Red Deer, Alberta

The area was inhabited by First Nations including the Blackfoot, Plains Cree and Stoney before the arrival of European fur traders in the late eighteenth century.{{cite web | url=http://www.reddeer.ca/Visitors/About+Red+Deer/History/default.htm | title=History of Red Deer | publisher=City of Red Deer | access-date=November 15, 2013 |url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204024702/http://www.reddeer.ca/Visitors/About+Red+Deer/History/default.htm | archive-date=December 4, 2013 }} A First Nations trail ran from the Montana Territory across the Bow River near present-day Calgary and on to Fort Edmonton, later known as the Calgary and Edmonton Trail. The trail crossed the Red Deer River at a wide, stony shallows. The "Old Red Deer Crossing" is {{convert|7|km}} upstream from the present-day city.

Cree people called the river {{lang|cr-Latn|Waskasoo Seepee}}, which means "Elk River." European arrivals sometimes called North American elk "red deer," after the related Eurasian species, and later named the community after the river. The name for the modern city in Plains Cree is a calque of the English name ({{lang|cr-Latn|mihkwâpisimosos}}, literally "red type of deer"), while the name of the river itself is still {{lang|cr-Latn|wâwâskêsiw-sîpiy}} or "elk river."

File:Jasper.Wapiti-Hirsch.P1033401.jpg

First Nations on the north side of the river entered into Treaty 6 in 1876 and on the south side Treaty 7 in 1877. Farmers and ranchers began to settle on the fertile lands.

A trading post and stopping house were built at the Crossing in 1882. This became Fort Normandeau during the 1885 North-West Rebellion.

;Leonard Gaetz

Leonard Gaetz gave a half-share of {{convert|1240|acre|km2}} he had acquired to the Calgary and Edmonton Railway to develop a bridge over the river and a townsite. As a result, the Crossing was gradually abandoned. The first trains arrived in 1891.

;1900 to 1929

Following World War I, Red Deer emerged as a small, quiet, but prosperous, prairie city.

Bird watcher Elsie Cassels helped to establish the Gaetz Lakes bird sanctuary.{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/62181407|title=Fish, fur & feathers: fish and wildlife conservation in Alberta 1905–2005.|date=2005|publisher=Fish and Wildlife Historical Society|others=Federation of Alberta Naturalists., Fish and Wildlife Historical Society.|isbn=0-9696134-7-4|location=Edmonton|oclc=62181407}}

;1930 to 1945

During Great Depression of the 1930s, Central Alberta was not hit by severe drought. The city was virtually debt-free and profited from its ownership of the local public utilities.

In World War II, a large army training camp was located where Cormack Armoury, the Memorial Centre and Lindsay Thurber High School are now. Two training airfields were built south of the city at Penhold and Bowden.

;Post–Second World War

Red Deer expanded rapidly following the discovery of major oil reserves in Alberta in the late 1940s. Red Deer became a centre for oil and gas and related industries, such as the Joffre Cogeneration Plant.

North Red Deer was amalgamated in 1948.

Government and administrative services include a hospital, a courthouse and a provincial building.{{cite web|url=https://www.majorprojects.alberta.ca/details/Red-Deer-Regional-Hospital-Expansion/4050 |title=Red Deer Regional Hospital Expansion |publisher=Government of Alberta |access-date=May 6, 2022|quote=}}{{cite web |url=https://www.majorprojects.alberta.ca/details/Red-Deer-Justice-Centre/3444 |title=Red Deer Justice Centre |publisher=Government of Alberta |access-date=May 6, 2022|quote=}}[https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/05/05/maintenance-upgrades-continue-at-red-deer-provincial-building/ "Maintenance Upgrades Continue at Red Deer Provincial Government Building," Red Deer News Now, May 5, 2020, Accessed May 7, 2022.]

The railway moved to the outskirts and passenger train service ceased. The CPR bridge is now a walking trail.

Red Deer is Alberta's third largest city, with a slightly higher population than Lethbridge.

