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Overview of British Columbia Largest Cities by Population

British Columbia, a province in Canada, has several important cities. Vancouver is the biggest with about 650,000 people. It’s known for its diverse culture and beautiful surroundings. Victoria, the capital, has around 88,000 people and is famous for its historic sites. Surrey is quite large too, with about 562,000 people, and it’s part of the Vancouver metropolitan area. These cities are busy and offer different things for people to do and see.

also read about the Population of British Columbia

Top Cities in British Coloumbia by Population (2026)

Key Highlights of Largest Cities

More than 10 Cities in British Columbia have populations above 100,000. Vancouver with 650,380 inhabitants, is the most populated city followed by Surrey and Burnaby.

Population Rankings of British Columbia Cities and Towns

British Columbia municipalities include various types such as cities, towns, and regional municipalities. These distinctions are based on local governance, not population size.

#Cities and TownsTypesPopulation
1Vancouver City650,380
2Surrey City562,565
3Burnaby City245,725
4Richmond City208,395
5Abbotsford City150,800
6Coquitlam City147,465
7Kelowna City141,755
8Langley District municipality130,960
9Saanich District municipality115,505
10Delta City107,270
11Nanaimo City97,020
12Kamloops City94,560
13Chilliwack City91,990
14Maple Ridge City89,865
15Victoria City87,890
16North Vancouver District municipality87,385
17New Westminster City78,060
18Prince George City75,155
19Port Coquitlam City60,395
20North Vancouver City57,505
21Langford City46,190
22West Vancouver District municipality43,380
23Vernon City43,115
24Mission District municipality40,630
25West Kelowna City35,750
26Penticton City35,720
27Campbell River City34,890
28Port Moody City33,450
29North Cowichan District municipality31,425
30Langley City28,030
31Courtenay City27,820
32Squamish District municipality23,545
33Fort St. John City21,170
34White Rock City20,725
35Cranbrook City19,845
36Pitt Meadows City19,025
37Colwood City18,795
38Salmon Arm City18,620
39Port Alberni City17,960
40Oak Bay District municipality17,640
41Esquimalt District municipality17,290
42Central Saanich District municipality17,170
43Metro Vancouver A RDA17,085
44Lake Country District municipality15,625
45Sooke District municipality14,980
46Comox Town14,330
47Powell River City13,640
48Whistler District municipality13,425
49Parksville City13,305
50North Saanich District municipality12,195
51Prince Rupert City12,180
52Dawson Creek City12,070
53Terrace City11,825
54Sidney Town11,780
55Summerland District municipality11,700
56Saltspring Island RDA11,275
57View Royal Town11,260
58Coldstream District municipality10,995
59Nelson City10,725
60Williams Lake City10,705
61Sechelt District municipality10,610
62Quesnel City9,685
63Comox Valley C RDA9,090
64Tsinstikeptum 9 IRI8,895
65Columbia-Shuswap C RDA8,875
66Cowichan Valley B RDA8,870
67Ladysmith Town8,800
68Qualicum Beach Town8,780
69Kitimat District municipality8,210
70Nanaimo F RDA8,190
71Revelstoke City8,185
72Castlegar City8,060
73Kimberley City7,945
74Nanaimo G RDA7,930
75Comox Valley A RDA7,825
76Trail City7,605
77Nanaimo A RDA7,395
78Comox Valley B RDA7,380
79Merritt City6,740
80Nanaimo E RDA6,720
81East Kootenay C RDA6,450
82Hope District municipality6,335
83Fernie City6,175
84Cariboo A RDA6,165
85Southern Gulf Islands RDA6,040
86Peace River C RDA5,945
87Peachland District municipality5,770
88Kent District municipality5,580
89Bulkley-Nechako A RDA5,565
90Creston Town5,375
91Spallumcheen District municipality5,300
92Osoyoos Town5,275
93Cariboo G RDA5,270
94Smithers Town5,260
95Juan de Fuca RDA5,120
96Armstrong City5,110
97Peace River B RDA5,075
98Cowichan Valley C RDA5,045
99Central Kootenay H RDA4,995
100Oliver Town4,960
101Metchosin District municipality4,710
102Duncan City4,645

RDA: Regional District Administration Area

Data Source: Statistics Canada — Census 2021

👉 Also read:  Religion in British Columbia

Largest Metropolitan Areas in British Columbia by Population (2026)

What Is a Census Metropolitan Area (CMA)?

A Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) in Canada is a large urban region consisting of a core city and its surrounding municipalities that are closely linked by commuting and economic activity. A CMA must have a total population of at least 100,000, with 50,000 or more in the core city, as defined by Statistics Canada.

In the 2021 Census, there are a total of 7 designated Census Metropolitan Areas with a population of more than 100,000 in British Columbia. Vancouver holds the highest population with 2.6 million inhabitants, followed by Victoria (388,470) and Kelowna (218,525). 

Population of British Columbia Metropolitan Areas

#Census metropolitan areasPopulation
1Vancouver 2,607,015
2Victoria 388,470
3Kelowna 218,525
4Abbotsford – Mission 192,115
5Nanaimo 112,410
6Chilliwack 111,565
7Kamloops 110,545
8Prince George 87,915
9Vernon 65,325
10Courtenay 62,030
11Duncan 46,435
12Penticton 46,155
13Campbell River 39,930
14Parksville 30,015
15Fort St. John 28,430
16Cranbrook 26,295
17Port Alberni 25,380
18Squamish 23,955
19Williams Lake 23,335
20Quebecsnel 22,900
21Terrace 19,510
22Salmon Arm 18,895
23Nelson 18,715
24Powell River 17,460
25Dawson Creek 17,380
26Ladysmith 15,235
27Trail 13,860
28Prince Rupert 13,300

Source: Canada Census 2021

read about Race and Ethnicity in British Columbia

Sources

All population data is sourced from official Canadian and international statistical agencies:

Canada Population
Canada Provinces By Population
Religion in Canada
Top Cities in British Columbia by Population (2026) | Largest Cities & Metro Areas

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About the Author & Data

USCanadaInfo is an independent informational website focused on demographics, population statistics, and ethnic trends in Canada and the United States. All information on this site is compiled from publicly available, official sources such as Statistics Canada, the U.S. Census Bureau, government publications, and reputable media outlets. Population figures, percentages, and projections are based on census data, historical trends, and immigration statistics. Content is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, immigration, or policy advice. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, figures may change due to future census updates, revised estimates, or data corrections. about our methodology → https://uscanadainfo.com/methodology/

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