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BC Rail 759 (SD40-2) 756 (SD40-2) 4642 (Dash 9-44CW) at Pembertron BC 25-Jun-1995Pemberton, #1 on this list · Photo: SoftwareSimian (CC BY-SA 3.0)
British Columbia · 2026

Fastest-growing towns in British Columbia

Leading British Columbia on this list is Pemberton, at +32.4%. The places after the leader belong to Langford (+31.8%) and Electoral Area F, East Kootenay (+29.2%). Halfway down the list sits Powell River, at +6.0%. At the other end is Electoral Area D, Peace River, with −19.0%. Across Canada, the same list puts Pemberton #4 of 1,117. Canada’s top 100 on this list includes 17 places in British Columbia.

Population change between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, on 2021 boundaries, for places of 2,500 people or more in 2016 (a city’s neighbourhoods have no 2016 count, so they are not on this list) How grades work

#1

Pemberton

British Columbia · 3,620 people
+32.4% Growth, 2016–2021

Overall B·#1,005 of 2,556

Strongest: walkability A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living D−

#2

Langford

British Columbia · 59,664 people
+31.8% Growth, 2016–2021

Overall B−·#1,318 of 2,556

Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living D−

#3

Electoral Area F, East Kootenay

British Columbia · 3,893 people
+29.2% Growth, 2016–2021

Overall B−·#1,338 of 2,556

Strongest: jobs & income A, walkability B·lowest: hazard risk C−

All 158, ranked in British Columbia

Best first in British Columbia; beside each place, its rank on the same list for all of Canada.

