View RoyalBritish Columbia
It grew by 11% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses. The town has 12,795 residents and lies in British Columbia.
Is View Royal a good place to live?
People here tend to be in good health (A+). Work and incomes are strong (A). The trade-off is cost of living (D−). Put together, the subjects come to a B+ overall, better than 66% of Canadian towns. Its place in the ranking is #28 of 250 in British Columbia. The rest of its grades are middling: B for safety, C+ for schools and C+ for hazard risk.
Rents here are the metro area's average, shared by every town and neighbourhood in it. Health is graded on the health region's survey figures and life expectancy, with the distance to hospital giving the town its own spread.
How View Royal grades
Each subject compares View Royal with Canadian towns of 2,500 or more, ordered by how far it is from the middle. Towns in other countries are graded separately.
How TownRatings grades Canadian towns →
What makes View Royal stand out
The 3 things View Royal does most differently from other towns.
The data
Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in View Royal.
View Royal is graded an A+ for health
Source area for health survey and life expectancy: the South Vancouver Island Health Service Delivery Area
The region has fewer smokers than British Columbia, 6% of adults to 8.9%. On average 14% of adults live with arthritis, diabetes or high blood pressure, lower than both British Columbia’s towns (15%) and Canadian towns (17%). In the health survey, 55% of adults in the region rate their health very good or excellent, more than British Columbia’s 50%. Life expectancy in the region is 82.7 years (84.9 for women, 80.5 for men, 2022/2024).
Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised
| Health | View Royal | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smokers | 6% | 9% | 12% |
| Chronic conditions (average share) | 14% | 15% | 17% |
| Very good or excellent health | 55% | 50% | 52% |
| Life expectancy at birth | 82.7 | 81.0 | 81.5 |
Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey 2023/2024 and life expectancy 2022/2024; Open Database of Healthcare Facilities
Rent takes more of local pay in View Royal than in British Columbia’s towns or Canadian towns: 26% of household income
Measured across the Victoria metro area: rent as a share of income and monthly rent for a two-bedroom
Households that own their home make up 67%. Owners put the median home at $800,000, above both British Columbia’s towns ($720,000) and Canadian towns ($406,000).
What homes were worth · The median owner’s estimate at the 2021 census
| Census 2021 | View Royal | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value, 2021 | $800,000 | $720,000 | $406,000 |
| Rent as a share of income | 26% | 24% | 20% |
| Households owning their home | 67% | 76% | 74% |
| Households spending 30%+ on shelter | 21% | 21% | 18% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021; CMHC Rental Market Survey via Statistics Canada · Values come from owners at the 2021 census and incomes from 2020, so they predate the later rise in rates.
The car carries only 79% of commuters in View Royal, fewer than in British Columbia’s towns and Canadian towns
On average, the journey to work lasts 22 min.
How working residents got to work · census 2021
| Census 2021 | View Royal | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip | 22 min | 26 min | 26 min |
| Car or van | 79% | 87% | 89% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021 (labour and commuting) · Counted in May 2021, under pandemic rules: fewer commutes and more people between jobs than in a normal year.
Summers stay cool in View Royal: July afternoons reach 20.6°C, below British Columbia’s towns and Canadian towns
On a January night, the temperature in View Royal falls to about 3.8°C. Frost comes on 10 days a year, lower than both British Columbia’s towns (60) and Canadian towns (159). A normal November brings 129 mm of precipitation, more than any other month. Most of the snow comes in December, about 12 cm.
Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Normals, 1991–2020 | View Royal | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| July afternoon high | 20.6°C | 23.1°C | 25.5°C |
| Days with frost a year | 10 | 60 | 159 |
| January night low | 3.8°C | 0.5°C | −13.5°C |
| Precipitation a year | 675 mm | 1,152 mm | 883 mm |
Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020 (Victoria Gonzales (City))
Violent crime weighs less on View Royal than on British Columbia’s towns or Canadian towns: a violent severity index of 54
Property crime ran at 26 incidents per 1,000 residents a year, lower than both British Columbia’s towns (31) and Canadian towns (31.2). Police recorded 12.9 violent incidents per 1,000 residents a year, close to British Columbia’s towns (12.5) and above Canadian towns (12).
Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year
| 2023–2025 | View Royal | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Severity Index | 54 | 76 | 86 |
| Property crime per 1,000 | 26 | 31 | 31.2 |
Statistics Canada, Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, 2023–2025 average
45% of the ground inside View Royal is protected
For a swim, Fleming Beach is the nearest of 20 beaches within 5 km. 2.6 km from town is Goldstream Park, the nearest provincial park. Of the land within 10 km, 21% has protected status, above British Columbia’s towns (6.7%) and Canadian towns (2.3%) alike. The closest of Canada’s national parks is Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, at 14 km.
Protected land · of the land within 10 km
| Outdoors | View Royal | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protected land within 10 km | 21% | 6.7% | 2.3% |
| Public protected areas within 10 km | 20 | 14 | 4 |
Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD), OpenStreetMap routes and beaches
Shaking costs buildings in View Royal $0.91 a year per $1,000 of value, 30 times the typical town’s
Of the homes tested for radon, 1.8% were over 200 Bq/m³, about level with British Columbia’s towns (1.8%) and below Canadian towns (6.6%). Little of the land around View Royal has burned: 0.2% within 25 km since 1986, or 0.005% a year. Flood mapping exists: a study by Capital Regional District. Nobody publishes radon tests for View Royal alone, so this card uses the figure for the South Vancouver Island health region.
Radon tests above the guideline · share of tested homes, 200 Bq/m³
| Hazards | View Royal | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earthquake loss per $1,000 of buildings a year | $0.91 | $0.36 | $0.030 |
| Radon tests above the guideline | 1.8% | 1.8% | 6.6% |
NRCan seismic risk model and burned areas, Health Canada radon survey, the Flood Hazard Map Inventory
The schools around View Royal answer to 3 boards
The 3 km around View Royal counts 30 elementary schools, 2 secondary schools and 3 alternative or adult schools. Results are mixed: 7 of 32 schools above the middle in British Columbia, 17 below it. Schooling in French is on offer at 2 of 35; in British Columbia, 2% of schools teach in it.
| School | Level | Students | System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle View Elementary Middle fifth in British ColumbiaIn View RoyalElementary | Elementary | – | English public |
| Spectrum Community Middle fifth in British ColumbiaNearest secondary school, 1 kmSecondary | Secondary | – | English public |
| Beausoleil FrenchTeaches in FrenchElementary | Elementary | – | French public |
| Ecole Marigold School Top fifth in British ColumbiaResults in the top fifth in British ColumbiaElementary | Elementary | – | English public |
Schools by system · Schools within 3 km
| Schools within 3 km | View Royal | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| School boards | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Nearest secondary school | 2.9 km | 1.8 km | 1.2 km |
Provincial school lists and results, 2025/26
View Royal in November: highs near 10°C, lows near 5°C
By December, a normal day reaches 8°C and a night falls to 4°C. Expect about 129 mm of rain and snow over November. Across the year, normals run from 4°C nights in February to 21°C afternoons in August. For today and the week ahead, the Weather page carries ECCC’s Esquimalt forecast.
Normal highs, the months ahead · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Season | High | Low | Rain and snow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | 8°C | 4°C | 259 mm |
| Spring | 14°C | 7°C | 126 mm |
| Summer | 20°C | 12°C | 48 mm |
| Autumn | 14°C | 8°C | 242 mm |
ECCC normals, 1991–2020 (Victoria Gonzales (City)); the forecast is on the Weather page
Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, which takes in View Royal, is held by Stephanie McLean (Liberal Party of Canada)
The Liberal Party of Canada has 20 of the 43 MPs elected in British Columbia.
Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada
No public library stands in View Royal: the closest, GVPL: Juan de Fuca Branch, is 1.9 km away
After it comes GVPL: Saanich Centennial Library Branch (Saanich), 3.5 km away.
Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada
11% more residents in 2021 than in 2016: View Royal grew faster than most Canadian towns
6% of residents have an Indigenous identity, above British Columbia’s towns (5%) and Canadian towns (2.8%) alike. One measure of family life: 14% of residents are under 15. People 65 and over make up 21% of the town.
