Acadia Business Reviews

Acadia is a residential neighbourhood located in the southeast quadrant of Calgary, Alberta. The community is bordered by Macleod Trail to the west, the Bow River to the east, Heritage Drive to the north, and Southland Drive to the south .

Quadrant: Southeast

Ward: Ward 9

Established: 1960

Area: 3.9 square kilometres

The land was annexed to the City of Calgary in 1956, and Acadia was officially established in 1960 . The neighbourhood's main street is Fairmount Drive, where many of the area's businesses and services are located . Acadia has a Walk Score of 79, making it Very Walkable for most errands, and is a 14-minute walk from the Heritage C-Train Station .

Key Links: City of Calgary Website | Acadia Community Association | View on Google Maps

Current Market Overview: Acadia offers a diverse range of housing options, from mid-century bungalows to larger two-storey homes, with an average home price around $644,250 and a median of approximately $625,000 as of mid-2026 . The market is active with 70 new listings and 22 homes sold in the last 56 days, reflecting strong demand .

Property Values: According to City of Calgary assessment data, property values in Acadia have increased 27% over the last three years, from an average of $442,861 in 2023 to $562,513 in 2025 . The average assessed value is $586,000, which is below Calgary's city average of $731,000, making Acadia an attractive and affordable entry point for inner-city buyers .

Housing Mix: A proportion of 38.8% of buildings are condominiums or apartments, and 44% are used for renting, providing diverse options for buyers and investors . The community features a variety of property sizes, from traditional bungalows to larger two-storey homes, many built in the 1960s and 1970s with solid construction and spacious yards .

Market Trend: Acadia has seen steady growth over the past year, with property values appreciating 15.9% year-over-year . The median list price for homes in Acadia is currently $574,603 as of late 2025, trending up 0.3% month-over-month .

Search Current Listings: Realtor.ca | Zolo Acadia Listings | Houseful Acadia Trends

Acadia is home to an impressive 9 schools, representing both the Public and Separate school boards, as well as a charter school and bilingual schools . This makes it an ideal location for families with school-aged children.

Public Schools - Calgary Board of Education:

• Acadia School: Kindergarten to Grade 6, located at 9603 5 St SE
• Alice M. Curtis School: Elementary
• Andrew Davison Bilingual Elementary: Offers bilingual programming
• David Thompson Junior High: Grades 7 to 9
• Ecole de la Source: Francophone school
• Fred Parker School: Elementary
• Lord Beaverbrook Senior High: Grades 10 to 12, one of the city's largest high schools
• Foundations for the Future: Charter school

Catholic Schools - Calgary Catholic School District:

• Ecole St. Cecilia Bilingual Elementary
• Ecole St. Matthew Elementary & Junior High

School Board Links: Calgary Board of Education | Calgary Catholic School District | CBE School Directory

Acadia offers excellent connectivity to downtown Calgary and the broader city, with major roads, public transit, and the C-Train providing convenient commute options for residents.

Major Roads:

• Macleod Trail: Provides direct access to downtown Calgary, running along the western edge of the community
• Heritage Drive: Northern boundary providing east-west connectivity
• Southland Drive: Southern boundary providing east-west connectivity
• Blackfoot Trail: Provides access to the industrial area and Deerfoot Trail
• Deerfoot Trail: Accessible via Heritage Drive or Blackfoot Trail, providing the main north-south corridor through Calgary

Commute Times:

• To downtown Calgary: Approximately 15 to 25 minutes by car via Macleod Trail
• By public transit: Approximately 30 to 40 minutes via bus and C-Train
• To Calgary International Airport: Approximately 22 minutes by car
• To South Health Campus: Approximately 20 minutes

Public Transit - C-Train:

• Heritage C-Train Station: Located on the Red Line, just a 14-minute walk from the community
• Southland C-Train Station: Another Red Line option located on the southern boundary
• Multiple bus routes serve the community connecting to nearby LRT stations, including Route 10, Route 99, Route 880, and MAX Teal

Bus Routes:

• Route 10: Serves Fairmount Drive connecting City Hall to Southcentre
• Route 99: Serves Acadia connecting to Heritage Station
• Route 880: Connects St. Matthew School to Heritage Station
• MAX Teal: BRT route connecting Westbrook to Douglas Glen

Transit Link: Calgary Transit | Rome2Rio Transit Planner

Acadia offers an abundance of recreational opportunities, with numerous parks, playgrounds, sports facilities, and the Bow River pathway system within easy reach.

