Fort McKay, Alberta, is a unique community nestled in the northeastern part of Canada. It's situated at the confluence of the Athabasca and MacKay rivers, approximately 54 km north of Fort McMurray via Highway 63 and Fort McKay Road. The community stands at an elevation of 260 m and is primarily an Indian settlement of the Fort McKay First Nation (FMFN).
The community was christened in 1912, named after Dr. Williams Morrison MacKay, the first president of the Northern Alberta Medical Association. The Fort McKay First Nation spells the community's name as Fort McKay. In August 2012, the Fort McKay Métis Community requested the RM of Wood Buffalo to change the name of the hamlet to Fort McKay, a change that was recognized on January 22, 2018.
During the 2016 Fort McMurray Wildfire, Fort McKay played a crucial role by hosting 5000 evacuees. However, the community itself was put under an evacuation notice due to the northward advance of the flames.
Fort McKay experiences a subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification Dfc) and falls into the NRC Plant Hardiness Zone 3a. The summers are mild and short, while the winters can be long and cold.
In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Fort McKay settlement recorded a population of 742 living in 250 of its 303 total private dwellings. This was a 32% change from its 2011 population of 562. With a land area of 9.53 km2, it had a population density of 77.9/km2 in 2016.
In the 2011 Census, the Fort McKay settlement had a population of 562 living in 201 of its 235 total dwellings. This was a 7.9% change from its 2006 population of 521. With a land area of 8.17 km2, it had a population density of 68.79/km2 in 2011.
The hamlet portion of Fort McKay had a population of 59 according to the 2018 municipal census conducted by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. This was an increase from its 2015 municipal census population count of 51.
The community is located 6 km north of Highway 63 via Fort McKay Road and is served by air at the Fort MacKay/Horizon Airport. Whether you're visiting or planning to settle, Fort McKay, Alberta, offers a rich blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.
