When moving anywhere safety is usually the number one concern. No one wants to move to a place that witnesses frequent crimes and violence.
Families with young children are especially concerned regarding the safety of the city they are moving in.
Every year researchers conduct multiple studies regarding the safety index of all the cities in Canada. This article will provide a list of the safest cities in the province of Alberta Canada.
Alberta is the fourth largest province in Canada. It is situated towards the western side of the country and is known for its rich and varied landscape. Alberta is home to mountainous areas, prairies, as well as forests all of which make a beautiful backdrop for its cities.
Alberta is also popular for its oil and natural gas field which makes up a chunk of its economy. The capital of Alberta is Edmonton which is also the second-largest city in the province after Calgary. On the whole, Alberta has a number of large to medium-sized cities.
Alberta is generally considered one of Canada’s safest provinces, but some areas are safer than others. Personal safety and security should be at the top of your list when considering relocation to a new area. In this article, we’ll explore some of the safest cities to live in Alberta.
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Beaumont
Beaumont has been named the safest city in the provinces by many standards for the last few years. The city started out as a small French farming community at a short distance from Edmonton but has since grown.
The city still has a lot of French influence and resembles a French village according to the architecture. In terms of population, Beaumont is on the smaller side with a total of approximately 20,000 people.
The city has a crime severity index of 40 and has had an average of 41 incidents annually per 10,000 people in the last 5 years.
The RCMP, Beaumont detachment is responsible for the safety of the residents of Beaumont. They are extremely vigilant and possess firm training.
There have been no cases of homicide in Beaumont and its breaking and entering rate per 10,000 people is a mere 146.53 percent.
Creating a family-friendly safe city is a top priority for the local government and mayor of the city. Beaumont is an ideal place to relocate with your family if safety is your number one priority.
Okotoks
Situated 18km south of Calgary is the town of Okotoks. The town is part of the Calgary Regional Partnership and has a total population of 28,881 people.
Okotoks is a quaint town with a rich and vibrant history. It acts as a legacy for the First Nations people who lived here in a nomadic lifestyle.
The town is famous for its high quality of living, family-friendly environment, and commitment to sustainability.
Okotoks ranks as a close second to the city of Beaumont in terms of safety. Its crime severity index is also 40 and similarly to Beaumont has not seen a single case of homicide in the year.
The city ranks 188 out of 237 Canadian municipalities in terms of the dangerous city by Maclean magazine.
The RCMP Okotoks division carries regular patrols of the city’s neighborhoods so that residents can enjoy safe community life and parents can let their kids roam free without having to worry for their safety.
The breaking and entering rate per 10,000 citizens of Okotoks is 148 which is almost similar to that of Beaumont.
Cochrane
The city of Cochrane is located 18km west of the city of Calgary. It has quickly become one of the largest cities in Alberta due to its fast-growing community.
The city has a total population of 34, 468 residents. The city lies at the base of the famous Bow River which provides a great source of scenic beauty and water-related activities to its residents.
In addition, the city was originally a ranch for a local rancher but has now expanded to include commercial and industrial activity. Cochrane is the third safest city in Alberta.
The city administration takes the safety of its residents very seriously and has created many professional and volunteer organizations that play an active part in preventing crime and maintaining peace.
The Cochrane detachment of the RCMP is highly trained and works tirelessly to ensure safety. The city has a crime severity index of 49 and a breaking and entering rate of 181.16.
High River
The town of High River is a part of the Calgary Metropolitan Region. It is extremely close to the city of Calgary. You can access it through Highways 2 and 23. The town is named after the Highwood River that flows through the town.
The city offers a number of attractions for its residents and the river is a great spot for water activities and family picnics. You can also consider the town as one of the safest cities in Alberta.
The city has a crime severity index of 51.5 with a 5-year percentage change of only -7.07. Although the number of break-ins and entering is a little higher than the first three cities at 224.6, overall High River offers a safe environment for all its residents.
Airdrie
The city of Airdrie was originally built as a railway town for the construction of Calgary and Edmonton. The city has a total area of 84.57 km2, with a population of around 61,581 people. It is famous for its family-friendly environment and strong community life.
The city has many opportunities for kids and adults alike to interact with one another. Airdrie has a crime severity index of 54.17. There have not been many violent crimes or break-in cases in the last few years. The RCMP Airdrie detachment is efficient in ensuring the city is safe for its residents.
Canmore
Located in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canmore lies west of Calgary and is known for its craggy summits such as the Three Sisters and Ha Ling Peak.
Real estate professionals regard the town as one of the best places to live in Canada, with tourism, lifestyle, health, and wellness as its primary economic base. Canmore is also regarded as a very safe town compared with the rest of Alberta.
It has an A-plus rating on crime, with violent crime falling 2% below the regional and national crime average; residents only reported 670 violent crimes in the whole of 2019.
Spruce Groove
The fourth safest city on our list Spruce Groove lies just 11 km west of Edmonton. Adjacent to the town of stony plain, the city grew from a busy grain trading village to become Alberta’s 16th in 2011 and is one of the fastest-growing communities as well s the ninth-largest town in Alberta.
According to a 2019 report from Statistics Canada, the violent crimes in Spruce Groove is 5% less than the national average, while other forms of crime, including property theft, are about 30% more than the national average.
Chestermere
Lake City is adjudged to be one of the safest cities in Canada. It is also a member municipality of the Calgary Regional Partnership and a commuter town of Calgary.
According to a 2019 survey by MacLean, the city had a crime severity index (CSI) of 64.74%, with only one homicide reported in 2017.
Statistics Canada also reported a 46% decrease in violent crime and a 26% decrease in property crime for the same period. In addition, the city has a beautiful natural landscape and affordable real estate that attracts immigrants from all corners of Canada and the world.
Lacombe
Set in the parkland of Albert and nestled between the Alberta Prairies in the east and the Rocky Mountains foothills in the west, Lacombe is a safe community with the crime index severity showing that violent and property crime has been on the decrease for a while now.
Moneysense Canada ranked the city as the 5th best place to live in Canada out of 415 towns and cities. A 2019 survey by statistics Canada also put violent crime in the city at 17% below the national average.
Strathcona County
Strathcona County is home to Canada’s most significant hydrocarbon refining cluster and listed as the second-safest community in Alberta in a survey.
It comprises an urban area (Sherwood park) and a group of farms, smaller hamlets, and acreages. Asides from being a leader in environmental conservation, it is regarded as very safe, with the crime rate falling well below the national crime average steadily for the last three years.
According to 2019 data from statistics Canada, Strathcona county’s total; crime rate decreased to 35% lower than the national average, with violent and property crime falling to 52% and 35% below the national average, respectively.
Final Verdict
Asides from economic, charitable or other personal reasons, it is essential to verify the safety of the community or city that one intends to move to before moving an inch.
From the cities and towns illustrated above, we can see that not every big or prosperous city is safe for the average person. Also, depending on your lifestyle or life goals, one can select a city or community that will guarantee a good standard of living for the average Canadian.
Hopefully, the above-mentioned list can provide a good account of some of the safest cities in the province of Alberta. Knowing the level of safety for a city beforehand can help you make an informed decision, whether it’s for moving to the city or going on vacation.