Home › Canada › British Columbia › Rankings › Fastest-growing Pemberton, #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 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 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 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 # Town Growth, 2016–2021 Canada rank What drives it
1 Pemberton 3,620 people +32.4% #4 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A+ , jobs & income A · lowest: cost of living D− 2 Langford 59,664 people +31.8% #5 of 1,117 Strongest: health A+ , jobs & income A · lowest: cost of living D− 10 Fernie 7,086 people +17.1% #53 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A+ , jobs & income A · lowest: hazard risk C 12 Sooke 17,248 people +16.0% #58 of 1,117 Strongest: health A− , walkability B+ · lowest: cost of living D− 15 Invermere 4,305 people +15.5% #67 of 1,117 Strongest: jobs & income A+ , walkability A+ · lowest: cost of living D 16 Kelowna 167,654 people +13.5% #94 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A , jobs & income A · lowest: cost of living D− 18 Langley 163,885 people +13.1% #104 of 1,117 Strongest: health A , walkability A− · lowest: cost of living D− 20 Blind Bay 9,984 people +12.6% #112 of 1,117 Strongest: safety A− , walkability C+ · lowest: hazard risk D− 21 Colwood 22,794 people +12.5% #114 of 1,117 Strongest: health A+ , jobs & income A · lowest: cost of living D− 24 Langley 35,444 people +11.9% #127 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A , health A · lowest: cost of living D− 25 Central Okanagan 4,784 people +11.6% #135 of 1,117 Strongest: jobs & income A− , schools B+ · lowest: cost of living D− 28 Chilliwack 105,520 people +11.2% #146 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability B+ , schools B · lowest: cost of living D 29 View Royal 12,795 people +11.2% #147 of 1,117 Strongest: health A+ , jobs & income A · lowest: cost of living D− 30 New Westminster 92,124 people +11.2% #148 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A+ , health A · lowest: cost of living D− 31 Rossland 4,355 people +11.0% #153 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A+ , jobs & income A · lowest: cost of living C− 32 Vernon 49,527 people +11.0% #154 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A− , schools A− · lowest: hazard risk D− 33 Courtenay 32,869 people +10.8% #157 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A , schools A− · lowest: cost of living D− 34 Maple Ridge 105,925 people +10.6% #169 of 1,117 Strongest: health A , walkability A− · lowest: cost of living D− 35 West Kelowna 40,274 people +10.5% #173 of 1,117 Strongest: jobs & income A , health B · lowest: hazard risk D− 37 Fairwinds 7,125 people +10.4% #175 of 1,117 Strongest: safety A− , schools B · lowest: cost of living D− 38 Nanaimo 111,845 people +10.3% #178 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A , jobs & income B · lowest: cost of living D− 39 Saltspring Island 12,429 people +10.2% #184 of 1,117 Strongest: jobs & income A+ , health A+ · lowest: cost of living D 40 Osoyoos 5,724 people +10.0% #187 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A , schools B · lowest: hazard risk D− 41 White Rock 25,057 people +10.0% #191 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A+ , health A · lowest: cost of living D− 42 Juan de Fuca (Part 1) 5,439 people +9.9% #193 of 1,117 Strongest: health A− , schools B+ · lowest: cost of living D− 44 North Vancouver 66,624 people +9.9% #195 of 1,117 Strongest: health A+ , walkability A+ · lowest: cost of living D− 45 Salmon Arm 20,891 people +9.7% #197 of 1,117 Strongest: hazard risk A , jobs & income A− · lowest: cost of living D 46 Sparwood 4,486 people +9.6% #205 of 1,117 Strongest: jobs & income A , cost of living A− · lowest: hazard risk C 47 Parksville 15,371 people +9.5% #208 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A , schools A · lowest: cost of living D− 48 Revelstoke 9,464 people +9.4% #219 of 1,117 Strongest: jobs & income A+ , walkability A · lowest: cost of living D 49 Kimberley 9,037 people +9.3% #224 of 1,117 Strongest: schools A , walkability A− · lowest: cost of living C− 50 Penticton 39,068 people +9.3% #228 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A+ , schools A− · lowest: cost of living D− 52 