Red Deer has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb), with something of a semi-arid influence due to the city's location within Palliser's Triangle. The highest temperature ever recorded in Red Deer was {{convert|37.2|C|0}} on 8 July 1906, 2 July 1924, and 28 & 29 June 1937. The lowest recorded temperature was {{convert|-50.6|C|0}} on 17 December 1924. The city lies in the 4a plant hardiness zone.{{cite web|title=Plant Hardiness Zone by Municipality|url=http://www.planthardiness.gc.ca/?m=22&lang=en&prov=Alberta&val=R|website=Natural Resources Canada|publisher=Government of Canada|access-date=October 19, 2019}} Summers are typically warm and rainy with cool nights. Winters are typically long, cold, and very dry.

Red Deer includes the following neighbourhoods:{{cite web | url=http://data.reddeer.ca/ | title=Red Deer Open Data Catalogue: Neighbourhood Boundaries | publisher=City of Red Deer | access-date=June 29, 2013}}

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

• Anders Park
• Anders Park East
• Anders South
• Aspen Ridge
• Bower
• Bower Ponds Recreation Area
• Central Park
• Chiles Industrial Park
• Clearview Extension
• Clearview Meadows
• Clearview Ridge
• College Park
• Davenport
• Deer Park Estates
• Deer Park Village
• Devonshire
• Downtown
• East Burnt Lake
• Eastview
• Eastview Estates
• Edgar Industrial Park
• Evergreen
• Fairview
• Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary
• Garden Heights
• Glendale
• Glendale Park Estates
• Golden West
• Grandview
• Heritage Ranch
• Highland Green
• Highland Green Estates
• Inglewood
• Ironstone
• Johnstone Crossing
• Johnstone Park
• Kentwood East
• Kentwood West
• Kingsgate
• Lancaster Green
• Lancaster Meadows
• Laredo
• Lonsdale
• Maskepetoon Park
• McKenzie Trail Recreation Area
• Michener Hill
• Morrisroe
• Morrisroe Extension
• Mountview
• Normandeau
• Northlands Industrial Park
• Oriole Park
• Oriole Park West
• Parkvale
• Pines
• Queens Business Park
• Red Deer College
• Red Deer Golf and Country Club
• Riverlands
• Riverside Heavy Industrial Park
• Riverside Light Industrial Park
• Riverside Meadows
• Rosedale Estates
• Rosedale Meadows
• South Hill
• Southbrook
• Southpointe Junction
• Sunnybrook
• Sunnybrook Extension
• Three Mile Bend Recreation Area
• Timber Ridge
• Timberlands
• Timberstone
• Vanier Woods
• Vanier Woods East
• Waskasoo
• Waste Management Facility
• West Burnt Lake
• West Park
• West QE2
• Westerner Park
• Westlake
• Woodlea