Every British Columbia list

158 places

#TownGrowth, 2016–2021Canada rankWhat drives it
1Pemberton3,620 people+32.4%#4 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living D−
2Langford59,664 people+31.8%#5 of 1,117Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living D−
3Electoral Area F, East Kootenay3,893 people+29.2%#8 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A, walkability B·lowest: hazard risk C−
4Southern Gulf Islands6,691 people+28.9%#10 of 1,117Strongest: safety A, health A·lowest: cost of living D
5Lake Country17,637 people+22.4%#21 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A−, schools B+·lowest: hazard risk D−
6Squamish28,578 people+22.2%#22 of 1,117Strongest: health A+, schools A+·lowest: cost of living D−
7Electoral Area C, Nanaimo3,733 people+19.1%#39 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income B, safety B−·lowest: cost of living D
8Whistler15,090 people+19.0%#40 of 1,117Strongest: schools A+, health A·lowest: cost of living D−
9Cumberland4,974 people+18.5%#44 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A, walkability A−·lowest: cost of living D
10Fernie7,086 people+17.1%#53 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A+, jobs & income A·lowest: hazard risk C
11Electoral Area C, North Okanagan5,029 people+16.6%#55 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A, schools A−·lowest: cost of living C−
12Sooke17,248 people+16.0%#58 of 1,117Strongest: health A−, walkability B+·lowest: cost of living D−
13Electoral Area A, Sunshine Coast3,256 people+16.0%#59 of 1,117Strongest: health A, walkability B·lowest: cost of living D−
14Bowen Island4,501 people+15.7%#64 of 1,117Strongest: schools A+, safety A+·lowest: cost of living D−
15Invermere4,305 people+15.5%#67 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A+·lowest: cost of living D
16Kelowna167,654 people+13.5%#94 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living D−
17Electoral Area L, Cariboo5,358 people+13.4%#96 of 1,117Strongest: health C, schools C−·lowest: hazard risk D−
18Langley163,885 people+13.1%#104 of 1,117Strongest: health A, walkability A−·lowest: cost of living D−
19Electoral Area L (Grasslands), Thompson-Nicola3,543 people+12.8%#108 of 1,117Strongest: walkability C+, jobs & income C+·lowest: hazard risk D−
20Blind Bay9,984 people+12.6%#112 of 1,117Strongest: safety A−, walkability C+·lowest: hazard risk D−
21Colwood22,794 people+12.5%#114 of 1,117Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living D−
22Electoral Area J, Central Kootenay3,915 people+12.1%#122 of 1,117Strongest: safety A−, health B·lowest: cost of living C−
23Electoral Area C, Okanagan-Similkameen4,103 people+12.1%#124 of 1,117Strongest: schools A−, health B·lowest: hazard risk D−
24Langley35,444 people+11.9%#127 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A, health A·lowest: cost of living D−
25Central Okanagan4,784 people+11.6%#135 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A−, schools B+·lowest: cost of living D−
26Electoral Area P (Rivers and the Peaks), Thompson-Nicola4,540 people+11.6%#138 of 1,117Strongest: schools B−, jobs & income C+·lowest: hazard risk D−
27Electoral Area B, Nanaimo4,702 people+11.6%#139 of 1,117Strongest: walkability B, safety B−·lowest: cost of living D−
28Chilliwack105,520 people+11.2%#146 of 1,117Strongest: walkability B+, schools B·lowest: cost of living D
29View Royal12,795 people+11.2%#147 of 1,117Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living D−
30New Westminster92,124 people+11.2%#148 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A+, health A·lowest: cost of living D−
31Rossland4,355 people+11.0%#153 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living C−
32Vernon49,527 people+11.0%#154 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A−, schools A−·lowest: hazard risk D−
33Courtenay32,869 people+10.8%#157 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A, schools A−·lowest: cost of living D−
34Maple Ridge105,925 people+10.6%#169 of 1,117Strongest: health A, walkability A−·lowest: cost of living D−
35West Kelowna40,274 people+10.5%#173 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A, health B·lowest: hazard risk D−
36Electoral Area H, Nanaimo4,815 people+10.5%#174 of 1,117Strongest: schools A, safety B+·lowest: jobs & income D
37Fairwinds7,125 people+10.4%#175 of 1,117Strongest: safety A−, schools B·lowest: cost of living D−
38Nanaimo111,845 people+10.3%#178 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A, jobs & income B·lowest: cost of living D−
39Saltspring Island12,429 people+10.2%#184 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D
40Osoyoos5,724 people+10.0%#187 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A, schools B·lowest: hazard risk D−
41White Rock25,057 people+10.0%#191 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A+, health A·lowest: cost of living D−
42Juan de Fuca (Part 1)5,439 people+9.9%#193 of 1,117Strongest: health A−, schools B+·lowest: cost of living D−
