Wetaskiwin No. 10, County of

Area Overview

The County of Wetaskiwin is located along Alberta’s Highway 2 corridor, just 15 minutes south of the Edmonton International Airport. The County stretches from Bittern Lake on the east boundary to the Alder Flats area in the west. Geographically centered in the Province, a network of provincial primary and secondary highways provide quick and easy access to and from major centers in Alberta.

The Canadian Pacific Railway line serves the region with a main line running north/south through the County alongside Highway 2A.

The County provides a strong local workforce well represented in all occupational and industry sectors, including retail/wholesale jobs, agriculture, business and community services. The solid base of farming families contributes to the sustainability of the rural population. Nearly one-half of the labour force in the area has some level of secondary education with a range of studies varying from trades, administration, educational, recreational, counseling, health professions, sciences and technologies. A host of education and training can be reached within an hour commute including the University of Alberta, NAIT, Grant MacEwan College, Norquest College, Augustana College, Red Deer College and Olds Agricultural College.

Average housing prices are generally lower than surrounding communities providing a strong incentive for residential relocations from neighboring urban centers. Residential development on Pigeon Lake and Buck Lake offers close proximity for recreational opportunities. Additionally competitively priced industrial land is an attraction in the County of Wetaskiwin for new business ventures. Emergency, fire and protective services are well-represented with local ambulance services, volunteer fire departments, amalgamated rural and urban detachments of the RCMP.

Climate

Annual Precipitation

45 cm (18 in)

Annual Snowfall

150 cm (60 in)

Average Summer Temperature

21 C (70 F)

Average Winter Temperature

-16 C (3 F)

Average Number of Frost Free Days

102 days

Community Services

The County of Wetaskiwin provides a broad range of services to its residents. For more information, please visit the County's web page by clicking here.

Community Lifestyle

Visitors and residents are offered a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities that appeal to enthusiasts of every kind including:

• lakes
• trails
• antiques
• eating
• establishments
• retail shops
• arts and crafts
• museums
• greenhouses

and much more including libraries, art exhibitions, festivals, agricultural shows and events, and concerts sports including golf, fishing, tennis, horseback riding, boating, hiking, baseball, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, curling, hockey, fitness, soccer a broad range of recreational and leisure programming local clubs and organizations address a myriad of interest and needs, including 4-H, gymkhana, riding clubs, minor hockey and baseball, figure skating, school bands, girl guides and boy scouts clubs Whether you plan to stay for a day, a week or a lifetime, the County of Wetaskiwin welcomes you and will continue to provide strong proactive leadership and safe progressive communities.

Economic Base

Agriculture

The County of Wetaskiwin is home to a strong agricultural economic base with some of the most fertile land in the province. With a diverse range of crops and livestock operations the County has garnered a lot of attention from value-added food prcoessors in recent years.

Oil and Gas

The County of Wetaskiwin is a strong contributor to the Oil and Gas industry, providing resources, materials, skilled labour, and manufacturing to meet the ever growing needs of this resource sector.

Manufacturing

Several large manufacturers call the County of Wetaskiwin home and industry continues to choose the County based on its strategic location and cost competitive advantages.

Education

For information on the diverse range of education options within the County, please visit the Wetaskiwin Regional School Board web site.

The County is also home to several pre-schools and private education institutions.

Emergency Services

The County is proud of the emergency services it offers its ratepayers. For more information on emergency services within the County, click here.

Health Care

The County is a member of the David Thompson Health Region which provides medical and health services that meets needs of everyone.

Key Contacts for Business Development

Mr. Frank Coutney
Chief Administrative Officer
County of Wetaskiwin, No. 10
Phone: (780) 361-6223 Fax: (780)
fcoutney@county.wetaskiwin.ab.ca

Mr. David Blades
Director of Planning Services
Phone: (780) 361-6235
Fax: (780) 352-3486
dblades@county,wetaskiwin.ab.ca

Population

Total Population
Population 2004*	10,695
Population 2003*	10,695
Population 2002*	10,695
Population 2001**	10,695
Population 2000*	10,467
Population 1996**	10,467
Population 1991**	9,816
Population % change 1991-1996	6.22%
Population % change 1996-2001	2.13%
* 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	330	305	635	300	280	580
Age 5 - 14	940	925	1,865	845	830	1,675
Age 15 - 19	465	395	860	490	410	900
Age 20 - 24	255	195	450	255	190	445
Age 25 - 34	615	615	1,230	495	510	1,005
Age 35 - 44	905	855	1,760	890	880	1,770
Age 45 - 54	760	735	1,495	890	880	1,770
Age 55 - 64	620	495	1,115	735	625	1,360
Age 65 - 74	415	315	730	455	360	815
Age 75 and older	190	145	335	205	155	360
Total All Persons	5,500	4,965	10,465	5,570	5,125	10,695
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Wetaskiwin No. 10, County of Population by Age Group (2001)

