ShawnessyCalgary
9,696 people call this neighbourhood in Calgary home. Of Calgary’s 152 neighbourhoods, this is one.
Is Shawnessy a good place to live?
Plenty to like here, at a price. Where it does best is health (A+). What counts against it is cost of living (C−). Overall, that makes an A−, good for #93 of 473 in Alberta. Set against the rest, it does better than 79% of Canadian towns. The rest of its grades are middling: B− for safety and B− for jobs & income.
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 Shawnessy stand out
The 3 things Shawnessy does most differently from other towns.
How Shawnessy grades
Each subject compares Shawnessy 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 →
The data
Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Shawnessy.
Shawnessy’s grade for health: an A+
The survey finds 56% of adults in very good or excellent health, above both Alberta’s towns (51%) and Canadian towns (52%); by contrast, the region has fewer smokers than Alberta, 7.9% of adults to 11%. Measured from where Shawnessy’s residents live, the nearest hospital is 1.8 km away, under the typical 3.7 km. A baby born in the region can expect 83.0 years, 85.0 for a girl and 80.9 for a boy (2022/2024). Nobody publishes health survey and life expectancy for Shawnessy alone, so this card uses the figure for the Calgary Zone.
Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised
| Health | Shawnessy | 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
In the top two fifths in Alberta: 13 of the 22 schools around Shawnessy with results
Its schools answer to 3 boards. All Saints School is the biggest, at 1,845 students. 19,540 students attend the 23 elementary schools, 5 secondary schools and 8 schools for every grade in or within 3 km of Shawnessy.
| School | Level | Students | System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glenmore Christian Academy Elementary IndependentLargest elementary schoolElementary · Grades K–5 | Elementary · Grades K–5 | 598 | Independent |
| All Saints School CatholicLargest secondary schoolSecondary · Grades 10–12 | Secondary · Grades 10–12 | 1,845 | English Catholic |
| Glenmore Christian Academy Junior High IndependentResults in the top fifth in AlbertaAll grades · Grades 6–9 | All grades · Grades 6–9 | 387 | Independent |
Schools by system · Schools within 3 km
| Schools within 3 km | Shawnessy | Alberta | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| School boards | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Provincial school lists and results, 2025/26
Shawnessy households put 35% of their income into housing and transport, more than the 29% typical across Canada
Home ownership covers 83% of households. Shelter took 30% or more of income for 19% of households, below Alberta’s towns (21%) and close to Canadian towns (18%). For rent as a share of income and monthly rent for a two-bedroom, the only official count covers all of the Calgary metro area, Shawnessy included.
What homes were worth · The median owner’s estimate at the 2021 census
| Census 2021 | Shawnessy | Alberta | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households owning their home | 83% | 74% | 74% |
| Households spending 30%+ on shelter | 19% | 21% | 18% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021; CMHC Rental Market Survey via Statistics Canada · The 2021 census asked owners what their home was worth; those values, and 2020 incomes, are what this compares.
A flood study covers Shawnessy: 1 on the national inventory, the newest from Government of Alberta
Seismic risk in Shawnessy sits near the middle: $0.023 of expected damage per $1,000 of buildings a year, the typical town $0.030. In Health Canada’s survey, 8.1% of homes tested in the town’s area exceeded 200 Bq/m³, close to the typical 6.6%. Shawnessy doesn’t get its own earthquake risk figures; the ones here come from the city of Calgary.
Radon tests above the guideline · share of tested homes, 200 Bq/m³
| Hazards | Shawnessy | 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 Shawnessy trails that of 82% of Canadian towns: 445 mm a year
In July the thermometer climbs to 23.5°C by day, close to Alberta’s towns (23.5°C) and below Canadian towns (25.5°C). The most precipitation falls in June: 113 mm in a normal year. March is the snowiest month, with 24 cm on average. Between the last spring frost, 21 May, and the first in autumn, 18 September, lie 119 days.
Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Normals, 1991–2020 | Shawnessy | 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))
Visible minorities make up more of Shawnessy than of Alberta’s towns or Canadian towns: 36%
Under-15s account for 15% of the population. People 65 and over make up 15% of the town. First Nations, Métis and Inuit people make up 3.3% of residents, between Alberta’s towns (4.6%) and Canadian towns (2.8%).
