Caroline, Alberta is a quaint village nestled in the heart of central Alberta, Canada. Situated southwest of Red Deer, this charming community is named after Caroline Langley, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Langley. The Langley family played a pivotal role in the village's early history, opening the community's original post office in 1908.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Caroline, Alberta had a population of 470 living in 219 of its 246 total private dwellings. This represented a decrease of 8.2% from its 2016 population of 512. The village spans a land area of 2.04 km2 (0.79 sq mi), resulting in a population density of 230.4/km2 (596.7/sq mi) in 2021.
In the 2016 Census of Population, Caroline recorded a population of 512 living in 233 of its 259 total private dwellings. This was a slight increase of 2.2% from its 2011 population of 501. With the same land area, the population density in 2016 was 251.0/km2 (650.0/sq mi).
In the mid-1980s, Caroline, Alberta became the site of a significant natural gas discovery. A large natural gas field valued at 10 billion dollars was found in the vicinity of the village. The field was aptly named "Caroline" and was subsequently developed by Shell.
The gas discovered was sour, containing about 35% hydrogen sulfide. The sulfur was extracted from the gas and transported in liquid form to a plant at Shantz, located about 40 km (25 mi) southeast. Here, it was converted into solid pellets and exported via a spur line of the Canadian Pacific Railway. In 2019, Shell sold the field and processing plant to Pieridae Energy.
Caroline, Alberta, with its rich history and natural resources, offers a unique blend of past and present. Whether you're a history enthusiast or a nature lover, Caroline, Alberta has something for everyone.
