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Coordinates: 50°17′17″N 107°47′38″W / 50.28806°N 107.79389°W / 50.28806; -107.79389
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{{About|the city in Saskatchewan, Canada}}
{{Short description|City in Saskatchewan, Canada}}
{{Other uses}}
<!-- Infobox begins -->
{{Use Canadian English|date=July 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}

{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = Swift Current
|name = Swift Current
|official_name = City of Swift Current
|native_name = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
|other_name =
|other_name =
|native_name = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
|settlement_type = [[List of cities in Saskatchewan|City]]
|nickname = Speedy Creek
|settlement_type = City
|motto = Where life makes sense
|image_skyline =
|flag_size =
|flag_size =
|image_seal =
|image_seal =
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|image_shield =
|image_shield =
|shield_size =
|shield_size =
|nickname = [[List of city nicknames in Canada#Saskatchewan|"Speedy Creek"]]<ref name=starphoenix>{{cite news | url=http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/weekend_extra/story.html?id=1fae6b5d-1cf9-47f4-a74d-80dc4a0931eb&p=3 | title=Saskatchewan slang | newspaper=canada.com | publisher=Postmedia Network Inc. | date=November 7, 2007 | access-date=December 21, 2013 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109125035/http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/weekend_extra/story.html?id=1fae6b5d-1cf9-47f4-a74d-80dc4a0931eb&p=3 | archive-date=November 9, 2012 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>
|city_logo =
|citylogo_size =
|motto = Where Life Makes Sense
|image_skyline = Citysign1.jpg
|image_map =
|image_map =
|mapsize =
|mapsize =
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|mapsize1 =
|mapsize1 =
|map_caption1 =
|map_caption1 =
|image_dot_map =
|pushpin_map = Saskatchewan#Canada
|pushpin_label = Swift Current
|dot_mapsize =
|pushpin_label_position = right <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
|dot_map_caption =
|dot_x = |dot_y =
|pushpin_map = Canada Saskatchewan <!-- the name of a location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map -->
|pushpin_label_position = bottom <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
|pushpin_map_caption = Location of Swift Current in Saskatchewan
|pushpin_mapsize =
|pushpin_mapsize =
|coordinates_region = CA-SK
|pushpin_map_caption =
|coordinates = {{coord|50|17|17|N|107|47|38|W|region:CA-SK|display=inline}}
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = {{flagicon|Canada}} [[Canada]]
|subdivision_name = Canada
|subdivision_type1 = Province
|subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Province]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Saskatchewan]]
|subdivision_type2 =
|subdivision_name2 =
|subdivision_type3 =
|subdivision_type3 =
|subdivision_name3 =
|subdivision_type4 =
|subdivision_type4 =
|subdivision_name1 = [[Saskatchewan]]
|subdivision_name3 =
|subdivision_name4 =
|subdivision_name4 =
|government_footnotes =
|government_type =
|leader_title = Mayor
|leader_name = Jerrod Schafer
|leader_title1 = Governing body
|leader_name1 = Swift Current City Council
|leader_title2 = [[Members of the Canadian House of Commons|MP]]
|leader_name2 = [[David Anderson (Saskatchewan politician)|David L. Anderson]] ([[Conservative Party of Canada|CON]]) - [[Cypress Hills—Grasslands]]
|leader_title3 = [[Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan|MLA]]
|leader_name3 = [[Brad Wall]] ([[Saskatchewan Party|SKP]]) - [[Swift Current (provincial electoral district)|Swift Current]]
|leader_title4 =
|leader_name4 =
|established_title = Established
|established_title = Established
|established_date = 1883
|established_date = 1883
Line 59: Line 44:
|established_title3 = Incorporated (town)
|established_title3 = Incorporated (town)
|established_date3 = March 15, 1907
|established_date3 = March 15, 1907
|government_footnotes =
|established_title4 = Incorporated (city)
|established_date4 = January 15, 1914
|government_type =
|area_magnitude =
|leader_title = Mayor
|leader_name = Al Bridal
|leader_title1 = Governing body
|leader_name1 = Swift Current City Council
|unit_pref = <!--Enter: Imperial, if Imperial (metric) is desired-->
|unit_pref = <!--Enter: Imperial, if Imperial (metric) is desired-->
|area_footnotes =
|area_footnotes =
|area_magnitude =
|area_total_km2 =
|area_total_km2 =
|area_land_km2 =
|area_water_km2 =
|area_total_sq_mi =
|area_total_sq_mi =
|area_land_km2 = 29.31
|area_land_sq_mi =
|area_land_sq_mi =
|area_water_km2 =
|area_water_sq_mi =
|area_water_sq_mi =
|area_water_percent =
|area_water_percent =
Line 75: Line 64:
|area_metro_km2 =
|area_metro_km2 =
|area_metro_sq_mi =
|area_metro_sq_mi =
|elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use<ref> </ref> tags-->
|population_as_of = 2011
|elevation_m = 817
|elevation_ft =
|population_total = 16,750 <ref>{{cite web|title=2021 Census of Population Swift Current|publisher=Statistics Canada|url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=Swift%20Current&DGUIDlist=2021S05100912&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0|accessdate=February 11, 2023}}</ref>
|population_as_of = 2021
|population_footnotes =
|population_footnotes =
|population_density_km2 = 571.6 <ref name="2016 Census Profile">[http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4708004&Geo2=CD&Code2=4708&Data=Count&SearchText=swift%20current&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&TABID=1 Census Profile, 2016 Census]</ref>
|population_note =From Census Canada
|population_total = 15,503
|population_density_km2 = 686.4
|population_density_sq_mi =
|population_density_sq_mi =
|population_metro =
|population_density_metro_km2 =
|population_density_metro_sq_mi =
|population_urban =
|population_urban =
|population_density_urban_km2 =
|population_density_urban_km2 =
|population_density_urban_sq_mi =
|population_density_urban_sq_mi =
|population_blank1_title = Population (2001)
|population_metro =
|population_density_metro_km2 =
|population_blank1 = 14,821
|population_density_metro_sq_mi =
|population_density_blank1_km2 = |population_density_blank1_sq_mi =
|population_blank1_title = Agglomeration
|population_blank1 = 18,536
|population_density_blank1_km2 =
|population_density_blank1_sq_mi =
|population_note =
|postal_code_type = [[Canadian postal code#Forward sortation areas|Forward sortation area]]
|postal_code = [[List of S postal codes of Canada|S9H]]
|area_code =
|website ={{URL|http://www.swiftcurrent.ca/}}
|footnotes =
|city_logo =
|citylogo_size =
|image_dot_map =
|dot_mapsize =
|dot_map_caption =
|dot_x =
|dot_y =
|leader_title2 = [[Current members of the Canadian House of Commons|MP]]
|leader_name2 = {{MP Cypress Hills}}
|leader_title3 = [[Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan|MLA]]
|leader_name3 = {{MLA Swift Current}}
|leader_title4 =
|leader_name4 =
|established_title4 = Incorporated (city)
|established_date4 = January 15, 1914
|timezone = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]]
|timezone = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]]
|utc_offset = −6
|utc_offset = −6
|timezone_DST =
|timezone_DST =
|utc_offset_DST =
|utc_offset_DST =
|blank_name =
|latd=50 |latm=17 |lats=17 |latNS=N
|blank_info =
|longd=107 |longm=47 |longs=38 |longEW=W
|blank1_name =
|elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use<ref> </ref> tags-->
|elevation_m = 817
|blank1_info =
|elevation_ft =
|postal_code_type =
|postal_code =
|area_code =
|blank_name =No. of dwellings
|blank_info =6,891
|blank1_name =Mean household income
|blank1_info =C$40,711
|blank2_name =
|blank2_name =
|blank2_info =
|blank2_info =
|blank3_name =
|blank3_name =
|blank3_info =
|blank3_info =
}}
|website ={{URL|http://www.swiftcurrent.ca/}}
|footnotes =
}} <!-- Infobox ends -->


'''Swift Current''' is the sixth-largest city in the [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Canadian province]] of [[Saskatchewan]]. It is situated along the [[Saskatchewan provincial highway 1|Trans Canada Highway]] {{convert|177|km|mi}} west of [[Moose Jaw]], and {{convert|223|km|mi}} east of [[Medicine Hat]], [[Alberta]]. As of 2024, Swift Current has an estimated population of 18,430, a growth of 1.32<ref>{{Cite web |title=Swift Current Population 2024 |url=https://worldpopulationreview.com/canadian-cities/swift-current-population |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=worldpopulationreview.com}}</ref>% from the 2016 census population of 16,604.<ref>{{cite web|title=2021 Census of Population Swift Current|publisher=Statistics Canada|url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=Swift%20Current&DGUIDlist=2021S05100912&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0|accessdate=February 11, 2023}}</ref> The city is surrounded by the [[Rural Municipality of Swift Current No. 137]].
'''Swift Current''' ([[Assiniboine language|Assiniboine]]: ''Miníȟaȟa'' <ref>{{Cite web
| title = AISRI Dictionary Database Search--prototype version. Assiniboine. "Montana"
| accessdate = 2012-05-26
| url = http://zia.aisri.indiana.edu/~dictsearch/cgi-bin/testengltoxsrchNP.pl?host=zia&pass=&hasfont=0&srchlang=English&srchstring=river&database=assin&srchtype=AND&sortlang=English&sndformat=ra&maxhits=200&find=Run_Search
}}</ref>) is a small [[city]] in southwest [[Saskatchewan]]. It is situated along the [[Saskatchewan provincial highway 1|Trans Canada Highway]] {{convert|170|km|mi}} west from [[Moose Jaw]], and {{convert|218|km|mi}} east from [[Medicine Hat]], [[Alberta]]. Swift Current grew 0.8% between 2001 and 2006 ending up at 14,946 residents.<ref>{{cite book |
last = |
first = |
editor = Saskatoon Star Phoenix|
title = Saskatoon sees 2.8% hike; Regina rises by 0.6%|
publisher = Saskatoon Star Phoenix newspaper Wednesday March 14, 2007 |
page = B1
}}</ref> The city is surrounded by the [[Swift Current No. 137, Saskatchewan|Rural Municipality of Swift Current No. 137]].


