doug:

via keltre:

nationalpost:

Census Canada 2011: Behind the numbers

Edmonton and Calgary have very similiar population numbers, but Calgary’s population density is almost twice that of Edmonton’s. If you’re wondering (because I totally was), here are the two cities’ metropolitan areas:

Calgary: 5,107.55 km²
Edmonton: 9,426.73 km²

I just crunched the numbers (via Wikipedia, of course: Edmonton, Calgary) and 30% of the population of Edmonton lives in the outlying satellite cities (St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Leduc, Beaumont, etc), while only 10% of Calgarians do the same (Airdrie, Cochrane, Strathmore, etc). Hopefully, with all of the redevelopment and revitalization taking place in central Edmonton, we’ll start to see some change in those numbers. I knew Edmonton had an urban sprawl problem, but I never knew to what extent.

Here’s something interesting*: The metro area of Edmonton is about 2300 km² larger than that of Toronto, and Toronto has about 5 times the population of Edmonton.

*may or may not be interesting

These are important numbers to show just how wacky the sprawl can get.

Here’s to hoping people start to realise that the best cultures and neighbourhoods are the ones they make themselves a part of, and not the one they pay to have manufactured around them.

If you’re not living downtown or in Old Strathcona you’re missing out on a lot of what Edmonton has to offer. As much as I joke about Old Strathcona’s five cupcakeries while lacking a medicentre, I haven’t been happier with any other neighbourhood in the city (and not just because I like treats).

If you want to complain about Edmonton’s sprawl, don’t target the citizens who’d rather not live in high-density apartments without yards; target the builders that are putting up brand-new cookie-cutter houses for $300,000 outside the Henday. 

Edit: That said, I agree completely about missing out on the best parts of Edmonton if you do choose to live out in Ellerslie.