43Electoral Area A, Comox Valley8,415 people+9.9%#194 of 1,117Strongest: safety B+, health B+·lowest: cost of living D−
44North Vancouver66,624 people+9.9%#195 of 1,117Strongest: health A+, walkability A+·lowest: cost of living D−
45Salmon Arm20,891 people+9.7%#197 of 1,117Strongest: hazard risk A, jobs & income A−·lowest: cost of living D
46Sparwood4,486 people+9.6%#205 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A, cost of living A−·lowest: hazard risk C
47Parksville15,371 people+9.5%#208 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A, schools A·lowest: cost of living D−
48Revelstoke9,464 people+9.4%#219 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A·lowest: cost of living D
49Kimberley9,037 people+9.3%#224 of 1,117Strongest: schools A, walkability A−·lowest: cost of living C−
50Penticton39,068 people+9.3%#228 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A+, schools A−·lowest: cost of living D−
51Electoral Area F, North Okanagan4,969 people+9.1%#235 of 1,117Strongest: health B−, safety B−·lowest: cost of living D
52Welcome Beach3,130 people+8.9%#241 of 1,117Strongest: health A+, schools B+·lowest: cost of living D−
53Electoral Area D, North Okanagan3,184 people+8.9%#242 of 1,117Strongest: schools B+, safety B+·lowest: walkability C−
54Cowichan Bay3,713 people+8.8%#243 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A−, walkability B−·lowest: cost of living D
55Electoral Area D, Columbia-Shuswap4,829 people+8.8%#246 of 1,117Strongest: safety A−, walkability C+·lowest: hazard risk D−
56North Saanich12,986 people+8.8%#249 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A+, health A·lowest: cost of living D
57Abbotsford175,358 people+8.6%#254 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A−, jobs & income B·lowest: cost of living D
58Electoral Area C, East Kootenay7,006 people+8.6%#257 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A−, health B·lowest: walkability D
59Kamloops108,793 people+8.4%#261 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A, hazard risk A−·lowest: cost of living D
60Electoral Area H, Central Kootenay5,390 people+8.4%#263 of 1,117Strongest: safety A, schools A·lowest: jobs & income D−
61Hope7,183 people+8.2%#273 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A−, hazard risk B+·lowest: schools D−
62Electoral Area G, Nanaimo8,412 people+7.7%#295 of 1,117Strongest: schools A−, safety A−·lowest: cost of living D
63North Cowichan34,525 people+7.7%#296 of 1,117Strongest: walkability B+, jobs & income B·lowest: cost of living D−
64Mission47,280 people+7.7%#298 of 1,117Strongest: walkability B+, health B·lowest: cost of living D
65Metchosin5,207 people+7.6%#301 of 1,117Strongest: health A, safety A−·lowest: cost of living D−
66Campbell River38,300 people+7.6%#302 of 1,117Strongest: health A−, walkability A−·lowest: cost of living D−
67Golden4,433 people+7.5%#310 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A+, jobs & income A·lowest: hazard risk C−
68Victoria103,888 people+7.1%#334 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D−
69Electoral Area E, Alberni-Clayoquot3,069 people+7.0%#338 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income B+, safety B+·lowest: cost of living C−
70Okanagan Falls4,002 people+6.9%#341 of 1,117Strongest: schools A−, jobs & income B·lowest: hazard risk D−
71Electoral Area C (Puntledge - Black Creek), Comox Valley9,803 people+6.8%#345 of 1,117Strongest: safety B+, health B+·lowest: cost of living D
72Coquitlam173,599 people+6.7%#351 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A+, health A·lowest: cost of living D−
73Peachland6,302 people+6.7%#354 of 1,117Strongest: safety A−, walkability B·lowest: cost of living D−
74Electoral Area F, Nanaimo8,810 people+6.4%#365 of 1,117Strongest: schools A−, safety A−·lowest: cost of living D
75Electoral Area A, Bulkley-Nechako5,829 people+6.3%#370 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A+, hazard risk A·lowest: health D
76Sechelt11,558 people+6.2%#377 of 1,117Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A−·lowest: cost of living D−
77Delta124,670 people+6.1%#385 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A+, health A·lowest: cost of living D−
78Electoral Area A, Nanaimo7,825 people+6.0%#393 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income B, hazard risk B−·lowest: cost of living D−
79Electoral Area E, Sunshine Coast4,279 people+6.0%#396 of 1,117Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A−·lowest: cost of living D−
80Powell River14,947 people+6.0%#397 of 1,117Strongest: health A+, walkability A−·lowest: cost of living D
81Fort St. John24,383 people+5.9%#398 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A−·lowest: safety D
82Lantzville4,276 people+5.9%#402 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A, schools A−·lowest: cost of living D−
83Richmond239,584 people+5.9%#404 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A+, health A·lowest: cost of living D−