==History==
==History==
[[File:SwiftCurrent.jpg|thumb|left|Halifax Provisional Battalion fording a stream near Swift Current, Saskatchewan, 1885]]
[[File:SwiftCurrent.jpg|thumb|left|Halifax Provisional Battalion fording a stream near Swift Current, [[District of Assiniboia]], 1885]]
{| cellpadding="1" style="float:right; margin:0 1em 1em 0; border:1px #bbb solid; border-collapse:collapse; font-size:90%;"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" style="text-align:center;"
!Census
!Population
|- style="text-align:right;"
|1901
|121
|- style="text-align:right;"
|1911
|1,852
|- style="text-align:right;"
|1921
|3,518
|- style="text-align:right;"
|1931
|5,296
|- style="text-align:right;"
|1941
|5,515
|- style="text-align:right;"
|1951
|7,458
|- style="text-align:right;"
|1961
|12,186
|- style="text-align:right;"
|1971
|15,415
|- style="text-align:right;"
|1981
|14,747
|- style="text-align:right;"
|1991
|14,815
|- style="text-align:right;"
|2001
|14,821
|- style="text-align:right;"
|2006
|14,946
|- style="text-align:right;"
|}
Swift Current's history began with [[Swift Current Creek]] which originates at [[Cypress Hills (Canada)|Cypress Hills]] and traverses {{convert|100|mi|km}} of prairie and empties into the [[South Saskatchewan River]]. The creek was a camp for First Nations for centuries. The name of the creek comes from the [[Cree]], who called the [[South Saskatchewan River]] ''kisiskâciwan'', meaning "''it flows swiftly.''" Fur traders found the creek on their westward treks in the 1800s, and called it "Rivière au Courant" (lit: "river of the current"). Henri Julien, an artist traveling with the [[North-West Mounted Police]] expedition in 1874, referred to it as "Du Courant", and Commissioner French used "Strong Current Creek" in his diary. While it took another decade before being officially recorded, the area has always been known as "Swift Current.".<ref>[http://www.tourismswiftcurrent.ca/history/index.php Tourism Swift Current]</ref>


Swift Current's history began with [[Swift Current Creek]] which originates at [[Cypress Hills (Canada)|Cypress Hills]] and traverses {{convert|160|km}} of [[prairie]] and empties into the [[South Saskatchewan River]] at [[Lake Diefenbaker]]. The creek was a camp for [[First Nations in Canada|First Nations]] for centuries. The name of the creek comes from the [[Cree]], who called the South Saskatchewan River {{lang|cr|Kisiskâciwan,}} meaning "it flows swiftly". [[North American fur trade|Fur traders]] found the creek on their westward treks in the 1800s, and called it "rivière au Courant" (lit: "river of the current"). Henri Julien, an artist travelling with the [[North-West Mounted Police]] expedition in 1874, referred to it as "Du Courant", and Commissioner [[George Arthur French|George French]] used "Strong Current Creek" in his diary. While it took another decade before being officially recorded, the area has always been known as "Swift Current".<ref>[https://tourismswiftcurrent.ca/ Tourism Swift Current]</ref>
The settlement of Swift Current was established in 1881, when the [[Canadian Pacific Railway|CPR]] surveyed a railway line as far as Swift Current Creek. In 1882, initial [[Land grading|grading]] and track preparation commenced, with the first settlers arriving in the spring of 1883. During the early part of its settlement, the economy was based almost exclusively on serving the new railway buildings and employees. There was also a significant ranching operation known as the "76" ranches. It included 10 ranches raising sheep and [[cattle]] and stretched from Swift Current to [[Calgary]]. The ranch located at Swift Current dealt with sheep. At one point there were upwards of 20,000 [[sheep]] grazing on the present day Kinetic Grounds. The head shepherd was John Oman, originally from Scotland. He donated land to build Oman School in 1913.<ref>McGown, Don C. ''The Green and Growing Years: Swift Current, 1907-1914''. Victoria: Cactus Publications, 1982.</ref> Other early industries included gathering buffalo or [[bison]] bones for use in fertilizer manufacturing, the making of bone china and sugar refining. [[Métis people (Canada)|Métis]] residents also ran a successful [[Red River ox cart]] "freighting" business to Battleford until the late 1880s. During the [[North-West Rebellion|Riel Rebellion]] of 1885, Swift Current became a major military base and troop mustering area due to its proximity to Battleford but this was only for a short time. On February 4, 1904, the [[Hamlet (place)|hamlet]] became a village and then a town on March 15, 1907, when a [[census]] indicated a population of 550. Swift Current became incorporated as a city on January 15, 1914, with Travis Blaine Frederick being the mayor at the time.


The settlement of Swift Current was established in 1883, after the [[Canadian Pacific Railway|CPR]] surveyed a railway line as far as Swift Current Creek. In 1882, initial [[Land grading|grading]] and track preparation commenced, with the first settlers arriving in the spring of 1883. During the early part of its settlement, the economy was based almost exclusively on serving the new railway buildings and employees. There was also a significant ranching operation known as the "76" ranches. It included 10 ranches raising [[sheep]] and [[cattle]] and stretched from Swift Current to [[Calgary]]. The ranch located at Swift Current dealt with sheep. At one point there were upwards of 20,000 sheep grazing on the present day Kinetic Grounds. The head shepherd was John Oman, originally from Scotland. He donated land to build Oman School in 1913.<ref>McGowan, Don C. ''The Green and Growing Years: Swift Current, 1907-1914''. Victoria: Cactus Publications, 1982.</ref> Other early industries included gathering [[bison]] bones for use in fertilizer manufacturing, the making of bone china and sugar refining. [[Métis people (Canada)|Métis]] residents also ran a successful [[Red River ox cart]] "freighting" business along the [[Swift Current-Battleford Trail]] to [[Battleford]] until the late 1880s. During the [[North-West Rebellion|Riel Rebellion]] of 1885, Swift Current became a major military base and troop mustering area due to its proximity to Battleford but this was only for a short time. On February 4, 1904, the [[Hamlet (place)|hamlet]] became a village and then a town on March 15, 1907, when a [[census]] indicated a population of 550. Swift Current became incorporated as a city on January 15, 1914, with Frank E. West being the mayor at the time.
The [[Swift Current Airport]] was taken over by the city of Swift Current from [[Transport Canada]] in 1996. Airport services were then contracted out. There have been recent (2005–2006) plans to expand and revitalize the airport alongside the rural municipalities surrounding Swift Current.


During [[World War II]], the United Kingdom was considered an unsuitable site for training pilots. The [[British Commonwealth Air Training Plan]] identified the Canadian Prairies, with their clear weather and great distance from enemy territory, as an ideal alternative. In 1941, the No. 39 Service Training Flying School was constructed east of Swift Current, hosting over one thousand servicemen at all times until its closure in March 1944.<ref name="SC History">{{cite web|url=http://www.swiftcurrent.ca/about-us/history-of-swift-current|website=City of Swift Current|access-date=September 11, 2020|title=History of Swift Current}}</ref> Today, the facility is maintained as the [[Swift Current Airport]], and was taken over by the city of Swift Current from [[Transport Canada]] in 1996. Airport services were then contracted out. There have been recent (2005–2006) plans to expand and revitalize the airport alongside the rural municipalities surrounding Swift Current.
Swift Current is sometimes known as "Speedy Creek". Considered to be slightly pejorative, this term is very seldom used by current or former residents. In more common usage by these groups are the terms "Swift", or "Swifty".


Oil was discovered at Fosterton in 1952, 30 miles northwest of the city. This first well continued to pump oil for over 40 years. Since then, with almost 4,000 wells completed in the area, the [[Shaunavon Formation]] has yielded 500 million barrels in total production.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://growwithswiftcurrent.ca/natural-resources/|access-date=September 11, 2020|website=Grow with Swift Current|title=Natural Resources}}</ref>
Swift Current's official slogan is "Where Life Makes Sense."

Swift Current is affectionately known as "Speedy Creek", a [[synonym]]ous play on words. This phrase occurs in the name of many local businesses and organizations. As the primary service centre for most of Southwestern Saskatchewan, its name is also frequently contracted to "Swift" or "Swifty".


==Landmarks==
==Landmarks==
[[File:Lyric Theatre Swift Current.JPG|thumb|left||Lyric Theater in downtown Swift Current]]
[[File:Lyric Theatre Swift Current.JPG|thumb|left|Lyric Theatre in downtown Swift Current]]
Swift Current is home to Saskatchewan's oldest operating theatre: the [[Lyric Theater (Swift Current)|Lyric Theater]], built in 1912 at a cost of $50,000 is the "crown jewel" of Swift Current's historical downtown buildings, with instantly recognizable advertisements painted on the north and south sides of the building dating back to the early 1920s. The building has served many functions over the years: at first it housed glamorous [[vaudeville]] performances by traveling companies, was later converted into a movie theatre and, in the mid 1980s, a bar and nightclub. A volunteer non-profit group (Southwest Cultural Development Group) purchased the facility in 2005 and is raising money for its preservation while staging cultural events, such as a mock [[Chautauqua]] in July 2008 and open mic nights throughout the year, and administering rentals of the building. The current musician in residence is Al Hudec.
Swift Current is home to Saskatchewan's oldest operating theatre: the [[Lyric Theatre (Swift Current)|Lyric Theatre]], built in 1912 at a cost of $50,000 is the "crown jewel" of Swift Current's historical downtown buildings, with instantly recognizable advertisements painted on the north and south sides of the building dating back to the early 1920s. The building has served many functions over the years: at first it housed glamorous [[vaudeville]] performances by traveling companies, was later converted into a movie theatre and, in the mid-1980s, a bar and nightclub. A volunteer non-profit group (Southwest Cultural Development Group) purchased the facility in 2005 and is raising money for its preservation while staging cultural events, such as a mock [[Chautauqua]] annually in July, since 2008, open mic nights throughout the year, and administering rentals of the building. The current musician in residence is Al Hudec.


Swift Current's tallest commercial building is the EI Wood Building in downtown.
Swift Current's tallest commercial building is the EI Wood Building, located downtown.


The longest running business in Swift Current is the Imperial Hotel, also known as The Big "I". It was built in 1903 and was used as evidence that Swift Current should be granted village status. The owner, R.H. Corbett of Medicine Hat, needed the designation to obtain a liquor licence.<ref>McGowan, Don C. ''Grassland Settlers: The Swift Current Region During the Era of the Ranching Frontier.'' Regina: Canadian Plains Research Centre, University of Regina, 1975.</ref>
The longest running business in Swift Current is the Imperial Hotel, also known as "The Big Eye" due to the large eye painted on the side. It was built in 1903 and was used as evidence that Swift Current should be granted village status. The owner, R.H. Corbett of Medicine Hat, needed the designation to obtain a liquor licence.<ref>McGowan, Don C. ''Grassland Settlers: The Swift Current Region During the Era of the Ranching Frontier.'' Regina: Canadian Plains Research Centre, University of Regina, 1975.</ref>


The [[Swift Current railway station]] has been designated a historic railway station in 1991.
The [[Swift Current railway station]] has been designated a historic railway station in 1991.
<ref>{{cite web
<ref>{{cite web
|url =http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/clmhc-hsmbc/heritage/listegares-liststations/sask.aspx
|url = http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/clmhc-hsmbc/heritage/listegares-liststations/sask.aspx
|title = Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada - The Directory of Designated Heritage Railway Stations in Saskatchewan
|title = Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada - The Directory of Designated Heritage Railway Stations in Saskatchewan
|publisher = [[Parks Canada]]
|publisher = [[Parks Canada]]
|access-date = 2011-02-07
|accessdate = 2011-02-07}}</ref> The [[Swift Current Court House|Court House]] is also a designated historical building.
|url-status = dead
<br clear="left" />
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121008172504/http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/clmhc-hsmbc/heritage/listegares-liststations/sask.aspx
|archive-date = October 8, 2012
|df = mdy-all
}}</ref> The [[Swift Current Court House|Court House]] is also a designated historical building.


