Downtown Commercial CoreCalgary
9,286 people call this neighbourhood in Calgary home. It is one of the 152 neighbourhoods that make up Calgary.
Is Downtown Commercial Core a good place to live?
Strong in places, weak in others. It does especially well on health (A+). With a B overall, Downtown Commercial Core is better than 60% of Canadian towns. That places it #210 of 473 in Alberta. The local economy is weaker than most (D). Owners valued their homes at a median $240,000 in 2021, which is 4.7 years of the typical household’s pay.
Figures: home values and income: Statistics Canada, Census 2021.
Rents here are the metro area's average, shared by every town and neighbourhood in it. Safety less sure: this is the whole city's figure, because the city doesn't publish open neighbourhood crime rates. Health is graded on the health region's survey figures and life expectancy, with the distance to hospital giving the town its own spread.
What makes Downtown Commercial Core stand out
The 3 things Downtown Commercial Core does most differently from other towns.
How Downtown Commercial Core grades
Each subject compares Downtown Commercial Core with Canadian towns of 2,500 or more, ordered by how far it is from the middle. Towns in other countries are graded separately.
How TownRatings grades Canadian towns →
Glenbow Museum and 44 more in and around Downtown Commercial Core
The best-known places to visit in and around Downtown Commercial Core come first; the full list is on the Attractions page.
MuseumGlenbow Museumin town · 149K visitors a year (2019)
AttractionCalgary Towerin town
GardenOlympic Plazain town
CathedralCathedral Church of the Redeemerin town
GardenDevonian Gardensin town
ZooCalgary Zoo1.4 km outside town, to the southeastPhotos: each place’s Wikidata image, from Wikimedia Commons under the licence below (our copy, resized).
Photo credits (6)
- Glenbow Museum: Darthrussel, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Calgary Tower: Qyd, CC BY 2.5, Wikimedia Commons
- Olympic Plaza: Resolute, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Cathedral Church of the Redeemer: Dbraw, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Devonian Gardens: Qyd, CC BY 2.5, Wikimedia Commons
- Calgary Zoo: Qyd, CC BY 2.5, Wikimedia Commons
The data
Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Downtown Commercial Core.
Few places match Downtown Commercial Core for health: it beats 98% of Canadian towns
The region’s 2022/2024 life expectancy is 83.0, with women at 85.0 and men at 80.9. By their own account, 56% of adults here are in very good or excellent health, higher than both Alberta’s towns (51%) and Canadian towns (52%). At 7.9%, the share of adults who smoke sits under the 11% for Alberta. What sets Downtown Commercial Core apart within its region is a short trip to hospital, 1.0 km for the average resident (3.7 km typical). For health survey and life expectancy, the only official count covers all of the Calgary Zone, Downtown Commercial Core included.
Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised
| Health | Downtown Commercial Core | Alberta | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very good or excellent health | 56% | 51% | 52% |
| Smokers | 7.9% | 12% | 12% |
| Chronic conditions (average share) | 16% | 18% | 17% |
| Life expectancy at birth | 83.0 | 81.2 | 81.5 |
Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey 2023/2024 and life expectancy 2022/2024; Open Database of Healthcare Facilities
Households in Downtown Commercial Core have lower incomes than those in 98% of Canadian towns
The average trip to work took 27 min, about level with both Alberta’s towns (26 min) and Canadian towns (26 min).
How working residents got to work · census 2021
| Census 2021 | Downtown Commercial Core | Alberta | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip | 27 min | 26 min | 26 min |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021 (labour and commuting) · These are May 2021 figures, gathered while COVID-19 kept many people home or out of work.
Renting in Downtown Commercial Core eats 45% of household income, more than in both Alberta’s towns and Canadian towns
36% of households spent 30% or more of their income on shelter, higher than both Alberta’s towns (21%) and Canadian towns (18%).
