Cochrane, Alberta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cochrane
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Town
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| Town of Cochrane | ||
Overview of Cochrane
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| Motto(s):
How the West is Now
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Boundaries of Cochrane
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 Cochrane
Location in Rocky View County
Cochrane
Location in Alberta
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| Country | Canada | |
| Province | Alberta | |
| Metropolitan area | Calgary | |
| Planning region | South Saskatchewan | |
| Municipal district | Rocky View County | |
| Incorporated | ||
| • Village | June 17, 1903 | |
| • Town | February 15, 1971 | |
| Area
(2021)
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| • Land | 31.58 km2 (12.19 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 1,159 m (3,802 ft) | |
| Population
(2021)
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| • Total | 32,199 | |
| • Density | 1,019.5/km2 (2,640/sq mi) | |
| • Municipal census (2019) | 29,277 | |
| • Estimate (2020) | 32,010 | |
| Demonym(s) | Cochranite | |
| Time zone | UTC−07:00 (MST) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−06:00 (MDT) | |
| Forward sortation area |
T4C
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| Area code(s) | 403, 587, 825, 368 | |
| Highways |  Hwy 1A Hwy 22 Cowboy Trail |
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| Railways | Canadian Pacific Railway | |
Cochrane ( KOK-rən) is a town in the Calgary Metropolitan Region of Alberta, Canada. The town is located 18 km (11 mi) west of the Calgary city limits along Highway 1A. Cochrane is one of the fastest-growing communities in Canada, and with a population of 32,199 in 2021, it is one of the largest towns in Alberta. It is part of Calgary's census metropolitan area and a member community of the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board (CMRB). The town is surrounded by Rocky View County.
Contents
History
Cochrane was established in 1881 as the Cochrane Ranche, after Matthew Henry Cochrane, a local rancher. It became a village in 1903 and it had a newspaper and volunteer fire department by 1909. Cochrane incorporated as a town in 1971.
Geography
Cochrane is situated at the base of Big Hill in the Bow River Valley. It sits at an elevation of 1,186 metres (3,891 ft). The town is intersected by Highway 1A and Highway 22. Cochrane has a reputation for its western culture, which can easily be felt when one wanders the streets (particularly Main Street). The town is a popular destination for ice cream and coffee in its quaint western-oriented stores as well as for windsports, golfing, hiking and other adventure activities.
Cochrane is also a small industrial centre. Major industries include lumber, construction, retail, and agriculture (ranching). It is notable as being one of a very few communities in Canada with no business tax.
Cochrane is known for outdoor pursuits. It is a centre for paragliding instruction, with the renowned Nick Mueller family operating a school at the top of the Big Hill.
The hill is also a popular training ground for cyclists from the area, who take advantage of its 7% grade and 3.5 km distance.
Neighbourhoods
The following neighbourhoods are located within Cochrane.
- Bow Meadows
- Bow Ridge
- Cochrane Heights
- Downtown
- East End
- Fireside
- Glenbow
- GlenEagles
- Heartland
- Heritage Hills
- Jumping Pound Ridge
- Riversong
- Riverview
- Sunset Ridge
- The Willows
- West Pointe
- West Terrace
- West Valley
Demographics
| Federal census population history |
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1901 | 92 | — |
| 1906 | 158 | +71.7% |
| 1911 | 395 | +150.0% |
| 1916 | 284 | −28.1% |
| 1921 | 268 | −5.6% |
| 1926 | 282 | +5.2% |
| 1931 | 293 | +3.9% |
| 1936 | 339 | +15.7% |
| 1941 | 298 | −12.1% |
| 1946 | 405 | +35.9% |
| 1951 | 530 | +30.9% |
| 1956 | 707 | +33.4% |
| 1961 | 857 | +21.2% |
| 1966 | 819 | −4.4% |
| 1971 | 1,046 | +27.7% |
| 1976 | 1,450 | +38.6% |
| 1981 | 3,544 | +144.4% |
| 1986 | 4,190 | +18.2% |
| 1991 | 5,267 | +25.7% |
| 1996 | 7,424 | +41.0% |
| 2001 | 11,798 | +58.9% |
| 2006 | 13,760 | +16.6% |
| 2011 | 17,580 | +27.8% |
| 2016 | 25,853 | +47.1% |
| 2021 | 32,199 | +24.5% |
| Source: Statistics Canada |
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In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Cochrane recorded a population of 32,199 living in 12,096 of its 12,578 total private dwellings, a change of 24.5% from its 2016 population of 25,853. With a land area of 31.58 km2 (12.19 sq mi), it had a population density of 1,019.6/km2 (2,641/sq mi) in 2021.
