Canada›Alberta›Edmonton

McKernanEdmonton

It is a neighbourhood of 2,880 residents in Edmonton. It is one of 195 neighbourhoods of Edmonton.

6 places within 19 kmMap →

Photo: Own work · CC BY-SA 3.0

Population

2,880

people, Census 2021

Median age

years · Alberta’s towns: 40.8

Postsecondary

71%

of residents 15 and over hold a postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree · Canadian towns: 56%

Walk, cycle, transit

31%

walk, cycle or take transit to work · Canadian towns: 8%

TownGrade

Better than 61% of Canadian towns

Is McKernan a good place to live?

Real strengths, and real weak spots. Schools are where it shines (A). McKernan’s overall grade is B, better than 61% of Canadian towns. Add walkability to its strengths (A+). Prices are high against local incomes (D). Crime is the sore point (C−).

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. A university neighbourhood: graded, but left out of rankings (so many residents are students that income and jobs read as students' figures).

StrongestA⁺Walkability A⁺Hazard risk ASchoolsWeakestDCost of living C⁻Safety

What makes McKernan stand out

The 3 things McKernan does most differently from other towns.

Picked automatically from the data

Walk, cycle or transit to work

Getting around

31% walk, cycle or take transit

The midpoint across Canadian towns is 8%

Statistics Canada, Census 2021

Walkability

Better than 99%

of Canadian towns on walkability

Its walkability grade: A+.

Hazard risk

Better than 98%

of Canadian towns on hazard risk

Its hazard risk grade: A+.

How McKernan grades

Each subject compares McKernan 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 grading works

WalkabilityGraded on how easily people get around without a carA⁺Open →Hazard riskNatural hazards pose little risk hereA⁺Open →SchoolsIn the top fifth of the towns comparedAOpen →Cost of livingGraded on home prices against local incomesDOpen →SafetyCrime runs among the highest comparedC⁻Open →HealthAhead of most towns comparedB⁺Open →Jobs & incomeGraded on incomes, poverty and employmentBOpen →

How TownRatings grades Canadian towns →

Nearby attractions

Art Gallery of Alberta and 45 more in and around McKernan

From museums to parks and historic sites: McKernan’s places to visit and those just beyond its edge, most famous first.

All attractions →

MuseumArt Gallery of Alberta3.7 km outside town, to the northeast

ChurchSt. Joseph's Basilica, Edmonton2.6 km outside town, to the northeast

MuseumMuttart Conservatory3.2 km outside town, to the northeast

CathedralSt. Josaphat Cathedral4.6 km outside town, to the northeast

MuseumRoyal Alberta Museum3.9 km outside town, to the northeast

GardenWilliam Hawrelak Park1.4 km outside town, to the north

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · ODCAF · federal and Québec heritage registers · CPCAD

Photos: each place’s Wikidata image, from Wikimedia Commons under the licence below (our copy, resized).

Photo credits (6)

Art Gallery of Alberta: Stella Blu, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
St. Joseph's Basilica, Edmonton: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johntwrl, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Muttart Conservatory: WinterE229 WinterforceMedia, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
St. Josaphat Cathedral: Odysseus1479, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Royal Alberta Museum: Mack Male, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
William Hawrelak Park: WinterforceMedia ( WinterE229 19:13, 13 May 2008 (UTC)), Public domain, Wikimedia Commons

The data

Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in McKernan.

Natural hazardsHazard risk A⁺

Flood mapping exists for McKernan: 1 on record, latest by Government of Alberta

Area-wide: radon tests, counted over the Capital Health

In Health Canada’s survey, just 1.4% of homes tested in the area exceeded 200 Bq/m³ (6.6% typical). Earthquakes matter little: NRCan’s model puts building losses at $0.013 a year per $1,000 of value, against $0.030 for the typical town. Nobody publishes earthquake risk for McKernan alone, so this card uses the figure for the city of Edmonton.

Lowwildfire bandA⁺Hazard risk Grade

Radon tests above the guideline · share of tested homes, 200 Bq/m³

McKernan1.4%

Alberta’s towns7.5%

Canadian towns6.6%

Hazards	McKernan	Alberta	Canada
Radon tests above the guideline	1.4%	7.5%	6.6%
Earthquake loss per $1,000 of buildings a year	$0.013	$0.013	$0.030

Low

wildfire band

flood study on the national inventory

Full pageMcKernan’s flood & hazards pageOpen the full Flood & hazards page

FloodOne flood study on record WildfireLow wildfire band · No land burned within 25 km since 1986 Earthquakes$0.013 a year per $1,000 · Canadian towns: $0.030 Radon1.4% of tests above the guideline Be readyAlerts, FireSmart and radon tests

NRCan seismic risk model and burned areas, Health Canada radon survey, the Flood Hazard Map Inventory

SchoolsSchools A

Results around McKernan lean high: 22 of 31 schools in the top two fifths in Alberta

4 boards run its schools. The largest is Harry Ainlay School, with 2,745 students. In French: 2 of the 44 schools, where in Alberta the share is 2%. Within 3 km of McKernan are 25 elementary schools, 11 secondary schools and 8 schools for every grade, teaching 18,010 students.