{{div col end}}

{{stack|{{Historical populations

| title = Federal census
population history

| type = Canada

| align = right

| width =

| state =

| shading =

| percentages =

| footnote = Source: Statistics Canada{{refn|

• {{cite book | title=Census of the Northwest Provinces, 1906 | volume=Sessional Paper No. 17a | year=1907 | publisher=Government of Canada | location=Ottawa | page=100 | chapter=Table IX: Population of cities, towns and incorporated villages in 1906 and 1901 as classed in 1906}}
• {{cite book | title=Census of Canada, 1911 | volume=I | year=1912 | publisher=Government of Canada | location=Ottawa | pages=2–39 | chapter=Table I: Area and Population of Canada by Provinces, Districts and Subdistricts in 1911 and Population in 1901}}
• {{cite book | title=Census of Prairie Provinces, 1916 | volume=Population and Agriculture | year=1918 | publisher=Government of Canada | location=Ottawa | pages=77–140 | chapter=Table I: Population of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta by Districts, Townships, Cities, Towns, and Incorporated Villages in 1916, 1911, 1906, and 1901}}
• {{cite book | title=Census of Canada, 1921 | year=1922 | publisher=Government of Canada | location=Ottawa | pages=169–215 | chapter=Table 8: Population by districts and sub-districts according to the Redistribution Act of 1914 and the amending act of 1915, compared for the census years 1921, 1911 and 1901}}
• {{cite book | title=Census of Prairie Provinces, 1926 | volume=Census of Alberta, 1926 | year=1927 | publisher=Government of Canada | location=Ottawa | pages=565–567 | chapter=Table 7: Population of cities, towns and villages for the province of Alberta in census years 1901–26, as classed in 1926}}
• {{cite book | title=Census of Canada, 1931 | year=1932 | publisher=Government of Canada | location=Ottawa | pages=98–102 | chapter=Table 12: Population of Canada by provinces, counties or census divisions and subdivisions, 1871–1931}}
• {{cite book | title=Census of the Prairie Provinces, 1936 | volume=I: Population and Agriculture | year=1938 | publisher=Dominion Bureau of Statistics | location=Ottawa | pages=833–836 | chapter=Table 4: Population in incorporated cities, towns and villages, 1901–1936}}
• {{cite book | title=Eighth Census of Canada, 1941 | volume=II: Population by Local Subdivisions | year=1944 | publisher=Dominion Bureau of Statistics | location=Ottawa | pages=134–141 | chapter=Table 10: Population by census subdivisions, 1871–1941}}
• {{cite book | title=Census of the Prairie Provinces, 1946 | volume=I: Population | year=1949 | publisher=Dominion Bureau of Statistics | location=Ottawa | pages=401–414 | chapter=Table 6: Population by census subdivisions, 1926–1946}}
• {{cite book | title=Ninth Census of Canada, 1951 | volume=I: Population, General Characteristics | year=1953 | publisher=Dominion Bureau of Statistics | location=Ottawa | page=6.73–6.83 | chapter=Table 6: Population by census subdivisions, 1871–1951}}
• {{cite book | title=Census of Canada, 1956 | volume=Population, Counties and Subdivisions | year=1957 | publisher=Dominion Bureau of Statistics | location=Ottawa | page=6.50–6.53 | chapter=Table 6: Population by sex, for census subdivisions, 1956 and 1951}}
• {{cite book | title=1961 Census of Canada | series=Series 1.1: Historical, 1901–1961 | volume=I: Population | year=1963 | publisher=Dominion Bureau of Statistics | location=Ottawa | page=6.77–6.83 | chapter=Table 6: Population by census subdivisions, 1901–1961}}
• {{cite book | title=Census of Canada, 1966 | volume=Population, Specified Age Groups and Sex for Counties and Census Subdivisions, 1966 | year=1968 | publisher=Dominion Bureau of Statistics | location=Ottawa | page=6.50–6.53 | chapter=Population by specified age groups and sex, for census subdivisions, 1966}}
• {{cite book | title=1971 Census of Canada | volume=I: Population, Census Subdivisions (Historical) | year=1973 | publisher=Statistics Canada | location=Ottawa | page=2.102–2.111 | chapter=Table 2: Population of Census Subdivisions, 1921–1971}}
• {{cite book | title=1976 Census of Canada | series=Census Divisions and Subdivisions, Western Provinces and the Territories | volume=I: Population, Geographic Distributions | year=1977 | publisher=Statistics Canada | location=Ottawa | page=3.40–3.43| chapter=Table 3: Population for census divisions and subdivisions, 1971 and 1976}}
• {{cite book | title=1981 Census of Canada | volume=II: Provincial series, Population, Geographic distributions (Alberta) | year=1982 | publisher=Statistics Canada | location=Ottawa | page=4.1–4.10| chapter=Table 4: Population and Total Occupied Dwellings, for Census Divisions and Subdivisions, 1976 and 1981 | isbn=0-660-51095-2}}
• {{cite book | title=Census Canada 1986 | volume=Population and Dwelling Counts – Provinces and Territories (Alberta) | year=1987 | publisher=Statistics Canada | location=Ottawa | page=2.1–2.10 | chapter=Table 2: Census Divisions and Subdivisions – Population and Occupied Private Dwellings, 1981 and 1986 | isbn=0-660-53463-0}}
• {{cite book | title=91 Census | volume=Population and Dwelling Counts – Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions | year=1992 | publisher=Statistics Canada | location=Ottawa | pages=100–108 | chapter=Table 2: Population and Dwelling Counts, for Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 1986 and 1991 – 100% Data | isbn=0-660-57115-3}}
• {{cite book | title=96 Census | volume=A National Overview – Population and Dwelling Counts | year=1997 | publisher=Statistics Canada | location=Ottawa | pages=136–146 | chapter=Table 10: Population and Dwelling Counts, for Census Divisions, Census Subdivisions (Municipalities) and Designated Places, 1991 and 1996 Censuses – 100% Data | isbn=0-660-59283-5}}
• {{cite web | title=Population and Dwelling Counts, for Canada, Provinces and Territories, and Census Divisions, 2001 and 1996 Censuses - 100% Data (Alberta) | url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/census01/products/standard/popdwell/Table-CSD-D.cfm?PR=48 | publisher=Statistics Canada | access-date=2012-04-01}}
• {{cite web | title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses – 100% data (Alberta) | url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/hlt/97-550/Index.cfm?TPL=P1C&Page=RETR&LANG=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=1&O=A&RPP=9999&PR=48&CMA=0 | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=2010-01-06 | access-date=2012-04-01}}
• {{cite web | url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/hlt-fst/pd-pl/Table-Tableau.cfm?LANG=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=51&O=A&RPP=9999&PR=48&CMA=0 | title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=2012-02-08 | access-date=2012-02-08}}
• {{cite web | url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/hlt-fst/pd-pl/Table.cfm?Lang=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=86&O=A&RPP=9999&PR=48 | title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=February 8, 2017 | access-date=February 8, 2017}}