Swift Current is located at the start of the historic Swift Current-Battleford Trail, the remnants of which can still be seen today at the Battleford Trail Ruts Heritage Site.
==Demographics==
{{Clear|left}}


== Demographics ==
{{Historical populations
|title = Federal census<br />population history
|type = Canada
|align = right
|width =
|state =
|shading =
|percentages =
|footnote = ''Source: [[Statistics Canada]]''<br /><ref name=1946census>{{cite book | title=Census of the Prairie Provinces, 1946 | volume=I: Population | year=1949 | publisher=[[Statistics Canada|Dominion Bureau of Statistics]] | location=Ottawa | pages=397–400 | chapter=Table 5: Population of urban centres, 1916-1946, with guide to locations}}</ref><ref name=1956census>{{cite book | title=Census of Canada, 1956 | volume=I: Population | year=1958 | publisher=[[Statistics Canada|Dominion Bureau of Statistics]] | location=Ottawa | chapter=Table 6: Population by sex, for census subdivisions, 1956 and 1951}}</ref><ref name=1966census>{{cite book | title=1966 Census of Canada | volume=Population: Divisions and Subdivisions | series=Western Provinces | year=1967 | publisher=[[Statistics Canada|Dominion Bureau of Statistics]] | location=Ottawa | chapter=Table 9: Population by census subdivisions, 1966 by sex, and 1961}}</ref><ref name=1976census>{{cite book | title=1976 Census of Canada | volume=Population: Geographic Distributions | series=Census Divisions and Subdivisions, Western Provinces and the Territories | year=1977 | publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] | location=Ottawa | chapter=Table 3: Population for census divisions and subdivisions, 1971 and 1976}}</ref><ref name=1981census>{{cite book | title=1981 Census of Canada | volume=Census subdivisions in decreasing population order | year=1982 | publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] | location=Ottawa | chapter=Table 2: Census Subdivisions in Alphabetical Order, Showing Population Rank, Canada, 1981 | isbn=0-660-51563-6}}</ref><ref name=1991census>{{cite book | title=91 Census | volume=Population and Dwelling Counts – Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions | year=1992 | publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] | location=Ottawa | pages=100–108 | chapter=Table 2: Population and Dwelling Counts, for Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 1986 and 1991 – 100% Data | isbn=0-660-57115-3}}</ref><ref name=2001census>{{cite web | title=Population and Dwelling Counts, for Canada, Provinces and Territories, and Census Divisions, 2001 and 1996 Censuses – 100% Data (Saskatchewan) | url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/census01/products/standard/popdwell/Table-CSD-D.cfm?PR=47 | publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] | access-date=2019-05-25}}</ref><ref name=2006census>{{cite web | title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses – 100% data (Saskatchewan) | url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/hlt/97-550/Index.cfm?TPL=P1C&Page=RETR&LANG=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=1&O=A&RPP=9999&PR=47&CMA=0 | publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] | date=January 6, 2010 | access-date=2019-05-25}}</ref><ref name="2016 Census Profile"/>
|1901|121
|1906|554
|1911|1,852
|1916|3,181
|1921|3,518
|1926|4,175
|1931|5,296
|1936|5,074
|[[Canada 1941 Census|1941]]|5,594
|[[Canada 1946 Census|1946]]|6,379
|[[Canada 1951 Census|1951]]|7,458
|1956|10,612
|1961|12,186
|1966|14,485
|1971|15,415
|1976|14,264
|1981|14,747
|1986|15,666
|1991|14,815
|[[Canada 1996 Census|1996]]|14,890
|[[Canada 2001 Census|2001]]|14,821
|[[Canada 2006 Census|2006]]|14,946
|[[Canada 2011 Census|2011]]|15,503
|[[Canada 2016 Census|2016]]|16,264
|[[Canada 2021 Census|2021]]|16,304
}}
In the [[2021 Canadian census|2021 Census of Population]] conducted by [[Statistics Canada]], Swift Current had a population of {{val|16750|fmt=commas}} living in {{val|7214|fmt=commas}} of its {{val|7891|fmt=commas}} total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:16750-16604}}|16604|1}} from its 2016 population of {{val|16604|fmt=commas}}. The city's official webpage lists the population as "approximately 18,500 people".<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us {{!}} Swift Current |url=http://www.swiftcurrent.ca/about-us#:~:text=Swift%20Current%20is%20a%20dynamic%20city%20of%20approximately%2018,500%20people. |access-date=2023-02-16 |website=www.swiftcurrent.ca |language=en}}</ref> With a land area of {{convert|29.3|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|16750|29.3|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.<ref name=2021census>{{cite web | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000203&geocode=A000247 | title=Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions (municipalities), Saskatchewan | publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] | date=February 9, 2022 | accessdate=March 27, 2022}}</ref>
{{Canada_census
{{Canada_census
|2001_population=14,821
|2001_population=14,821
Line 225: Line 218:
|2011_land_area=24.04
|2011_land_area=24.04
|2011_pop_density=644.9
|2011_pop_density=644.9
|2011_median_age=
|2011_median_age=41.9
|2011_median_age_m=
|2011_median_age_m=39.8
|2011_median_age_f=
|2011_median_age_f=44.1
|2011_total_pvt_dwell=7,266
|2011_total_pvt_dwell=7,266
|2011_total_pvt_dwell_usual=6,786
|2011_total_pvt_dwell_usual=6,786
|2011_mean_hh_income=
|2011_mean_hh_income=
|2011_access_date=20 May 2012}}
|2011_access_date=May 20, 2012}}

=== Ethnicity ===
{| class="wikitable collapsible sortable"
|+ [[Panethnicity|Panethnic]] groups in the City of Swift Current (2001−2021)
! rowspan="2" |[[Panethnicity|Panethnic]] group
! colspan="2" |2021<ref name="2021censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2022-10-26 |title= Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=Swift%20Current&DGUIDlist=2021A00054708004&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1,4&HEADERlist=0 |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2016<ref name="2016censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2021-10-27 |title= Census Profile, 2016 Census |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4708004&Geo2=CD&Code2=4708&SearchText=Swift%20Current&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&TABID=1&type=0 |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2011<ref name="2011censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2015-11-27 |title= NHS Profile |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4708004&Data=Count&SearchText=Swift%20Current&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&A1=All&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2006<ref name="2006censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2019-08-20 |title= 2006 Community Profiles |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4708004&Geo2=PR&Code2=47&Data=Count&SearchText=Swift%20Current&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2001<ref name="2001censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2019-07-02 |title= 2001 Community Profiles |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4708004&Geo2=PR&Code2=47&Data=Count&SearchText=Swift%20Current&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
|-
![[Population|{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
| [[European Canadians|European]]{{efn|Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.|name=euro}}
| 13,025
| {{Percentage | 13025 | 16140 | 2 }}
| 13,855
| {{Percentage | 13855 | 16025 | 2 }}
| 13,675
| {{Percentage | 13675 | 15155 | 2 }}
| 14,070
| {{Percentage | 14070 | 14720 | 2 }}
| 13,900
| {{Percentage | 13900 | 14625 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Southeast Asia|Southeast Asian]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.|name=SoutheastAsian}}
| 1,370
| {{Percentage | 1370 | 16140 | 2 }}
| 730
| {{Percentage | 730 | 16025 | 2 }}
| 440
| {{Percentage | 440 | 15155 | 2 }}
| 20
| {{Percentage | 20 | 14720 | 2 }}
| 15
| {{Percentage | 15 | 14625 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Indigenous peoples in Canada|Indigenous]]
| 800
| {{Percentage | 800 | 16140 | 2 }}
| 655
| {{Percentage | 655 | 16025 | 2 }}
| 450
| {{Percentage | 450 | 15155 | 2 }}
| 280
| {{Percentage | 280 | 14720 | 2 }}
| 280
| {{Percentage | 280 | 14625 | 2 }}
|-
| [[South Asian Canadians|South Asian]]
| 395
| {{Percentage | 395 | 16140 | 2 }}
| 210
| {{Percentage | 210 | 16025 | 2 }}
| 70
| {{Percentage | 70 | 15155 | 2 }}
| 120
| {{Percentage | 120 | 14720 | 2 }}
| 160
| {{Percentage | 160 | 14625 | 2 }}
|-
| [[East Asian Canadians|East Asian]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.|name=EastAsian}}
| 205
| {{Percentage | 205 | 16140 | 2 }}
| 295
| {{Percentage | 295 | 16025 | 2 }}
| 355
| {{Percentage | 355 | 15155 | 2 }}
| 165
| {{Percentage | 165 | 14720 | 2 }}
| 205
| {{Percentage | 205 | 14625 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Latin American Canadians|Latin American]]
| 120
| {{Percentage | 120 | 16140 | 2 }}
| 125
| {{Percentage | 125 | 16025 | 2 }}
| 55
| {{Percentage | 55 | 15155 | 2 }}
| 30
| {{Percentage | 30 | 14720 | 2 }}
| 60
| {{Percentage | 60 | 14625 | 2 }}
|-
| [[African-Canadian|African]]
| 120
| {{Percentage | 120 | 16140 | 2 }}
| 55
| {{Percentage | 55 | 16025 | 2 }}
| 100
| {{Percentage | 100 | 15155 | 2 }}
| 10
| {{Percentage | 10 | 14720 | 2 }}
| 10
| {{Percentage | 10 | 14625 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Middle Eastern Canadians|Middle Eastern]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.|name=MiddleEastern}}
| 30
| {{Percentage | 30 | 16140 | 2 }}
| 45
| {{Percentage | 45 | 16025 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 15155 | 2 }}
| 30
| {{Percentage | 30 | 14720 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 14625 | 2 }}
|-
| Other/[[Multiracial people|multiracial]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority, {{abbr|n.i.e.|not included elsewhere}}" and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.|name=Other}}
| 50
| {{Percentage | 50 | 16140 | 2 }}
| 55
| {{Percentage | 55 | 16025 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 15155 | 2 }}
| 10
| {{Percentage | 10 | 14720 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 14625 | 2 }}
|-
! Total responses
! 16,140
! {{Percentage | 16140 | 16750 | 2 }}
! 16,025
! {{Percentage | 16025 | 16604 | 2 }}
! 15,155
! {{Percentage | 15155 | 15554 | 2 }}
! 14,720
! {{Percentage | 14720 | 14946 | 2 }}
! 14,625
! {{Percentage | 14625 | 14821 | 2 }}
|- class="sortbottom"
! Total population
! 16,750
! {{Percentage | 16750 | 16750 | 2 }}
! 16,604
! {{Percentage | 16604 | 16604 | 2 }}
! 15,554
! {{Percentage | 15554 | 15554 | 2 }}
! 14,946
! {{Percentage | 14946 | 14946 | 2 }}
! 14,821
! {{Percentage | 14821 | 14821 | 2 }}
|- class="sortbottom"
| colspan="11" | {{small|Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses}}
|}


