North Cowichan

North Cowichan (Canada 2021 Census population 31,990) is a district municipality established in 1873 on Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada. The municipality is part of the Cowichan Valley Regional District. North Cowichan is noted for a landscape including forests, beaches, rivers, and lakes. The municipality encompasses the communities of Chemainus; Westholme; Crofton; Maple Bay; and "the South End". The latter is an informal name for a built-up area which is essentially a suburb of the City of Duncan, a separate municipality.

For the provincial riding, see Nanaimo-North Cowichan.

North Cowichan
District municipality
The Corporation of the District of North Cowichan[1]
Coat of arms of North Cowichan
Coat of arms
Motto: 
No Steps Backwards
North Cowichan is located in Vancouver Island
North Cowichan
North Cowichan
Location of North Cowichan in British Columbia
North Cowichan is located in British Columbia
North Cowichan
North Cowichan
North Cowichan (British Columbia)
Coordinates: 48°49′25″N 123°43′9″W
CountryCanada
ProvinceBritish Columbia
Regional DistrictCVRD
Incorporated1873
Government
 • MayorRob Douglas
 • Governing bodyNorth Cowichan Council
 • MPsAlistair MacGregor
 • MLAsSonia Furstenau and Doug Routley
Area
 • Total195.54 km2 (75.50 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)
 • Total31,990
 • Density163.7/km2 (424/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−8 (PST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Area code+1-250
Websitewww.northcowichan.ca

Geography

Located on the east coast of southern Vancouver Island, North Cowichan is centrally located immediately north of and adjacent to the city of Duncan and south of Ladysmith. Spanning 193.98 square kilometers, North Cowichan includes the communities of Chemainus, Crofton, Westholme, Maple Bay and the so-called "South End" which is functionally a suburb of Duncan, a separate municipality.

Geology

The last glacial period, the Fraser Glaciation occurred between 29,000 and 15,000 years ago. The glaciers that formed carved out the Cowichan Valley and left behind glaciers up to 30 metres thick. These fertile lands and mild climate have led to a history rich in agriculture.[2]

Climate

Sheltered by the mountains of the central Island and the Olympic Peninsula, North Cowichan has a temperate, Mediterranean-like climate, with mild, damp winters with little snowfall and warm, dry summers. North Cowichan is classified as a warm-summer mediterranean climate Csb by the Köppen system.

Climate data for North Cowichan
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 13.5
(56.3)		 18.5
(65.3)		 23.5
(74.3)		 28.5
(83.3)		 32.0
(89.6)		 42.0
(107.6)		 37.0
(98.6)		 34.5
(94.1)		 35
(95)		 27
(81)		 18
(64)		 15
(59)		 42.0
(107.6)
Average high °C (°F) 6.6
(43.9)		 8.6
(47.5)		 11.3
(52.3)		 14.9
(58.8)		 18.5
(65.3)		 21
(70)		 24.5
(76.1)		 24.3
(75.7)		 22.5
(72.5)		 15.1
(59.2)		 9.6
(49.3)		 6.1
(43.0)		 15.3
(59.5)
Daily mean °C (°F) 3.2
(37.8)		 4.3
(39.7)		 6.3
(43.3)		 9.2
(48.6)		 12.4
(54.3)		 15.0
(59.0)		 17.8
(64.0)		 17.5
(63.5)		 15.2
(59.4)		 10.0
(50.0)		 5.9
(42.6)		 3.1
(37.6)		 10.0
(50.0)
Average low °C (°F) −0.2
(31.6)		 −0.1
(31.8)		 1.3
(34.3)		 3.5
(38.3)		 6.3
(43.3)		 9.0
(48.2)		 11.0
(51.8)		 10.7
(51.3)		 7.9
(46.2)		 4.9
(40.8)		 2.2
(36.0)		 0.2
(32.4)		 4.7
(40.5)
Record low °C (°F) −14.0
(6.8)		 −15.0
(5.0)		 −10.0
(14.0)		 −3.0
(26.6)		 −1.5
(29.3)		 2.5
(36.5)		 5.0
(41.0)		 5.0
(41.0)		 0.0
(32.0)		 −4.5
(23.9)		 −10.5
(13.1)		 −15.5
(4.1)		 −15.5
(4.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 238.0
(9.37)		 164.0
(6.46)		 133.0
(5.24)		 85.0
(3.35)		 51.0
(2.01)		 40.0
(1.57)		 25.0
(0.98)		 33.0
(1.30)		 28.0
(1.10)		 117.0
(4.61)		 222.0
(8.74)		 229.0
(9.02)		 1,365
(53.75)
Source: The Weather Network[3]

Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, North Cowichan had a population of 31,990 living in 13,741 of its 14,266 total private dwellings, a change of 7.7% from its 2016 population of 29,696. With a land area of 195.41 km2 (75.45 sq mi), it had a population density of 163.7/km2 (424.0/sq mi) in 2021.[4]

The median family income in 2006 for North Cowichan was $62,125, which is below the British Columbia provincial average of $65,787.[5]

