Rocky View County is a municipal district in southern Alberta, Canada that is named for its views of the nearby Rocky Mountains to the west. It surrounds most of Calgary, forming the city's northern boundary and most of the city's western and eastern boundaries. At a population of 41,028 in 2021, Rocky View County is the most populous municipal district in Alberta. Though predominantly rural in nature, Rocky View County is home to 14 hamlets, including Langdon, one of Alberta's most populous hamlets. Its rural areas are home to numerous country residential subdivisions.
History
The Municipal District (MD) of Calgary No. 44 was originally formed on January 1, 1955 from part of Improvement District No. 46 and parts of five municipal districts – the MD of Serviceberry No. 43, the MD of Conrich No. 44, the MD of Springbank No. 45, the MD of Kneehill No. 48, and the MD of Mountain View No. 49.[1] The MD of Calgary No. 44 was renamed the MD of Rocky View No. 44 on January 9, 1956.[1]
"Rocky View" was the successful entry selected in December 1955 in a local competition to rename the newly formed municipal district.[4] The entry was submitted by Leslie Burwash of Balzac.[4] "Bow View" and "Chinook" placed second and third respectively in the competition.[4] The name "Rocky View" was successful due to its descriptive nature as most areas within the MD of Rocky View No. 44 have views of the Rocky Mountains to the west.[citation needed]
The MD of Rocky View No. 44 changed its name to Rocky View County on June 24, 2009.[1]
On July 28, 2020, Rocky View County applied to the Province of Alberta to change its municipal classification from an MD to a Specialized Municipality, like Strathcona County near Edmonton. This request was subsequently denied by the Province.[5]
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Rocky View County had a population of 41,028 living in 13,905 of its 14,714 total private dwellings, a change of 4.1% from its 2016 population of 39,407. With a land area of 3,828.85 km2 (1,478.33 sq mi), it had a population density of 10.7/km2 (27.8/sq mi) in 2021.[3]
In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Rocky View County had a population of 39,407 living in 13,042 of its 13,620 total private dwellings, a 10.2% change from its 2011 population of 35,754. With a land area of 3,836.33 km2 (1,481.22 sq mi), it had a population density of 10.3/km2 (26.6/sq mi) in 2016.[11]
Rocky View County's 2013 municipal census counted a population of 38,055,[12] a 6.4% increase over its adjusted 2011 federal census population of 35,754.[13] Its previous 2006 municipal census counted a population of 34,597.[14]
This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (January 2021)
Municipal
Rocky View County has a council consisting of elected officials representing seven electoral divisions. Municipal elections, organized under the Alberta Elections Act from Alberta Municipal Affairs, are held every four years, the last being in October, 2021.
Each October, the councillors elect a mayor and a deputy mayor from among their number.
Rocky View's northeast and southeast (east of Calgary, north of the Bow River) is part of the Federal Electoral district (also known as a riding) of Crowfoot. This riding has been represented by Kevin Sorenson, who was originally elected as a member of the Reform Party then again as a member of the Canadian Alliance and currently of the Conservative Party.
Rocky View's southwest (south of the Bow River and west of Calgary) is part of the Federal Electoral district (also known as a riding) of Macleod. This riding has been represented by Ted Menzies, who was originally elected as a member of the Canadian Alliance and currently of the Conservative Party.
Rocky View's northwest is part of the Federal Electoral district (also known as a riding) of Wild Rose. This riding is represented by Blake Richards, who was elected as a member of the Conservative Party on October 14, 2008.
