Moving to Sherwood Park: The World's Largest Hamlet

It's Not a City. It Has 75,575 People.

Sherwood Park sits inside Strathcona County, east of Edmonton, technically a hamlet that makes it the world's largest hamlet by population. There is no mayor, no city council, and no independent municipal government. Governance runs through Strathcona County, an urban/rural mix that covers everything from the hamlet to surrounding farmland and the industrial Refinery Row corridor along Highway 15.

That structure creates an unusual deal for residents: city-scale amenities (Millennium Place aquatic centre, Festival Place performing arts, Broadmoor Lake Park, two full school divisions) with county-managed property taxes that historically track below comparable Edmonton neighbourhoods.

Homes for Sale in Sherwood Park

The live block above reflects current MLS data. As of June 2026 there are over 273 active residential listings and 121 condos. The residential median list price sits above $574K. Sold prices have tracked around $521K — run those numbers through our mortgage calculator to see what that looks like monthly — with a 16-day median days on hômm, the fastest pace of any Edmonton-area suburb.

For context: the Greater Edmonton average sold price was $478,902 in April 2026, with detached homes at $589,384. Sherwood Park residential skews closer to that detached average, reflecting the community's predominantly single-family character.

Browse all active Sherwood Park listings

The Neighbourhoods

Sherwood Park's neighbourhoods divide roughly by era and price point. All the figures below come from live MLS data and update automatically.

Summerwood: Family-Friendly New Construction

Summerwood is where new families land. Lake privileges, walking trails, and proximity to the Emerald Hills shopping district. Duplexes and townhomes mix with detached homes, most built between 2010 and 2020. Expect to compete with other buyers quickly in spring.

Lakeland Ridge: Established Premium

Detached homes from the 2000s-2010s with A/C, finished basements, and south-facing yards. Lakeland Ridge is where buyers move up once the kids are in school and space becomes the priority. List prices sit in the upper tier of the Sherwood Park market.

Hearthstone: Brand New Builds

The newest neighbourhood in Sherwood Park. If you want a 2025 or 2026 build, this is where to look: freehold townhomes, no-condo-fee options, and 4-bedroom detached homes from active builders.

Brentwood and Maplewood: Character Homes at the Entry Point

Mature tree-lined streets with homes from the 1970s through 1990s. These neighbourhoods offer the lowest entry prices in Sherwood Park, close to the Sherwood Park Mall and established schools. Good for buyers who want more lot and less mortgage.

See what homes have sold for in Sherwood Park

Schools

Sherwood Park has two full school divisions headquartered locally, an unusual depth for a community of about 75,600.

Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS): 42 schools, 17,750 students. French Immersion streams, alternative programs, and online learning options across the county.

Elk Island Catholic Schools (EICS): 17 regular schools plus outreach programs, with over 6,400 students in regular programs and 2,600 more in home education.

Both divisions are based in Sherwood Park rather than sharing governance with Edmonton or St. Albert. That means local school board representation and decision-making that reflects the community.

The Commute

Sherwood Park sits 16-17 km east of downtown Edmonton. The Sherwood Park Freeway (Highway 216 extension) connects directly to Whitemud Drive and downtown in 14-20 minutes by car under normal conditions. ETS Routes 401 and 411 run to Edmonton City Centre in 30-45 minutes.

This is the shortest commute of any Edmonton-area suburb. Spruce Grove, Beaumont, and St. Albert all add 10-20 minutes each way. If you work downtown, at the University of Alberta, or in the south end, Sherwood Park removes the commute tax entirely.

Refinery Row, the petrochemical and refinery corridor along Highway 15 just north of Sherwood Park, employs tens of thousands of Albertans. For shift workers at those facilities, Sherwood Park is a 10-minute drive.

Nature Access

The Beaver Hills UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is Sherwood Park's real differentiator. No other Edmonton suburb has a UNESCO-designated biosphere in the backyard. The reserve encompasses Elk Island National Park (a nationally significant bison and elk habitat), Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area (170+ km of trails, camping, equestrian use), the Strathcona Wilderness Centre (groomed cross-country ski trails in winter, hiking and disc golf in summer, lodge and cabin rentals), and Ministik Bird Sanctuary.

Locally, Broadmoor Lake Park is the festival and recreation hub: trails, spray park, paddle boats, and year-round programming including the Sherwood Park Farmers' Market. Festival Place is the region's premier performing arts venue, bringing national touring acts to a suburb of about 75,600.

The Edmonton Market in Context

Greater Edmonton recorded 2,482 residential sales in April 2026, with active inventory up 31.4% year over year. The average sale price was $478,902; detached homes averaged $589,384. The Bank of Canada held its policy rate at 2.25% in April, unchanged since October 2025, with the June 10, 2026 decision also holding at 2.25%.

Sherwood Park's 16-day median sales pace is faster than the broader Edmonton market, meaning demand here holds up even as overall inventory builds. Buyers get more selection than in 2024, but well-priced homes in good condition move before the weekend.

See the full breakdown: Edmonton Real Estate Market Report, April 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sherwood Park a city? No. It is a hamlet within Strathcona County, with 75,575 residents as of the 2024 Strathcona County municipal census. There is no mayor or city council: governance runs through the county. Strathcona County is a specialized municipality that blends urban and rural jurisdiction.

How fast do homes sell in Sherwood Park? The median days on hômm is 16, the fastest of any Edmonton-area suburb. Well-priced homes in move-in condition often receive offers within the first week.

What schools serve Sherwood Park? Elk Island Public Schools (42 schools, 17,750 students) and Elk Island Catholic Schools (17 schools, 6,400+ students in regular programs). Both divisions are headquartered in Sherwood Park.

What is the Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve? A UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve east of Sherwood Park encompassing Elk Island National Park, Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area, Strathcona Wilderness Centre, and Ministik Bird Sanctuary. It is the only UNESCO Biosphere within the Edmonton metro area.

How does Sherwood Park compare to other Edmonton suburbs? Sherwood Park has the shortest commute to downtown and the fastest sales pace in the Edmonton metro. It costs more than Fort Saskatchewan or Beaumont but is comparable to St. Albert — use our affordability calculator to see your maximum purchase price based on income. The key advantages are proximity to Refinery Row employment, local school division governance, and UNESCO Biosphere access.

More Edmonton Suburb Guides

• Edmonton Suburbs Guide 2026. Full comparison across all major suburbs.
• Best Small Towns Near Edmonton 2026. Beyond the main bedroom communities.
• Edmonton Commuter Guide 2026. Commute times mapped by suburb.
• Homes for Sale in Alberta. Browse all Alberta MLS listings.
• What's Your Home Worth?. Free instant estimate for Sherwood Park homes.

Listings update automatically from live MLS data. Market statistics sourced from REALTORS® Association of Edmonton / CREA, June 2026. Population figures from the 2024 Strathcona County municipal census.