==Climate==
==Climate==
Swift Current experiences a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''[[Humid continental climate#Dfb/Dwb/Dsb: Warm summer subtype|Dfb]]'') that does not fall far from being classified as [[Semi-arid climate|semi-arid]] (Köppen ''[[Semi-arid climate#Cold Semi-arid climates|BSk]]''). Winters are long, dry and cold, while summers are short, warm and relatively wet. The coldest month is January, with a mean temperature of −12.2°C, while the warmest month is July, with a mean temperature of 17.9°C. The driest month is February, with an average of 14mm of [[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]], while the wettest month is June, with an average of 68mm. Annual precipitation is low, with an average of 377mm.
Swift Current experiences a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''[[Humid continental climate#Dfb/Dwb/Dsb: Warm summer subtype|Dfb]]'') that does not fall far from being classified as [[Semi-arid climate|semi-arid]] (Köppen ''[[Semi-arid climate#Cold semi-arid climates|BSk]]''). Winters are long, dry, and cold, while summers are short, warm, and relatively wet, drying out in the latter part. The coldest month is January, with a mean temperature of {{convert|−10.1|C|0}}, while the warmest month is July, with a mean temperature of {{convert|18.2|C|0}}. The driest month is February, with an average of {{convert|11.8|mm|in|abbr=on}} of [[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]], while the wettest month is June, with an average of {{convert|77|mm|in|abbr=on}}. Annual precipitation is low, with an average of {{convert|392.5|mm|in|abbr=on}}. Its location in southwest Saskatchewan gives it slightly milder winters than the provincial capital, [[Regina, Saskatchewan|Regina]], even though it is higher in elevation. [[Chinook wind]]s happen several times a year allowing residents to enjoy unseasonably warm weather for short periods of time. <!-- As per this very article, winters are dry in Swift Current, and as per the Humid Continental Climate wikipedia article, dry winters have a Dwb classification. Yet this article indicates Swift Current as having a Dfb classification. This is a direct contradiction. -->

The highest temperature ever recorded in Swift Current was {{convert|41.7|C|0}} on 12 July 1886.<ref name="July 1886">{{cite web | url=http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?hlyRange=%7C&dlyRange=1885-12-01%7C1938-07-31&mlyRange=1885-01-01%7C1938-12-01&StationID=3154&Prov=SK&urlExtension=_e.html&searchType=stnName&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&selRowPerPage=25&Line=2&searchMethod=contains&Month=7&Day=25&txtStationName=swift+current&timeframe=2&Year=1886 | title=July 1886 | publisher=[[Environment Canada]] | date=22 September 2015 | access-date=25 June 2016}}</ref> The coldest temperature ever recorded was {{convert|-47.8|C|0}} on 16 February 1936.<ref name="February 1936">{{cite web | url=http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?hlyRange=%7C&dlyRange=1885-12-01%7C1938-07-31&mlyRange=1885-01-01%7C1938-12-01&StationID=3154&Prov=SK&urlExtension=_e.html&searchType=stnName&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&selRowPerPage=25&Line=2&searchMethod=contains&Month=2&Day=25&txtStationName=swift+current&timeframe=2&Year=1936 | title=February 1936 | publisher=[[Environment Canada]] | date=22 September 2015 | access-date=25 June 2016}}</ref>

{{Weather box
{{Weather box
|location = [[Swift Current Airport]], 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1885–present{{efn|Climate data was recorded in the city of Swift Current from December 1885 to July 1938 and at [[Swift Current Airport]] from May 1938 to present.}}
|location = Swift Current
|metric first = yes
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = 11.7
|Jan record high C = 17.2
|Feb record high C = 17.2
|Feb record high C = 20.6
|Mar record high C = 20.6
|Mar record high C = 22.2
|Apr record high C = 33.8
|Apr record high C = 33.8
|May record high C = 37.3
|May record high C = 37.3
|Jun record high C = 38.9
|Jun record high C = 40.0
|Jul record high C = 37.8
|Jul record high C = 41.7
|Aug record high C = 38.9
|Aug record high C = 40.1
|Sep record high C = 36.1
|Sep record high C = 36.5
|Oct record high C = 31.7
|Oct record high C = 31.7
|Nov record high C = 22.2
|Nov record high C = 25.0
|Dec record high C = 20.0
|Dec record high C = 20.0
|year record high C = 38.9
|year record high C = 41.7
|Jan high C = −7.0
|Jan high C = -5.9
|Feb high C = −4.5
|Feb high C = -4.3
|Mar high C = 2.4
|Mar high C = 2.1
|Apr high C = 11.2
|Apr high C = 10.9
|May high C = 17.9
|May high C = 17.6
|Jun high C = 22.2
|Jun high C = 21.3
|Jul high C = 24.9
|Jul high C = 25.0
|Aug high C = 24.6
|Aug high C = 25.2
|Sep high C = 18.1
|Sep high C = 19.5
|Oct high C = 11.5
|Oct high C = 10.8
|Nov high C = 0.9
|Nov high C = 1.7
|Dec high C = −5.5
|Dec high C = -4.6
|year high C = 9.7
|year high C = 9.9
|Jan mean C = −12.2
|Jan mean C = -10.8
|Feb mean C = −9.6
|Feb mean C = -9.3
|Mar mean C = −2.9
|Mar mean C = -3.1
|Apr mean C = 4.8
|Apr mean C = 4.5
|May mean C = 11.0
|May mean C = 10.7
|Jun mean C = 15.5
|Jun mean C = 15.2
|Jul mean C = 17.9
|Jul mean C = 18.3
|Aug mean C = 17.4
|Aug mean C = 18.0
|Sep mean C = 11.4
|Sep mean C = 12.7
|Oct mean C = 5.1
|Oct mean C = 4.9
|Nov mean C = −4.2
|Nov mean C = -3.2
|Dec mean C = −10.5
|Dec mean C = -9.3
|year mean C = 3.6
|year mean C = 4.1
|Jan low C = −17.2
|Jan low C = -15.7
|Feb low C = −14.6
|Feb low C = -14.2
|Mar low C = −8.3
|Mar low C = -8.4
|Apr low C = −1.6
|Apr low C = -1.9
|May low C = 4.2
|May low C = 3.8
|Jun low C = 8.7
|Jun low C = 9.1
|Jul low C = 10.8
|Jul low C = 11.6
|Aug low C = 10.1
|Aug low C = 10.8
|Sep low C = 4.6
|Sep low C = 5.9
|Oct low C = −1.3
|Oct low C = -1.0
|Nov low C = −9.3
|Nov low C = -8.0
|Dec low C = −15.6
|Dec low C = -13.8
|year low C = −2.5
|year low C = -1.8
|Jan record low C = −42.8
|Jan record low C = -45.0
|Feb record low C = −41.7
|Feb record low C = -47.8
|Mar record low C = −35.6
|Mar record low C = -36.1
|Apr record low C = −28.9
|Apr record low C = -28.9
|May record low C = −12.2
|May record low C = -12.2
|Jun record low C = −2.9
|Jun record low C = -3.3
|Jul record low C = 1.7
|Jul record low C = 0.6
|Aug record low C = −1.1
|Aug record low C = -1.7
|Sep record low C = −9.4
|Sep record low C = -13.3
|Oct record low C = −24.2
|Oct record low C = -24.2
|Nov record low C = −33.7
|Nov record low C = -35.0
|Dec record low C = −44.4
|Dec record low C = -44.4
|year record low C = −44.4
|year record low C = -47.8
|precipitation colour = green
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 16.7
|Jan precipitation mm = 16.1
|Feb precipitation mm = 14.1
|Feb precipitation mm = 11.4
|Mar precipitation mm = 20.1
|Mar precipitation mm = 16.2
|Apr precipitation mm = 23.5
|Apr precipitation mm = 21.3
|May precipitation mm = 52.0
|May precipitation mm = 45.3
|Jun precipitation mm = 67.9
|Jun precipitation mm = 91.7
|Jul precipitation mm = 55.2
|Jul precipitation mm = 46.2
|Aug precipitation mm = 43.5
|Aug precipitation mm = 48.1
|Sep precipitation mm = 30.6
|Sep precipitation mm = 40.6
|Oct precipitation mm = 17.3
|Oct precipitation mm = 24.4
|Nov precipitation mm = 15.1
|Nov precipitation mm = 17.9
|Dec precipitation mm = 21.2
|Dec precipitation mm = 15.0
|year precipitation mm = 377.1
|year precipitation mm = 394.2
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 0.8
|Feb rain mm = 1.0
|Mar rain mm = 3.9
|Apr rain mm = 15.4
|May rain mm = 43.9
|Jun rain mm = 81.5
|Jul rain mm = 50.8
|Aug rain mm = 47.6
|Sep rain mm = 33.2
|Oct rain mm = 14.3
|Nov rain mm = 3.5
|Dec rain mm = 0.9
|year rain mm = 296.6
|snow colour = green
|Jan snow cm = 15.6
|Feb snow cm = 9.9
|Mar snow cm = 14.5
|Apr snow cm = 7.2
|May snow cm = 2.7
|Jun snow cm = 0.0
|Jul snow cm = 0.0
|Aug snow cm = 0.0
|Sep snow cm = 2.1
|Oct snow cm = 6.1
|Nov snow cm = 13.2
|Dec snow cm = 16.9
|year snow cm = 88.0
|Jan sun = 98.4
|Jan sun = 98.4
|Feb sun = 122.7
|Feb sun = 122.7
Line 331: Line 511:
|Dec sun = 83.9
|Dec sun = 83.9
|year sun = 2406.9
|year sun = 2406.9
|Jan percentsun = 37.1
|source 1 = [[Environment Canada]]<ref name= "climate">[[Environment Canada]]—[http://www.climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?stnID=3155&lang=e&dCode=0&province=SASK&provBut=Search&month1=0&month2=12 Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000], accessed July 27, 2012.</ref>
|Feb percentsun = 43.3
|date=August 2010
|Mar percentsun = 45.3
|Apr percentsun = 55.7
|May percentsun = 57.6
|Jun percentsun = 61.2
|Jul percentsun = 68.9
|Aug percentsun = 67.1
|Sep percentsun = 53.3
|Oct percentsun = 52.6
|Nov percentsun = 40.6
|Dec percentsun = 33.3
|year percentsun = 51.3
|source 1 = [[Environment Canada]] (sun 1981–2010)<ref name= "climate">[[Environment Canada]]—[http://www.climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?stnID=3155&lang=e&dCode=0&province=SASK&provBut=Search&month1=0&month2=12 Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010], accessed February 20, 2016.</ref><ref name= "CCN">{{cite web
|url=https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1991_2020_e.html?searchType=stnName_1991&txtStationName_1991=swift+current&searchMethod=contains&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=267000000&dispBack=1
|title=1991–2020 normals
|publisher=[[Environment Canada]]
|date=30 January 2024
|access-date=17 April 2024}}</ref><ref name= "Swift Current">{{cite web
|url=http://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_stations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=swift+current&searchMethod=contains&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1885&EndYear=1885&Year=2016&Month=6&Day=25&selRowPerPage=25
|title=Swift Current
|publisher=[[Environment Canada]]
|date=22 September 2015
|access-date=25 June 2016}}</ref><ref name= "Daily Data Report for August 2018">{{cite web
|url=http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?hlyRange=1994-11-29%7C2018-08-11&dlyRange=1959-01-01%7C2018-08-10&mlyRange=1959-01-01%7C2007-11-01&StationID=3157&Prov=SK&urlExtension=_e.html&searchType=stnName&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2018&selRowPerPage=25&Line=5&searchMethod=contains&Month=8&Day=11&txtStationName=swift+current&timeframe=2&Year=2018
|title=Swift Current CDA
|date=October 31, 2011
|publisher=[[Environment Canada]]
|access-date=12 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="Daily Data Report for September 2022">{{cite web
| url = https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?hlyRange=1994-11-29%7C2024-04-16&dlyRange=1959-01-01%7C2024-04-16&mlyRange=1959-01-01%7C2007-11-01&StationID=3157&Prov=SK&urlExtension=_e.html&searchType=stnName&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2024&selRowPerPage=25&Line=5&searchMethod=contains&Month=9&Day=17&txtStationName=swift+current&timeframe=2&Year=2022
| title = Daily Data Report for September 2022
| work = Canadian Climate Data
| publisher = Environment and Climate Change Canada
| access-date = 17 April 2024}}</ref><ref name="Daily Data Report for January 2024">{{cite web
| url = https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?hlyRange=1994-11-29%7C2024-04-16&dlyRange=1959-01-01%7C2024-04-16&mlyRange=1959-01-01%7C2007-11-01&StationID=3157&Prov=SK&urlExtension=_e.html&searchType=stnName&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2024&selRowPerPage=25&Line=5&searchMethod=contains&txtStationName=swift+current&timeframe=2&Day=17&Year=2024&Month=1#
| title = Daily Data Report for January 2024, Swift Current
| publisher = Environment and Climate Change Canada
| access-date = 17 April 2024}}</ref>
}}
}}

