The Greater Calgary Area is the metropolitan area based around Calgary, Alberta. Unlike many cities, Calgary has incorporated most of its suburbs into the city proper. In the past, when the city limits have reached other municipalities, they have simply been annexed into the population of Calgary. Therefore, the vast majority of the area's population lives within the City of Calgary. The area also includes the City of Airdrie, the Town of Cochrane, and the Town of Chestermere . Districts include Springbank and Rockyview. There are also a number of unincorporated settlements. The Greater Calgary Area is the 5th largest metropolitan area in the country and the largest in Alberta.
In 2004, Statistics Canada estimated the population of the Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) to be 1,037,100. The land area of this region is 5,083 sq. km. The population of the Greater Calgary Area, as recognized by the Province of Alberta is much closer to 1.1 million and includes other municipalities south of the city proper. The population of the Greater Calgary Area is predicted to reach 1.2 million in 2005.
The region is a major transportation hub for southern Alberta, Saskatchewan, eastern British Columbia, and parts of the northern United States. It is served by the Calgary International Airport, the third busiest airport in the country.
| Municipality
| Population
|
| City of Airdrie (2004) | 25,606
|
| City of Calgary (2004) | 933,495
|
| Town of Chestermere (2004) | 6,861
|
| Town of Cochrane (2004) | 12,418
|
| Town of Crossfield (2001) | 2,389
|
| Village of Irricana (2001) | 1,038
|
| District of Rockyview (2001) | 30,688
|
| Sarcee 145 Indian Reserve (2001) | 1,982
|
| Estimated Total Population (2004): | 1,037,100
|