Education Statistics

Highest level of schooling for Population 20yrs and older	2001	%
People without high school certificates	2,865	38.25%
People with high school certificates	1,125	15.02%
People with trades or non-university certificate or diploma	2,355	31.44%
People with post-secondary education (not completed)	590	7.88%
People with university diploma/certificate	85	1.13%
People with university degree	470	6.28%
Total Population 20 years and older	7,490	100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Wetaskiwin No. 10, County of Highest Level of Schooling 2001

Population with Post Secondary Qualifications	1996	%	2001	%
Agriculture and biological sciences	355	12.66%	255	8.66%
Commerce, management and business administration	460	16.40%	460	15.62%
Educational, recreational and counseling services	285	10.16%	300	10.19%
Engineering and applied science tech. and trades	940	33.51%	1,000	33.96%
Engineering and applied sciences	55	1.96%	40	1.36%
Fine and applied arts	155	5.53%	180	6.11%
Health professionals, science and technologies	300	10.70%	405	13.75%
Humanities and related fields	75	2.67%	145	4.92%
Mathematics and physical sciences	55	1.96%	45	1.53%
Social sciences and related fields	110	3.92%	130	4.41%
Other and/or no specialization	0	0.00%	0	0.00%
Total people with post secondary qualifications	2,805	100.00%	2,945	100.00%
Females with post-secondary qualifications	1,210	43.14%	1,365	46.35%
Males with post-secondary qualifications	1,595	56.86%	1,580	53.65%
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	6,075	6,165
Not in the labour force, both sexes	1,850	2,225
Total population 15 and over	7,925	8,390
Employed, both sexes	5,765	5,890
Unemployed, both sexes	310	270
Participation rate, both sexes	77.00%	74.00%
Unemployment rate, both sexes	5.00%	4.00%
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	1,990	33.03%	1,570	25.49%
Mining	295	4.90%	430	6.98%
Manufacturing	270	4.48%	410	6.66%
Construction	465	7.72%	465	7.55%
Transportation. & Utilities	370	6.14%	370	6.01%
Retail and Wholesale	910	15.10%	820	13.31%
Finance	90	1.49%	130	2.11%
Business & Community Services	1,330	22.07%	1,830	29.71%
Public Administration	155	2.57%	135	2.19%
Total All Industries	6,025	100.00%	6,160	100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Wetaskiwin No. 10, County of Labour Force By Industry - 2001

 

Labour Force by Major Occupational Groups	1996	%	2001	%
Management occupations	380	6.31%	480	7.80%
Business, Finances and administrative occupations	730	12.13%	780	12.67%
Natural and applied sciences and related occupations	70	1.16%	155	2.52%
Health occupations	145	2.41%	240	3.90%
Occupations in social science; education; government and religion	245	4.07%	280	4.55%
Occupations in art; culture; recreation and sport	90	1.50%	110	1.79%
Sales and service occupations	1,105	18.36%	930	15.11%
Trades; transport; equipment operators and related occupations	980	16.28%	1,195	19.42%
Occupations unique to primary industry	2,015	33.47%	1,755	28.51%
Occupations unique to processing; manufacturing and utilities	260	4.32%	230	3.74%
Occupations not elsewhere classified	50	0.83%	10	0.16%
Total - All Occupations (major groups)	6,020	100.00%	6,155	100.00%
Females - All Occupations	2,615	43.44%	2,645	42.97%
Males - All Occupations	3,405	56.56%	3,515	57.11%
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	360	12.97%	320	11.35%
$20,000 - $39,999	945	34.05%	930	32.98%
$40,000 - $59,999	700	25.23%	765	27.13%
$60,000 and over	770	27.75%	790	28.01%
Total number of families	2,775	100.00%	2,805	99.47%
Average family income	$49,390		$58,496
Median family income	$41,966		$49,961
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	710	19.69%	665	17.21%
$20,000 - $39,999	1,155	32.04%	1,040	26.91%
$40,000 - $59,999	835	23.16%	840	21.73%
$60,000 and over	255	7.07%	1,310	33.89%
Total number of households	3,605	100.00%	3,865	100.00%
Average household income	$45,897		$54,479
Median household income	$38,648		$45,742
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	$36,339,955	37.13%	$46,390,199	35.21%
Clothing	$6,725,895	6.87%	$8,129,723	6.17%
Education and Reading materials	$2,049,815	2.09%	$2,726,114	2.07%
Health and Personal care	$6,149,425	6.28%	$8,729,433	6.63%
Hshld. operationas and furnishings	$10,738,840	10.97%	$16,144,238	12.25%
Recreation	$7,848,775	8.02%	$10,931,049	8.30%
Transportation	$20,168,125	20.61%	$25,899,906	19.66%
Miscellaneous	$7,823,250	7.99%	$12,796,442	9.71%
Total Current Consumption	$97,872,345	100.00%	$131,747,104	100.00%
Total # of Households	3,305		3,604
Average Consumption per Household	$29,613		$36,556
Source: Statistics Canada Family Expenditure Survey 1992 & 1996 (numbers may not add up due to rounding).