44schools within 3 kmASchools Grade

School	Level	Students	System
Aurora Academic Charter School Sherbrooke Campus Top fifth in AlbertaLargest elementary schoolElementary · Grades K–7	Elementary · Grades K–7	853	Other
Harry Ainlay SchoolLargest secondary schoolSecondary · Grades 7–12	Secondary · Grades 7–12	2,745	English public
École Joseph-Moreau FrenchTeaches in FrenchSecondary · Grades 7–9	Secondary · Grades 7–9	313	French public

See all 44 schools →

Schools by system · Schools within 3 km

English public30

Independent6

English Catholic5

French public2

Other1

Schools within 3 km	McKernan	Alberta	Canada
School boards	3	3	3

18,010

students at the schools within 3 km, 2025/26

0.3 km

to the nearest secondary school

Full pageMcKernan’s schools pageOpen the full Schools page

Results22 of 31 in the top two fifths · of the schools with results, placed against every school in Alberta Every school44 schools within 3 km · 25 elementary schools, 11 secondary schools and 8 schools for every grade Language2 of 44 teach in French · 2% of schools in Alberta The boards4 school boards · The Edmonton School Division Questions“What schools are there in McKernan?”

Provincial school lists and results, 2025/26

HousingCost of living D

Fewer households own their home in McKernan than in Alberta’s towns or across Canadian towns: 52%

Owners put the median home at $600,000, higher than both Alberta’s towns ($400,000) and Canadian towns ($406,000). 29% of households spent 30% or more of their income on shelter, above Alberta’s towns (21%) and Canadian towns (18%) alike. Behind rent as a share of income and monthly rent for a two-bedroom sits data gathered across the Edmonton metro area, with McKernan one part of it.

$600,000median home value, 2021DCost of living Grade

What homes were worth · The median owner’s estimate at the 2021 census

McKernan$600,000

Alberta$400,000

Canadian towns$406,000

Census 2021	McKernan	Alberta	Canada
Households spending 30%+ on shelter	29%	21%	18%
Households owning their home	52%	74%	74%
Median home value, 2021	$600,000	$400,000	$406,000

$1,598

monthly rent for a two-bedroom

Full pageMcKernan’s cost of living pageOpen the full Cost of living page

Owners and renters52% own their home Cost of living6.3 times household income · The median owner’s estimate, $600,000, against the median household income Renting$1,598 a month · A two-bedroom apartment, CMHC’s survey

Statistics Canada, Census 2021; CMHC Rental Market Survey via Statistics Canada · Values come from owners at the 2021 census and incomes from 2020, so they predate the later rise in rates.

SafetySafety C⁻

Violent crime weighs more where McKernan is policed than in Alberta’s towns or Canadian towns: a violent severity index of 128

The index for the force that serves it came to 110, about level with Alberta’s towns (110) and above Canadian towns (67). Its police area records 45 property incidents per 1,000 residents a year. Figures for Crime Severity Index, Violent Crime Severity Index, violent crime and property crime per 1,000 are published for the Edmonton service area as a whole, not for McKernan alone.

110Crime Severity Index

Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year

2023115

2024111

2025104

2023–2025	McKernan	Alberta	Canada
Violent Crime Severity Index	128	109	86
Crime Severity Index	110	110	67
Property crime per 1,000	45	45	31.2

104

non-violent Crime Severity Index

34%

of incidents cleared, 2023–25

Full pageMcKernan’s safety reportOpen the full Safety report

Safety110 Crime Severity Index · The index weighs each crime McKernan’s police recorded by how serious it is.Questions“Is McKernan safe?”

Statistics Canada, Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, 2023–2025 average

HealthHealth B⁺

51% of adults around McKernan rate their health very good or excellent

The health survey and life expectancy numbers here cover the Edmonton Zone

The region’s 2022/2024 life expectancy is 81.2, with women at 83.6 and men at 78.8. What sets McKernan apart within its region is a short trip to hospital, 0.9 km for the average resident (3.7 km typical). For everyday care, the nearest pharmacy is 0.5 km away on average (18 within 3 km).

