0	$3,112,000	$4,000	$150,000
Building Permits Value, Institutional	$0	$500,000	$0	$0	$600,000
Building Permits Value, Residential	$4,276,000	$3,994,000	$2,936,000	$5,800,000	$5,495,000
Building Permits Value, Total	$10,506,000	$4,585,000	$6,590,000	$5,804,000	$6,470,000
Total Housing Starts	31	29	20	46	48
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	10	0.90%	0	0.00%
Detached Duplexes	0	0.00%	5	0.44%
Movable Dwellings	70	6.33%	85	7.52%
Other single attached house	30	2.71%	0	0.00%
Row and semi-detached house	0	0.00%	5	0.44%
Single-detached house	1,000	90.50%	1,030	91.15%
Total number of occupied private dwellings	1,105	100.00%	1,130	100.00%
Private dwellings, owned	870	78.73%	885	78.32%
Private Dwellings, rented	235	21.27%	245	21.68%
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	340	30.09%
Period of construction, 1946 - 1960	225	19.91%
Period of construction, 1961 - 1970	115	10.18%
Period of construction, 1971 - 1980	230	20.35%
Period of construction, 1981 - 1990	115	10.18%
Period of construction, 1991 - 2001	105	9.29%
Total number of private dwellings constructed	1,130	100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Farming

Vulcan County Total Farm Area : 705 acres

Farms by Total Farm Area (2001)	# of Farms	% of total
Farms - Under 129 acres	38	5.36%
Farms - 130 to 239 acres	73	10.30%
Farms - 240 to 559 acres	89	12.55%
Farms - 560 to 759 acres	46	6.49%
Farms - 760 to 1,119 acres	90	12.69%
Farms - 1,120 to 1,599 acres	79	11.14%
Farms - 1,600 to 2,239 acres	101	14.25%
Farms - 2,240 acres and over	193	27.22%
Total number of farms reporting	709	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	54	7.62%
Farms gross farm receipts - $10,000 to $49,999	133	18.76%
Farms gross farm receipts - $50,000 to $99,999	111	15.66%
Farms gross farm receipts - $100,000 to $249,999	234	33.00%
Farms gross farm receipts - $250,000 to $499,999	110	15.51%
Farms gross farm receipts - $500,000 and over	67	9.45%
Total number of farms reporting	709	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	115	12.23%
Age - 35 to 54 years	480	51.06%
Age - 55 years and over	340	36.17%
Average age of operators	50
Number of operators - Female	215	22.87%
Number of operators - Male	730	77.66%
Total number of operators reporting	940	100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census of Agriculture(numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Age of Farm Operators

Projects

Summary of Projects in Vulcan County as of September 2006

Project Sector	Number of Projects	Project Cost
Infrastructure	2	$19,200,000
Total	2	$19,200,000
This inventory lists projects in Alberta that have recently been completed, are under construction, or are proposed to start construction. Not all projects are listed due to reasons of confidentiality and/or due to information not being available at the time of printing. Project data is obtained from public information sources, where possible, this data has been verified with the project proponent/developer, users of the Inventory may wish to confirm project data with the proponent/developer. The inventory does not breakdown project expenditures by any given year. The cost of a project is the value of expenditures expected over all phases of project construction, which may span over two or more years. Cost of projects listed in the Inventory are estimated values only. Source: Alberta Economic Development, 2004.

Value of Projects by Sector (as of September 2006)

Project Status	Number of Projects	Project Cost
Nearing Completion	1	$7,500,000
Under Construction	1	$11,700,000
Total	2	$19,200,000
This inventory lists projects in Alberta that have recently been completed, are under construction, or are proposed to start construction. Not all projects are listed due to reasons of confidentiality and/or due to information not being available at the time of printing. Project data is obtained from public information sources, where possible, this data has been verified with the project proponent/developer, users of the Inventory may wish to confirm project data with the proponent/developer. The inventory does not breakdown project expenditures by any given year. The cost of a project is the value of expenditures expected over all phases of project construction, which may span over two or more years. Cost of projects listed in the Inventory are estimated values only. Source: Alberta Economic Development, 2004.

Largest Projects in Vulcan County as of September 2006

Company Name	Project  Description	Project  Location	Project  Cost	Construction  Schedule	Status
Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation	SH 531 Re-alignment and Re-build plus Bridge	Vulcan County (near Lomond)	$11,700,000	2006-2007	Under Construction
Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation	SH 539 Bridge (Bow City Bridge)	Vulcan County	$7,500,000	2005-2006	Nearing Completion