Carstairs, Alberta

Carstairs
Town
Town of Carstairs
Main Street in Carstairs
Carstairs
Location of Carstairs in Alberta
Carstairs
Carstairs (Canada)
Coordinates: 51°33′43″N 114°05′43″W / 51.56194°N 114.09528°W / 51.56194; -114.09528
CountryCanada
ProvinceAlberta
RegionCentral Alberta
Census division6
Municipal districtMountain View County
Incorporated 
 • VillageMay 15, 1903
 • TownSeptember 1, 1966
Government
 • MayorDean Allan
 • Governing bodyCarstairs Town Council
 • CAORick Blair
 • MPWilliam Stevenson, Yellowhead
 • MLA Tara SawyerNathan Cooper
Area
 (2021)
 • Land11.77 km2 (4.54 sq mi)
Elevation
1,060 m (3,480 ft)
Population
 (2021)
 • Total
4,898
 • Density416.2/km2 (1,078/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−7 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Postal code
Area code+1-403
HighwaysHighway 2A
WebsiteOfficial website

Carstairs is a town in central Alberta, Canada. It is located on Highway 2A, 48 kilometres (30 mi) north of Calgary, the nearest major city, and 241 kilometres (150 mi) south of the provincial capital, Edmonton. The closest neighbouring communities are the towns of Didsbury and Crossfield. Carstairs is located entirely within the rural Mountain View County.

Named after Carstairs, Scotland, Carstairs began life as a loading platform on the railway connecting Calgary to Edmonton. The first post office opened in 1900. The first school district was established in 1901.