== Transit ==
'''Swift Transit''' provides transit service in the city of Swift Current. The Saskatchewan Abilities Council provides both bus and paratransit (called Access Transit) to Swift Current and [[Yorkton Transit|Yorkton]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Access Transit - SaskAbilities |url=https://www.saskabilities.ca/services/independent-living/access-transit/ |access-date=2022-12-23 |language=en-CA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Year in Review 2015: Abilities Council Taking Over City Transit Operations |url=https://www.swiftcurrentonline.com/articles/year-in-review-2015-abilities-council-taking-over-city-transit-operations |access-date=2022-12-24 |website=SwiftCurrentOnline}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=City's Transit Operational Contract Renewed |url=https://www.swiftcurrentonline.com/articles/city-s-transit-operational-contract-renewed |access-date=2023-01-01 |website=SwiftCurrentOnline}}</ref>

Service began in April 2015, replacing the Swift Current Tele-Bus. The Red line provides core service, running Monday to Saturday, from 7 am to 7 pm; starting the last run at 6pm. The Blue line, which started in 2017, runs Monday to Friday, from 8:45 am to 3 pm. No service is offered Sundays or holidays.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Swift Transit - The RED & BLUE LINES {{!}} Swift Current |url=http://www.swiftcurrent.ca/divisions/infrastructure-operations/transit-services/swift-transit/swift-transit-introducing-the-red-blue-lines |access-date=2022-12-21 |website=www.swiftcurrent.ca |language=en}}</ref> Swift Transit also runs three high school routes, as well as accommodating students from the downtown area on the Red line.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Swift Transit {{!}} High School Routes |url=https://www.chinooksd.ca/school/scchs/Programs/Transportation/Documents/Swift%20Transit%20Bus%20Routes.pdf}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

The stop downtown at 41 Chaplin Street E, serves as the main transfer point between the lines, with the Red line servicing it twice on its route; and a second transfer point at the Swift Current Mall.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Swift Transit {{!}} Dec 2022 Map |url=http://www.swiftcurrent.ca/home/showpublisheddocument/20987/638066040013070000}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Swift Transit {{!}} Swift Current |url=http://www.swiftcurrent.ca/divisions/infrastructure-operations/transit-services |access-date=2022-12-21 |website=www.swiftcurrent.ca |language=en}}</ref>

Swift Current purchased three new [[ARBOC Specialty Vehicles|Arboc]] buses which arrived in 2021, enhancing both regular and Access Transit services.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Buses Expand Ride Options for Those Experiencing Disability |url=https://www.swiftcurrentonline.com/articles/new-buses-expand-ride-options-for-those-experiencing-disability |access-date=2022-12-21 |website=SwiftCurrentOnline}}</ref>


==Arts and culture==
==Arts and culture==
[[File:Swift Current Museum.JPG|thumb|right|Swift Current Museum]]
[[File:Swift Current Museum.JPG|thumb|right|Swift Current Museum]]
The city is home to the Swift Current Museum, the Art Gallery of Swift Current, the Lyric Theatre and the Swift Current Library. The city is also host to the Windscape Kite Festival, which is the largest festival of its kind in Western Canada.
The city is home to the Swift Current Museum, the Art Gallery of Swift Current, the Lyric Theatre and the Swift Current Library. The city is also host to the Windscape Kite Festival, which is the largest festival of its kind in Western Canada. A group of local talent started up a movie company called Dead Prairies and their first feature-length film Zombageddon was filmed in Swift Current. Zombageddon premiered at the Living Sky Casino on October 31, 2012 and made over $4,000 for the Swift Current SPCA.

In 2016, Swift Current became the first city in Saskatchewan to install a permanent rainbow crosswalk.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/swift-current-rainbow-crosswalk-1.4130814| title = 1st Saskatchewan rainbow crosswalk installed in Swift Current {{!}} CBC News}}</ref>

==Notable people==
<!-- Please respect alphabetical order -->
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Jeff Buchanan]] - hockey player
* [[Steve Buzinski]] - hockey player
* [[Reggie Cleveland]] - former [[Major League Baseball]] pitcher
* [[Brandin Cote]] - hockey player
* [[Lorna Crozier]] - poet
* [[Ken Epp]] - politician
* [[Nancy Heppner]] - politician
* [[Bill Hogaboam]] - hockey player
* [[Eric Malling]] - journalist, former host of CBC's [[The Fifth Estate (TV program)|The Fifth Estate]] and CTV's [[W5 (TV program)|W5]]
* [[Patrick Marleau]] - ice hockey player for the [[San Jose Sharks]], holds the [[NHL]] record for most games played.
* [[Trent McCleary]] - hockey player
* [[Travis Moen]] - ice hockey player for [[Montreal Canadiens]], [[Anaheim Mighty Ducks]], [[Dallas Stars]], [[San Jose Sharks]], [[Chicago Blackhawks]]. Stanley Cup Champion
* [[Caia Morstad]] - volleyball player
* [[Scotty Munro]] – ice hockey coach
* [[Darcy Regier]] - hockey executive
* [[Kelly Schafer]] - curler
* [[Darrel Scoville]] - hockey player
* [[Claire Drainie Taylor]] - actor
* [[Jeff Toms]] - hockey player
* [[Fred Wah]] - poet
* [[Brad Wall]] - former Premier of Saskatchewan
* [[Colter Wall]] - musician
* [[Dorothy Walton]] - badminton player
* [[Jack Wiebe]] - politician
{{div col end}}


==Sports and recreation==
==Sports and recreation==
Swift Current is home to the [[Swift Current Broncos]], a [[ice hockey|hockey]] team that plays in the [[Western Hockey League]]. They play in the 3,239 seat [[Credit Union iPlex]] in the east end of town. The team has raised some of the world's greatest hockey players to the professional level, such as [[Tiger Williams|Dave "Tiger" Williams]], [[Joe Sakic]], and [[Bryan Trottier]]. The [[Credit Union iPlex]] is also the home of the [[Swift Current Rampage]] a junior [[box lacrosse]] team. [[San Jose Sharks]] and Canadian International hockey player, [[Patrick Marleau]] was born in Swift Current.
Swift Current is home to the [[Swift Current Broncos]], a [[ice hockey|hockey]] team that plays in the [[Western Hockey League]]. They play in the 2,879 seat [[Credit Union iPlex]] in the east end of town. The team has developed a number of [[National Hockey League|NHL]] players such as [[Tiger Williams|Dave "Tiger" Williams]], [[Joe Sakic]], and [[Bryan Trottier]]. The Credit Union iPlex is also the home of the [[Swift Current Rampage]] a junior [[box lacrosse]] team along with SaskTel Curling Stadium Swift Current, opening inside the Swift Current Curling Club in 2021, offering live broadcasts from all games played.<ref>{{cite web
| title = SaskTel Powers Curling Stadium Swift Current
| date = October 7, 2021
| url = https://www.curlingzone.com/post.php?postid=3577#1
| access-date = 2021-10-07}}
</ref>


Swift Current hosted the [[2016 World Women's Curling Championship]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.curling.ca/2016worldwomen/visitor-guide/ |title=Visitor Guide |work=www.curling.ca |access-date=22 March 2016}}</ref>
Swift Current is also home to the [[Swift Current Indians (baseball)|Swift Current Indians]], a [[baseball]] that plays in Canada's premier summer collegiate level baseball league called the [[Western Major Baseball League]] (WMBL). Former Major League Baseball players Reggie Cleveland (Boston Red Sox), Jim Dedrick (Baltimore Orioles) and Shawn Wooten (Anaheim Angels) all played for Swift Current before being drafted into professional baseball. Since 1992, Swift Current has won an unprecedented 10 league championships (1992, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, and 2010). The Indians play at Mitchell Field, located just north of the Iplex.

Swift Current is also home to the [[Swift Current 57's]], a [[baseball]] team that plays in Canada's premier summer collegiate level baseball league called the [[Western Canadian Baseball League]] (WCBL). Former [[Major League Baseball]] players [[Reggie Cleveland]] (Boston Red Sox), [[Jim Dedrick]] (Baltimore Orioles) and [[Shawn Wooten]] (Anaheim Angels) all played for Swift Current before being drafted into professional baseball. Since 1992, Swift Current has won an unprecedented 11 league championships (1992, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2010, and 2016). The 57's play at Mitchell Field, located just north of the Iplex.


