Present Day

In the years following World War II, people began moving off the farms and settling in urban areas. While agriculture is still the primary industry of the area, as of 2006 it does not even make up 15% of the total industry of the region. Because of the advances in technology, a single farmer can now farm almost four times more land than the 160 acres given to settlers by the government at the turn of the century. Immigrants to the area are now coming from places all across the world, including Chile, China, the Philippines, and the Middle East. Currently, over 250,000 people live in Central Alberta.

The people of Aspenland have been active in the spheres of athletics, arts, and human rights. Important figures include figure skating champion Kurt Browning, Grammy award-winner kd lang, pioneer judge Marjorie Bowker, Icelandic poet Stephan G. Stephansson, and Famous Five member Irene Parlby. More biographies about Alberta’s artists are available at Alberta's Arts Heritage, while the biographies of numerous innovative women are showcased in the Women of Aspenland site.

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