Ages · Share of residents in each age group, Census 2021
Schooling · Highest qualification, residents 15 and over
Women and men · all residents
50.4% of Shawnessy’s residents are women
Census 2021 put women at 4,895 and men at 4,810; women are 50.9% of Canada.
| Shawnessy | Alberta | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 15 | 15% | 18% | 16% |
| 15 to 64 | 70% | 67% | 64% |
| 65+ | 15% | 15% | 19% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 10% | 15% | 16% |
| Postsecondary qualification | 58% | 54% | 56% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021; Alberta and Canada: medians of towns of 2,500+
Shawnessy in November: highs near 4°C, lows near −8°C
Snow is normal by November, about 19 cm over the month. In November, the normal is 16 mm of rain and snow. By December, a normal day reaches freezing and a night falls to −12°C. For today and the week ahead, the Weather page carries ECCC’s Calgary forecast.
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
Shawnessy votes in 2 federal ridings, led by Calgary Heritage and Calgary Midnapore
The Legislative Assembly of Alberta’s riding map carries non-commercial terms, so Shawnessy isn’t placed in a riding here.
Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada
More loans per person served than 82% of Alberta’s town libraries: Calgary Public Library lends 12.7
Shawnessy is served by Calgary Public Library, the library of all of Calgary, so the figures here are the city’s, for 1,285,711 people.
Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada
Trips to work from Shawnessy take longer than from Alberta’s towns or Canadian towns: 29 min on average
82% of commuters drove, below Alberta’s towns (88%) and Canadian towns (89%) alike.
How working residents got to work · census 2021
| Census 2021 | Shawnessy | Alberta | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip | 29 min | 26 min | 26 min |
| Car or van | 82% | 88% | 89% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021 (labour and commuting) · The 2021 census was taken in May 2021, during COVID-19 restrictions: more people than usual worked from home or were off work.
Shawnessy’s grade for safety: a B−
Area-wide: Crime Severity Index, Violent Crime Severity Index, violent crime and property crime per 1,000, counted over the Calgary service area
The index for the force that serves it came to 67, below Alberta’s towns (110) and close to Canadian towns (67). The force’s area logs 10.6 violent incidents per 1,000 residents a year. Its police area records 31.9 property incidents per 1,000 residents a year.
Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year
| 2023–2025 | Shawnessy | 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
9 beaches lie within 5 km of Shawnessy
Parks and reserves take up 3.1% of the ground within 10 km, above Alberta’s towns (0.4%) and Canadian towns (2.3%) alike. Fish Creek Provincial Park is the closest provincial park, at 1.0 km. The largest named area nearby is Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area, 1,943 ha, 8.3 km away. CPCAD lists 2 protected areas within 10 km.
Protected land · of the land within 10 km
| Outdoors | Shawnessy | Alberta | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protected land within 10 km | 3.1% | 0.4% | 2.3% |
| Public protected areas within 10 km | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD), OpenStreetMap routes and beaches
Spruce Meadows and 2 more in and around Shawnessy
Museums, historic sites, parks, gardens and days out in and near Shawnessy, the best known first.
Everything we know about Shawnessy
Shawnessy’s neighbours
The nearest places of 1,000 or more. Statistics Canada
| Town | People | km | Overall | Cost | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shawnessy | 9,696 | — | A− | C− | B− | A+ |
| Somerset | 8,416 | 0.9 | B+ | C− | B− | A+ |
| Millrise | 6,754 | 1.5 | A− | C− | B− | A+ |
| Fish Creek Park | 9,045 | 2 | B+ | C− | B− | A |
| Midnapore | 7,022 | 2 | A− | D | B− | A+ |
| Bridlewood | 12,547 | 2.4 | A− | C | B− | A+ |
| Evergreen | 19,988 | 2.6 | A− | C | B− | A |
People: Statistics Canada, Census 2021. Distances: centre to centre.
Questions about Shawnessy
How old are the people of Shawnessy?
42.5 is the median age, 45.2 the median among Canadian towns; 15% of residents are 65 or over and 15% under 15.
About Shawnessy
Neighbourhood in Calgary
Where Shawnessy begins and ends inside Calgary is TownRatings’s line, traced along census dissemination areas and named after the city’s map or OpenStreetMap.
Statistics Canada: population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155), Census of Population 2021, 2021 census boundaries.
- Population
- 9,696 (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).