District municipality in British Columbia, Canada
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.
Geography
[
edit
]
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
[
edit
]
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
[
edit
]
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
Koppen 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)
|
Mean daily maximum °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)
|
Mean daily minimum °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
[
edit
]
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 km
2
(75.45 sq mi), it had a population density of
163.7/km
2
(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
[
edit
]
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
[a]
|
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
[b]
|
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
[c]
|
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
[d]
|
85
|
0.27%
|
75
|
0.26%
|
0
|
0%
|
30
|
0.11%
|
20
|
0.08%
|
0
|
0%
|
55
|
0.26%
|
0
|
0%
|
Other
[e]
|
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
[
edit
]
According to the
2021 census
, religious groups in North Cowichan included:
[6]
Communities
[
edit
]
- Chemainus
- Crofton
- Maple Bay
- South End (adjacent to the City of Duncan)
Transportation
[
edit
]
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
with service connecting the North Cowichan communities of Chemainus and Crofton with the south end and Duncan.
North Cowichan is also serviced by the
Nanaimo Regional Transit System
with daily (except Sunday) service through North Cowichan between Nanaimo and Duncan. The NCX 70 service has a stop at the Cowichan Commons shopping centre in North Cowichan.
North Cowichan has embraced roundabouts at many intersections on its network of municipal roads. As of 2021 North Cowichan has 14 roundabouts.
Economy
[
edit
]
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
[
edit
]
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
[
edit
]
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
[
edit
]
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
[
edit
]
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
[
edit
]
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
[
edit
]
The Vancouver Island terminal of the
HVDC Vancouver-Island
is found here.
Notes
[
edit
]
- ^
Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.
- ^
Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.
- ^
Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.
- ^
Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.
- ^
Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority,
n.i.e.
" and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.
References
[
edit
]
- ^
"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
.
- ^
"Geological History of Vancouver Island"
.
CVRD
. CVRD.
- ^
The Weather Network
?
Statistics: Duncan, BC
. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
- ^
"Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), British Columbia"
.
Statistics Canada
. February 9, 2022
. Retrieved
February 20,
2022
.
- ^
"British Columbia ? Community Fact"
(PDF)
. Archived from
the original
(PDF)
on 1997-11-09
. Retrieved
2010-11-29
.
- ^
a
b
Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2022-10-26).
"Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population"
.
www12.statcan.gc.ca
. Retrieved
2022-11-09
.
- ^
Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2021-10-27).
"Census Profile, 2016 Census"
.
www12.statcan.gc.ca
. Retrieved
2023-01-06
.
- ^
Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2015-11-27).
"NHS Profile"
.
www12.statcan.gc.ca
. Retrieved
2023-01-06
.
- ^
Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-08-20).
"2006 Community Profiles"
.
www12.statcan.gc.ca
. Retrieved
2023-01-06
.
- ^
Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-07-02).
"2001 Community Profiles"
.
www12.statcan.gc.ca
. Retrieved
2023-01-06
.
- ^
Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-07-02).
"Profile of Census Divisions and Subdivisions, 1996 Census"
.
www12.statcan.gc.ca
. Retrieved
2023-01-06
.
- ^
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
.
- ^
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
.
- ^
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
.
- ^
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
.
- ^
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
.
External links
[
edit
]
Places adjacent to North Cowichan
|
---|
|