Known by locals and Alberta residents as "Fort Mac", the urban service area of Fort McMurray is located in northern Alberta in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Set where the Clearwater River meets the mighty Athabasca River, the "city" of Fort McMurray is 435 kilometres northeast of Alberta's provincial capital city of Edmonton, and only 60 kilometres from the Alberta-Saskatchewan border.
In the last decade Fort McMurray and the surrounding Wood Buffalo region has undergone tremendous growth and expansion thanks to the booming oil and petroleum sector industries that dominate the local economy. With a population of over 76,800 people that is still growing, the Fort McMurray real estate market continues to be an excellent investment. With approximately 20,000 homes, Fort McMurray residential development continues to add new communities to the city's borders to meet the demand of an increasing population.
As one of the primary hubs for the Alberta oil sands production and extraction industry, Fort McMurray is strategically located on Highway 63 near the Athabasca Oil Sands. Yet the local economy does not begin and end with the petroleum industry: Fort McMurray also has strong pipeline, forestry and tourism sectors. As a result, Fort McMurray is a multicultural community, drawing people of all backgrounds from across Canada and around the world with its robust economy and boundless opportunity.
Fort McMurray has a limitless supply of spectacular landscape. Situated in the boreal forests of northern Alberta, Fort Mac is immersed in natural beauty where land, sky and water meet to provide unparalleled adventure. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the variety of camping, quading, fishing and hiking opportunities available to them, often just outside their back door. And for those looking for a little less adventure, there are over 400 hectares of city parks and trails to enjoy right in Fort McMurray, including the 120 kilometres of maintained paths in Birchwood Trails.