Other sports institutions in the city include:
Other sports institutions in the city include:
Line 348: Line 611:
* Chinook Golf Course
* Chinook Golf Course
* Elmwood Golf Course
* Elmwood Golf Course
* Vipers Ball Hockey


[[Lake Diefenbaker]] and [[Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park]] are 50&nbsp;km north of the city on [[Saskatchewan Highway 4|Highway 4]]. The park provides recreational activities like [[fishing]], swimming, [[boating]], [[camping]], [[hiking]] and 4 [[RV park]]s.
[[Lake Diefenbaker]] and [[Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park]] are {{convert|50|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of the city on [[Saskatchewan Highway 4|Highway 4]]. The park provides recreational activities like [[fishing]], swimming, [[boating]], [[camping]], [[hiking]] and 4 [[RV park]]s.


Swift Current Motorcross Club has a track on the west side of town, just off 11th Ave NW.
Swift Current Motorcross Club has a track on the west side of town, just off 11th Ave NW.

Swift Current is also home to Canadian professional track and field/cross-country athlete Kelly Wiebe.

==Government==

Swift Current has had its own [[Saskatchewan Legislature]] district since 1908. The current incarnation of [[Swift Current (provincial electoral district)]] is nearly coterminous with Swift Current's city limits, excluding only an industrial park on the western side of the [[Trans-Canada Highway]].<ref name="elections sask">{{cite web |title=Swift Current, 29th General Election |url=https://cdn.elections.sk.ca/maps-ge29/C57_SwiftCurrent_GE29_36x48.pdf |website=Elections Saskatchewan |access-date=21 March 2021}}</ref> In the [[House of Commons of Canada|House of Commons]], Swift Current is part of [[Cypress Hills—Grasslands]], whose boundaries extend to [[Caronport]] and [[Kindersley]].<ref name="elections canada">{{cite web |title=Cypress Hills-Grasslands |url=https://www.elections.ca/res/cir/maps2/mapprov.asp?map=47002&lang=e |website=Elections Canada |access-date=21 March 2021}}</ref> The city is currently{{when|date=June 2021}} represented by [[Everett Hindley]], MLA, and [[Jeremy Patzer]], MP.<ref name="mla">{{cite web |title=Hon. Everett Hindley |url=https://www.legassembly.sk.ca/mlas/template?first=Everett&last=Hindley |website=Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan |access-date=21 March 2021}}</ref><ref name="mp">{{cite web |title=Cypress Hills—Grasslands |url=https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/constituencies/cypress-hills-grasslands(851) |website=Our Commons |publisher=Parliament of Canada |access-date=21 March 2021}}</ref>

At both higher levels of government, Swift Current is predominantly conservative. The city was the home constituency of the first [[Saskatchewan Party]] premier, [[Brad Wall]], who won more than 80% of the popular vote on two occasions.<ref name="27ge">{{cite book |last1=Boda |first1=Michael |title=Statement of Votes - Volume I |date=November 7, 2011 |publisher=Elections Saskatchewan |location=Regina |page=134 |url=https://cdn.elections.sk.ca/reports/statement-of-votes-27ge.pdf |access-date=21 March 2021}}</ref><ref name="28ge">{{cite book |last1=Boda |first1=Michael |title=Statement of Votes - Volume I |date=April 4, 2016 |publisher=Elections Saskatchewan |location=Regina |page=287 |url=https://cdn.elections.sk.ca/reports/2016%20Statement%20of%20Votes%20Volume%201.pdf |access-date=21 March 2021}}</ref> Federally, its last non-conservative MP was [[Irvin Studer]], a [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]] who represented [[Swift Current—Maple Creek]] from 1953 to 1958.<ref name="studer">{{cite web |title=Irvin William Studer, M.P. |url=https://lop.parl.ca/sites/ParlInfo/default/en_CA/People/Profile?personId=5506 |website=Parlinfo |publisher=Library of Parliament |access-date=21 March 2021}}</ref>

The city's current mayor is Al Bridal, who defeated incumbent Denis Perrault in the [[2020 Saskatchewan municipal elections]]. On the same ballot, two of five incumbent councillors held their seats. After 40 centimetres of snow fell on election day, voting in the city was postponed by two days.<ref name="bridal">{{cite news |last1=Radford |first1=Evan |title=Swift Current elects new mayor; to focus on smart spending, 'healthy discussion' |url=https://leaderpost.com/news/saskatchewan/swift-current-elects-new-mayor-to-focus-on-smart-spending-healthy-discussion |access-date=21 March 2021 |work=Regina Leader-Post |date=November 13, 2020}}</ref><ref name="bridal sco">{{cite news |last1=Zammit |first1=David |title=Bridal Wins Swift Current Mayoral Race |url=https://www.swiftcurrentonline.com/local/bridal-wins-swift-current-mayoral-race |access-date=21 March 2021 |work=Swift Current Online |date=November 12, 2020}}</ref>


==Media==
==Media==

;Print
;Print
* ''Southwest Booster''
* ''Southwest Booster''
Line 368: Line 641:
;Television
;Television
* Channel 12 - [[CKCK-DT|CKMC-TV]], [[CTV Television Network|CTV]] ''(analogue repeater of [[CKCK-DT]] Regina)''
* Channel 12 - [[CKCK-DT|CKMC-TV]], [[CTV Television Network|CTV]] ''(analogue repeater of [[CKCK-DT]] Regina)''
* ''Southwest TV News'' is an internet-based news program focused on Swift Current and area. It is sometimes broadcasted on [[Citytv Saskatchewan]].
* ''Southwest TV News'' is an internet-based news program focused on Swift Current and area. It is sometimes broadcast on [[Citytv Saskatchewan]].


Swift Current was previously served by [[CJFB-TV]] channel 5, a private [[CBC Television]] outlet; this station would close down in 2002, with its transmitter becoming CBKT-4, a repeater of [[CBKT-DT|CBKT]] Regina. CBKT-4 would close down on July 31, 2012, due to budget cuts handed down by the CBC.<ref>[http://cbc.radio-canada.ca/en/media-centre/2012/04/04/ Speaking notes for Hubert T. Lacroix regarding measures announced in the context of the Deficit Reduction Action Plan]</ref><ref>[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2012/2012-384.htm Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2012-384, July 17, 2012.]</ref>
Swift Current was previously served by [[CJFB-TV]] channel 5, a private [[CBC Television]] outlet; this station would close down in 2002, with its transmitter becoming CBKT-4, a repeater of [[CBKT-DT|CBKT]] Regina. CBKT-4 would close down on July 31, 2012, due to budget cuts handed down by the CBC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cbc.radio-canada.ca/en/media-centre/2012/04/04/|title=Speaking notes for Hubert T. Lacroix regarding measures announced in the context of the Deficit Reduction Action Plan|date=April 4, 2012|access-date=April 19, 2017|website=[[CBC Radio]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2012/2012-384.htm|title=Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2012-384|date=July 17, 2012|access-date=April 19, 2017|website=[[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission]]}}</ref>


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{Reflist}}
{{Notelist}}

==Citations==

{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.swiftcurrent.ca/}}
*{{Official website|http://www.swiftcurrent.ca/}}
* [http://www.swiftcurrentchamber.ca/news.php Swift Current & District Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.tourismswiftcurrent.ca/ Tourism Swift Current]
* [http://www.tpcs.gov.sk.ca/SaskatchewanLanding Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park]


{{Geographic location|
{{Geographic location|
Line 387: Line 661:
East=[[Moose Jaw]]|
East=[[Moose Jaw]]|
South=[[Grasslands National Park]]}}
South=[[Grasslands National Park]]}}

{{Saskatchewan}}
{{Saskatchewan}}
{{SKDivision8}}
{{IBWaterDiv}}
{{IBWaterDiv}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2010}}

{{Coord|50|17|17|N|107|47|38|W|region:CA_type:city|display=title}}
{{Coord|50|17|17|N|107|47|38|W|region:CA_type:city|display=title}}


[[Category:Swift Current| ]]
[[Category:Swift Current| ]]
[[Category:1907 establishments in Saskatchewan]]
[[Category:Cities in Saskatchewan]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1907]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1907]]

[[ar:سويفت كورنت]]
[[cs:Swift Current]]
[[de:Swift Current]]
[[eo:Swift Current]]
[[fr:Swift Current]]
[[nl:Swift Current]]
[[pl:Swift Current]]
[[pt:Swift Current]]
[[simple:Swift Current, Saskatchewan]]
[[fi:Swift Current]]
[[sv:Swift Current]]
[[tr:Swift Current, Saskatchewan]]
[[uk:Свіфт-Керрент (Саскачеван)]]
[[vo:Swift Current]]

Latest revision as of 00:39, 13 November 2024

For other uses, see Swift Current (disambiguation).

Swift Current
City
City of Swift Current
Nicknames: 
"Speedy Creek"[1]
Motto: 
Where Life Makes Sense
Swift Current is located in Saskatchewan
Swift Current
Swift Current
Swift Current is located in Canada
Swift Current
Swift Current
Coordinates: 50°17′17″N 107°47′38″W / 50.28806°N 107.79389°W / 50.28806; -107.79389
CountryCanada
ProvinceSaskatchewan
Established1883
Incorporated (village)September 21, 1903
Incorporated (town)March 15, 1907
Incorporated (city)January 15, 1914
Government
 • MayorAl Bridal
 • Governing bodySwift Current City Council
 • MPJeremy Patzer
 • MLAEverett Hindley
Area
 • Land29.31 km2 (11.32 sq mi)
Elevation
817 m (2,680 ft)
Population
 (2021)
 • Total
16,750 [2]
 • Agglomeration
18,536
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
Forward sortation area
S9H
Websitewww.swiftcurrent.ca

Swift Current is the sixth-largest city in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It is situated along the Trans Canada Highway 177 kilometres (110 mi) west of Moose Jaw, and 223 kilometres (139 mi) east of Medicine Hat, Alberta. As of 2024, Swift Current has an estimated population of 18,430, a growth of 1.32[4]% from the 2016 census population of 16,604.[5] The city is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Swift Current No. 137.

