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Athabasca: River Town Built on a Fur Trade Landing
Athabasca, with 2,759 residents in 2021, sits on its namesake river some 145 km north of the city. It suits southwest households who work remotely or have a job at Athabasca University, the town's second largest employer. With only about ten sales a year on our MLS System, it also calls for patience.
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Tell the team what you need and get a buyer plan with areas, prices and next steps.
Athabasca Landing
In 1876 the Hudson's Bay Company put up a warehouse here, called Athabasca Landing, to stock its supply line toward Lesser Slave Lake. Mounted Police arrived in 1893, and much of the town had to be rebuilt after fire swept it in 1913. Interpretive signs along the riverfront and a printed walking tour pick up the story.
A small, slow market
10 homes sold in the 12 months to October 31 at a median of $332,000, and the median sale took 85 days. With so few trades, the right house may take months to appear, so we set up alerts and plan the southwest sale to fit.
Source: REALTORS® Association of Edmonton MLS® System, Nov 1, 2025 to Oct 31, 2026 (closed sales) and Nov 8, 2026 (active listings).
Our comparison point in the southwest is Steinhauer, where detached homes sold at a median of $548,500 over the same 12 months.
Schools from preschool to Grade 12
Aspen View, whose head office is on the university grounds, has three schools in town: Whispering Hills for the youngest grades, Landing Trail for the middle years, and Edwin Parr Composite from Grade 7 up. For remote-working parents, having the full path in town is a big part of the appeal.
Health care
The town hospital, the Athabasca Healthcare Centre, has served the area for over a century.
Working remotely from Athabasca
Before you buy, confirm internet options at the exact address; service varies between town streets and the surrounding county. If you will still drive to Edmonton for meetings, Highway 2 is the direct route south, and Highway 55 meets it in town.
Sources: Athabasca, Wikipedia, Aspen View school directory, Athabasca Healthcare Centre, Statistics Canada 2021 Census.
Athabasca questions
What was Athabasca originally called?
Athabasca Landing, a Hudson's Bay Company supply point from 1876.
Is Athabasca University a big employer?
Yes, it is the town's second largest employer.
Can my children go from kindergarten to Grade 12 in Athabasca?
Yes. Aspen View runs Whispering Hills, Landing Trail and Edwin Parr Composite in town.
How long does it take to buy in Athabasca?
Sales are few, about 10 a year on our board, with a median of 85 days on market, so allow time.
Is there a hospital in Athabasca?
Yes, the Athabasca Healthcare Centre, in service for more than a century.
Questions about moving to Athabasca?
Contact the Haupt Phaneuf Real Estate Team, eXp Realty, at 780-993-8574.
Further north
- For full listings and market stats, see Athabasca homes for sale on HauptRealty.com.
- Southwest Edmonton homes and neighbourhood guides
- Steinhauer neighbourhood guide
- Sturgeon County acreages
- Westlock County acreages