Situated along Highway 41 in Eastern Alberta, Elk Point sits beside the North Saskatchewan River, a waterway that once served as a vital fur trade corridor. The town has a population of 1,399 residents, according to the 2021 Census, a modest decline from the 1,452 recorded in 2016 and the 1,412 counted in 2011. Covering a land area of 4.91 square kilometres, Elk Point has a population density of roughly 285 people per square kilometre. The local economy draws on both the oil industry, with a number of petroleum-related businesses operating in the area, and agriculture, which remains an important part of life in the surrounding region. Elk Point celebrated its centennial on June 30 and July 1, 2007, marking one hundred years since its founding.
The town’s connection to the fur trade era runs deep. Both the Hudson’s Bay Company and the North West Company maintained trading posts along the river near Elk Point between 1792 and 1800. Alberta Culture has since constructed an interpretive centre close to the remnants of Fort George and Buckingham House, preserving that history for visitors. A large carved statue of fur trade figure Peter Fidler stands near the town, and a mural depicting Elk Point’s history can be found close to the town centre. The nearby Iron Horse Trail, a converted rail trail, offers recreational opportunities in the area. The town has also produced several notable individuals, including professional hockey players Sheldon Souray and Mark Letestu, rugby player Adam Kleeberger, Metis Nation of Alberta president Audrey Poitras, and musician Claire Lawrence. Elk Point experiences a dry continental climate, with recorded temperatures ranging from a high of 38.9 degrees Celsius to an extreme low of -55.6 degrees Celsius.