Parks in Acadia:

• Bonaventure Park: A community park with green space and play areas
• Fairview Park: Another community park within walking distance
• Arlington Park: Local park with recreational facilities
• Bow River Pathway System: Direct access along the eastern edge of the community, providing over 13 kilometres of walking, jogging, and cycling routes along the scenic Bow River
• Acadia Recreation Centre: Community facility offering fitness activities, sports leagues, and programs for all ages

Nearby Recreation:

• Heritage Park: One of Calgary's largest and most popular parks, just a short drive away, offering extensive walking paths, picnic areas, and natural spaces
• Glenmore Reservoir: Located nearby for boating and water-based recreation
• Sports Fields: Several sports fields throughout the community for soccer, baseball, and other activities

Community Events: The Acadia Community Association organizes regular events including community clean-ups, seasonal festivals, family-friendly activities, a Kids' Christmas Party, and a Holiday Lights Contest .

Park Link: City of Calgary Parks

Acadia offers convenient access to a wide range of shopping, dining, and essential services, both within the community and in nearby neighbourhoods.

Within Acadia:

• Fairmount Drive: The neighbourhood's main street features a diverse mix of businesses and services, including cafes, restaurants, and professional offices
• Acadia Pharmacy: Provides convenient access to prescriptions and personal care items
• Acadia SuperMart: Offers groceries and everyday essentials
• Acadia Shopping Centre: A retail hub with a variety of stores and services
• Lord Beaverbrook High School: The city's largest high school is located in the community

Nearby Shopping:

• Willow Park Village Shopping Centre: A short drive away offering a mix of retail, dining, and essential services
• Southcentre Mall: Large indoor shopping mall featuring department stores, fashion retailers, and dining, approximately 5-10 minutes north
• Lake Bonavista: Additional shopping and services in the nearby community
• Macleod Trail Corridor: Extensive shopping options along the western boundary of the community

Acadia is a well-established, diverse, and family-friendly community known for its quiet residential streets, mature trees, and strong sense of community spirit.

Demographic Data:

• Population: Approximately 9,915 residents as of the 2021 Census
• Dwellings: 5,053 dwellings
• Median household income: $72,500
• Low-income residents: 12%
• Immigrants: 23% of residents
• Housing mix: 38.8% condominiums or apartments, 44% used for renting
• Age distribution: 28.4% aged 20-39, 36.3% aged 40-64, 18.6% aged 65+
• Balanced demographics supporting a diverse community character

Community Character:

• Quiet, peaceful residential atmosphere with tree-lined streets
• Family-friendly neighbourhood with a strong sense of community
• Tight-knit community with active engagement through the Acadia Community Association
• Home to 9 schools, including public, Catholic, charter, and bilingual options
• Diverse mix of residents from families to professionals to retirees
• Strong community events program including holiday parties, festivals, and social nights
• Pride of ownership evident in well-maintained homes and streets
• Notable for its affordable housing compared to other established Calgary neighbourhoods

Community Association: The Acadia Community Association promotes a vibrant and healthy community by engaging neighbours, advocating for the community, and providing social and recreational opportunities . A new five-year strategic plan for 2024-2029 outlines goals for the community's future .

Community Association Link: Acadia Community Association | Planning & Development Committee

When choosing between southeast Calgary's established communities, Acadia, Southwood, Fairview, and Maple Ridge each offer distinct lifestyles, housing options, and amenities. Here's how they compare across key categories.

Location & Commute:

• Acadia: Located south of Heritage Drive, west of the Bow River, east of Macleod Trail. Commute to downtown 15-25 minutes. Excellent access to Macleod Trail and Heritage Drive. Direct Bow River pathway access.
• Southwood: Located south of Acadia, west of Macleod Trail. Commute to downtown 20-30 minutes. Similar road access with Southland Drive and Macleod Trail.
• Fairview: Located north of Acadia, west of Macleod Trail. Commute to downtown 10-20 minutes. Closer to Heritage C-Train Station. More urban feel.
• Maple Ridge: Located east of Acadia along the Bow River. Commute to downtown 15-25 minutes. Direct river access like Acadia.