What homes were worth · The median owner’s estimate at the 2021 census
| Census 2021 | Downtown Commercial Core | Alberta | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent as a share of income | 45% | 20% | 20% |
| Households spending 30%+ on shelter | 36% | 21% | 18% |
| Median home value, 2021 | $240,000 | $400,000 | $406,000 |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021; CMHC Rental Market Survey via Statistics Canada · These are 2021 census values, as owners judged them, set against household income in 2020. · Area behind the rent as a share of income and monthly rent for a two-bedroom figures: the Calgary metro area
6 school boards share Downtown Commercial Core
Of the 42 with results, 24 sit in the upper two fifths in Alberta. 18 of the 64 are independent, against 14% in Alberta. The largest is The Gilbertine Academy, with 6,218 students. Schooling in French is on offer at one of the 64; in Alberta, 2% of schools teach in it.
| School | Level | Students | System |
|---|---|---|---|
| King George SchoolLargest elementary schoolElementary · Grades K–5 | Elementary · Grades K–5 | 650 | English public |
| The Gilbertine Academy CatholicLargest secondary schoolAll grades · Grades K–12 | All grades · Grades K–12 | 6,218 | Independent |
| École de la Rose sauvage FrenchTeaches in FrenchSecondary · Grades 7–12 | Secondary · Grades 7–12 | 402 | French public |
| Balmoral School Top fifth in AlbertaResults in the top fifth in AlbertaAll grades · Grades 5–9 | All grades · Grades 5–9 | 556 | English public |
Schools by system · Schools within 3 km
| Schools within 3 km | Downtown Commercial Core | Alberta | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| School boards | 4 | 3 | 3 |
Provincial school lists and results, 2025/26
Downtown Commercial Core is on Canada’s flood inventory: 1 listed, led by Government of Alberta
NRCan expects $0.023 of shaking damage a year per $1,000 of buildings in Downtown Commercial Core, near the typical $0.030. About as many homes carry radon around Downtown Commercial Core as elsewhere, 8.1% over the guideline where the typical town has 6.6%. Downtown Commercial Core shares its earthquake risk numbers with the rest of the city of Calgary.
Radon tests above the guideline · share of tested homes, 200 Bq/m³
| Hazards | Downtown Commercial Core | Alberta | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radon tests above the guideline | 8.1% | 7.5% | 6.6% |
| Earthquake loss per $1,000 of buildings a year | $0.023 | $0.013 | $0.030 |
NRCan seismic risk model and burned areas, Health Canada radon survey, the Flood Hazard Map Inventory · Not measured by town: radon tests (the Calgary Health Region)
Precipitation in Downtown Commercial Core trails that of 82% of Canadian towns: 445 mm a year
The most precipitation falls in June: 113 mm in a normal year. July afternoons reach 23.5°C on average, about level with Alberta’s towns (23.5°C) and below Canadian towns (25.5°C). March is the snowiest month, with 24 cm on average. The frost-free season runs from 21 May to 18 September, 119 days.
Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Normals, 1991–2020 | Downtown Commercial Core | Alberta | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Precipitation a year | 445 mm | 431 mm | 883 mm |
| July afternoon high | 23.5°C | 23.5°C | 25.5°C |
| Days with frost a year | 193 | 193 | 159 |
Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020 (Calgary (Airport))
Fewer children live in Downtown Commercial Core than in Alberta’s towns or Canadian towns: 8.9% are under 15
14% of residents are 65 or over, lower than both Alberta’s towns (15%) and Canadian towns (19%). Visible minorities make up 66% of the population, higher than both Alberta’s towns (29%) and Canadian towns (15%).
Ages · Share of residents in each age group, Census 2021
Schooling · Highest qualification, residents 15 and over
Women and men · all residents
49.1% of Downtown Commercial Core’s residents are women
Census 2021 put women at 4,565 and men at 4,725; women are 50.9% of Canada.
| Downtown Commercial Core | Alberta | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 15 | 8.9% | 18% | 16% |
| 15 to 64 | 78% | 67% | 64% |
| 65+ | 14% | 15% | 19% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 13% | 15% | 16% |
| Postsecondary qualification | 63% | 54% | 56% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021; Alberta and Canada: medians of towns of 2,500+
What November brings in Downtown Commercial Core: −8°C at night, 4°C by day
Next comes December, with normal highs of freezing and lows of −12°C. Expect about 16 mm of rain and snow over November. Snow is normal by November, about 19 cm over the month. The forecast on the Weather page is ECCC’s for Calgary.
Normal highs, the months ahead · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Season | High | Low | Rain and snow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | −1°C | −12°C | 34 mm |
| Spring | 10°C | −2°C | 108 mm |
| Summer | 22°C | 9°C | 232 mm |
| Autumn | 11°C | −1°C | 71 mm |
ECCC normals, 1991–2020 (Calgary (Airport)); the forecast is on the Weather page
Downtown Commercial Core sends Greg McLean (Conservative Party of Canada) to the Commons from Calgary Centre
Of the 37 Commons seats from Alberta, the Conservative Party of Canada holds 33.
Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada
Calgary Library lends 12.7 items per person served, more than 82% of Alberta’s town libraries
Calgary Library serves the whole of Calgary, so the library figures on this page are the city’s: 1,285,711 people, Downtown Commercial Core among them.
Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada
Downtown Commercial Core’s grade for safety: a B−
The index for the force that serves it came to 67, lower than Alberta’s towns (110) and near Canadian towns (67). The force’s area logs 10.6 violent incidents per 1,000 residents a year. Across its police area, there are 31.9 property incidents per 1,000 residents a year. Downtown Commercial Core doesn’t get its own Crime Severity Index, Violent Crime Severity Index, violent crime and property crime per 1,000 figures; the ones here come from the Calgary service area.
Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year
| 2023–2025 | Downtown Commercial Core | Alberta | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crime Severity Index | 67 | 110 | 67 |
| Violent Crime Severity Index | 79 | 109 | 86 |
| Property crime per 1,000 | 31.9 | 45 | 31.2 |
| Violent crime | 10.6 | 14.2 | 12 |
Statistics Canada, Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, 2023–2025 average
Downtown Commercial Core is 12 km from Fish Creek Provincial Park
For a national park, Banff National Park is 79 km away. The protected share within 10 km is 0.4%, where a typical Canadian town has 2.3%. Inglewood Migratory Bird Sanctuary (111 ha) is the biggest, 3.1 km from town. CPCAD lists 2 protected areas within 10 km.
Protected land · of the land within 10 km
| Outdoors | Downtown Commercial Core | Alberta | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protected land within 10 km | 0.4% | 0.4% | 2.3% |
| Public protected areas within 10 km | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD), OpenStreetMap routes and beaches
Downtown Commercial Core: 6 historic places, 2 with the highest designation
6.4% of its homes were built before 1961, above Alberta’s towns (4.5%) but below Canadian towns (18%). Its oldest building on the record is Stephen Avenue, from 1880. Counted by designation, there are 4 provincial or municipal listings.
Historic places by designation · inside the town
Among them
- Stephen Avenue 1880
- Palace Theatre 1921
- Cathedral Church of the Redeemer 1905
- Burns Building 1912
| Heritage | Downtown Commercial Core | Alberta | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homes built before 1961 | 6.4% | 4.5% | 18% |
Canadian Register of Historic Places, Directory of Federal Heritage Designations, Québec’s Répertoire du patrimoine culturel, Wikidata; Census 2021 homes by period
Everything we know about Downtown Commercial Core
Downtown Commercial Core’s neighbours
The nearest places of 1,000 or more. Statistics Canada
| Town | People | km | Overall | Cost | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Commercial Core | 9,286 | — | B | D | B− | A+ |
| Eau Claire | 3,733 | 0.5 | A− | D | B− | A+ |
| Sunnyside | 2,976 | 0.9 | A− | D− | B− | A+ |
| Downtown West End | 2,796 | 0.9 | A− | D | B− | A+ |
| Beltline | 26,171 | 1 | A− | D | B− | A+ |
| Rosedale | 2,507 | 1.5 | A− | D | B− | A+ |
| Lower Mount Royal | 3,136 | 1.6 | B+ | D | B− | A+ |
People: Statistics Canada, Census 2021. Distances: centre to centre.
Questions about Downtown Commercial Core
Is Downtown Commercial Core a young town or an old one?
Its median age is 34.1, where Canadian towns sit at 45.2. Under-15s are 9% of residents; over-65s, 14%.
About Downtown Commercial Core
Neighbourhood in Calgary
Downtown Commercial Core is a neighbourhood of Calgary, built by TownRatings from Statistics Canada’s smallest census areas and named from the city’s map or OpenStreetMap.
Statistics Canada: population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155), Census of Population 2021, 2021 census boundaries.
- Population
- 9,286 (people, 2021 estimate)
- Province or territory
- Alberta
- City
- Calgary
- Census subdivision
- 4806016
Sources: Statistics Canada, Census of Population 2021 · population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155) and 2021 census boundaries · Uniform Crime Reporting Survey 2023–25 (35-10-0026, 35-10-0183 to 35-10-0190) · CMHC rents as published by Statistics Canada (34-10-0133) · grades by TownRatings. Under the Statistics Canada Open Licence.
Adapted from Statistics Canada (Census of Population 2021, population estimates 2025, 2021 census boundaries) under the Statistics Canada Open Licence; this does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada. Neighbourhood names in some cities © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).