51%very good or excellent healthB⁺Health Grade

Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised

McKernan51%

Alberta’s towns51%

Canadian towns52%

Health	McKernan	Alberta	Canada
Chronic conditions (average share)	18%	18%	17%
Very good or excellent health	51%	51%	52%

0.9 km

from homes to a hospital, on average

0.5 km

from homes to a pharmacy, on average

Full pageMcKernan’s health pageOpen the full Health page

Health survey51% very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised Getting care0.9 km to a hospital · A pharmacy 0.5 km away on average The wider areaLife expectancy: women 83.6, men 78.8 Conditions and habits18% with chronic conditions · adults, age-standardised

Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey 2023/2024 and life expectancy 2022/2024; Open Database of Healthcare Facilities

Work & commuteJobs & income B

Commuters in McKernan have a short way to work, 21 min on average, less than in both Alberta’s towns and Canadian towns

31%walk, cycle or take transit

How working residents got to work · census 2021

Car or van63%

Walk15%

Public transit13%

Bicycle3%

Census 2021	McKernan	Alberta	Canada
Average trip	21 min	26 min	26 min

$95,000

median household income, 2020

37%

worked from home, May 2021

85%

of commuters work inside the municipality

Full pageMcKernan’s work & commute pageOpen the full Work & commute page

Unemployment16% unemployed · Of the labour force · Canadian towns: 9.9%Getting to work31% walk, cycle or take transit

Statistics Canada, Census 2021 (labour and commuting) · Counted in May 2021, under pandemic rules: fewer commutes and more people between jobs than in a normal year.

Climate

Less rain and snow fall on McKernan than on 90% of Canadian towns: 423 mm a year

Frosty days number 179 in a normal year, below Alberta’s towns (193) but above Canadian towns (159). The most precipitation falls in July: 83 mm in a normal year. The frost-free season runs from 7 May to 25 September, 141 days. July afternoons in McKernan average 23.5°C.

23.5°CJuly afternoons

Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020

Winter−4.5°C

Spring9.9°C

Summer22.4°C

Autumn9.4°C

Normals, 1991–2020	McKernan	Alberta	Canada
Precipitation a year	423 mm	431 mm	883 mm
July afternoon high	23.5°C	23.5°C	25.5°C
Days with frost a year	179	193	159
Snowfall a year	124 cm	127 cm	141 cm

124 cm

of snow a year

179

days with frost a year

141

frost-free days, 7 May to 25 Sep

days with precipitation a year

Full pageMcKernan’s climate pageOpen the full Climate page

Rain and snow423 mm a year · Canadian towns: 883 mm The yearJuly highs 23.5°C, January lows −14.7°C Snow124 cm of snow a year Weather station6.6 km to the station · Edmonton (City)

Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020 (Edmonton (City))

Who lives here

Children make up only 12% of McKernan, fewer than in both Alberta’s towns and Canadian towns

Visible minorities make up just over a third of the population, higher than both Alberta’s towns (29%) and Canadian towns (15%). People 65 and over make up just over a tenth of the town.

30median age

McKernanAlbertaCanada

AlbertaCanada

Ages · Share of residents in each age group, Census 2021

12%

Schooling · Highest qualification, residents 15 and over

No certificate, diploma or degree4%

Postsecondary qualification71%

Women and men · all residents

Women make up 49.0% of McKernan

Here the census found 1,470 men and 1,415 women; the figure for women across Canada is 50.9%.

Who lives in McKernan
	McKernan	Alberta	Canada
Under 15	12%	18%	16%
15 to 64	76%	67%	64%
65+	12%	15%	19%
No certificate, diploma or degree	4.1%	15%	16%
Postsecondary qualification	71%	54%	56%

Full pageMcKernan’s Who lives here pageOpen the full Who lives here page

Ages30 median age · 12% are 65 or over Households1,205 households English and French13% speak both · 0% speak French but not English

Statistics Canada, Census 2021; Alberta and Canada: medians of towns of 2,500+

Weather

McKernan in November: highs near 1°C, lows near −8°C

July brings the warmest days, 24°C; January the coldest nights, −15°C. Rain and snow over a typical November come to 18 mm. A normal December brings highs of −5°C, lows of −13°C. Expect around 20 cm of snow in November.