Ethnicity
Panethnic groups in the District of North Cowichan (1986−2021)
Panethnic
group		 2021[6] 2016[7] 2011[8] 2006[9] 2001[10] 1996[11] 1991[12][13] 1986[14][15][16]: 104 
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
European[lower-alpha 1] 25,875 82.34% 24,585 84.67% 24,880 88.1% 23,705 86.78% 22,695 87.85% 22,505 89.64% 19,105 89.88% 16,665 89.91%
Indigenous 2,860 9.1% 2,380 8.2% 1,985 7.03% 1,880 6.88% 1,570 6.08% 1,225 4.88% 985 4.63% 790 4.26%
South
Asian		 900 2.86% 870 3% 720 2.55% 1,015 3.72% 995 3.85% 940 3.74% 800 3.76% 795 4.29%
East
Asian[lower-alpha 2]		 640 2.04% 535 1.84% 315 1.12% 340 1.24% 230 0.89% 270 1.08% 175 0.82% 245 1.32%
Southeast
Asian[lower-alpha 3]		 565 1.8% 370 1.27% 210 0.74% 200 0.73% 175 0.68% 90 0.36% 60 0.28% 25 0.13%
African 280 0.89% 85 0.29% 60 0.21% 45 0.16% 90 0.35% 25 0.1% 55 0.26% 0 0%
Latin
American		 90 0.29% 65 0.22% 50 0.18% 55 0.2% 30 0.12% 20 0.08% 20 0.09% 15 0.08%
Middle
Eastern[lower-alpha 4]		 85 0.27% 75 0.26% 0 0% 30 0.11% 20 0.08% 0 0% 55 0.26% 0 0%
Other[lower-alpha 5] 135 0.43% 65 0.22% 0 0% 35 0.13% 25 0.1% 20 0.08% N/A N/A N/A N/A
Total
responses		 31,425 98.23% 29,035 97.84% 28,240 98.03% 27,315 99.12% 25,835 98.8% 25,105 99.21% 21,255 99.45% 18,535 99.26%
Total
population		 31,990 100% 29,676 100% 28,807 100% 27,557 100% 26,148 100% 25,305 100% 21,373 100% 18,674 100%
  • Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses.

Religion

According to the 2021 census, religious groups in North Cowichan included:[6]

Communities
  • Chemainus
  • Crofton
  • Maple Bay
  • South End (adjacent to the City of Duncan)

Transportation

North Cowichan is serviced by the Maple Bay Airport (YAQ), which offers services to Vancouver Downtown, Vancouver Airport, Ganges on Salt Spring Island and Bedwell Harbour on Pender Island. Service is provided by Saltspring Air and Harbour Air.

The British Columbia Highway 1 traverses the municipality as a four-lane arterial divided highway with signals at major intersections. The speed limit varies between 80 and 90 km/h.

British Columbia Highway 18 connects North Cowichan to Lake Cowichan as a 2-lane facility with a speed limit as high as 100 km/h.

Bus service in the municipality is provided by the Cowichan Valley Regional District.

North Cowichan has embraced roundabouts at many intersections on its network of municipal roads. As of 2021 North Cowichan has 14 roundabouts.

Economy

The original economic drivers steamed from the abundance of natural resources, including the fur trade, fishing, mining, and the forest industry. Today, the forest industry, retail, construction, manufacturing, and health care are large contributors to the local economy.

Education

North Cowichan lies within the School District 79 Cowichan Valley. There are many elementary schools, and two secondary schools.

North Cowichan is served by one public post secondary educational institution, Vancouver Island University.

Media outlets

North Cowichan is served by three newspapers – the Duncan Journal, the Cowichan Valley Citizen, and the Chemainus Valley Courier. North Cowichan is also serviced by 89.7 Juice FM, a member of Vista Radio.

Attractions

North Cowichan is home to the BC Forest Discovery Centre, the Pacific Northwest Raptors Bird of Prey and Raptor Visitor Center, and the world famous Chemainus Murals.

Arts

The Cowichan Theatre hosts many performers and shows during the year. The Chemainus Theatre Festival features classic and award-winning comedies, musicals and dramas.

Recreation

North Cowichan is home to many recreation centres, including the Cowichan Aquatic Centre, cowichan community Centre, Fuller Lake Arena and the Cowichan Sportsplex. North Cowichan offers numerous parks and hiking trails.

Power supply

The Vancouver Island terminal of the HVDC Vancouver-Island is found here.

Notes
  1. Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.
  2. Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.
  3. Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.
  4. Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.
  5. Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority, n.i.e." and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.

References
  1. "British Columbia Regional Districts, Municipalities, Corporate Name, Date of Incorporation and Postal Address" (XLS). British Columbia Ministry of Communities, Sport and Cultural Development. Archived from the original on July 13, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  2. "Geological History of Vancouver Island". CVRD. CVRD.
  3. The Weather Network—Statistics: Duncan, BC. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
  4. "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), British Columbia". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  5. "British Columbia — Community Fact" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 1997-11-09. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
  6. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2022-10-26). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  7. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2021-10-27). "Census Profile, 2016 Census". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  8. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2015-11-27). "NHS Profile". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  9. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-08-20). "2006 Community Profiles". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  10. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-07-02). "2001 Community Profiles". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  11. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-07-02). "Profile of Census Divisions and Subdivisions, 1996 Census". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  12. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-03-29). "1991 Census Area Profiles Profile of Census Divisions and Subdivisions - Part B". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  13. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-03-29). "Data tables, 1991 Census Population by Ethnic Origin (24), Showing Single and Multiple Origins (2) - Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  14. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-06-27). "Data tables, 1986 Census Census Profile for Canada, Provinces and Territories, Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 1986 Census - Part A". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  15. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-06-27). "Data tables, 1986 Census Census Profile for Canada, Provinces and Territories, Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 1986 Census - Part B". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  16. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2013-04-03). "Canada's aboriginal population by census subdivisions from the 1986 Census of Canada". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
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