Life in Saskatoon
Saskatoon is a growing, friendly city. Throughout its history, it has welcomed people from all over Canada and the world. In 2018, Saskatoon’s population was estimated to be 322,568. More and more people are choosing Saskatoon as a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. To learn more about Saskatoon, click on the links on the left side of the screen or above.
History
The Saskatoon area has been inhabited for over 8000 years, first by Aboriginal peoples who have left evidence of their lives in the form of tipi rings, medicine wheels, and bison kill sites. The name “Saskatoon” comes from the Cree word misaskwatomina, which refers to a sweet, purple berry which still grows in the area.
The first settlers of European ancestry arrived in the early 1880’s. Chief White Cap advised them to build their colony on the east side of the river; this colony was called Nutana, and was located where the neighbourhood of Nutana is today. By the early 1900’s, a settlement called Saskatoon had developed on the west side of the river, and Riversdale (still a neighbourhood today) had sprung up on the west bank, further south from Saskatoon. In 1906, the three villages joined together to create the town of Saskatoon.
Learn more about Saskatoon’s history.
Geography and Climate
Saskatoon is located in the central portion of the province of Saskatchewan, spread over a relatively flat area which dips into the South Saskatchewan River Valley. In the city, there are many attractive walking trails along the river valley. Technically in the Aspen Parkland section of the province, Saskatoon is surrounded by farmland.
Saskatoon has four distinct seasons. Winter and summer can be extreme; temperatures can range from -30 Celsius in January to +30 Celsius in July. However, the climate is not humid, which helps winter temperatures feel warmer and summer temperatures feel cooler. Also, Saskatoon is one of the sunnier places in Canada, averaging around 2381 hours of sunlight per year (that’s 6.5 hours, every day!).
Maps
Check out the online City of Saskatoon iMap! This system makes it easy for you to locate City facilities, schools, sports and recreation facilities as well as specific addresses. The site will be continually updated, making sure that the newest City streets and facilities are included. You can search for a specific address, or use the I Want To... feature to find commonly searched-for items. Visit the iMap here.
Government
Saskatoon’s civic government consists of a Mayor and ten City Councillors. Every four years, Canadian citizens who have lived in Saskatoon for at least 6 months can vote for a Mayor and a Councillor for the area of Saskatoon in which they live. You can learn more about Saskatoon’s government here.
Neighbourhoods
Saskatoon has 46 different neighbourhoods, some of which are very new, and some which have been in existence for as long as the city itself. Each has its own unique character and attractions. Each neighbourhood has its own Community Association, which works to provide recreational activities for neighbourhood residents, and to make sure that everyone enjoys a good quality of life. Find more information on Community Associations and Saskatoon’s neighbourhoods.
For information (population, average income, ethnic diversity, etc.) on each neighbourhood from the most recent Canadian Census, check out our Neighbourhood Profile information.
Getting Here
Saskatoon is in the central part of Saskatchewan, and may be reached via Highway 16 (Yellowhead) from Edmonton or Winnipeg, and via Highway 11 from Regina. You can reach Saskatoon by bus from any long-distance bus station.
Saskatoon has an international airport (John G. Diefenbaker International Airport). At least 60 flights per day arrive from and depart to various cities in Canada and other parts of North America. Taxi and bus service is available at the airport to take passengers to other parts of the city.
If you would rather travel by train, Saskatoon’s VIA Rail station is about 8 km west of the downtown area. Saskatoon is on “The Canadian” route, which travels from Toronto to Vancouver and back, through the Rocky Mountains.
Cost of Living
Saskatoon enjoys one of the lowest costs of living among major cities in Canada. This means that you will pay less for housing, utilities, food, and taxes in Saskatoon than in other similar-sized or larger cities. Paying less for these essential things means that you will have more money available for saving, or spending on less essential items!
Learn more about Saskatchewan’s cost of living.
See a comparison of housing, tax, and utility costs between Saskatoon and other Canadian cities.
Banks
Saskatoon is home to at least one branch of all the major banks operating in Canada. In addition, there are a number of credit union branches available. Credit unions are financial institutions which have the same function as banks (you can open an account, deposit money, get a mortgage, etc.). However, credit unions are technically owned by their members (account holders), rather than by shareholders.
For a list of bank and credit union branches in Saskatoon, please contact the Newcomer Information Centre