Devon, Alberta, a charming town nestled in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region of Canada, is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Located approximately 26 km southwest of Edmonton, the provincial capital, Devon sits along the southern bank of the North Saskatchewan River, offering a picturesque setting for both residents and visitors.
Devon's existence is deeply rooted in one of the world's largest oil discoveries. On February 13, 1947, the Imperial Leduc No. 1 well struck oil, leading to the construction of the new town of Devon by Imperial Oil to house its workers. The company was committed to creating a well-planned community, making Devon the first Canadian community to be approved by a regional planning commission.
While the oil industry continues to be a significant player in the town's business sector, Devon's economy has diversified over the years to include tourism, manufacturing, and research. The town's name, Devon, is derived from the Devonian formation (the strata tapped in the Leduc No. 1 oil well), which is named after the county of Devon in England.
Devon enjoys a warm-summer humid continental climate (Köppen: Dfb), slightly cooler than Edmonton. On average, the temperature exceeds 30 °C (86 °F) on 3.6 days a year. Days with temperatures below −30 °C (−22 °F) occur on average 8.8 nights a year. Approximately 58.4% of the days in a year, the temperature can reach a value less than or equal to the freezing temperature. The frost-free period typically extends from the beginning of June until the first week of September, averaging 96 days.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Devon had a population of 6,545 living in 2,496 of its 2,588 total private dwellings, a slight decrease of -0.5% from its 2016 population of 6,578. With a land area of 14.26 km2 (5.51 sq mi), it had a population density of 459.0/km2 (1,188.7/sq mi) in 2021.
Devon is well-equipped with schools, community services such as the Devon General Hospital, and recreational facilities. It is conveniently located 20 km (12 mi) from the Edmonton International Airport and is close to major rail routes and highways.
Attractions in and around Devon include a motor sports park, a bird sanctuary, the University of Alberta Botanic Garden, and a network of paved country roads and unpaved mountain bike trails, making it a popular destination for cyclists. In fact, Devon hosted Canada's 2010 National Road Championships.
Devon is the sister city to Grimma, Germany. In 2008, a group of students and dignitaries from Devon traveled to Grimma to perform in an international music festival. In 2010, members of the Grimma Jugendblasorchester (Youth Orchestra) visited Devon to perform and tour Alberta. This international connection adds a unique cultural dimension to the town of Devon, Alberta.