History

[edit]
Halifax Provisional Battalion fording a stream near Swift Current, District of Assiniboia, 1885

Swift Current's history began with Swift Current Creek which originates at Cypress Hills and traverses 160 kilometres (99 mi) of prairie and empties into the South Saskatchewan River at Lake Diefenbaker. The creek was a camp for First Nations for centuries. The name of the creek comes from the Cree, who called the South Saskatchewan River Kisiskâciwan, meaning "it flows swiftly". Fur traders found the creek on their westward treks in the 1800s, and called it "rivière au Courant" (lit: "river of the current"). Henri Julien, an artist travelling with the North-West Mounted Police expedition in 1874, referred to it as "Du Courant", and Commissioner George French used "Strong Current Creek" in his diary. While it took another decade before being officially recorded, the area has always been known as "Swift Current".[6]

The settlement of Swift Current was established in 1883, after the CPR surveyed a railway line as far as Swift Current Creek. In 1882, initial grading and track preparation commenced, with the first settlers arriving in the spring of 1883. During the early part of its settlement, the economy was based almost exclusively on serving the new railway buildings and employees. There was also a significant ranching operation known as the "76" ranches. It included 10 ranches raising sheep and cattle and stretched from Swift Current to Calgary. The ranch located at Swift Current dealt with sheep. At one point there were upwards of 20,000 sheep grazing on the present day Kinetic Grounds. The head shepherd was John Oman, originally from Scotland. He donated land to build Oman School in 1913.[7] Other early industries included gathering bison bones for use in fertilizer manufacturing, the making of bone china and sugar refining. Métis residents also ran a successful Red River ox cart "freighting" business along the Swift Current-Battleford Trail to Battleford until the late 1880s. During the Riel Rebellion of 1885, Swift Current became a major military base and troop mustering area due to its proximity to Battleford but this was only for a short time. On February 4, 1904, the hamlet became a village and then a town on March 15, 1907, when a census indicated a population of 550. Swift Current became incorporated as a city on January 15, 1914, with Frank E. West being the mayor at the time.

During World War II, the United Kingdom was considered an unsuitable site for training pilots. The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan identified the Canadian Prairies, with their clear weather and great distance from enemy territory, as an ideal alternative. In 1941, the No. 39 Service Training Flying School was constructed east of Swift Current, hosting over one thousand servicemen at all times until its closure in March 1944.[8] Today, the facility is maintained as the Swift Current Airport, and was taken over by the city of Swift Current from Transport Canada in 1996. Airport services were then contracted out. There have been recent (2005–2006) plans to expand and revitalize the airport alongside the rural municipalities surrounding Swift Current.

Oil was discovered at Fosterton in 1952, 30 miles northwest of the city. This first well continued to pump oil for over 40 years. Since then, with almost 4,000 wells completed in the area, the Shaunavon Formation has yielded 500 million barrels in total production.[9]

Swift Current is affectionately known as "Speedy Creek", a synonymous play on words. This phrase occurs in the name of many local businesses and organizations. As the primary service centre for most of Southwestern Saskatchewan, its name is also frequently contracted to "Swift" or "Swifty".

Landmarks

[edit]
Lyric Theatre in downtown Swift Current

Swift Current is home to Saskatchewan's oldest operating theatre: the Lyric Theatre, built in 1912 at a cost of $50,000 is the "crown jewel" of Swift Current's historical downtown buildings, with instantly recognizable advertisements painted on the north and south sides of the building dating back to the early 1920s. The building has served many functions over the years: at first it housed glamorous vaudeville performances by traveling companies, was later converted into a movie theatre and, in the mid-1980s, a bar and nightclub. A volunteer non-profit group (Southwest Cultural Development Group) purchased the facility in 2005 and is raising money for its preservation while staging cultural events, such as a mock Chautauqua annually in July, since 2008, open mic nights throughout the year, and administering rentals of the building. The current musician in residence is Al Hudec.

Swift Current's tallest commercial building is the EI Wood Building, located downtown.

The longest running business in Swift Current is the Imperial Hotel, also known as "The Big Eye" due to the large eye painted on the side. It was built in 1903 and was used as evidence that Swift Current should be granted village status. The owner, R.H. Corbett of Medicine Hat, needed the designation to obtain a liquor licence.[10]

The Swift Current railway station has been designated a historic railway station in 1991. [11] The Court House is also a designated historical building.

Swift Current is located at the start of the historic Swift Current-Battleford Trail, the remnants of which can still be seen today at the Battleford Trail Ruts Heritage Site.

Demographics

[edit]
Federal census
population history
YearPop.±%
1901121—    
1906554+357.9%
19111,852+234.3%
19163,181+71.8%
19213,518+10.6%
19264,175+18.7%
19315,296+26.9%
19365,074−4.2%
19415,594+10.2%
19466,379+14.0%
19517,458+16.9%
195610,612+42.3%
196112,186+14.8%
196614,485+18.9%
197115,415+6.4%
197614,264−7.5%
198114,747+3.4%
198615,666+6.2%
199114,815−5.4%
199614,890+0.5%
200114,821−0.5%
200614,946+0.8%
201115,503+3.7%
201616,264+4.9%
202116,304+0.2%
Source: Statistics Canada
[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][3]

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Swift Current had a population of 16,750 living in 7,214 of its 7,891 total private dwellings, a change of 0.9% from its 2016 population of 16,604. The city's official webpage lists the population as "approximately 18,500 people".[20] With a land area of 29.3 km2 (11.3 sq mi), it had a population density of 571.7/km2 (1,480.6/sq mi) in 2021.[21]

Canada census – Swift Current community profile
2011
Population15,503 (3.7% from 2006)
Land area24.04 km2 (9.28 sq mi)
Population density644.9/km2 (1,670/sq mi)
Median age41.9 (M: 39.8, F: 44.1)
Private dwellings7,266 (total) 
Median household income
References: 2011[22] earlier[23][24]

Ethnicity

[edit]
Panethnic groups in the City of Swift Current (2001−2021)
Panethnic group 2021[25] 2016[26] 2011[27] 2006[28] 2001[29]
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
European[a] 13,025 80.7% 13,855 86.46% 13,675 90.23% 14,070 95.58% 13,900 95.04%
Southeast Asian[b] 1,370 8.49% 730 4.56% 440 2.9% 20 0.14% 15 0.1%
Indigenous 800 4.96% 655 4.09% 450 2.97% 280 1.9% 280 1.91%
South Asian 395 2.45% 210 1.31% 70 0.46% 120 0.82% 160 1.09%
East Asian[c] 205 1.27% 295 1.84% 355 2.34% 165 1.12% 205 1.4%
Latin American 120 0.74% 125 0.78% 55 0.36% 30 0.2% 60 0.41%
African 120 0.74% 55 0.34% 100 0.66% 10 0.07% 10 0.07%
Middle Eastern[d] 30 0.19% 45 0.28% 0 0% 30 0.2% 0 0%
Other/multiracial[e] 50 0.31% 55 0.34% 0 0% 10 0.07% 0 0%
Total responses 16,140 96.36% 16,025 96.51% 15,155 97.43% 14,720 98.49% 14,625 98.68%
Total population 16,750 100% 16,604 100% 15,554 100% 14,946 100% 14,821 100%
Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses

Climate

[edit]

Swift Current experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb) that does not fall far from being classified as semi-arid (Köppen BSk). Winters are long, dry, and cold, while summers are short, warm, and relatively wet, drying out in the latter part. The coldest month is January, with a mean temperature of −10.1 °C (14 °F), while the warmest month is July, with a mean temperature of 18.2 °C (65 °F). The driest month is February, with an average of 11.8 mm (0.46 in) of precipitation, while the wettest month is June, with an average of 77 mm (3.0 in). Annual precipitation is low, with an average of 392.5 mm (15.45 in). Its location in southwest Saskatchewan gives it slightly milder winters than the provincial capital, Regina, even though it is higher in elevation. Chinook winds happen several times a year allowing residents to enjoy unseasonably warm weather for short periods of time.

The highest temperature ever recorded in Swift Current was 41.7 °C (107 °F) on 12 July 1886.[30] The coldest temperature ever recorded was −47.8 °C (−54 °F) on 16 February 1936.[31]

Climate data for Swift Current Airport, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1885–present[f]
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 17.2
(63.0) 		20.6
(69.1) 		22.2
(72.0) 		33.8
(92.8) 		37.3
(99.1) 		40.0
(104.0) 		41.7
(107.1) 		40.1
(104.2) 		36.5
(97.7) 		31.7
(89.1) 		25.0
(77.0) 		20.0
(68.0) 		41.7
(107.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −5.9
(21.4) 		−4.3
(24.3) 		2.1
(35.8) 		10.9
(51.6) 		17.6
(63.7) 		21.3
(70.3) 		25.0
(77.0) 		25.2
(77.4) 		19.5
(67.1) 		10.8
(51.4) 		1.7
(35.1) 		−4.6
(23.7) 		9.9
(49.8)
Daily mean °C (°F) −10.8
(12.6) 		−9.3
(15.3) 		−3.1
(26.4) 		4.5
(40.1) 		10.7
(51.3) 		15.2
(59.4) 		18.3
(64.9) 		18.0
(64.4) 		12.7
(54.9) 		4.9
(40.8) 		−3.2
(26.2) 		−9.3
(15.3) 		4.1
(39.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −15.7
(3.7) 		−14.2
(6.4) 		−8.4
(16.9) 		−1.9
(28.6) 		3.8
(38.8) 		9.1
(48.4) 		11.6
(52.9) 		10.8
(51.4) 		5.9
(42.6) 		−1.0
(30.2) 		−8.0
(17.6) 		−13.8
(7.2) 		−1.8
(28.8)
Record low °C (°F) −45.0
(−49.0) 		−47.8
(−54.0) 		−36.1
(−33.0) 		−28.9
(−20.0) 		−12.2
(10.0) 		−3.3
(26.1) 		0.6
(33.1) 		−1.7
(28.9) 		−13.3
(8.1) 		−24.2
(−11.6) 		−35.0
(−31.0) 		−44.4
(−47.9) 		−47.8
(−54.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 16.1
(0.63) 		11.4
(0.45) 		16.2
(0.64) 		21.3
(0.84) 		45.3
(1.78) 		91.7
(3.61) 		46.2
(1.82) 		48.1
(1.89) 		40.6
(1.60) 		24.4
(0.96) 		17.9
(0.70) 		15.0
(0.59) 		394.2
(15.52)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 0.8
(0.03) 		1.0
(0.04) 		3.9
(0.15) 		15.4
(0.61) 		43.9
(1.73) 		81.5
(3.21) 		50.8
(2.00) 		47.6
(1.87) 		33.2
(1.31) 		14.3
(0.56) 		3.5
(0.14) 		0.9
(0.04) 		296.6
(11.68)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 15.6
(6.1) 		9.9
(3.9) 		14.5
(5.7) 		7.2
(2.8) 		2.7
(1.1) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		2.1
(0.8) 		6.1
(2.4) 		13.2
(5.2) 		16.9
(6.7) 		88.0
(34.6)
Mean monthly sunshine hours 98.4 122.7 166.4 230.1 275.6 299.8 340.4 301.1 202.5 175.6 110.4 83.9 2,406.9
Percent possible sunshine 37.1 43.3 45.3 55.7 57.6 61.2 68.9 67.1 53.3 52.6 40.6 33.3 51.3
Source: Environment Canada (sun 1981–2010)[32][33][34][35][36][37]

Transit

[edit]

Swift Transit provides transit service in the city of Swift Current. The Saskatchewan Abilities Council provides both bus and paratransit (called Access Transit) to Swift Current and Yorkton.[38][39][40]

Service began in April 2015, replacing the Swift Current Tele-Bus. The Red line provides core service, running Monday to Saturday, from 7 am to 7 pm; starting the last run at 6pm. The Blue line, which started in 2017, runs Monday to Friday, from 8:45 am to 3 pm. No service is offered Sundays or holidays.[41] Swift Transit also runs three high school routes, as well as accommodating students from the downtown area on the Red line.[42][40]

The stop downtown at 41 Chaplin Street E, serves as the main transfer point between the lines, with the Red line servicing it twice on its route; and a second transfer point at the Swift Current Mall.[43][44]

Swift Current purchased three new Arboc buses which arrived in 2021, enhancing both regular and Access Transit services.[45]

Arts and culture

[edit]
Swift Current Museum

The city is home to the Swift Current Museum, the Art Gallery of Swift Current, the Lyric Theatre and the Swift Current Library. The city is also host to the Windscape Kite Festival, which is the largest festival of its kind in Western Canada. A group of local talent started up a movie company called Dead Prairies and their first feature-length film Zombageddon was filmed in Swift Current. Zombageddon premiered at the Living Sky Casino on October 31, 2012 and made over $4,000 for the Swift Current SPCA.

