Oyen

Oyen is a small town in eastern Alberta, close to the Saskatchewan boundary, north of Medicine Hat. The town is located on Highway 41, 4 km (2.5 mi) south of its junction with Highway 9, and is the first major centre within Alberta for travellers entering from nearby Saskatchewan.

This article is about a town in Canada. For other uses of "Oyen" or "Øyen", see Oyen (disambiguation).
Oyen
Town
Town of Oyen
Location in Special Area No. 3
Oyen
Location of Oyen in Alberta
Coordinates: 51°21′08″N 110°28′26″W
Country Canada
Province Alberta
RegionSouthern Alberta
Census division4
Special AreaSpecial Area No. 3
Incorporated[1] 
 • VillageJanuary 17, 1913
 • TownSeptember 1, 1965
Government
 • MayorDouglas A. Jones
 • Governing bodyOyen Town Council
Area
 (2016)[3]
 • Land5.28 km2 (2.04 sq mi)
Elevation770 m (2,530 ft)
Population
 (2016)[3]
 • Total1,001
 • Density189.6/km2 (491/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−7 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Postal code span
T0J 2J0
HighwaysHighway 9
Highway 41
Highway 895
WebsiteOfficial website

Early name, Bishopburg, was changed in 1912 to honour Andrew Oyen, an early settler who sold his homestead for the townsite.[5]

Oyen is the service centre for a large but sparsely populated dryland farming area. In the surrounding area wheat, barley, and canola are important crops, and beef cattle are raised.

Geography

Climate

Oyen experiences a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk). Winters are long, cold and dry, while summers are short and warm. Precipitation is low, with an annual average of 322 mm, and is heavily concentrated in the warmer months. Oyen's precipitation is narrowly below being a humid continental climate, a type it closely resembles in terms of yearly temperatures.

Demographics

The population of the Town of Oyen according to its 2017 municipal census is 1,022,[7] a change of 1.6% from its 2015 municipal census population of 1,006.[8]

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Oyen recorded a population of 1,001 living in 400 of its 422 total private dwellings, a 2.9% change from its 2011 population of 973. With a land area of 5.28 km2 (2.04 sq mi), it had a population density of 189.6/km2 (491.0/sq mi) in 2016.[3]

In the 2011 Census, the Town of Oyen had a population of 973 living in 383 of its 418 total dwellings, a -4.1% change from its 2006 population of 1,015. With a land area of 4.93 km2 (1.90 sq mi), it had a population density of 197.4/km2 (511.2/sq mi) in 2011.[9]

Attractions

Oyen has a golf course and a local museum. Oyen also contains an arena, curling rink, and outdoor pool. Oyen is also home to the Badlands Badgers baseball academy for high school students.

Infrastructure

A major highway rest stop is located north of the town at the junction of Highway 41 and Highway 9. It is developed with a service station, A&W restaurant, a motel and a visitor information centre operated by Travel Alberta. There is Oyen Municipal Airport nearby. Oyen also has a hospital.

Education

Oyen is home to a regional public high school and a small Catholic elementary school. The high school is known as South Central High School (SCHS) with students grade seven to twelve. Oyen Public School (OPS) hosts students from kindergarten to grade nine. Assumption Roman Catholic school has students from kindergarten to grade six.

See also

References
  1. "Location and History Profile: Town of Oyen" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. October 7, 2016. p. 456. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
  2. "Municipal Officials Search". Alberta Municipal Affairs. September 22, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  3. "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  4. "Alberta Private Sewage Systems 2009 Standard of Practice Handbook: Appendix A.3 Alberta Design Data (A.3.A. Alberta Climate Design Data by Town)" (PDF) (PDF). Safety Codes Council. January 2012. pp. 212–215 (PDF pages 226–229). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 16, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  5. Hamilton, William (1978). The Macmillan Book of Canadian Place Names. Toronto: Macmillan. p. 30. ISBN 0-7715-9754-1.
  6. "Oyen Cappon". Canadian Climate Normals 1981−2010. Environment Canada. Archived from the original on October 27, 2017. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  7. "2017 Municipal Affairs Population List" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. ISBN 978-1-4601-3652-2. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  8. "2016 Municipal Affairs Population List" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. ISBN 978-1-4601-3127-5. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  9. "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
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