Tucked into central Alberta roughly northeast of Edmonton, this small community sits on just over a square kilometre of prairie land and traces its roots back to the early twentieth century. The local post office opened on March 2, 1902, and the village itself was named in honour of Andrew Whitford, one of the area’s earliest settlers. By the 2021 Census, the population had reached 366 residents living in 192 of its 238 private dwellings, a notable decline of nearly 14% from the 425 people recorded in the 2016 Census. That 2016 figure had itself represented a 12.1% increase over the 379 residents counted in 2011, reflecting how population numbers in smaller communities can shift noticeably from one census period to the next. With a land area of 1.18 square kilometres, the village carried a population density of approximately 310 people per square kilometre as of 2021.
Andrew is perhaps best known beyond its borders for two things: a towering roadside attraction and a former provincial premier. The village is home to the World’s Largest Duck, a celebrated stop along the Giants of the Prairies roadside attraction trail that draws curious travellers passing through the region. On the political side, longtime area resident Ed Stelmach made provincial history when he was named Alberta’s premier-elect on December 3, 2006, having come from third place to win the Progressive Conservative leadership race over more heavily favoured candidates. He was officially sworn in as premier on December 14, 2006.