In 2016, Swift Current became the first city in Saskatchewan to install a permanent rainbow crosswalk.[46]

Notable people

[edit]

Sports and recreation

[edit]

Swift Current is home to the Swift Current Broncos, a hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League. They play in the 2,879 seat Credit Union iPlex in the east end of town. The team has developed a number of NHL players such as Dave "Tiger" Williams, Joe Sakic, and Bryan Trottier. The Credit Union iPlex is also the home of the Swift Current Rampage a junior box lacrosse team along with SaskTel Curling Stadium Swift Current, opening inside the Swift Current Curling Club in 2021, offering live broadcasts from all games played.[47]

Swift Current hosted the 2016 World Women's Curling Championship.[48]

Swift Current is also home to the Swift Current 57's, a baseball team that plays in Canada's premier summer collegiate level baseball league called the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL). Former Major League Baseball players Reggie Cleveland (Boston Red Sox), Jim Dedrick (Baltimore Orioles) and Shawn Wooten (Anaheim Angels) all played for Swift Current before being drafted into professional baseball. Since 1992, Swift Current has won an unprecedented 11 league championships (1992, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2010, and 2016). The 57's play at Mitchell Field, located just north of the Iplex.

Other sports institutions in the city include:

  • Speedy Creek Racing Club
  • Chinook Golf Course
  • Elmwood Golf Course

Lake Diefenbaker and Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park are 50 km (31 mi) north of the city on Highway 4. The park provides recreational activities like fishing, swimming, boating, camping, hiking and 4 RV parks.

Swift Current Motorcross Club has a track on the west side of town, just off 11th Ave NW.

Swift Current is also home to Canadian professional track and field/cross-country athlete Kelly Wiebe.

Government

[edit]

Swift Current has had its own Saskatchewan Legislature district since 1908. The current incarnation of Swift Current (provincial electoral district) is nearly coterminous with Swift Current's city limits, excluding only an industrial park on the western side of the Trans-Canada Highway.[49] In the House of Commons, Swift Current is part of Cypress Hills—Grasslands, whose boundaries extend to Caronport and Kindersley.[50] The city is currently[when?] represented by Everett Hindley, MLA, and Jeremy Patzer, MP.[51][52]

At both higher levels of government, Swift Current is predominantly conservative. The city was the home constituency of the first Saskatchewan Party premier, Brad Wall, who won more than 80% of the popular vote on two occasions.[53][54] Federally, its last non-conservative MP was Irvin Studer, a Liberal who represented Swift Current—Maple Creek from 1953 to 1958.[55]

The city's current mayor is Al Bridal, who defeated incumbent Denis Perrault in the 2020 Saskatchewan municipal elections. On the same ballot, two of five incumbent councillors held their seats. After 40 centimetres of snow fell on election day, voting in the city was postponed by two days.[56][57]

Media

[edit]
Print
Radio
Television
  • Channel 12 - CKMC-TV, CTV (analogue repeater of CKCK-DT Regina)
  • Southwest TV News is an internet-based news program focused on Swift Current and area. It is sometimes broadcast on Citytv Saskatchewan.

Swift Current was previously served by CJFB-TV channel 5, a private CBC Television outlet; this station would close down in 2002, with its transmitter becoming CBKT-4, a repeater of CBKT Regina. CBKT-4 would close down on July 31, 2012, due to budget cuts handed down by the CBC.[58][59]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.
  2. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.
  3. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.
  4. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.
  5. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority, n.i.e." and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.
  6. ^ Climate data was recorded in the city of Swift Current from December 1885 to July 1938 and at Swift Current Airport from May 1938 to present.

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ "Saskatchewan slang". canada.com. Postmedia Network Inc. November 7, 2007. Archived from the original on November 9, 2012. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  2. ^ "2021 Census of Population Swift Current". Statistics Canada. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  3. ^ a b Census Profile, 2016 Census
  4. ^ "Swift Current Population 2024". worldpopulationreview.com. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  5. ^ "2021 Census of Population Swift Current". Statistics Canada. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  6. ^ Tourism Swift Current
  7. ^ McGowan, Don C. The Green and Growing Years: Swift Current, 1907-1914. Victoria: Cactus Publications, 1982.
  8. ^ "History of Swift Current". City of Swift Current. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  9. ^ "Natural Resources". Grow with Swift Current. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  10. ^ McGowan, Don C. Grassland Settlers: The Swift Current Region During the Era of the Ranching Frontier. Regina: Canadian Plains Research Centre, University of Regina, 1975.
  11. ^ "Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada - The Directory of Designated Heritage Railway Stations in Saskatchewan". Parks Canada. Archived from the original on October 8, 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
  12. ^ "Table 5: Population of urban centres, 1916-1946, with guide to locations". Census of the Prairie Provinces, 1946. Vol. I: Population. Ottawa: Dominion Bureau of Statistics. 1949. pp. 397–400.
  13. ^ "Table 6: Population by sex, for census subdivisions, 1956 and 1951". Census of Canada, 1956. Vol. I: Population. Ottawa: Dominion Bureau of Statistics. 1958.
  14. ^ "Table 9: Population by census subdivisions, 1966 by sex, and 1961". 1966 Census of Canada. Western Provinces. Vol. Population: Divisions and Subdivisions. Ottawa: Dominion Bureau of Statistics. 1967.
  15. ^ "Table 3: Population for census divisions and subdivisions, 1971 and 1976". 1976 Census of Canada. Census Divisions and Subdivisions, Western Provinces and the Territories. Vol. Population: Geographic Distributions. Ottawa: Statistics Canada. 1977.
  16. ^ "Table 2: Census Subdivisions in Alphabetical Order, Showing Population Rank, Canada, 1981". 1981 Census of Canada. Vol. Census subdivisions in decreasing population order. Ottawa: Statistics Canada. 1982. ISBN 0-660-51563-6.
  17. ^ "Table 2: Population and Dwelling Counts, for Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 1986 and 1991 – 100% Data". 91 Census. Vol. Population and Dwelling Counts – Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions. Ottawa: Statistics Canada. 1992. pp. 100–108. ISBN 0-660-57115-3.
  18. ^ "Population and Dwelling Counts, for Canada, Provinces and Territories, and Census Divisions, 2001 and 1996 Censuses – 100% Data (Saskatchewan)". Statistics Canada. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  19. ^ "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses – 100% data (Saskatchewan)". Statistics Canada. 6 January 2010. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  20. ^ "About Us | Swift Current". www.swiftcurrent.ca. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  21. ^ "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions (municipalities), Saskatchewan". Statistics Canada. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  22. ^ "2011 Community Profiles". 2011 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. 21 March 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  23. ^ "2006 Community Profiles". 2006 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. 20 August 2019.
  24. ^ "2001 Community Profiles". 2001 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. 18 July 2021.
  25. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (26 October 2022). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  26. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (27 October 2021). "Census Profile, 2016 Census". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  27. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (27 November 2015). "NHS Profile". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  28. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (20 August 2019). "2006 Community Profiles". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  29. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2 July 2019). "2001 Community Profiles". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  30. ^ "July 1886". Environment Canada. 22 September 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  31. ^ "February 1936". Environment Canada. 22 September 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  32. ^ Environment Canada—Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010, accessed February 20, 2016.
  33. ^ "1991–2020 normals". Environment Canada. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  34. ^ "Swift Current". Environment Canada. 22 September 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  35. ^ "Swift Current CDA". Environment Canada. 31 October 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  36. ^ "Daily Data Report for September 2022". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  37. ^ "Daily Data Report for January 2024, Swift Current". Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  38. ^ "Access Transit - SaskAbilities". Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  39. ^ "Year in Review 2015: Abilities Council Taking Over City Transit Operations". SwiftCurrentOnline. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  40. ^ a b "City's Transit Operational Contract Renewed". SwiftCurrentOnline. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  41. ^ "Swift Transit - The RED & BLUE LINES | Swift Current". www.swiftcurrent.ca. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  42. ^ "Swift Transit | High School Routes" (PDF).
  43. ^ "Swift Transit | Dec 2022 Map".
  44. ^ "Swift Transit | Swift Current". www.swiftcurrent.ca. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  45. ^ "New Buses Expand Ride Options for Those Experiencing Disability". SwiftCurrentOnline. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  46. ^ "1st Saskatchewan rainbow crosswalk installed in Swift Current | CBC News".
  47. ^ "SaskTel Powers Curling Stadium Swift Current". 7 October 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  48. ^ "Visitor Guide". www.curling.ca. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  49. ^ "Swift Current, 29th General Election" (PDF). Elections Saskatchewan. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  50. ^ "Cypress Hills-Grasslands". Elections Canada. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  51. ^ "Hon. Everett Hindley". Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  52. ^ "Cypress Hills—Grasslands". Our Commons. Parliament of Canada. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  53. ^ Boda, Michael (7 November 2011). Statement of Votes - Volume I (PDF). Regina: Elections Saskatchewan. p. 134. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  54. ^ Boda, Michael (4 April 2016). Statement of Votes - Volume I (PDF). Regina: Elections Saskatchewan. p. 287. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  55. ^ "Irvin William Studer, M.P." Parlinfo. Library of Parliament. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  56. ^ Radford, Evan (13 November 2020). "Swift Current elects new mayor; to focus on smart spending, 'healthy discussion'". Regina Leader-Post. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  57. ^ Zammit, David (12 November 2020). "Bridal Wins Swift Current Mayoral Race". Swift Current Online. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  58. ^ "Speaking notes for Hubert T. Lacroix regarding measures announced in the context of the Deficit Reduction Action Plan". CBC Radio. 4 April 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  59. ^ "Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2012-384". Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. 17 July 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
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50°17′17″N 107°47′38″W / 50.28806°N 107.79389°W / 50.28806; -107.79389

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