25+ Fun & Interesting Facts About Saskatoon
On my first visit to Saskatoon – the largest city in the province of Saskatchewan, I was surprised to see what a vibrant young city it is. It’s also home to a great foodie scene that I was completely unaware of. I’m sure I’m not the only one who is misinformed about Saskatoon. Check out these 25 fun, weird and interesting facts about Saskatoon to get a sense of the city.
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Saskatoon history
Saskatoon is named after mis-sask-quah-toomina, the Cree Indian name for the local Saskatoon berry – a sweet, violet-coloured berry that grows wild.
The city of Saskatoon was established in 1883. It was incorporated in 1906.
The Saskatoon area has been inhabited for between 5,000 and 8,000 years. There is evidence of buffalo kill sites, and teepee rings. Today approximately 9% of the cities population is native.
Saskatoon has a number of nicknames – The Paris of the Prairies because of the bridges, POW – referring to potash, oil and wheat, after the natural resources the city and area is famous for, and The Hub City – because Saskatoon has been the hub of Saskatchewan.
Saskatoon has three sister cities – Chernivtsi, Ukraine, Shijiazhuang, China and Umeå, Sweden.
Saskatoon demographics
According to the 2022 greater Saskatoon has a population of 273,980. It grew about 11.3% between 2016 and 2022.
In Saskatoon 12.1% of the population is over 65, less than the national average. The median age is 35. There were 50 people (in 2011) over the age of 100.
Saskatoon weather
The lowest temperature ever recorded in Saskatoon was -50°C in 1893. The coldest temperature with wind chill ever recorded was -60.9°C.
Recommended reading: 10 Things to do in Saskatoon in Winter
The highest temperature ever recorded was 40.6°C (105.1 F) on June 5, 1988.
Saskatoon averages 2,380.8 hours of sunshine per year.
On the summer solstice the sun rises at 4:45 AM and sets at 9:31 PM. On the winter solstice the sun rises at 9:13 AM and sets at 4:56 PM.
The only earthquake ever recorded in Saskatoon occurred on May 15, 1909. It lasted for about 30 seconds.
Saskatoon lies on the South Saskatchewan River. That explains why there are seven bridges in the city.
Food and shopping in Saskatoon
Sailor Dan – aka Dan Hicks is a local legend. His regular route is down Eighth Street to Broadway Avenue and back where he tries to sell his Sailor Dan original paintings.
The Midtown Plaza Shopping Center is the largest shopping center in Saskatoon.
There are more Tim Horton’s per capita than in any other city in Canada.
Forget hamburgers. Drive thru for Baba’s Homestyle Perogies, probably the only perogie drive thru in Canada.
Saskatoon has one of the highest number of restaurants per capita in Canada – and great ones with many of them embracing the farm to fork philosophy.
Breweries and Distilleries in Saskatoon
There are 7 breweries in Saskatoon, three distilleries and one cider company. I highly recommend the tour at Black Fox Distillery, a place where they age their spirits in barrels outside year round.
Saskatoon Festivals
Saskatoon has become a city of festivals. The Potash Corp Wintershines Festival features international ice carvers. Coming festivals include the Saskatoon Blues Festival, the Fringe Festival, the Jazz Festival, Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan and the Children’s Festival.
Famous people from Saskatoon
One of the interesting facts about Saskatoon is the number of famous and/or notable people from the city. They include Joni Mitchell (musician), Farley Mowat (author), Gordie Howe (former NHL player), John Diefenbaker (former Prime Minister of Canada), Ray Hnatyshyn (former Governor General of Canada), Yann Martel (author of Life of Pi – and the movie version won some Oscars), Jim Pattison (billionaire businessman) and Roy Romanow (former Premier of Saskatchewan).
Random interesting facts about Saskatoon
Saskatoon has been the subject of a number of songs. The Tragically Hip song – Wheat Kings – has a line in it – Sundown in the Paris of the Prairies – referring to Saskatoon. Johnny Cash co-wrote the song – The Girl from Saskatoon.
Two universities call Saskatoon home – the University of Saskatchewan and the First Nations University of Canada.
The world’s largest potash producer – Nutrien – has corporate headquarters in Saskatoon. Almost two thirds of the world’s recoverable potash reserves are in the Saskatoon area.
Saskatoon is the home of the largest indoor entertainment venue in Saskatchewan – the SaskTel Centre, with the ability to host 15,000 people.
Outdoor activities in Saskatoon
One of the interesting facts about Saskatoon is that it is home to 200 parks covering 870 hectares. If you included sports fields and naturalized areas, you’ll find 2,130 hectares of open space.
The Meewasin Valley Trail – listed by Reader’s Digest as one of the top 10 greatest hikes in Canada in the fall – extends for 60 kilometres along the east and west banks of the South Saskatchewan River.
You can also cycle the city on a great network of trail – particularly along the river. Fat biking is popular in winter.
In summer, you can stand up paddleboard on a long stretch of the South Saskatchewan River and finish in downtown Saskatoon.
