Richmond BC

Richmond BC Sub Areas

1. Sea Island
2. Thompson
3. Seafair
4. Steveston
5. Blundell
6. Broadmoor
7. Gilmore
8. Shellmont
9. Fraser Lands
10. City Center (Brighouse)
11. Cambie
12. Bridgeport
13. East Richmond
14. Hamilton

Some Fast Facts About Richmond BC

Richmond is a culturally diverse, unique island city located on Canada’s West Coast, in Greater Vancouver. It enjoys a temperate climate and scenic views of the north shore mountains. Experiencing rapid growth and change, Richmond has grown from a rural, local community into a dynamic urban centre with all the amenities an international city has to offer. You can’t help but love the Richmond community and lifestyle!

History
Richmond was incorporated as a District Municipality on November 10, 1879 and was designated as a City on December 3, 1990. Historical industries include fishing, salmon canning, boat building, agriculture – dairy and berry production, aviation, export, and service. The founding cultures are First Nations, British European, Japanese, and Chinese.

Government
The model of government in Richmond consists of the Mayor and eight Councillors elected at large. The major awards won by the city are Nations in Bloom 1999; Communities in Bloom, Canada – 1998; National; and Environment Award for Terra Nova Rural Park, 2008. Richmond’s twinning cities are Wakayama, Japan and Pierrefont, Quebec, Canada.

Geography
Richmond’s land area is 129 sq. kilometers (49.8 sq. miles) with latitude of N 49º 10’ and longitude of W 123º 8’. There are 17 islands making up the City of Richmond. Richmond is located on the west coast of Canada between two arms of the Fraser River. The area enjoys 1,500 acres (607.5 ha) designated to natural areas and parks.  A transportation hub which includes The Vancouver International Airport, the sea ports located in the city are the Vancouver Fraser Port and Steveston Fishing Port.

Climate
Richmond average temperature in January is 2.5ºC and average temperature in July is 17.3ºC.
The average annual rainfall is 1,112.6 mm.

Demographics
Richmond’s population is estimated at 205,133 (City of Richmond Projections) with a projected population of 225,000 in 2021 (Metro Vancouver estimate). The average annual population growth rate from 2006-2012 is 1.3%. Richmond is the fourth largest city in British Columbia, after Vancouver (603,502), Surrey (468,251) and Burnaby (223,218).

Immigration
Richmond has an immigrant population of 60%, the highest in Canada.  Between May 2001 and May 2006, the number of immigrants who came to Richmond is 18,780 (est.). The three leading countries of birth for recent immigrants are China (People’s Republic of), Philippines and Hong Kong. 50% of residents in Richmond are identifying as Chinese, making Richmond the City in North America with the largest proportion of Asians.

Education
The percentage of population with University Degree is 26.0%.

Jobs and Industry
There is an estimate of 125,000 jobs in Richmond. The city jobs as percentage of provincial jobs is 7.4%. The total labour force from age 15+ is 92,470, where the percentage of this population group in labour market is 63.1%. There were 12,684 business licences issued in 2009. Major industries in Richmond consist of high tech, retail, aviation, transportation, tourism, service, manufacturing, and agriculture. Cranberries, blueberries, hay, and field vegetables are the major agricultural products in the city. According to the 2006 Census, average family income in 2005 was $74,790 and median family income in 2005 is $67,627. Business Associations include Richmond Chamber of Commerce, and Richmond Asia Pacific Business Association (RAPBA).

Recreation and Culture
Libraries, gateway theatre, arts centre, heritage sites, Richmond Art Gallery –  contemporary art gallery, museum, public art are the cultural amenities in the city. Some of the recreation facilities include 100 parks with 1,500 acres of area/open space, including the 320 acre Iona Island Park.
The area enjoys an 80 km system of interconnecting dyke trails, cycling routes and walkways; eight community centres; a seniors centre; cultural centre; fitness centre; two (2) arenas; eight ice rinks; two indoor aquatic centres; two outdoor pools. There are over 200 volunteer community organizations; 50 advisory committees and task forces; partnerships with business and community groups for community involvement. The major cultural events are tall ships 2002, annual Maritime Festival, Winter Fest, Music Fest, multicultural festivals, and choral concerts.

Tourism
Richmond’s major tourist attractions are Steveston historic fishing village; Britannia Heritage Shipyard National Historic Site; Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site; Richmond Olympic Oval; International Buddhist Society Temple; Richmond Nature Park; London Heritage Farm, Asian shopping malls; and world renowned restaurants. The number of airport passengers annually is 17.9 million (2008). Richmond represents ? of Vancouver’s bed base with 26 hotels and 4,700 hotel rooms.

Access and Transportation
Richmond is connected to neighbouring lower mainland cities by a series of bridges and a tunnel. There are two major freeways feeding into Richmond, a rapid transit line and two railway lines. Richmond also has two international seaports. In addition, Vancouver International Airport is located in Richmond on Sea Island. Richmond has a vast public transit system featuring the new Canada Line rapid transit system which opened August 17, 2009. This Canada Line transportation system has provided routes to all areas in the Greater Vancouver area, along with existing bus routes being revised to serve the Canada Line Stations for ease and better access. Other transportation includes the Coast Mountain Bus, SeaBus, Skytrain, and West Coast Express.

Source: City of Richmond, Wikipedia