Wainwright, Alberta

Template:Short description Template:About Template:Use Canadian English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement

Wainwright is a town in east-central Alberta, Canada. It is approximately Template:Convert southeast of Edmonton.

Located west of the Alberta–Saskatchewan border, Wainwright is Template:Convert south of Vermilion in the Battle River valley. Highway 41, called the Buffalo Trail, and Highway 14 go through the town. CFB Wainwright is located in Denwood, southwest of Wainwright.

History

Originally named Denwood by settler James Dawson in 1905, the town was relocated by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway Template:Convert west-northwest and renamed Wainwright after General William Wainwright, the second vice-president of railway. The original townsite opened with post office in 1907 along with Denwood Hotel and store. The post office and hotel (becoming Wainwright Hotel) relocated to Wainwright in 1908<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> with the old townsite later becoming CFB Wainwright.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The town is a divisional point on the Canadian National Railway main line. Wainwright railway station is served by Via Rail's The Canadian.

Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Wainwright had a population of 6,606 living in 2,664 of its 2,914 total private dwellings, a change of Template:Percentage from its 2016 population of 6,285. With a land area of Template:Cvt, it had a population density of Template:Pop density in 2021.<ref name=2021census>Template:Cite web</ref>

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Wainwright recorded a population of 6,270 living in 2,524 of its 2,770 total private dwellings, a Template:Percentage change from its 2011 population of 5,925. With a land area of Template:Convert, it had a population density of Template:Pop density in 2016.<ref name=2016censusABmunis>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Town of Wainwright's 2013 municipal census counted a population of 6,289,<ref name=2013census>Template:Cite web</ref> an 8.9% increase over its 2008 municipal census population of 5,775.<ref name=2011pop>Template:Cite web</ref>

Arts and culture

Wainwright has the third-largest stampede in Canada. It occurs at the end of June, and includes a rodeo, chuckwagon races, parade, midway, an agricultural fair, and a town wide horse race for anyone over 18.

A Canadian First

On 7 October 2025, Mayor Pugh and the Town Council passed a proclamation condemning Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry, making this the first township in Canada to pass such a resolution. Wainwright has a small but thriving Hindu community.

Education

Buffalo Trail Public Schools Regional Division No. 28

Wainwright Elementary School
Wainwright High School

East Central Alberta Catholic Separate Schools Regional Division No. 16

Blessed Sacrament School
Blessed Sacrament Outreach School<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Greater North Central Francophone Education Region No. 2

École Saint-Christophe

Media

Radio

CKKY-FM/K-Rock 101.9 – provides old and new rock music<ref>www.krock1019.com</ref>
CKWY-FM/Wayne-FM – provides a mix of classic hits and top 40 music<ref>WayneFM.ca</ref>

Newspapers

The Edge and The Star (formerly the Star Chronicle) merged to be the Star/Edge in 2013. It is published weekly on Fridays.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>