Named for James McKernan (prominent businessman and citizen of Edmonton's early rival, the City of Strathcona), McKernan became part of Edmonton through amalgamation in 1912, but development of the area was delayed until McKernan was drained during the 1940s. As with many mature neighbourhoods, the residential component in McKernan is predominately single families.
With proximity to the University of Alberta Campus, a large proportion of McKernan's residents are post-secondary students. Civic ward: papastew. District: Scona. City boundary records effective 1981-10-01.