}}

| 1901|323

| 1906|1418

| 1911|2118

| 1916|2203

| 1921|2328

| 1926|2021

| 1931|2344

| 1936|2384

| 1941|2924

| 1946|4042

| 1951|7575

| 1956|12338

| 1961|19612

| 1966|26171

| 1971|27674

| 1976|32184

| 1981|46393

| 1986|54425

| 1991|58145

| 1996|60075

| 2001|67707

| 2006|82772

| 2011|90564

| 2016|100418

| 2021|100844

}}}}

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the City of Red Deer had a population of 100,844 living in 40,512 of its 43,404 total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:100844-100418}}|100418|1}} from its 2016 population of 100,418. With a land area of {{cvt|104.34|km2}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|100844|104.34|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.{{cite web | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000202&geocode=A000248 | title=Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=February 9, 2022 | accessdate=February 9, 2022}}

The Red Deer census agglomeration (CA) was promoted to a census metropolitan area (CMA) in the 2021 Census, becoming the fourth CMA in Alberta (joining Calgary, Edmonton and Lethbridge).{{cite web |title=Dictionary, Census of Population, 2021 {{!}} Changes to the name and number of CMAs and CAs for the 2021 Census |publisher=Statistics Canada |date=2021-11-17 |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/ref/dict/az/Definition-eng.cfm?ID=geo009 |access-date=2023-07-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403173554/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/ref/dict/az/Definition-eng.cfm?ID=geo009 |archive-date=2023-04-03 |url-status=live |quote=For the 2021 Census, Fredericton (N.B.), Drummondville (Que.), Red Deer (Alta.), Kamloops (B.C.), Chilliwack (B.C.) and Nanaimo (B.C.), which were all CAs in 2016, became CMAs...}} As of 2021, the Red Deer CMA is coincident with the City of Red Deer, thus it similarly had a population of {{val|100844|fmt=commas}} living in {{val|40512|fmt=commas}} of its {{val|43404|fmt=commas}} total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:100844-100418}}|100418|1}} from its 2016 population (when the CA was also coincident with the city) of {{val|100418|fmt=commas}}. With a land area of {{convert|104.34|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|100844|104.34|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.

