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Calgary and Area Child and Family Services is an urban-rural area of Southern Alberta including the cities of Calgary and Airdrie, and the towns and communities in the following Municipal Districts, Counties and Improvement Districts: MDs of Rocky View, Bighorn, Foothills, and Willow Creek; Counties of Vulcan and Wheatland; and the Kananaskis Improvement District and IP No. 9 (Banff National Park and Canmore area). The region also lies within the boundaries of Treaty Seven and is home to Aboriginal people from all over Canada. Region 3 Map (58KB PDF)

The region has a diverse population that has grown significantly in the last few years. According to 2001 census data, the population has increased by 16% from 902,860 in 1996 to 1,047,676 in 2001. Of the region's total population, over 26% or about 279,955 people are 19 years of age or younger. Of these:

  • 6.1% or about 63,400 children are between 0-4 years of age

  • Over 13% or about 143,000 children are between 5-14 years of age

  • 7% or about 73,400 teenagers are between 15-19 years of age

There are 285,000 families that live within the region; of these over 14.2% or close to 40,740 families are lone-parent families.

The chart below details the 2001 population distribution of the major centres and Municipal Districts in the region.

2001 Population

% change

1996 - 2001
Total for Region 3 1,047,186 16.0 %
Airdrie
20,382
 27.8 %
Banff 7,135 17.0 %
City of Calgary 878,866 14.4 %
Canmore 10,792 29.2 %
Chestermere 3,414 78.6 %
Claresholm 3,622 5.7 %
Cochrane 11,798 58.9 %
High River 9,345 27.0 %
M.D. of Bighorn 1,300 2.3 %
M.D. of Foothills 16,765 17.0 %
M.D. of Rocky View 30,688 31.6 %
M.D. of Willow Creek 5,415 6.0 %
Okotoks 11,664 36.8 %
Strathmore 7,621 43.4 %
Vulcan County 3,780 -0.7 %
Wheatland County 7,885 12.4 %

*Not including towns and villages that fall within M.D. boundaries


Region 3 is a culturally diverse community, as these 2001 statistics show;
Immigrant Population*
Number of Immigrants who arrived between 1991-2001
Aboriginal Population**
Total Population
Total for Region 3 206,985 71,360 23,205 1,047,676
Airdrie 1,615 345 425 20,380
Banff 1,200 440 160 7,135
City of Calgary 190,140 67,470 19,765 878,865
Canmore 1,685 595 110 10,795
Chestermere 410 70 35 3,415
Claresholm 370 40 50 3,620
Cochrane 1,030 265 260 11,795
High River 720 185 200 9,345
M.D. of Bighorn 230 140 70 1,300
M.D. of Foothills 1,765 255 195 16,765
M.D. of Rocky View* 3,775 620 440 30,685
M.D. of Willow Creek 490 145 105 5,415
Okotoks 1,045 210 270 11,660
Strathmore 580 140 215 7,620
Vulcan County 235 90 120 3,780
Wheatland County 435 65 240 7,885

Region 3 is situated at the western end of the Great Plains in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The area was originally inhabited by Blackfoot tribes who hunted buffalo in the surrounding plains. Settlers moved to the area in the mid-19th century, and in 1875 the North West Mounted Police established Fort Calgary. A station on the Trans-Canadian Railway was built near the fort in 1883 and nine years later the township of Calgary was granted official city status.

Calgary is now a leading city in Canada for the location of corporate head offices and has an educated, talented and experienced workforce. This is an area with great human resources, renowned for its community spirit. As a capital of volunteerism, it has a huge heart. The Winter Olympics of 1988 gave the area an opportunity to demonstrate to the world what volunteerism, community spirit and cooperation can accomplish. The region has a thriving helping sector which boasts a dynamic community of agencies and services. Some examples include the Action Committee Against Violence, the Child Friendly City Initiative and the International Children's Festival. Volunteer Calgary recruits and refers over 15,000 volunteers annually.

Region 3 of Child and Family Services is moving into the future with the foundation of a strong diversified economy as well as a helping sector that is the very best in its commitment, caring skills and innovation.


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