Are you thinking about moving to Alberta? If so, you probably want to ensure it’s a safe place to live.Â
Good news! Alberta is full of beautiful areas with nice communities.
In this article, we’ll tell you about the best place to live in Alberta for families. We will also check out the best small towns to live in Alberta to help you make the right choice.
Key Takeaways
- Alberta offers many safe havens for residents seeking a secure place to live.
- St. Albert, Foothills No. 31, and Okotoks rank among the top 10 safest cities due to low crime rates and community engagement.
- Edmonton, Brooks, Wetaskiwin, Red Deer, and Lloydminster face safety challenges, but local efforts aim to improve security.
- The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) plays an active role in enforcing peace and order in the community.
Top 10 Safest Cities in Alberta
Alberta, the fourth largest province in Canada, is generally considered one of the safest provinces in Canada. Yet some areas are safer than others.
1. St. Albert
St. Albert is a great place to live, which shows in its livability score of 91/100, which is outstanding.
It’s often ranked among the safest cities in Alberta. Its crime rate is 11% less than the national average.
Also, it offers a lot in terms of jobs, and it is close to nature.
There are also many fun things to do, like visiting art galleries and parks. Families love St. Albert because of its excellent schools and community spirit.
2. Foothills No. 31
Foothills No. 31 is a quiet and safe place to live in spite of a livability score of 60/100, which is considered below average.
Its crime rate is 58% less than the national average, so you can relax and feel at ease while living here.
This place feels private and cozy because there aren’t many people, and the neighbours look out for each other, so it’s like one big family.Â
All these things together make it a perfect spot to settle down and enjoy life.
3. Okotoks
Okotoks is a great place for families, and its exceptional livability score of 79/100 shows it.Â
It’s safe, with a crime rate that is 41% less than the national average.
People work together to keep the town safe, like with community patrols and watching out for each other.
4. Rocky View County
Rocky View County is a beautiful, rural place to live.
It’s safe and calm, and its crime rate is 55% less than the national average. Thus, its residents can enjoy a quiet, peaceful life with easy access to city amenities.
This is despite having a livability score of 62/100, which is deemed below average.
5. Beaumont
Beaumont is a good place to live, with a livability score of 79/100 (considered extraordinary), according to Areavibes.com.
The city has less crime, works hard to keep people safe, and has a police force that does a good job, so much so that the city’s crime rate is 30% less than the national average.
Also, residents join in community activities, which also helps to make the city a safe place.
6. Chestermere
Chestermere is a safe place to live by a lake, although its livability score of 67/100 is considered middling.
Yet its crime rate is 33% less than the national average.
The city cares about people working together and looking out for each other, which makes it safer and friendlier.
One example is the RCMP CAPTURE program, where residents are encouraged to register their security cameras to aid in crime prevention.
7. Sturgeon County
Sturgeon County has everything: safe and cheap places to live, a busy energy business with lots of opportunities, and many things to do inside and outside.
All this while having a crime rate that is 27% less than the national average.
People from all over Canada like Sturgeon County because it has both city and country life in spite of having a livability score of only 63/100 (below average).
It is calm and friendly like the country, but also easy and fun like the city.
8. Airdrie
Although Airdrie started as a railroad town to make Calgary more accessible, it has since grown into a charming and quaint town.
Its commitment to community policing and crime prevention initiatives reflects its focus on safety.
The result is a crime rate that is 19% less than the national average and a livability score of 92/100, which is considered spectacular.
Airdrie offers a growing, family-friendly community with a high regard for safety.
9. Cochrane
Cochrane combines small-town charm with the benefits of being close to the mountains and the convenience of being near a big city.
It has a livability score of 86/100 (considered outstanding), and its crime rate is 25% less than the national average.
Its proactive security measures and low crime rate ensure a safe living environment for residents.
10. Grand Prairie County No. 1
Beautiful scenery, good education, reliable public transport, and tourist attractions are some of the things residents enjoy while living in Grand Prairie.
All those good things come with a crime rate that is 19% less than the national average.
Yet its livability score is only 58/100, which is considered poor.
In spite of this, residents can be sure to relax in a peaceful countryside setting and feel safe at the same time.
What Are the Top 5 Most Dangerous Cities in Alberta?
When you’re moving to a new place, safety should be at the top of your list. Let us check out potential places to avoid in this section.
1. Edmonton
Edmonton, the capital of Alberta, offers an exceptional quality of life, with a livability score of 81/100.
It’s famous for being the entrance to Canada’s vast wilderness and draws many families.
Yet, the city has been tackling issues related to crimes. And it shows in its crime rate, which is 51% higher than the national average.
This has alarmed provincial politicians enough to call on the Federal Government to amend the Criminal Code of Canada.
2. Brooks
Brooks is a small city in Alberta, offering a quiet and relaxed pace of life.Â
But as the population grows, the city is facing an increase in criminal activity. And it shows in its crime rate, which is 19% higher than the national average.
Its livability score is also below average, managing only 63/100.
But all is not gloom and doom. Local law enforcement has launched programs to address the rising criminality.
One of these is the Safe Communities Committee, whose mandate is to promote a safe and secure environment.
3. Wetaskiwin
Wetaskiwin is a growing city with a current population of over 12,000 residents.
Lately, it has been dealing with a growing crime problem. Property crimes, in particular, breaking and entering, theft, fraud, and mischief.
According to Areavibes, its crime rate is a staggering 469% higher than the national average.
Its livability score has suffered as well, managing only a poor 48/100.
This has prompted the RCMP to augment its presence and collaborate with the community to address these safety concerns.
4. Red Deer
Red Deer is home to several major oil companies and is the third-most populous city in Alberta.
Drug use and trafficking incidents, along with vandalism and theft, are the biggest issues facing this city.
Also, assaults and armed robberies have become more common in more populated areas of the city.
This is reflected in its crime rate, which stands at 159% higher than the national average.
Its livability score is also below average, barely reaching 61/100.
5. Lloydminster
Lloydminster is Canada’s lone border city.
This unique bi-provincial status is due to its location, straddling the borders of Alberta and Saskatchewan.
When it comes to safety, the Alberta part of this city struggles with a crime rate that is 257% higher than the national average.
Its livability score is also considered average, reaching only 67/100.
As a result, the RCMP is actively collaborating with the local community to help address this concern.
FAQs
Foothills No. 31 consistently ranks among the cities with the lowest crime rates in Alberta.
Many communities are considered safe, with St. Albert, Foothills No. 31, and Okotoks being prominent examples aside from Beaumont and Chestermere.
Compared to Edmonton, Calgary generally has a lower crime rate, making it relatively safer.
Many residents find peace and safety in cities like St. Albert, Okotoks, and Rocky View County.
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