Red Deer, Alberta, a city nestled midway on the Calgary–Edmonton Corridor, has a rich history that dates back to the late eighteenth century. Before the arrival of European fur traders, the area was home to First Nations including the Blackfoot, Plains Cree, and Stoney. A significant First Nations trail ran from the Montana Territory across the Bow River near present-day Calgary and on to Fort Edmonton, later known as the Calgary and Edmonton Trail. This trail crossed the Red Deer River at a wide, stony shallows, known as the "Old Red Deer Crossing," located 7 kilometres upstream from the present-day city.
The Cree people named the river Waskasoo Seepee, meaning "Elk River." European settlers, however, referred to North American elk as "red deer," a term borrowed from the related Eurasian species. This led to the community being named after the river. The modern city's name in Plains Cree is a calque of the English name (mihkwâpisimosos, literally "red type of deer"), while the river's name remains wâwâskêsiw-sîpiy or "elk river."
In 1876 and 1877, First Nations on the north and south sides of the river respectively entered into Treaty 6 and Treaty 7. This paved the way for farmers and ranchers to settle on the fertile lands. A trading post and stopping house were built at the Crossing in 1882, which later became Fort Normandeau during the 1885 North-West Rebellion.
Leonard Gaetz played a pivotal role in the city's development, giving a half-share of 1,240 acres he had acquired to the Calgary and Edmonton Railway to develop a bridge over the river and a townsite. This led to the gradual abandonment of the Crossing, and the arrival of the first trains in 1891.
Red Deer, Alberta, serves central Alberta and is surrounded by Red Deer County, bordering on Lacombe County. The city is situated in aspen parkland, a region of rolling hills, alongside the Red Deer River.
Red Deer, Alberta, experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb), with a semi-arid influence due to its location within Palliser's Triangle. The city's highest recorded temperature was 37.2 °C (99 °F) on 8 July 1906, 2 July 1924, and 28 & 29 June 1937. The lowest recorded temperature was −50.6 °C (−59 °F) on 17 December 1924. The city lies in the 4a plant hardiness zone, with summers typically warm and rainy with cool nights, and winters long, cold, and very dry.
Red Deer, Alberta, is home to a variety of neighbourhoods, each with its unique charm and character.
As per the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Red Deer, Alberta, had a population of 100,844 living in 40,512 of its 43,404 total private dwellings. This marked a change of 0.4% from its 2016 population of 100,418. With a land area of 104.34 km2 (40.29 sq mi), it had a population density of 966.5/km2 (2,503.2/sq mi) in 2021.
According to the 2016 census, 15.2% of the general population identified as visible minority (non-aboriginal), an increase of 55.9% over the previous five years. A separate 7.1% reported North American Aboriginal Origins (4.2% First Nations and 3.1% Métis).
Red Deer, Alberta, is a vibrant hub of arts and culture, hosting numerous groups including Central Alberta Theatre, Ignition Theatre, Red Deer Players Society, Bull Skit Comedy troupe, Central Music Festival, the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra, the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery, the Red Deer Royals and other performing arts and fine arts organizations.
Red Deer, Alberta, boasts a plethora of attractions, from the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and the Canyon Ski Resort to the Peavey Mart Centrium and the Collicutt Centre. The city also offers the G.H. Dawe Community Centre, the Greater Red Deer Visitor Centre, the Recreation Centre, the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery, Waskasoo Park, and the Westerner Exposition Grounds.
Red Deer, Alberta, is well-connected with the Queen Elizabeth II Highway linking the North-South Calgary-Edmonton Corridor, including Wetaskiwin and Camrose, with Red Deer. The city's Red Deer Regional Airport serves mostly general aviation and is expanding to encourage passenger service. Red Deer Transit provides local bus service throughout the city.
The city's health care infrastructure includes the Red Deer Regional Hospital, which is undergoing a significant expansion. The city's drinking water supply comes from the Red Deer River, which is treated and distributed throughout the city.
