Blackfalds is a town located in the central portion of the Canadian province of Alberta, in Lacombe County. It lies along the Highway 2A and the closest neighboring city is Red Deer, the third-largest city in the province.
According to the 2011 Census, Blackfalds has a population of 6,300. The estimated 2012 population is 6,767, which is a 5.8% increase compared to the previous year. Blackfalds is one of the fastest-growing places in central Alberta. For instance, in 2006 it had a population of 4,618, which means the population has increased by 36.4% between then and 2011. This is a very young community, with as much as 85% of the population being under the age of 52.
The town occupies a total area of 16.36 square kilometers (6.32 square miles) and lies in the Mountain Standard Time Zone (UTC-7). Blackfalds has 3,032 dwelling units, of which 75% are either individual homes or vacant residential lots. Waterways in the town include Red Deer River and Blindman River.
Blackfalds is a tight community. Its residents are mostly family people, with family values, who take great care of their town and their neighbors. It has several dynamic and active community groups, centers and churches where the people work together to make their town a better place.
It is also a good place to start or move a business. Like the rest of Alberta, Blackfalds has very low taxes, including corporate taxes, and the workforce is highly skilled and professional. The town has a large water reservoir, ideal for new residential developments but also for farms and industrial plants. Located in the vicinity of two major highways, 2A and the Queen Elizabeth Highway, Blackfalds has quick access to other towns and cities in Alberta and in the rest of the region. Easy access is also available to two major airports (Calgary International and Edmonton International) as well as to one regional airport in Red Deer.
Blackfalds has two public schools – Iron Ridge Elementary Campus and Iron Ridge Junior Campus. Post-secondary education opportunities in the area include Red Deer College and Canadian University College, located in the proximity.
The town has a cultural center, a community hall, a public library, a multiplex with convention and meeting rooms and an ice arena, a skate park, a water spray park, a number of public parks and green fields, baseball diamonds, soccer fields, hiking and bicycle trails and many more. One of the most popular and anticipated annual events in the town is the Blackfalds Days, held from Friday to Sunday the first week of June.
The Blackfalds Community Fieldhouse, which is currently under construction, expected for completion in 2014, will include an indoor walking trail connected directly to the TransCanada Trail, the longest trail network in the world. The Fieldhouse will also include gyms, swimming pools, outdoor playgrounds, picnic areas, an amphitheater and plenty of lease and meeting areas.
Blackfalds is currently working on bringing new investments to the area. The town offers large undeveloped commercial land and the proximity to major traffic corridors is another great asset.