Morden, Manitoba, is a vibrant city nestled in the Pembina Valley region of southern Manitoba, Canada. Located near the United States border, Morden is approximately 11 km west of its neighbouring city, Winkler. Together, they are often referred to as Manitoba's Twin Cities. Surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Stanley, Morden is the eighth largest and fastest-growing city in Manitoba. As of 2021, the city had a population of 9,929, marking a 14.5% increase from 2016.
Morden was founded in 1882 when the Canadian Pacific Railway built a railway line crossing the Dead Horse Creek. Initially known as Cheval, the settlement was renamed "Morden" after Alvey Morden, on whose family's land the community was established. Morden was incorporated as a municipality on January 1, 1882, and was granted town status in 1903 and city status in 2012 by the Manitoba government.
Morden experiences a humid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. The city is known for having some of the warmest temperatures in Manitoba, making it a hub for agricultural and horticultural research. The Morden Research and Development Centre, operated by the Government of Canada since 1915, is a testament to this.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Morden had a population of 9,929 living in 3,995 of its 4,162 total private dwellings. With a land area of 16.29 km2, it had a population density of 609.5/km2 in 2021.
Morden is home to the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, which houses the largest collection of marine reptile fossils in Canada. The city was designated a "Cultural Capital" in 2008 for its emphasis on art and culture, including hosting various festivals such as the Back Forty Festival. The award money was spent on a new performing arts centre and four murals.
Every August, Morden hosts the Corn and Apple Festival. Founded in 1967, the festival celebrates the fruits that thrive in Morden's long growing season with free corn and apple cider. The festival has featured notable entertainers like Prairie Oyster, Colin James, Dr. Hook, Randy Bachman, The Trews, Chad Brownlee, and Rick Mercer.
The Access Event Centre is the community's recreation hub, housing two indoor arenas, a 1,000-seat community hall, the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame, and the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre. Morden's quaint and historic downtown was featured in the 2020 TV series Tales from the Loop by Amazon Prime Video and the 2022 Hallmark Channel TV film Pumpkin Everything.
Morden is served by several roadways, including Provincial Road 432, Manitoba Provincial Highway 3, Manitoba Highway 14, and Manitoba Highway 75. The city is located 21.5 km north of the United States border and is served by the Morden Regional Aerodrome. The city also has a taxi service, and the Canadian Pacific railway bisects Morden, running east–west.
