About Saskatoon

Saskatoon shines in more ways than one.  Saskatoon is the largest city in the Province of Saskatchewan with a rapidly growing population currently at 220,000 people. This commercial centre and region serves over 300,000 people, and it has one of the most diversified economies in the country – producing outstanding products and services that are in demand throughout the world.  The 2010 KPMG Competitive Alternatives Study ranks Saskatoon second with the most competitive business environment at the lowest cost among cities in the Midwest United States and Western Canada with a population of 500,000 or less.

History

Saskatoon’s history is rich with stories of growth and prosperity and is also known for its resilience and ingenuity in times of hardship.  People have been living in the Saskatoon area for more than 8,000 years, which grew into a more formalized settlement 1892 as a “temperance colony”.  At that time, there were a few houses, a store, a sawmill and some 80 optimistic souls living in Saskatoon.

Named for the Cree word for “indigenous berry”, Saskatoon was formally incorporated as a city on May 26, 1906.  In the early days of being a city, Saskatoon was one of Canada’s fastest growing cities.  Now over a century later, Saskatoon is again hailed as one of Canada’s leading economies in terms of gross domestic product and population growth.

Where We Are in The World

Location: 52°07′54″N 106°39′09″W

Geographical size: 144 km² (55.6 sq mi)

Elevation: 481.5 m (1,580 ft)

Saskatoon is situated along the banks of the scenic South Saskatchewan River, in the heart of the Canadian prairies. The city lies 348 km (216 miles) north of the U.S. border, 225 km (140 miles) east of the Alberta border, and 346 km (215 miles) west of the Manitoba border.

Saskatoon is at the junction of two of Canada’s major highway systems: the Yellowhead, (Highway 16 from Winnipeg to Edmonton and west); and Highway 11, (a four-lane highway with a direct connection to the Trans-Canada Highway at Regina). Both of these systems join the U.S. Interstate system, through border crossings that serve both the Eastern and Western States.

Time Zone and Climate

Saskatchewan uses the Central Standard Time Zone (UTC-06:00) year round and does not adjust for Daylight Savings Time.

Saskatoon is one of the sunniest places in Canada with an average of 2,328 hours of sunshine per year.

Average winter temperature:    -12 °C / 10°F

Average summer temperature:  18 °C / 65°F

Average annual precipitation:  348.3 mm/ 14”

Structure of the City

The structure of Saskatoon can be broken down into a number of core neighbourhoods, downtown, 7 suburban developments and the North Industrial Area.

The 7 suburban developments include University Heights, Lawson Heights, Lakewood, Nutana, Stonebridge, Confederation and Blairmore. 

The North Industrial area is the largest commercial/industrial area in Saskatoon with other industrial zones including Sutherland (Central Industrial), Montgomery (West Industrial) and Marquis Industrial.