Ages · Share of residents in each age group, Census 2021
Schooling · Highest qualification, residents 15 and over
Women and men · all residents
52.3% of View Royal’s residents are women
Here the census found 6,055 women and 5,520 men; across Canada the share of women is 50.9%.
| View Royal | British Columbia | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 15 | 14% | 14% | 16% |
| 15 to 64 | 65% | 64% | 64% |
| 65+ | 21% | 21% | 19% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 10% | 13% | 16% |
| Postsecondary qualification | 63% | 56% | 56% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021; British Columbia and Canada: medians of towns of 2,500+
One place in View Royal, at the top of the registers
Before 1961 is when 14% of the homes went up, above British Columbia’s towns (11%) but below Canadian towns (18%).
Historic places by designation · inside the town
Among them
| Heritage | View Royal | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homes built before 1961 | 14% | 11% | 18% |
Canadian Register of Historic Places, Directory of Federal Heritage Designations, Québec’s Répertoire du patrimoine culturel, Wikidata; Census 2021 homes by period
Everything we know about View Royal
Craigflower Manor House and 19 more in and around View Royal
The best-known places to visit in and around View Royal come first; the full list is on the Attractions page.
MuseumCraigflower Manor Housein town
MuseumFort Rodd Hill1.3 km outside town, to the southwest
Art galleryUniversity of Victoria Legacy Art Galleries5 km outside town, to the southeast
ZooPacific Undersea Gardens5 km outside town, to the southeast
FortFort Victoria4.9 km outside town, to the southeastMuseumMuseumMaritime Museum of BC4.9 km outside town, to the southeastPhotos: each place’s Wikidata image, from Wikimedia Commons under the licence below (our copy, resized).
Photo credits (5)
- Craigflower Manor House: euxneks, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Fort Rodd Hill: Storeswallah at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- University of Victoria Legacy Art Galleries: Heather Stone, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Pacific Undersea Gardens: H at English Wikipedia, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Fort Victoria: Stevecudmore, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Famous people from around View Royal
No notable person born in View Royal is on our list; these were born in the towns around it.
Photo credits
William Vickrey: Unknown author, Public domain · David Foster: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Meghan Ory: Thibault from Paris, France, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Ryder Hesjedal: ...some guy, CC BY 2.0
About View Royal
Town in British Columbia
Every figure TownRatings gives for View Royal covers the municipality as Statistics Canada maps it, one census subdivision in British Columbia.
Statistics Canada: population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155), Census of Population 2021, 2021 census boundaries.
- Population
- 12,795 (people, 2025 estimate)
- Province or territory
- British Columbia
- Census division
- Capital
- Metro area
- Victoria
- Census subdivision
- 5917047
View Royal’s neighbours
The nearest places of 1,000 or more. Statistics Canada
| Town | People | km | Overall | Cost | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Royal | 12,795 | — | B+ | D− | B | A+ |
| New Songhees 1A | 2,052 | 2.1 | — | — | — | A+ |
| Esquimalt | 19,512 | 4 | B+ | D− | A− | A+ |
| Colwood | 22,794 | 5.3 | B | D− | B+ | A+ |
| Langford | 59,664 | 5.3 | B− | D− | B− | A+ |
| Saanich | 126,011 | 6.3 | A | D− | A− | A+ |
| Victoria | 103,888 | 7.5 | B− | D− | D | A+ |
People: Statistics Canada, Census 2021. Distances: centre to centre.
Questions about View Royal
Is View Royal growing?
It added people: 10,408 in 2016, 11,575 in 2021, 11.2% more, where the middle of Canadian towns grew 4.1%. Statistics Canada’s 2025 estimate is 12,795.
What kind of homes are in View Royal?
Single-detached houses make up 36% of the homes here, where Canadian towns sit at 64%; 3% are in high-rise apartments. 28% of households are one person, and the average is 2.3.
Sources: Statistics Canada, Census of Population 2021 · population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155) and 2021 census boundaries · Uniform Crime Reporting Survey 2023–25 (35-10-0026, 35-10-0183 to 35-10-0190) · CMHC rents as published by Statistics Canada (34-10-0133) · grades by TownRatings. 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).