1°Ca normal November afternoon

Normal highs, the months ahead · ECCC normals, 1991–2020

November1°C

December−5°C

January−6°C

February−3°C

Season	High	Low	Rain and snow
Winter	−5°C	−14°C	43 mm
Spring	10°C	−1°C	90 mm
Summer	22°C	11°C	213 mm
Autumn	9°C	0°C	77 mm

−8°C

a normal November night

18 mm

of rain and snow in a normal November

Full pageMcKernan’s weather pageOpen the full Weather page

Next 24 hoursTemperature and chance of rain, hour by hour The week aheadECCC’s days ahead, beside the normals The yearWarmest July, coldest January

ECCC normals, 1991–2020 (Edmonton (City)); the forecast is on the Weather page

Town hall

Turnout in Edmonton Strathcona reached 69% in 2021, above 91% of ridings

McKernan sends one MP to Ottawa from Edmonton Strathcona, its riding (a federal electoral district, which elects one MP): Heather McPherson (New Democratic Party).

Full pageMcKernan’s town hall & politics pageOpen the full Town hall & politics page

Who runs itCity

Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada

Library & civic lifeCivic life grade B

McKernan has no public library of its own; the nearest is Herbert T. Coutts Education Library, 1.5 km away

The library figures on this page are Edmonton’s: Edmonton Library serves all 972,223 people of the city, McKernan among them.

Full pageMcKernan’s library & civic life pageOpen the full Library & civic life page

A year at the library3.6 visits per person served Places to belong1.3 charities per 1,000 residents

Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada

Outdoors

McKernan is 37 km from Elk Island National Park

Walkers have 2 mapped routes close by, starting with the Amisk Wacîw Mêskanaw and Wander Trail. The closest provincial park is Big Island Provincial Park, 10 km from the edge of town. 0.1% of the land and water within 10 km is protected (the typical Canadian town: 2.3%). Accidental Beach is the one beach within 5 km.

0.1%of the land within 10 km protected

Protected land · of the land within 10 km

McKernan0.1%

Alberta’s towns0.4%

Canadian towns2.3%

Outdoors	McKernan	Alberta	Canada
Protected land within 10 km	0.1%	0.4%	2.3%
Public protected areas within 10 km	1	2	4

37 km

to Elk Island National Park

10 km

to Big Island Provincial Park

beach within 5 km

Full pageMcKernan’s outdoors pageOpen the full Outdoors page

Protected landof the land within 10 km Protected areas1 protected area within 10 km · Larch Sanctuary National & provincial parks37 km to a national park · Elk Island National Park Footpaths & routes2 named routes · Amisk Wacîw Mêskanaw

Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD), OpenStreetMap routes and beaches

History

An older town: 39% of McKernan’s homes predate 1961

39%built before 1961

39%

of homes built before 1961 · Canadian towns 18%

Heritage	McKernan	Alberta	Canada
Homes built before 1961	39%	4.5%	18%

Full pageMcKernan’s history pageOpen the full History page

Older homes39% built before 1961 · Canadian towns: 18%Questions“How many historic places does McKernan have?”

Canadian Register of Historic Places, Directory of Federal Heritage Designations, Québec’s Répertoire du patrimoine culturel, Wikidata; Census 2021 homes by period

Keep exploring

Everything we know about McKernan

15pages on McKernan

The big questions

SafetyC⁻Crime Severity Index 110 Housing & costDHomes 6.3 × income Property pricesSchoolsA44 schools within 3 km HealthB⁺Life expectancy 81.2 in its region Work & commuteB58% of adults in work Natural hazardsA⁺Wildfire band: low

Out and about

Outdoors0.1% of the land within 10 km protected AttractionsClimateJuly afternoons around 24°C WeatherECCC’s forecast, beside the normals

The story

Who lives hereMedian age 30 HistoryTown hallFamous people

McKernan’s neighbours

The nearest places of 1,000 or more. Statistics Canada

Queen AlexandraBelgraviaGarneauAllendaleMalmo PlainsStrathconaMcKernan

How the neighbours grade

Town	People	km	Overall	Cost	Safety	Health
McKernan	2,880	—	B	D	C⁻	B⁺
Queen Alexandra	5,106	0.8	C⁺	D⁻	C⁻	B⁺
Belgravia	5,478	1.1	A⁻	C⁺	C⁻	B⁺
Garneau	8,492	1.1	C⁺	D⁻	C⁻	B⁺
Allendale	2,951	1.3	B⁻	D	C⁻	B⁺
Malmo Plains	4,150	2.3	B⁺	C	C⁻	B⁺
Strathcona	8,283	2.3	B⁻	D⁻	C⁻	B⁺

People: Statistics Canada, Census 2021. Distances: centre to centre.

About McKernan

Neighbourhood in Edmonton

The edges of McKernan follow census dissemination areas, which TownRatings groups into Edmonton’s neighbourhoods; the name comes from the city’s map or OpenStreetMap.

Statistics Canada: population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155), Census of Population 2021, 2021 census boundaries.

Population: 2,880 (people, 2021 estimate)
Province or territory: Alberta
City: Edmonton
Census subdivision: 4811061

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).