Blackfalds, a fast growing community with a population of 4,843, is nestled halfway between Red Deer and Lacombe in Central Alberta. The ten minute commute in either direction provides the residents of Blackfalds, not only a short drive to a wide range of employment opportunities and post secondary educational institutions, but to regional scale shopping outlets and entertainment.

Through the Municipal Development Plan, the Town is fulfilling its commitment to maintaining a small town atmosphere while expanding the industrial and residential base and improving the quality of life for their citizens. Affordable housing, a quiet place to live, new recreational facilities, plus ample business opportunities and close proximity to major transportation routes will continue to increase the population and economy making it easy to say that, indeed, Blackfalds is..."A Nice Place to Grow!"

PEOPLE
Blackfalds is a friendly community of young families. Currently, eighty-five per cent of the population consists of people under the age of 40 years.

In 1995, it was known as the "Birth Capital of Alberta." Thirty-five per cent of the population are children.

Blackfalds residents choose their community over others because of its quality of life. Results of a recent survey show: sixty-five per cent of the population indicated they live in the community because of its rural lifestyle, recreational amenities and low crime rate. The remaining thirty-five per cent prefer the town for its affordable cost of housing and living.

"Community Pride" is not just talked about in Blackfalds. It's evident in the participation in community events such as Blackfalds Days held each spring as well as other events throughout the year. It shows up in the well-tended yards and flower gardens seen throughout the town and it is evident in the response to volunteer needs. Some projects have seen men, women and children working together for the betterment of the community. In Blackfalds, people know their neighbors. They watch out for each other's children and property. They're like family. If you'd like to live in that kind of community you'd be welcome in Blackfalds!

Blackfalds is a "Community of Commuters." At present, over sixty-five per cent of the working population travel to Red Deer for employment. The remainder work in Blackfalds; the nearby petrochemical plants, or the Blindman Industrial Park. Blackfalds is their home-base, partly due to its central location and convenient highway access.

EDUCATION
Under Wolf Creek Public Schools, education is a high priority in the community. There are two schools in Blackfalds: Iron Ridge Elementary Campus and Iron Ridge Junior Campus.

Iron Ridge Elementary Campus
Grades: Kindergarten - 4
Principal: Alda Lovell
Assistant Principal: Maureen Schlemko
Box 160
Blackfalds, AB T0M 0J0
Ph: 403-885-4646
Fax: 403-885-5730
Email: ironridge@wolfcreek.ab.ca
Web: http://www.wolfcreek.ab.ca/schools

Iron Ridge Junior Campus Grades: 5-9
Principal: Alda Lovell
Assistant Principal: Holly Bonin
Box 1240
Blackfalds, AB T0M 0J0
Ph: 403-885-1885
Fax: 403-885-1865
Email: ironridge@wolfcreek.ab.ca
Web: http://www.wolfcreek.ab.ca/schools

Both Iron Ridge Campuses have excellent reputations for academic achievement. Many parents report moving to Blackfalds specifically for the quality of educational service available in the local school system.

At present, the high school students are bussed to Lacombe Composite High School in Lacombe-10 minutes from Blackfalds. L.C.H.S. is one of the top secondary schools in all of Alberta.

Blackfalds families whose children currently attend separate school do so in either Red Deer or Lacombe. In 2007, the Red Deer Catholic School Board was awarded future funding by the Provincial Government for a school in the Town of Blackfalds in 2008. Working together with the Town, a parcel has been set aside in the northeast corner of Cottonwood Meadows development on the east side of Highway 2A. It anticipated by the School Board that the school will be constructed within 3 to 5 years.