84Electoral Area A, Columbia-Shuswap3,672 people+5.6%#423 of 1,117Strongest: schools A−, jobs & income B+·lowest: cost of living C−
85Comox15,884 people+5.5%#428 of 1,117Strongest: schools A, walkability A·lowest: cost of living D−
86Sidney13,445 people+5.5%#430 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A+, health A·lowest: cost of living D−
87Ladysmith9,926 people+5.3%#445 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A−, health B·lowest: cost of living D
88Electoral Area F, Cariboo5,016 people+5.2%#450 of 1,117Strongest: hazard risk A−, safety B+·lowest: walkability D
89Shawnigan9,903 people+5.1%#458 of 1,117Strongest: schools A+, safety B+·lowest: cost of living D
90Electoral Area C (Part 1), Kitimat-Stikine3,189 people+5.1%#461 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A, hazard risk A−·lowest: health D−
91Nelson12,126 people+5.1%#463 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A+, schools A·lowest: cost of living D−
92Port Coquitlam67,724 people+4.9%#472 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A, health A·lowest: cost of living D−
93Coldstream11,380 people+4.9%#474 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A, schools A·lowest: hazard risk D−
94Electoral Area A, Cowichan Valley5,156 people+4.6%#495 of 1,117Strongest: schools A, safety B+·lowest: cost of living D
95Electoral Area D (Oyster Bay - Buttle Lake), Strathcona4,546 people+4.4%#505 of 1,117Strongest: health B+, schools B+·lowest: safety D
96Electoral Area B (Lazo North), Comox Valley7,830 people+4.2%#521 of 1,117Strongest: health A−, jobs & income B+·lowest: cost of living D
97Creston5,976 people+4.1%#524 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A+, health B+·lowest: cost of living D
98Armstrong5,643 people+4.1%#531 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A−, walkability B+·lowest: cost of living D
99Qualicum Beach9,640 people+4.0%#538 of 1,117Strongest: schools A, walkability A−·lowest: cost of living D−
100Spallumcheen5,843 people+3.9%#543 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income B+, safety B+·lowest: cost of living D
101West Vancouver47,929 people+3.9%#545 of 1,117Strongest: health A+, walkability A·lowest: cost of living D−
102Electoral Area F, Central Kootenay4,209 people+3.9%#548 of 1,117Strongest: schools A+, safety A·lowest: cost of living D
103Kent7,093 people+3.8%#550 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A−, schools A−·lowest: cost of living D
104Castlegar9,465 people+3.7%#555 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A−, health B·lowest: safety C−
105Summerland12,343 people+3.7%#561 of 1,117Strongest: schools A−, walkability A−·lowest: hazard risk D−
106Prince George85,944 people+3.7%#562 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A−, walkability B+·lowest: safety D
107Central Saanich18,184 people+3.4%#579 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D−
108Oliver5,262 people+3.4%#580 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A, schools A−·lowest: hazard risk D−
109Gibsons5,090 people+3.3%#583 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D−
110Electoral Area E, Central Kootenay4,309 people+3.3%#585 of 1,117Strongest: schools A+, safety A·lowest: cost of living D
111Port Alberni19,671 people+3.3%#587 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A, health B−·lowest: safety D
112Terrace13,648 people+3.2%#593 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A−·lowest: safety D
113Electoral Area E, Cowichan Valley4,482 people+3.2%#595 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income B+, health B−·lowest: cost of living D
114Saanich126,011 people+3.1%#598 of 1,117Strongest: health A+, walkability A+·lowest: cost of living D−
115Electoral Area B, Central Kootenay5,243 people+3.1%#601 of 1,117Strongest: safety A, schools B+·lowest: cost of living C−
116Pitt Meadows20,892 people+3.1%#604 of 1,117Strongest: health A, walkability A·lowest: cost of living D−
117Lake Cowichan3,757 people+3.1%#607 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A, hazard risk B−·lowest: jobs & income D
118Mile 108 Recreational Ranch5,887 people+3.0%#608 of 1,117Strongest: health C, jobs & income C−·lowest: hazard risk D−
119Roberts Creek3,779 people+3.0%#611 of 1,117Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living D−
120North Vancouver97,845 people+2.9%#616 of 1,117Strongest: health A+, walkability A·lowest: cost of living D−
121Electoral Area I, Central Kootenay2,758 people+2.9%#622 of 1,117Strongest: safety A−, health B·lowest: walkability D
122Trail8,539 people+2.7%#633 of 1,117Strongest: health A, walkability A−·lowest: safety C−
123Princeton3,050 people+2.3%#663 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A, health B+·lowest: cost of living D
124Electoral Area D, Fraser-Fort George4,802 people+2.3%#668 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A−, hazard risk B·lowest: schools D