The population of the City of Red Deer according to its 2019 municipal census is 101,002,{{cite web | url=https://www.reddeer.ca/whats-happening/news-room/news-archive/2019-news-archive/june-2019-news-archive/red-deer-is-home-to-101002-residents.html | title=Red Deer is home to 101,002 residents | publisher=City of Red Deer | date=June 24, 2019 | access-date=July 1, 2021 | archive-date=December 30, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230152011/https://www.reddeer.ca/whats-happening/news-room/news-archive/2019-news-archive/june-2019-news-archive/red-deer-is-home-to-101002-residents.html | url-status=dead }} a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:101002-99832}}|99832|1}} from its 2016 municipal census population of 99,832.{{cite book | url=https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/daab9fce-c2f6-49d1-a433-375b2b7aee24/resource/66766b31-22fd-4365-af52-3d185cb52ea2/download/2016-municipal-affairs-population-list.pdf | title=2016 Municipal Affairs Population List | publisher=Alberta Municipal Affairs | isbn=978-1-4601-3127-5 | access-date=January 28, 2017}}

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the City of Red Deer (and coincident Red Deer CA) had a population of 100,418 living in 39,982 of its 42,285 total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:100418-90564}}|90564|1}} from its 2011 population of 90,564. With a land area of {{convert|104.73|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|100418|104.73|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2016.{{cite web | url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/hlt-fst/pd-pl/Table.cfm?Lang=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=86&O=A&RPP=9999&PR=48 | title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=February 8, 2017 | access-date=February 8, 2017}}

According to the 2016 census, 15.2% of the general population identified as visible minority (non-aboriginal), an increase of 55.9% over the previous five years.[https://regionaldashboard.alberta.ca/region/red-deer/percent-visible-minority/#/ Red Deer – % visible minority, Government of Alberta, May 7, 2022] A separate 7.1% reported North American Aboriginal Origins (4.2% First Nations and 3.1% Métis).[https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=POPC&Code1=0694&Geo2=PR&Code2=48&SearchText=&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=Ethnic%20origin&TABID=1&type=1 "Ethnic Origin," Census Profile, 2016 Census Red Deer [Population centre], Alberta and Alberta [Province], Statistics Canada, May 7, 2022]

• Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses.

Red Deer hosts many arts and cultural groups, including: Central Alberta Theatre, Ignition Theatre, Red Deer Players Society, Bull Skit Comedy troupe, Central Music Festival, the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra, the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery, the Red Deer Royals and other performing arts and fine arts organizations. The Red Deer Arts Council{{cite web |last1=Hermary |first1=Suzanne |title=Coordinator |url=https://www.reddeerartscouncil.ca/ |website=Red Deer Arts Council |access-date=31 March 2021}} is a member-based Multi-disciplinary Arts Service Organization and registered charity that serves the local and area community of visual, literary and performing artists.

;Alberta Sports Hall of Fame

:The Alberta Sports Hall of Fame is adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth II Highway (Highway 2) and the Greater Red Deer Visitor Centre.

;Canyon Ski Area

:The Canyon Ski Resort is {{convert|7.5|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Red Deer.

;Peavey Mart Centrium

:The Centrium hosts sports events, concerts, trade shows and conventions. It is the home of the WHL's Red Deer Rebels.

;YMCA Northside Community Centre

:The YMCA Northside Community Centre offers summer day camps, facility rentals, group fitness classes with childminding, and children and youth sports, arts and education programming. The facility also features a gymnasium, fitness studio, teaching kitchen, youth drop-in space, and multi-purpose spaces for children’s programs and special event rentals.{{Cite web |title=YMCA Northside Community Centre – The City of Red Deer |url=https://reddeer.ca/recreation-and-culture/recreation/recreation-facilities/northside-community-centre/ |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=www.reddeer.ca}}

;Collicutt Centre

:The Collicutt Centre is a {{cvt|250,000|ft2|disp=flip}} recreation centre that includes a leisure pool, water park, climbing and bouldering walls, field house, ice arena, gymnastics, meeting and dance rooms, a walking / running track, and carpet turf facilities. It also has child care facilities and several small businesses.{{Cite web |title=Collicutt Centre – The City of Red Deer |url=https://www.reddeer.ca/recreation-and-culture/recreation/recreation-facilities/collicutt-centre/ |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=www.reddeer.ca}}

