Of Cree origin. Early spellings: Araubaska and Athapescow. Various interpretations of the meaning: "where there are reeds" ; "meeting place of many waters". Town was first called Athabasca Landing about 1889; name changed to Athabaska in 1904 and changed back to Athabasca in 1948. The provisional district of Athabasca was established in 1882, embracing the northern parts of modern Alberta and Saskatchewan. Unlike many other towns in Alberta, Athabasca predates the railway. It was the terminus of the Edmonton to Athabasca Landing trail. Athabasca lies on a southern protrusion of the Athabasca River. During the fur trade era, when rivers were the principal means of transportation, the Athabasca–Edmonton trail connected two different drainage basins. The Athabasca River flows north and is part of the Mackenzie River watershed, which leads to the Arctic Ocean. Edmonton lies across a height-of-land on the North Saskatchewan River in the Nelson River drainage basin, which empties into Hudson Bay. Edmonton was in Rupert's Land but not Athabasca. The trail allowed goods to be portaged back and forth between river systems. Once agricultural settlement occurred, the trail served a similar purpose. Eventually, road and rail links would trace the same path. A massive forest fire in August 1913 destroyed a good portion of the town, including 30 businesses. There was no loss of life. Rebuilding of the town began immediately. The Athabasca Heritage Society put up signs through the downtown as well as along the riverfront that explain and depict the history. It has also published a historical walking tour that is available from the town office, library and visitor information centre.
Demographics
In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Athabasca recorded a population of 2,965 living in 1,194 of its 1,313 total private dwellings, a change from its 2011 population of 2,990. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2016. In the 2011 Census, the Town of Athabasca had a population of 2,990 living in 1,175 of its 1,283 total dwellings, a 15.9% change from its 2006 adjusted population of 2,580. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2011. The population of the Town of Athabasca according to its 2008 municipal census is 2,734.
Whispering Hills Primary School – Kindergarten to Grade 3
Landing Trail Intermediate School – Grades 4 to 6
Edwin Parr Composite School – Grades 7 to 12
Media
Local news is provided by the Athabasca Advocate, an award-winning weekly newspaper. Athabasca's local radio station is 94.1 CKBA-FM, Boom.
Climate
Athabasca experiences a humid continental climate that borders on a subarctic climate. The highest temperature ever recorded in Athabasca was on July 18, 1941. The coldest temperature ever recorded was on January 11, 1911.