Welcome Beach 3,130 people +8.9% #241 of 1,117 Strongest: health A+ , schools B+ · lowest: cost of living D− 54 Cowichan Bay 3,713 people +8.8% #243 of 1,117 Strongest: jobs & income A− , walkability B− · lowest: cost of living D 56 North Saanich 12,986 people +8.8% #249 of 1,117 Strongest: jobs & income A+ , health A · lowest: cost of living D 57 Abbotsford 175,358 people +8.6% #254 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A− , jobs & income B · lowest: cost of living D 59 Kamloops 108,793 people +8.4% #261 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A , hazard risk A− · lowest: cost of living D 61 Hope 7,183 people +8.2% #273 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A− , hazard risk B+ · lowest: schools D− 63 North Cowichan 34,525 people +7.7% #296 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability B+ , jobs & income B · lowest: cost of living D− 64 Mission 47,280 people +7.7% #298 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability B+ , health B · lowest: cost of living D 65 Metchosin 5,207 people +7.6% #301 of 1,117 Strongest: health A , safety A− · lowest: cost of living D− 66 Campbell River 38,300 people +7.6% #302 of 1,117 Strongest: health A− , walkability A− · lowest: cost of living D− 67 Golden 4,433 people +7.5% #310 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A+ , jobs & income A · lowest: hazard risk C− 68 Victoria 103,888 people +7.1% #334 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A+ , health A+ · lowest: cost of living D− 70 Okanagan Falls 4,002 people +6.9% #341 of 1,117 Strongest: schools A− , jobs & income B · lowest: hazard risk D− 72 Coquitlam 173,599 people +6.7% #351 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A+ , health A · lowest: cost of living D− 73 Peachland 6,302 people +6.7% #354 of 1,117 Strongest: safety A− , walkability B · lowest: cost of living D− 76 Sechelt 11,558 people +6.2% #377 of 1,117 Strongest: health A+ , jobs & income A− · lowest: cost of living D− 77 Delta 124,670 people +6.1% #385 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A+ , health A · lowest: cost of living D− 78 Electoral Area A, Nanaimo 7,825 people +6.0% #393 of 1,117 Strongest: jobs & income B , hazard risk B− · lowest: cost of living D− 80 Powell River 14,947 people +6.0% #397 of 1,117 Strongest: health A+ , walkability A− · lowest: cost of living D 81 Fort St. John 24,383 people +5.9% #398 of 1,117 Strongest: jobs & income A+ , walkability A− · lowest: safety D 82 Lantzville 4,276 people +5.9% #402 of 1,117 Strongest: jobs & income A , schools A− · lowest: cost of living D− 83 Richmond 239,584 people +5.9% #404 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A+ , health A · lowest: cost of living D− 85 Comox 15,884 people +5.5% #428 of 1,117 Strongest: schools A , walkability A · lowest: cost of living D− 86 Sidney 13,445 people +5.5% #430 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A+ , health A · lowest: cost of living D− 87 Ladysmith 9,926 people +5.3% #445 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A− , health B · lowest: cost of living D 89 Shawnigan 9,903 people +5.1% #458 of 1,117 Strongest: schools A+ , safety B+ · lowest: cost of living D 91 Nelson 12,126 people +5.1% #463 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A+ , schools A · lowest: cost of living D− 92 Port Coquitlam 67,724 people +4.9% #472 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A , health A · lowest: cost of living D− 93 Coldstream 11,380 people +4.9% #474 of 1,117 Strongest: jobs & income A , schools A · lowest: hazard risk D− 97 Creston 5,976 people +4.1% #524 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A+ , health B+ · lowest: cost of living D 98 Armstrong 5,643 people +4.1% #531 of 1,117 Strongest: jobs & income A− , walkability B+ · lowest: cost of living D 99 Qualicum Beach 9,640 people +4.0% #538 of 1,117 Strongest: schools A , walkability A− · lowest: cost of living D− 100 Spallumcheen 5,843 people +3.9% #543 of 1,117 Strongest: jobs & income B+ , safety B+ · lowest: cost of living D 101 West Vancouver 47,929 people +3.9% #545 of 1,117 Strongest: health A+ , walkability A · lowest: cost of living D− 103 Kent 7,093 people +3.8% #550 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A− , schools A− · lowest: cost