;G.H. Dawe Community Centre

:The {{convert|12000|m2|ft2|abbr=on}} G.H. Dawe Community Centre is shared by G.H. Dawe Community School, the G.H. Dawe Branch of the Red Deer Public Library, G.H. Dawe Centre Recreation Facility and St. Patrick's School.{{Cite web |url=https://www.travelalberta.com/ca/listings/gh-dawe-community-centre-10639/ |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=www.travelalberta.com |title=G.H. Dawe Community Centre | Canada's Alberta }}

;Greater Red Deer Visitor Centre

:The Greater Red Deer Visitor Centre is adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth II Highway (Highway 2) and the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.{{Cite web |url=https://www.travelalberta.com/uk/listings/red-deer-visitor-information-centre-1029/ |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=www.travelalberta.com |title=Red Deer | Canada's Alberta }}

;Recreation Centre

:The Recreation Centre, located downtown, has indoor and outdoor pools, steam rooms and hot tubs among other features.{{Cite web |title=Red Deer Recreation Centre – Indoor Fun {{!}} Visit Red Deer |url=https://visitreddeer.com/experience/red-deer-recreation-centre |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=visitreddeer.com |language=en}}

;Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery

:The Red Deer Museum has a permanent exhibit detailing the history of the region, and temporary exhibits that change every few months. It is also the venue of multiple educational programs for both adults and children.{{Cite web |title=Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery |url=https://reddeermuseum.com/ |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery |language=en-US}}

;Waskasoo Park

:Waskasoo Park meanders through Red Deer from its outskirts in the southwest, through the heart of the city, to its outskirts in the northeast along the Red Deer River. It includes over {{convert|80|km|abbr=off}} of multi-use trails for biking, rollerblading, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and walking. The park is one of the reasons Red Deer is known as "Park City."{{Cite web |title=Waskasoo {{!}} Kerry Wood Nature Center {{!}} Fort Normandeau |url=https://www.waskasoopark.ca/ |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=www.waskasoopark.ca}}

;Westerner Exposition Grounds

:The Westerner Exposition Grounds hosts events such as Agricon and Westerner Days. Held in early July, Westerner Days includes a rodeo, pony chuck-wagon racing, a fair, exhibitions and other events.{{Cite web |title=Westerner Park |url=https://westernerpark.ca/}}

The Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League play at the Peavey Mart Centrium. Red Deer hosted the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and co-hosted the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Red Deer also co-hosted the COVID-interrupted 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, later completed in Edmonton, and the 1995 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. The Rebels hosted the 2016 Memorial Cup. Red Deer replaced Edmonton as host of the Canadian Finals Rodeo from 2018 to 2023.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/cfr-red-deer-canadian-finals-rodeo-1.4490604|title=It's official: Red Deer will host the CFR for 10 years|work=CBC News|access-date=2018-06-01|language=en-US}}{{cite web |title=The Canadian Finals Rodeo is returning to Edmonton in 2024 |url=https://www.rogersplace.com/canadian-finals-rodeo-october-2-5-2024/ |website=Rogers Place eNews |publisher=Edmonton Arena Corp. |access-date=14 September 2024 |date=25 October 2023}}

Red Deer hosted the 2019 Canada Winter Games, leaving the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre{{Cite web |url=https://rdpolytech.ca/sport-recreation-and-wellness/facilities/gary-w-harris-canada-games-centre |title=Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, Red Deer Polytechnic, May 7, 2022 |access-date=May 7, 2022 |archive-date=June 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630033823/https://rdpolytech.ca/sport-recreation-and-wellness/facilities/gary-w-harris-canada-games-centre |url-status=dead }} at Red Deer Polytechnic and the Downtown Servus Arena as legacy facilities.

The city is the hometown to numerous Olympic and NHL athletes. Hockey Night in Canada personality Ron MacLean calls Red Deer home.

The Queen Elizabeth II Highway links the North-South Calgary-Edmonton Corridor, including Wetaskiwin and Camrose, with Red Deer.

The David Thompson Highway links Rocky Mountain House in the West Country with Stettler in East-Central Alberta.

