Bentley, Alberta


Bentley, originally called Oxford, is a town in central, Alberta, Canada within Lacombe County. It is located on Highway 12, approximately northwest of Red Deer.
It was named in honour of George Bentley, an early homesteader. Post office opened in 1901.

History

The first settlers came from the U.S. in 1888-1890 and either walked or drove oxen from Lacombe, which was the closest railroad station at that time. The first church was built in 1890 by the Methodists, and a schoolhouse was built in 1903. Bentley was incorporated as a village on March 17, 1915.
A disastrous fire destroyed all buildings on the south side of the community in 1916. The centre roadway was made wide and new buildings could not be constructed inside that area. In 1930, a centre boulevard was constructed for fire protection and street lights installed.
Bentley was incorporated as a town on January 1, 2001.

Demographics

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Bentley recorded a population of 1,078 living in 441 of its 463 total private dwellings, a change from its 2011 population of 1,073. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2016.
In the 2011 Census, the Town of Bentley had a population of 1,073 living in 440 of its 469 total dwellings, a -0.9% change from its 2006 population of 1,083. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2011.
The population of the Town of Bentley according to its 2009 municipal census is 1,132.

Education

Bentley has one public school, Bentley School, administered by Wolf Creek Public Schools.