Edmonton area guide
More Edmonton buyers are looking just past the city limits for a newer home, a bigger lot or a smaller town feel, while keeping an easy drive into the city. Seven communities ring Edmonton, and each has a different character, school division and commute. Here is how they compare, from the Haupt Phaneuf Real Estate Team with eXp Realty. We help buyers and sellers in all of them.
| Community | Direction | Population (latest estimate) | Main route to Edmonton | Public school division |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherwood Park | East | 75,575 | Sherwood Park Freeway, Baseline Road, Anthony Henday | Elk Island Public Schools |
| St. Albert | Northwest | 74,730 | St. Albert Trail, Ray Gibbon Drive, Anthony Henday | St. Albert Public Schools |
| Spruce Grove | West | 44,575 | Highway 16 (Yellowhead) | Parkland School Division |
| Leduc | South | 39,966 | Highway 2 (QEII) | Black Gold School Division |
| Fort Saskatchewan | Northeast | 30,575 | Highway 15, Highway 21 | Elk Island Public Schools |
| Beaumont | Southeast | 26,305 | 50 Street, Highway 625 | Black Gold School Division |
| Stony Plain | West | 19,662 | Highway 16A, Highway 16 | Parkland School Division |
Population figures are Government of Alberta 2025 estimates, except Sherwood Park, which is from Strathcona County's 2024 municipal census. Each community also has a Catholic school division.
Sherwood Park is not technically a town. It is the urban centre of Strathcona County, and it is the largest community around Edmonton. Buyers like the mature tree-lined neighbourhoods, the newer areas on the east side, and quick access to east Edmonton and the refinery and industrial jobs along the east side of the region. Sherwood Park homes for sale · recently sold
St. Albert sits on the Sturgeon River on Edmonton's northwest edge. It is known for the Red Willow trail system along the river, its own public and Catholic school boards, and established family neighbourhoods alongside newer communities on the north and west sides. St. Albert homes for sale · recently sold
Spruce Grove is west of Edmonton on Highway 16 and has grown quickly, so much of its housing is newer. It suits buyers who work in west Edmonton or Acheson and want a newer home with a garage and a yard. Spruce Grove homes for sale · recently sold
Next door to Spruce Grove, Stony Plain is the smallest of the seven and has the most small-town feel, with a historic downtown known for its outdoor murals. Buyers often look here for a little more space and a quieter pace. Stony Plain homes for sale · recently sold
Leduc is south of Edmonton on Highway 2, beside Edmonton International Airport and the Nisku business park. That makes it a natural fit for people who work at the airport, in Nisku or who travel for work, and it is the easiest of the seven for a drive toward Red Deer and Calgary. Leduc homes for sale · recently sold
Beaumont sits just southeast of Edmonton and grew from a French Canadian settlement, which you still see in its historic church and street names. It is close to south Edmonton shopping and the Anthony Henday, and much of its housing is newer family homes. Beaumont homes for sale · recently sold
Fort Saskatchewan is northeast of Edmonton on the North Saskatchewan River, next to Alberta's Industrial Heartland. Many residents work at the nearby plants, and the city has a mix of established neighbourhoods and newer subdivisions. Fort Saskatchewan homes for sale · recently sold
Sherwood Park, followed closely by St. Albert, based on the latest provincial and municipal population counts.
No. Sherwood Park is in Strathcona County, which has its own council, taxes and services.
Leduc, which borders the airport and the Nisku business park.
Thinking about a move outside the city? Talk to the Haupt Phaneuf team, or compare by budget on our town price pages.