Red Deer Regional Airport, in Penhold, serves mostly general aviation and is expanding to encourage passenger service.[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/airports-red-deer-lethbridge-medicine-hat-1.5351636 CBC, Bryan Labby, "Alberta's smaller airports look to take off with expanded passenger service," November 12, 2019, Accessed May 7, 2022.][https://www.reddeeradvocate.com/news/red-deer-county-tweaking-budget-to-meet-3-75-million-airport-commitment/ Red Deer Advocate, "Red Deer County tweaking budget to meet $3.75 million airport commitment," April 4, 2022, Retrieved May 7, 2022.]

Red Deer Transit provides local bus service throughout the city.

;Health care

The Red Deer Regional Hospital is undergoing a significant expansion.

;Water

Red Deer receives its drinking water supply from the Red Deer River which is treated and distributed throughout the city.{{cite web|last1=The City of Red Deer|title=Water Quality|url=http://www.reddeer.ca/city-services/water-wastewater-and-storm/water/water-quality/|website=Water Quality|publisher=City of Red Deer|access-date=July 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150917032534/http://www.reddeer.ca/city-services/water-wastewater-and-storm/water/water-quality/|archive-date=2015-09-17|url-status=dead}} One distinct feature of the water distribution system is the Horton Water Spheroid which, at the time of its construction in 1957, was the world's largest spheroid shaped reservoir.{{cite web|last1=Mountview Heritage Sites Gallery|title=Horton Water Spheroid|url=http://www.reddeer.ca/about-red-deer/history/heritage/community-heritage-planning/red-deers-inventory-of-heritage-sites/mountview-heritage-sites-gallery/cul---horton-water-spheroid.html|access-date=July 30, 2015}}

Water from the Red Deer water treatment plant is distributed to neighbouring communities including Red Deer County, Lacombe, Blackfalds and Ponoka as managed by the North Red Deer Regional Water Services Commission.{{cite web|last1=City of Red Deer|title=Water Conservation|url=http://www.reddeer.ca/city-services/water-wastewater-and-storm/water/water-conservation/|access-date=July 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150917032245/http://www.reddeer.ca/city-services/water-wastewater-and-storm/water/water-conservation/|archive-date=2015-09-17|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last1=The City of Red Deer|title=Wastewater|url=http://www.reddeer.ca/city-services/water-wastewater-and-storm/wastewater/|website=Treating Your Wastewater|access-date=July 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512064152/http://www.reddeer.ca/city-services/water-wastewater-and-storm/wastewater/|archive-date=2015-05-12|url-status=dead}}

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP), formerly Red Deer College, was founded in 1964 as Red Deer Junior College. RDP offers certificates, diplomas, advanced certificates, applied degrees, bachelor's degrees, academic upgrading and apprenticeship in over 75 different career and academic programs, including the creative and liberal arts, engineering, and trades.

Three school authorities operate in Red Deer.

Founded in 1887, the Red Deer Public School District[http://www.rdpsd.ab.ca/ Red Deer Public School District] serves 10,000 students in thirty schools. Offering a wide range of programming, including French Immersion from K-12, the district hosts international students from around the world. They operate Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School and Hunting Hills High School.

Founded in 1909, when the Daughters of Wisdom, a religious order from France, accepted the challenge of the Tinchebray Fathers, also from France, to offer Catholic schooling in Red Deer, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS){{Cite web |url=http://www.rdcrd.ab.ca/ |title=Red Deer Catholic Regional Division |access-date=2012-06-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618003228/http://www.rdcrd.ab.ca/ |archive-date=2012-06-18 |url-status=dead }} welcomes over 10,000 students in six Central Alberta communities, including Red Deer.{{Cite web |title=Our Schools |url=https://www.rdcrs.ca/schools/our-schools |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=www.rdcrs.ca}} They operate École Secondaire Notre Dame High School and St. Joseph's High School.