Housing & Real Estate Prices:

• Acadia: Average home price approximately $644,250 with median of $625,000. Mix of single-family homes and condos. 38.8% of buildings are condominiums or apartments. Affordable entry point for southeast Calgary. Established homes from 1960s-1970s .
• Southwood: Similar price range to Acadia. Established community with a mix of single-family and multi-family homes. Good affordable options.
• Fairview: Slightly higher prices than Acadia. Closer to downtown and transit. More single-family homes and fewer condos.
• Maple Ridge: Similar price range to Acadia. Riverfront properties command premium prices. More single-family homes. Strong community association.

Parks & Outdoor Recreation:

• Acadia: Direct access to Bow River pathway system. Multiple community parks including Bonaventure, Fairview, and Arlington Parks. Acadia Recreation Centre. Heritage Park and Glenmore Reservoir nearby .
• Southwood: Community parks and green spaces. Southwood Community Association facilities. Good recreation options but less river access.
• Fairview: Community parks and green spaces. Fairview Community Association. Closer to Heritage Park.
• Maple Ridge: Direct Bow River access. Maple Ridge Golf Course nearby. Strong community association with recreation programs.

Shopping & Amenities:

• Acadia: Fairmount Drive local businesses within the community. Acadia Shopping Centre. Willow Park Village and Southcentre Mall nearby. Convenient with less commercial bustle .
• Southwood: Southwood Centre with grocery and services. Macleod Trail retail nearby. Good retail access.
• Fairview: Local businesses along Fairview Drive. Heritage Drive retail nearby. Good retail access.
• Maple Ridge: Limited commercial within the community. Heritage Drive and Macleod Trail retail nearby. More residential feel.

Schools:

• Acadia: 9 schools including Acadia School, Lord Beaverbrook High School, and multiple Catholic and bilingual options. Excellent educational options .
• Southwood: Southwood School and other nearby schools. Good educational options.
• Fairview: Fairview School and other nearby schools. Strong educational options.
• Maple Ridge: Maple Ridge School and other nearby schools. Good educational options.

Which Community Is Right For You?

• Choose Acadia if: You want a well-established, family-friendly community with affordable housing, excellent schools, and direct Bow River pathway access. Best for families, first-time buyers, and those seeking value in a central southeast location.
• Choose Southwood if: You want a similar established feel to Acadia but prefer being south of Southland Drive. Best for those seeking convenience with good community amenities.
• Choose Fairview if: You want closer proximity to downtown and the Heritage LRT Station. Best for commuters who want shorter transit times.
• Choose Maple Ridge if: You want direct Bow River access with a more residential feel. Best for those who prioritize riverfront living and community recreation.

Acadia offers strong investment potential driven by its affordability, established character, excellent schools, and central location in southeast Calgary.

Investment Highlights:

• Affordable entry point: Average home price of $644,250 is competitive for inner-city Calgary .
• Strong value growth: Property values have increased 27% over the past three years and 15.9% year-over-year, outpacing many other communities .
• Excellent location: Less than 25 minutes to downtown with direct access to Macleod Trail, Bow River pathway, and C-Train stations.
• School district: Home to 9 schools including Lord Beaverbrook High School, one of the city's largest high schools .
• Strong rental demand: 44% of dwellings are used for renting, creating a robust rental market .
• Limited inventory: Established community with 70 new listings and 22 homes sold in the last 56 days .
• Future growth: The Heritage Communities Local Area Plan and Rezoning for Housing initiative support thoughtful development and increasing density .

Recent Market Context:

• Current average home price of approximately $644,250 is affordable for southeast Calgary .
• Median home price of $625,000 and median list price of $574,603 provide entry-level opportunities .
• Property values grew 15.9% year-over-year and 27% over three years .
• 245 building permits since 2024 with $83.2M total investment, including 88 new construction homes worth $72.5M .
• Crime rate of 2.542 per 100 is lower than many other inner-city communities like Sunnyside, Sunalta, and Montgomery .

Development Activity:

• Heritage Communities Local Area Plan provides policy and guidance for appropriate future development .
• Rezoning for Housing initiative allows for increased density and diverse housing forms .
• Ongoing community investment in infrastructure, parks, and public spaces.
• New commercial and residential projects expected to enhance community appeal .

Investment Note: For buyers seeking an affordable, established community with strong schools, excellent transit access, and significant future growth potential, Acadia offers exceptional value and solid upside as one of southeast Calgary's most desirable neighbourhoods.