Located in central Alberta, Camrose is a relatively small city of under 20,000 people.
It is linked to other urban centers by railway and by Highway 13.
Camrose was populated for hundreds of years by the Wetaskiwin Indians.
The first white settlers were from Norway, Sweden and USA, in about 1900, and it was a stopping point for pioneers.
First called Stoney Creek, it was incorporated on May 4, 1905 as the village of Sparling - named for Reverend Dr. Sparling of Winnipeg.
Confusion over Sperling and Stirling caused the council to rename it Camrose. The name may be for a village in South Wales.
Country: Canada
Province: Alberta
Nickname(s): The Rose City
Population: 17,286
Area: 42.50 km2
Camrose boasts a high quality of life. The city is large enough to have the educational, recreational and entertainment facilities of a thriving city,but it is small enough to ensure ease of getting around. Camrose offers the safety of a rural way of life. Volunteers and community organizations offer Camrose residents of all ages thousands of support services, programs, special events, and community projects.
Besides recreational options,Camrose provides cultural opportunities in the form of educational mini-courses and seminars, amateur theater, festivals, museums, art galleries and community events. Summer activities abound in Camrose, whether it is trying to find your way through the corn maze or riding/walking the amazing bike and walking trails in Golden Jubilee Park or Mirror Lake.
You can also take in one of the fine theatre productions,go for a swim at Camrose Aquatic Centre, challenge someone to a tennis game at the tennis courts,spenda fun hour or two at the spray paint park,feed the ducks on Mirror Lake,play beach volleyball at Rudy Swanson Park or spend an afternoon at the museum. In winter, you can walk, cross country ski or build an ice sculpture. You can play paintball or feed the birds on the Chickadee Trail.
About an hour’s drive from Edmonton, Camrosecontinues to grow because of its proximity to Highway 13. Major retailers such as Wal-Mart and Superstore have helped establish Camrose as the leading regional shopping center of East Central Alberta. The community continues to thrive in spite of economic downturn because it is served by major transportation links, to be precise two railways, four highways and an airport - the province’s smallest. It is a healthcare hub with St. Mary’s Hospital, and an education center with University of Alberta, Augustana Campus. The labor force at Camrose is composed of non-union labor,including a large number of rural, non-transient young people. Manufacturing is a major sourceof employment in Camrose. Camrose is situated between prairie and boreal forest in an area called aspen parkland. The area has many small agricultural communities.Camrose is near to some of the richest prairie farmland around. With an elevation of just over a thousand meters, Camrose has a humid continental climate.The average summer temperature is 12 C. while winters average -8 C. Rainfall averages just over sixteen inches (40 cm.)
Owning a home in Alberta is much more affordable in Camrose than in many areas of Canada. Housing prices are among the lowest. Houses in Camrose cost half of what they would go for in Toronto or Victoria.
In 2015, Camrose had only 322 sales. This is a low not seen since 2012. Decline in oil prices is cited as a major factor. There are sixty-five residential properties currently listed. As with many locations, the days of posting signs and attending actual open houses are becoming increasingly less common as people all over the world view homes online and take virtual tours. Many go so far as to purchase a home online.
Until very recently Albertans enjoyed a booming economy, and with lots of disposable income, buyers spent freely. The new rule was established to put a safety net in place for those who have yet to learn that they need to be more cautious in their spending on big ticket items like real estate.
Realtors are suggesting to buyers that they start with a smaller home and do expansions and/or renovations when they can afford them.
Useful Links: Real Estate Agents Agent Websites Add a listing
Useful Links: Condos for sale Apartments for rent Cheap Houses and Condos for Sale
| Home Style | Median Price |
|---|---|
| Home | $319,450 |
| Apartment | $295,000 |
The table above is based on data from the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) National MLS® Report for April 2016 (the latest information available). Median prices are based on data from www.canadianrealestatemagazine.ca.
Between 1905 and 1914, Camrose was a railway hub. It became an education center in 1912 with the opening of Augustana University College.
Today Augustana is linked to the University of Alberta. Camrose has repeatedly been named as one of Alberta’s best entrepreneurial business cities. The community offers support for new business start-ups.
