Drake (2016 population: ) is a village in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan within the Rural Municipality of Usborne No. 310 and Census Division No. 11. The village lies west of Highway 20, approximately 11 km south of its intersection with the Yellowhead Highway.

History

Drake incorporated as a village on September 19, 1910.

Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Drake had a population of 197 living in 91 of its 103 total private dwellings, a change of NaN% from its 2016 population of 197. With a land area of 0.64 km2, it had a population density of in 2021. In the 2016 Census of Population, the Village of Drake recorded a population of living in of its total private dwellings, a NaN% change from its 2011 population of. With a land area of 0.72 km2, it had a population density of in 2016.

Economy

Drake is mostly a farming community, supported by the crops and livestock of the surrounding farms. However, two successful large-scale businesses, Drake Meat Processors and Bergen Industries, were founded in and operate from the village, keeping it from becoming a loose connection of farms.

Education

The local school, Drake Elementary School, is used by elementary-aged students from Drake (as well as surrounding areas without their own school, such as Lockwood). After Grade 8, students go to the nearby Lanigan Central High School to complete their secondary education. Despite decreasing enrollment, DES finds strong support in the community; however, recent changes to the school division structuring across Saskatchewan have left its long-term future in doubt.

Sports

Drake is home to the 2023 Senior Hockey Saskatchewan Provincial A champions, the Drake Canucks. A separate Canucks senior men's team was a founding member in 1965 of the Highway Hockey League in central Saskatchewan.

Notable people