The population of the Town of Cochrane according to its 2019 municipal census is 29,277, a change of 4.7% from its 2018 municipal census population of 27,960. At its current population, Cochrane is one of the largest towns in the province and is eligible for city status. According to Alberta's Municipal Government Act, a town is eligible for city status when it reaches 10,000 residents.
In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Cochrane recorded a population of 25,853 living in 9,757 of its 10,225 total private dwellings, a 47.1% change from its 2011 population of 17,580. With a land area of 29.83 km2 (11.52 sq mi), it had a population density of 866.7/km2 (2,245/sq mi) in 2016.
Arts and culture
Cochrane Ranche provided the corral setting for the 1954 National Film Board of Canada documentary Corral, by Colin Low, whose father had worked as a foreman at the ranch. This film played theatrically across Canada and was named Best Documentary at the Venice Film Festival.
Cochrane houses attractions such as Cochrane Ranche Historic Site and Bert Sheppard Stockmen's Foundation Library And Archives, located in the Cochrane Ranchehouse.
Cochrane is home to many annual events each year:
- Chamber of Commerce Trade Fair: Early May
- Canada Day (July 1)
- Town of Cochrane presents the Canada Day Family Concert : Canada Day (July 1)
- Labour Day Rodeo & Parade: Labour Day weekend
- Terry Fox Run: September
- Christmas Lightup: Late November
Education
Cochrane is home to schools from the public Rocky View School Division No. 41, the separate Calgary Catholic School District, and the Greater Southern Alberta Catholic Francophone Region #4 (CSCFSA).
As of 2008, there were nine public and separate schools in operation within the town boundaries.
- Rocky View School Division No. 41
- Cochrane High School: Grades 9–12
- Bow Valley High School: Grades 9–12
- Rancheview School: Kindergarten, Grades 1-8
- Elizabeth Barret Elementary School: Kindergarten, Grades 1–4
- Glenbow Elementary School: Kindergarten, Grades 1–4
- Mitford School: Grades 6-8
- Manachaban School: Grades 6-8
- Cochrane Christian Academy: Kindergarten, Grades 1-8
- Fireside School: Kindergarten, Grades 1-7
- Calgary Catholic School District
- Holy Spirit: Kindergarten, Grades 1–6
- St. Timothy: Grades 7–12
- Nôtre Dame Des Vallées: Kindergarten, Grades 1–8 (French-Catholic school GSACFR#4 or CSCFSA)
In November 2006 the Rocky View School Division accepted a proposal by the Cochrane Christ-Centred Education Society to set up a Protestant Christian education program in Cochrane. The Cochrane Christian Academy opened its doors at Mitford Middle School in September 2007, offering kindergarten to grade 4. Approval for expansion to include grade 5 for the 2008–09 school year was given by the board of trustees in April 2008.
There are two trustees (one from each board) elected to represent Cochrane Schools at their respective boards.
The Greater Southern Alberta Catholic Francophone Region #4 has one trustee for the Region from Cochrane.
Cochrane is also home to the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary, the flagship seminary of the Canadian National Baptist Convention, the Canadian branch of the largest US Protestant denomination.
Notable people
- Rob Cote, professional football player
- Justin Dowling, professional ice hockey player
- George Fox, musician
- Ethan Gage, professional soccer player
- Mason Raymond, professional ice hockey player
- Dillon Dubé, professional ice hockey player
- Paul Brandt, musician
- John Hufnagel President And GM of Calgary Stampeders
See also
In Spanish: Cochrane (Alberta) para niños
