Hillhurst, Calgary

Hillhurst
Neighbourhood
Hillhurst United Church on Kensington Close
Hillhurst Location of Hillhurst in Calgary
Coordinates: 51°03′12″N 114°06′09″W
Country	Canada
Province	Alberta
City	Calgary
Quadrant	NW
Ward	7
Established	1914
Annexed	1907
Government
• Mayor	Naheed Nenshi
• Administrative body	Calgary City Council
• Councillor	Druh Farrell
Area
• Total	0.9 km2 (0.3 sq mi)
Elevation	1,053 m (3,455 ft)
Population (2006)
• Total	5,288
• Average Income	$50,822
Website	Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Association

Hillhurst is a northwest neighbourhood located within the inner city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The boundaries of the community include 8th Avenue N and 16th Avenue N to the north, 10th Street W to the east, the Bow River to the south and both 14th Street W and 18th Street W to the west.

Most of the popular Kensington Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ) resides within the Hillhurst community, and it borders the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology grounds to the north-east. The community has an area redevelopment plan in place.

Kensington has seen a revival over the past few years with a host of new residential development by local Calgary builders which will add over 20,000 sq.ft. of new street level retail as well as approximately 240 residential condo-style homes to the neighbourhood. Encompassed by the areas of Hillhurst and Sunnyside, Kensington is an active family-friendly area, abundant with amenities.

History

Established in 1914, Hillhurst is one of Calgary's oldest neighbourhoods. The first homesteads appeared here in the 1880s – the most notable being that of Felix McHugh. In 1883, he established his homestead in Section 21, now known as Hillhurst. The site of his house is now a playground at corner of 9A Street and Memorial Drive. Ezra Riley acquired the land, and sold it to the city in 1904. He also donated a 20 acre parcel, which is now Riley Park, and a stone structure where St. Barnabas Church is now located.

The city set the size of the lots to 25 feet with lots selling for about $300 each in 1907. In the early days, much of Hillhurst was a slough. As more and more people came, the dirt trails and wooden sidewalks gave way to paved roads; cement side walks, and lit roadways. Now, Hillhurst is a community with a population of approximately 5000. The small well-kept houses and tree-lined streets are the result of over 80 years of care and hard work.

Demographics

In the City of Calgary's 2012 municipal census, Hillhurst had a population of 7003629100000000000♠6,291 living in 7003355700000000000♠3,557 dwellings, a 6.4% increase from its 2011 population of 7003591400000000000♠5,914. With a land area of 2.1 km² (0.81 sq mi), it had a population density of 3,000/km² (7,760/sq mi) in 2012.

Residents in this community had a median household income of $50,822 in 2000, and there were 18.6% low income residents living in the neighbourhood. As of 2000, 15.3% of the residents were immigrants. A proportion of 48.2% of the buildings were condominiums or apartments, and 56.2% of the housing was used for renting.

Education

Queen Elizabeth High School

In 2006, there were five schools in the district:

• Hillhurst Community School - Public
• Queen Elizabeth Elementary School - Public
• Queen Elizabeth Junior and Senior High - Public
• St. John Fine Arts Elementary - Calgary Catholic School District
• Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, or SAIT Polytechnic - Post Secondary College

Sporting Teams

Hillhurst is home to the Calgary Kookaburras Australian rules football club.

See also

• List of neighbourhoods in Calgary
• North Hill Centre

External links

• Calgary Area - Hillhurst/Sunnyside Community Info
• HSCA Web Site - Hillhurst/Sunnyside Community Association Web Site