The town's name comes from an Irish-languageepithet for Ireland, Inis Fáil, "Isle of Destiny". Before this name was adopted, the town was often referred to as "Poplar Grove". Sandy Fraser, Napoleon Remillard, Arthur Content and Bill Kemp settled in the area from 1884–1887. These were Innisfail's first settlers. Dr. Henry George was an important physician and coroner for Calgary and Central Alberta. He settled in Innisfail and built a house he called "Lindum Lodge". Later the house was occupied by Bill Kemp and Kate Jane Kemp, who ran it as a boarding house until the 1960s. More people continued to move to the Innisfail area. The construction of the railroad attracted more settlers and business. One of the first businessmen in the area was G. W. West. He is very important to Innisfail's past as he ran a general store, meat market, and grocery store. He was Innisfail's first proprietor when he moved here in 1891. By the 1900s, Innisfail was a village. Some of the early businesses included the Union Bank, the Murray Hotel, Hotel Alberta, the New York Café, the Modern Café, the Paris Café, the Opera House and the West Store.
Demographics
In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Innisfail recorded a population of 7,847 living in 3,169 of its 3,509 total private dwellings, a change from its 2011 population of 7,876. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2016. The Town of Innisfail's 2015 municipal census counted a population of 7,922, a 0.1% increase over its 2012 municipal census population of 7,922. Males made up 42 per cent of the total population, while females made up 43 per cent. The three largest five-year age categories within Innisfail's population were between 75 and over, 50 to 54 years of age, and 55 to 59 years of age. Combined, these three categories accounted for 21 per cent of the town's total population. In the 2011 Census, the Town of Innisfail had a population of 7,876 living in 3,118 of its 3,323 total dwellings, a 7.4% change from its 2006 adjusted population of 7,331. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2011.
According to the National Household Survey conducted by Statistics Canada in 2011, Innisfail has a comparatively high ratio of residents with no certificate, diploma or degree. In particular, 1 in 5 males between the ages of 25 and 64 do not possess a certificate, diploma or degree at any level of education. In comparison to other communities in Central Alberta, males aged 25 to 64 in Ponoka, Olds and Sylvan Lake had rates of 11.9%, 14.1% and 14.9%, respectively. The province of Alberta ratio for males aged 25 to 64 with no certificate, diploma or degree is 13.2%. This puts Innisfail 53% above the provincial average for males.