125Cranbrook22,703 people+2.3%#670 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A−, walkability A−·lowest: safety D
126Electoral Area B, North Okanagan3,415 people+2.2%#674 of 1,117Strongest: schools A−, jobs & income A−·lowest: hazard risk D−
127Enderby3,292 people+2.2%#678 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A, health B·lowest: cost of living D
128Electoral Area C, Fraser-Fort George3,811 people+2.2%#679 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income B+, hazard risk B·lowest: walkability D−
129Duncan5,745 people+2.1%#686 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A+, health B·lowest: cost of living D−
130Houston3,114 people+2.0%#694 of 1,117Strongest: hazard risk A, cost of living A−·lowest: health D−
131Williams Lake11,462 people+1.8%#711 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A−, jobs & income B+·lowest: hazard risk D−
132Grand Forks4,308 people+1.6%#733 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A+, health A·lowest: cost of living D
133Kitimat10,019 people+1.3%#752 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A, walkability B+·lowest: health C−
134Dawson Creek13,635 people+1.2%#760 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A−, jobs & income A−·lowest: safety D
135Electoral Area E, Cariboo4,242 people+1.2%#761 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A−, safety B+·lowest: hazard risk D−
136Prince Rupert12,903 people+0.7%#796 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A·lowest: safety D
137Electoral Area B, Cariboo4,169 people+0.6%#801 of 1,117Strongest: hazard risk B+, safety B−·lowest: schools D
138Cobble Hill5,074 people+0.5%#807 of 1,117Strongest: schools A+, jobs & income B+·lowest: cost of living D−
139Electoral Area A, Fraser-Fort George3,764 people+0.2%#826 of 1,117Strongest: hazard risk B, cost of living B−·lowest: health D
140Quesnel10,253 people+0.1%#839 of 1,117Strongest: walkability B+, hazard risk B+·lowest: safety D
141Electoral Area D (Rural Grand Forks), Kootenay Boundary3,570 people+0.0%#843 of 1,117Strongest: schools A−, health A−·lowest: cost of living C−
142Port Moody38,285 people−0.0%#849 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A, health A·lowest: cost of living D−
143Smithers5,627 people−0.4%#880 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A+·lowest: safety D
144Oak Bay18,626 people−0.6%#894 of 1,117Strongest: health A+, safety A+·lowest: cost of living D−
145Esquimalt19,512 people−0.7%#918 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D−
146Electoral Area A, Cariboo6,172 people−1.0%#943 of 1,117Strongest: hazard risk B+, jobs & income B−·lowest: schools D
147Merritt7,190 people−1.2%#948 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A, hazard risk B·lowest: schools D−
148Electoral Area E, Kitimat-Stikine4,153 people−1.5%#962 of 1,117Strongest: hazard risk A−, jobs & income A−·lowest: health D
149Vanderhoof4,545 people−2.0%#979 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A, cost of living B+·lowest: safety D
150Electoral Area D, Cariboo3,057 people−2.0%#981 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A, safety B+·lowest: hazard risk D−
151Electoral Area F, Bulkley-Nechako3,643 people−4.0%#1,054 of 1,117Strongest: hazard risk B, cost of living C+·lowest: health D
152Electoral Area B, Peace River5,814 people−4.4%#1,063 of 1,117Strongest: hazard risk B+, schools B·lowest: health D
153Port Hardy4,201 people−5.6%#1,080 of 1,117Strongest: walkability A−, health A−·lowest: safety D
154Electoral Area E, Peace River2,737 people−9.8%#1,108 of 1,117Strongest: cost of living A−, jobs & income B+·lowest: safety D
155Electoral Area C, Peace River6,344 people−10.8%#1,110 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A, hazard risk B+·lowest: walkability D
156Mackenzie3,442 people−11.7%#1,114 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income A, walkability A−·lowest: schools D
157Fort Nelson4,144 people−18.8%#1,116 of 1,117Strongest: cost of living A+, jobs & income A·lowest: safety D
158Electoral Area D, Peace River5,100 people−19.0%#1,117 of 1,117Strongest: jobs & income B+, hazard risk B+·lowest: walkability D
Rankings

More lists for British Columbia

Province by province

Fastest-growing elsewhere

Photos: Pemberton, SoftwareSimian (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Langford, P199 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Electoral Area F, East Kootenay, Photo by Alan Silvester ( mascdman ) (CC BY-SA 2.0 ca), via Wikimedia Commons.

Sources: TownRatings grades: our own summary of the data, ranking Canadian towns against each other only, run #73 of 10 November 2026. Under the Statistics Canada Open Licence.

Adapted from Statistics Canada (Census of Population 2021, population estimates 2025, 2021 census boundaries) under the Statistics Canada Open Licence; this does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada. Neighbourhood names in some cities © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).