Wetaskiwin No. 10, County of Family Expenditures (1996)

Building Permits

Total Building Permit Values	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
Building Permits Value, Commercial	$1,159,000	$2,781,000	$220,000	$1,413,000	$1,401,000
Building Permits Value, Industrial	$4,987,000	$765,000	$463,000	$476,000	$5,040,000
Building Permits Value, Institutional	$30,000	$70,000	$3,301,000	$80,000	$0
Building Permits Value, Residential	$12,064,000	$13,856,000	$16,025,000	$13,504,000	$15,310,000
Building Permits Value, Total	$18,240,000	$17,472,000	$20,009,000	$15,473,000	$21,751,000
Total Housing Starts	103	101	106	90	81
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	0	0.00%	0	0.00%
Detached Duplexes	0	0.00%	5	0.13%
Movable Dwellings	495	13.75%	415	10.75%
Other single attached house	0	0.00%	0	0.00%
Row and semi-detached house	20	0.56%	20	0.52%
Single-detached house	3,080	85.56%	3,420	88.60%
Total number of occupied private dwellings	3,600	100.00%	3,860	100.00%
Private dwellings, owned	3,150	87.50%	3,395	87.95%
Private Dwellings, rented	450	12.50%	470	12.18%
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	495	12.82%
Period of construction, 1946 - 1960	535	13.86%
Period of construction, 1961 - 1970	375	9.72%
Period of construction, 1971 - 1980	1,075	27.85%
Period of construction, 1981 - 1990	705	18.26%
Period of construction, 1991 - 2001	675	17.49%
Total number of private dwellings constructed	3,860	100.00%
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Farming

Wetaskiwin No. 10, County of Total Farm Area : 1,320 acres

Farms by Total Farm Area (2001)	# of Farms	% of total
Farms - Under 129 acres	247	18.75%
Farms - 130 to 239 acres	302	22.93%
Farms - 240 to 559 acres	382	29.01%
Farms - 560 to 759 acres	136	10.33%
Farms - 760 to 1,119 acres	120	9.11%
Farms - 1,120 to 1,599 acres	68	5.16%
Farms - 1,600 to 2,239 acres	30	2.28%
Farms - 2,240 acres and over	32	2.43%
Total number of farms reporting	1,317	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	269	20.43%
Farms gross farm receipts - $10,000 to $49,999	504	38.27%
Farms gross farm receipts - $50,000 to $99,999	213	16.17%
Farms gross farm receipts - $100,000 to $249,999	209	15.87%
Farms gross farm receipts - $250,000 to $499,999	77	5.85%
Farms gross farm receipts - $500,000 and over	45	3.42%
Total number of farms reporting	1,317	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	225	11.54%
Age - 35 to 54 years	1,000	51.28%
Age - 55 years and over	725	37.18%
Average age of operators	50
Number of operators - Female	610	31.28%
Number of operators - Male	1,340	68.72%
Total number of operators reporting	1,950	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 Wetaskiwin No. 10, County of as of September 2006

Project Sector	Number of Projects	Project Cost
Institutional	1	$3,600,000
Infrastructure	1	$2,300,000
Tourism/Recreation	1	$48,000
Total	3	$5,948,000
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
Proposed	2	$5,900,000
Under Construction	1	$48,000
Total	3	$5,948,000
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 Wetaskiwin No. 10, County of as of September 2006

Company Name	Project  Description	Project  Location	Project  Cost	Construction  Schedule	Status
Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation*	New Middle School	Wetaskiwin County (Millet)	$3,600,000	-	Proposed
City of Wetaskiwin	WATERMAIN TO SERVICE CATTLEMAN'S BEEF PROESSING PLANT SITE	Wetaskiwin County	$2,300,000	-	Proposed
Winfield Lions Park	Wash House	County of Wetaskiwin	$48,000	2006-2006	Under Construction