Cochrane is a large town in the Canadian province of Alberta. The town is located 22 km west of the city of Calgary, along Highway 1A. With a population of 13,760 (2006), Cochrane is one of Alberta's largest towns and one of the fastest growing communities in Canada. It is part of Calgary's Census Metropolitan Area (1,107,200 in 2006) and a member community of the Calgary Regional Partnership (CRP). The town's boundaries are within the rural Rocky View County.

History

Cochrane was established in 1881 as the Cochrane Ranche, after Matthew Cochrane, a local rancher.  It became a village in 1903 and a town in 1971. Today Cochrane is booming and is experiencing rapid growth due to its proximity to Calgary.

Demographics

The population of the Town of Cochrane according to its 2009 municipal census is 15,424.

In 2006, Cochrane had a population of 13,760 living in 4,969 dwellings, a 14.3% increase from 2001. The town has a land area of 30.03 km2 (11.6 sq mi) and a population density of 458.3 /km2 (1,187/sq mi).

Geography

Cochrane is situated at the base of Big Hill in the Bow River Valley. It sits at an elevation of 1,186 meters (3,891 ft). The town is intersected by Highway 1A and Highway 22. Cochrane has a reputation for its western culture, which can easily be felt when one wanders the streets (particularly Main Street). The town is a popular destination for ice cream, its quaint western-oriented stores as well as for windsports, golfing, hiking and other adventure activities.

Cochrane is also a small industrial centre. Major industries include lumber, construction, retail, and agriculture (ranching). It is notable as being one of a very few communities in Canada with no business tax.

Cochrane is known for outdoor pursuits. It is a centre for paragliding/skydiving instruction, with the renowned Muller family operating a school at the top of the Big Hill.

The hill is also a popular training ground for cyclists from the area, who take advantage of its 7% grade and 3.5 km distance.

Education

Cochrane is home to schools from both the public Rockyview School Division as well as the separate Calgary Catholic School District.

As of 2008, there are currently eight public and separate schools in operation within the town boundaries.

Rocky View School Division

• Bow Valley High School: Grades 9–12
• Cochrane High School: Grades 9–12
• Elizabeth Barret Elementary School: Kindergarten, Grades 1–4
• Glenbow Elementary School: Kindergarten, Grades 1–4
• Mitford Middle School: Grades 5–8
• Manachaban Middle School: Grades 5–8

Calgary Catholic School District

• Holy Spirit: Grades 1–6
• St. Timothy: Grades 7–12
• Nôtre Dame Des Vallées: Kindergarten, Grades 1–8 (French-Catholic school)

Town of Cochrane official website: www.cochrane.ca