of living D 104 Castlegar 9,465 people +3.7% #555 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A− , health B · lowest: safety C− 105 Summerland 12,343 people +3.7% #561 of 1,117 Strongest: schools A− , walkability A− · lowest: hazard risk D− 106 Prince George 85,944 people +3.7% #562 of 1,117 Strongest: jobs & income A− , walkability B+ · lowest: safety D 107 Central Saanich 18,184 people +3.4% #579 of 1,117 Strongest: jobs & income A+ , health A+ · lowest: cost of living D− 108 Oliver 5,262 people +3.4% #580 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A , schools A− · lowest: hazard risk D− 109 Gibsons 5,090 people +3.3% #583 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A+ , health A+ · lowest: cost of living D− 111 Port Alberni 19,671 people +3.3% #587 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A , health B− · lowest: safety D 112 Terrace 13,648 people +3.2% #593 of 1,117 Strongest: jobs & income A+ , walkability A− · lowest: safety D 114 Saanich 126,011 people +3.1% #598 of 1,117 Strongest: health A+ , walkability A+ · lowest: cost of living D− 116 Pitt Meadows 20,892 people +3.1% #604 of 1,117 Strongest: health A , walkability A · lowest: cost of living D− 117 Lake Cowichan 3,757 people +3.1% #607 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A , hazard risk B− · lowest: jobs & income D 119 Roberts Creek 3,779 people +3.0% #611 of 1,117 Strongest: health A+ , jobs & income A · lowest: cost of living D− 120 North Vancouver 97,845 people +2.9% #616 of 1,117 Strongest: health A+ , walkability A · lowest: cost of living D− 122 Trail 8,539 people +2.7% #633 of 1,117 Strongest: health A , walkability A− · lowest: safety C− 123 Princeton 3,050 people +2.3% #663 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A , health B+ · lowest: cost of living D 125 Cranbrook 22,703 people +2.3% #670 of 1,117 Strongest: jobs & income A− , walkability A− · lowest: safety D 127 Enderby 3,292 people +2.2% #678 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A , health B · lowest: cost of living D 129 Duncan 5,745 people +2.1% #686 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A+ , health B · lowest: cost of living D− 130 Houston 3,114 people +2.0% #694 of 1,117 Strongest: hazard risk A , cost of living A− · lowest: health D− 131 Williams Lake 11,462 people +1.8% #711 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A− , jobs & income B+ · lowest: hazard risk D− 132 Grand Forks 4,308 people +1.6% #733 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A+ , health A · lowest: cost of living D 133 Kitimat 10,019 people +1.3% #752 of 1,117 Strongest: jobs & income A , walkability B+ · lowest: health C− 134 Dawson Creek 13,635 people +1.2% #760 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A− , jobs & income A− · lowest: safety D 136 Prince Rupert 12,903 people +0.7% #796 of 1,117 Strongest: jobs & income A+ , walkability A · lowest: safety D 138 Cobble Hill 5,074 people +0.5% #807 of 1,117 Strongest: schools A+ , jobs & income B+ · lowest: cost of living D− 140 Quesnel 10,253 people +0.1% #839 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability B+ , hazard risk B+ · lowest: safety D 142 Port Moody 38,285 people −0.0% #849 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A , health A · lowest: cost of living D− 143 Smithers 5,627 people −0.4% #880 of 1,117 Strongest: jobs & income A+ , walkability A+ · lowest: safety D 144 Oak Bay 18,626 people −0.6% #894 of 1,117 Strongest: health A+ , safety A+ · lowest: cost of living D− 145 Esquimalt 19,512 people −0.7% #918 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A+ , health A+ · lowest: cost of living D− 147 Merritt 7,190 people −1.2% #948 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A , hazard risk B · lowest: schools D− 149 Vanderhoof 4,545 people −2.0% #979 of 1,117 Strongest: jobs & income A , cost of living B+ · lowest: safety D 153 Port Hardy 4,201 people −5.6% #1,080 of 1,117 Strongest: walkability A− , health A− · lowest: safety D 156 Mackenzie 3,442 people −11.7% #1,114 of 1,117 Strongest: jobs & income A , walkability A− · lowest: schools D 157 Fort Nelson 4,144 people −18.8% #1,116 of 1,117 Strongest: cost of living A+ , jobs & income A · lowest: safety 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).