Greater North Central Francophone Education Region No. 2's school École La Prairie is a French school near downtown Red Deer that offers pre-kindergarten through grade 9 programs. It offers all courses in French to a population of 119 students{{cite web|url=http://education.alberta.ca/apps/eireports/pdf_files/eis1004_2011_Prelim/iar1004_2011_Prelim.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726070633/http://education.alberta.ca/apps/eireports/pdf_files/eis1004_2011_Prelim/iar1004_2011_Prelim.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 26, 2011|title=Student Population by Grade, School, and Authority, 2011, p. 31.|publisher=Alberta Education|access-date=2011-04-01}} whose first language is French.

;Public schools

{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|

{{glossary start}}

{{term|Elementary}}

{{defn|

• Annie L. Gaetz Elementary (K–5)
• Aspen Heights Elementary (K–5)
• Barrie Wilson Elementary School (K–5)
• Don Campbell Elementary (K-5)
• Fairview Elementary (K–5)
• G.W. Smith Elementary (K–5)
• Gateway Christian School (K–5)
• G.H. Dawe Community School (K–8)
• Glendale School (PreK–8)
• Grandview Elementary (K–5)
• Joseph Welsh Elementary (K–5)
• Mattie McCullough Elementary (K–5)
• Mountview Elementary (K–5)
• Normandeau School (K–8)
• Oriole Park Elementary (K–5)
• Pines School (K–5)
• West Park Elementary (K–5)

}}

{{term|Middle school}}

{{defn|

• Central Middle School (6–8)
• Eastview Middle School (6–8)
• G.H. Dawe Community School (K–8)
• Gateway Christian School (6–8)
• Glendale School (PreK–8)
• Normandeau School (K–8)
• West Park Middle School (6–8)

}}

{{term|Secondary/high school}}

{{defn|

• École Secondaire Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School (9–12)
• Gateway Christian School (9–12)
• Hunting Hills High School (9–12)
• North Cottage High School (10–12)

}}

{{glossary end}}

}}

;Catholic schools

{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|

{{glossary}}

{{term|Elementary}}

{{defn|

• École Camille J. Lerouge School (K–9)
• École Mother Teresa School (K–5)
• École Our Lady of the Rosary School (PreK–2)
• Father Henri Voisin School (K–5)
• Holy Family School (K–5)
• Maryview School (PreK–5)
• St. Elizabeth Seton School (K–5)
• St. Marguerite Bourgeoys School (PreK–5)
• St. Martin de Porres School (K–5)
• St. Patrick's Community School (K–9)
• St. Teresa of Avila School (PreK-5)

}}

{{term|Middle school}}

{{defn|

• École Camille J. Lerouge School (K–9)
• St. Francis of Assisi Middle School (6–9)
• St Lorenzo Ruiz Middle School (6–9)
• St. Patrick's Community School (K–9)
• St. Thomas Aquinas Middle School (6–9)

}}

{{term|Secondary/high school}}

{{defn|

• École Secondaire Notre Dame High School (10–12)
• St. Joseph's High School (10–12)

}}

{{glossary end}}

}}

;Private schools

• Destiny Christian School Society (ECS, K–9)
• Koinonia Christian School – Red Deer (ECS, K–12)
• Parkland School Special Education (1–12)
• South Side Christian School (ECS, K–12)

{{Main|Media in Red Deer, Alberta}}

The local news outlets are the Red Deer Advocate and [https://rdnewsnow.com/ rdnewsNOW]. The [https://www.reddeer.ca/whats-happening/news-room/ City of Red Deer] also releases regular updates.

{{Portal|Canada|Geography}}

• List of cities in Alberta
• List of communities in Alberta
• :Category:People from Red Deer, Alberta

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist|2}}

• {{cite book |last1=Meeres |first1=E. L. |title=The homesteads that nurtured a city: the history of Red Deer, 1880–1905 |date=1978 |publisher=[s.l.: s.n.] |url=https://archive.org/details/homesteadsthatnu0000meer |url-access=registration}}

{{wikivoyage|Red Deer}}

• {{official website|http://www.reddeer.ca}}

{{Subdivisions of Alberta|state=expanded}}

{{Alberta Regions Red Deer}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1894 establishments in the Northwest Territories

Category:Cities in Alberta

Category:Populated places established in 1882