Recommended reading: 6 Fun Things to Do in Saskatoon in Summer
Further reading on interesting facts about Canadian cities
- 29 Interesting Facts About Regina
- 145 Weird, Fun and Interesting Facts About Canada
- 30 Fun and Interesting Facts about Prince Edward Island
- 30 Fun, Weird & Interesting Facts About Victoria
- 26 Weird, Wonderful and Useful Facts About Edmonton
- 39 Fun and Interesting Facts About Calgary
- 26 Fun, Weird and Interesting Facts About Halifax, Nova Scotia
- 28 Fun, Weird and Interesting Facts About Yellowknife, NWT
- 34 Interesting and Fun Facts About Quebec City
- 28 Fun, Weird and Interesting Facts About Winnipeg
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Thank you Maya. I definitely didn’t copy them so will be contacting them. Much appreciated.
Young adult author Jeyn Roberts is from Saskatoon. Part of her first novel, Dark Inside takes place there.
Thanks for that info Jimmy.
I lived in Saskatoon in the nineteen sixties and seventies and loved it. Wonder if it is known that when Our Famous Former Prime John Diefenbaker passed away, he is the only Canadian Prime Minister that was honored by Canada’s Indigenous People to sing him an honor song as he was being lowered into his final resting place into Mother Earth here in Saskatoon. He was after all the Prime Minister who fought for the rights of Indigenous people and it was his government that gave them their right to vote.
@Edward Love this info – and what a tribute to Diefenbaker.
Saskatoon resident here most of my life. Some stuff i knew some I didn’t.
That said your use of the term “native” did make me shudder. A more accepted term would be First Nations, or indigenous.
Our Gorden Oakes Redbear student centre just opened on campus at the university designed by Douglas Cardinal. Just outside the city is also Wanuskewin Heritage Park.
I’ve never been so proud of my hometown.
Sharon Tweed, Gene Simmons wife, is from Saskatoon
Actually I think her mothers home is there….
Shannon Tweed not sharon. Damn autocorrect!
Oh an also The Sheep Dogs are from Saskatoon a.k.a. toontown
@Penny I’ve never heard of The Sheep Dogs. My eyes (and ears) are being opened.
You forgot that Kim Coates from SOA is also from here an comes back all rhe time for visits,to raise money for local charities 🙂
Great list, but I should point out that it was called “Hub City” because, when viewed from above with all the railroads coming in and out of the city like spokes on a wheel, the town itself in the centre then looks like the hub.
@David I guess I need to get a bird’s eye view of the city!
Fun reading! Check on the earthquake thing. I remember one in the 80’s. I was lying in be watching the light fixture swinging back and forth wondering what my kids were up to now. My husband called from his office at the Potash head office downtown saying the blinds on the top floor were really swinging.
@Kathy I have yet to be in an earthquake; that must have been quite the experience.
i would just like to add, that in addition to MooseJaw, sask.
There are tunnels in Saskatoon , made by Chinese immigrants in the early 1900’s . The tunnels are documented , but not well known. Also Saskatoon was first established on the east side of the river, by Bar Colony. A group of Saskatoonians broke free and wasn’t to the west side of the river, where they were “allowed” to drink and purchase alcohol.
You could not purchase alcohol on the east side of the city until the last of the Bar Colonest died.
@Julee I certainly hadn’t heard of the tunnels so thanks for that unusual fact. Booze always seems to have a place in history!
This guy from Saskatoon has achieved great sporting results
And never seems to get mentioned as he left Saskatoon at age 17
But he is a legend Down Under
@Rod Interesting how we don’t always recognize home grown legends.
Some things are not very accurate. The lowest temp with windchill was -72c on Jan 10th, 2007. It was my birthday and it sucked.
That was the day of the infamous snow storm where the city was gridlocked and people got trapped on Circle Dr…Not even close to setting a temperature record that day…The walls of snow that were created that day was sure impressive though.
Although there is a campus of the First Nations University in Saskatoon, the university is actually based out of Regina. The main campus is there and theFirst Nations University is strongly partnered with the University of Regina.
@Sam Thanks for the clarification.
Saskatoon is not a place to live it is a place to be from.
Anywhere you die if you walk out the front door, leave.
@Don I’m sorry you feel that way about the city. Every city has its positives and negatives – and hopefully one day you will enjoy it again.
Yann Martel isn’t actually from Saskatoon. He was born in Spain, but chose to remain in Saskatoon to live after being Writer in Residence with the Saskatoon Public Library.
@Meg Thank you for the extra details. I certainly associate him with Saskatoon.
actually Moncton has more Tim Hortons per capita 🙂
@Brian I’ll have to take your word for it – or call Tim Horton’s Head Office.
I lived in saskatchewan for 22 years, and in saskatoon for 5. I loved this article because it really shines a light on how beautiful of a place it truly is. I still visit a few times every year and in my head it is still home to me and honestly saskatoon is my favorite city i have lived in so far. I lived in vancouver and currently live in edmonton. Some local nicknames you didn’t have are also stoon and saskabush. We do have quite a good humour and we know our weird quirks. 🙂
@Kari I love “Stoon” – and thanks for stopping by to comment.
Missed another twin city – Chernivtsi, Ukraine.
@George You’re right. I’ve never heard of the place.
good article but Jimmy Pattison did not come from Saskatoon . he lived in Luseland 130 miles west of the city.
@Shelby I got bad info. Thanks for the correction.