Vanderhoof, British Columbia Explained
| Vanderhoof |
| Official Name: | District of Vanderhoof[1] |
| Settlement Type: | District municipality |
| Pushpin Map: | Canada British Columbia |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of Vanderhoof in British Columbia |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Canada |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | British Columbia |
| Subdivision Type2: | Region |
| Subdivision Name2: | Interior Plateau |
| Subdivision Type3: | Regional district |
| Subdivision Name3: | Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako |
| Government Footnotes: | [2] |
| Leader Name: | Vanderhoof Council |
| Leader Title1: | Mayor |
| Leader Name1: | Kevin Moutray |
| Leader Title2: | Chief Administrative Officer |
| Leader Name2: | Gerald Pinchback |
| Established Title: | Incorporated |
| Established Date: | 1926 |
| Area Total Km2: | 54.83 |
| Population As Of: | 2016 |
| Population Total: | 4,439 |
| Population Density Km2: | 81.0 |
| Timezone: | PST |
| Utc Offset: | -8 |
| Timezone Dst: | PDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -7 |
| Coordinates: | 54.0144°N -124.0089°W |
| Elevation M: | 640 |
| Area Code: | 250 / 778 / 236 |
| Blank Name: | Highways |
| Blank Info: | Trans-Canada Highway
|
| Blank1 Name: | Waterways |
| Blank1 Info: | Nechako River |
| Blank2 Name: | Climate |
| Blank2 Info: | Dfb |
Vanderhoof is a district municipality near the geographical centre[3] of British Columbia, Canada. Covering 2.92 square kilometers,[4] it has a population of about 4,500 within town limits, and offers services to nearly 10,000 people in nearby rural communities. Its main industries are forestry, agriculture, and related businesses. Tourism is also growing, and mining operations are being developed in the area. It has many elementary schools, and one major secondary school, Nechako Valley Secondary School (NVSS), comprising School District 91 Nechako Lakes. The College of New Caledonia has a regional campus there.
Via Rail's Jasper–Prince Rupert train serves the Vanderhoof railway station.
History
The municipality is named after Herbert Vanderhoof of Chicago, one of its founders. He was an employee of the Grand Trunk Pacific Development Company, a subsidiary of Grand Trunk Pacific Railway.[5] [6] The municipality's population rapidly expanded until World War II, when many of the town's men left to fight overseas. After the war, an increase in lumber prices and the construction of the Kenney Dam lead to increases in population again. Today Vanderhoof is a service centre in the eastern Bulkley-Nechako for surrounding communities, and the second-largest municipality in the regional district.[7]
Demographics
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Vanderhoof had a population of 4,346 living in 1,786 of its 1,885 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 4,434. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2021.[8]
Ethnicity
Panethnic
group! colspan="2" | 2021 | 2016[9] | 2011[10] | 2006[11] | 2001[12] | 1996[13] | 1991[14] [15] | 1986[16] [17] [18] | 1981[19] [20] |
|---|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|
| European | 3,500 | | 3,665 | | 3,740 | | 3,550 | | 3,915 | | 4,050 | | 3,510 | | 3,055 | | 2,300 | |
| Indigenous | 480 | | 460 | | 485 | | 280 | | 230 | | 160 | | 325 | | 290 | | 170 | |
| Southeast Asian | 115 | | 90 | | 35 | | 75 | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | | 5 | | | |
| South Asian | 70 | | 50 | | 75 | | 35 | | 130 | | 95 | | 120 | | 70 | | 110 | |
| African | 40 | | 15 | | 15 | | 65 | | 0 | | 30 | | 15 | | 0 | | | |
| Latin American | 25 | | 10 | | 0 | | 0 | | 10 | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | |
| East Asian | 15 | | 20 | | 10 | | 30 | | 45 | | 15 | | 15 | | 30 | | 50 | |
| Middle Eastern | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | | 20 | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | |
| Other/Multiracial | 25 | | 10 | | 0 | | 10 | | 0 | | 0 | | | | | | | |
| Total responses | 4,285 | | 4,305 | | 4,370 | | 4,060 | | 4,325 | | 4,360 | | 3,985 | | 3,450 | | 2,630 | |
|---|
| Total population | 4,346 | | 4,434 | | 4,480 | | 4,064 | | 4,390 | | 4,401 | | 4,023 | | 3,505 | | 2,323 | |
|---|
| |
Religion
According to the 2021 census, religious groups in Vanderhoof included:[21]
Wildlife
Vanderhoof is known for its bird sanctuary along the Nechako River. Many Canada geese, swans, and other migratory birds pass through Vanderhoof during their annual migrations. The Nechako is home to a number of fish species, including salmon and the endangered Nechako white sturgeon. Many hunters come to Vanderhoof in search of bear, moose, deer, cougar and elk.
Schools
Elementary:
Evelyn Dickson
W.L. McLeod
Sinkutview
Mapes
Secondary:
Nechako Valley Secondary School (NVSS
Northside Christian School
Valhalla HighVirtual School: EBUS Academy
Culture and recreation
- Nechako Valley Exhibition Grounds- home of the Fall Fair (August), 2 riding arenas, and agricultural show facilities
- Vanderhoof Heritage Museum
- Vanderhoof Airport – 5,018-foot paved runway and two grass runways (5,200 feet and 3,200 feet)
- Vanderhoof Aquatic Centre – 6-lane 25m lap pool, climbing wall, 30-person hot tub, sauna, and 1500 sq. foot leisure pool
- Vanderhoof Skateboard Park
- Grand Reo Theatre – a restored 175-seat movie theatre
- Omineca Golf Course – par 72, 18 holes
- Disc Golf Course
- Vanderhoof Arena – indoor skating rink in the winter, home to Figure Skating Club, Speed Skating Club, Minor Hockey Club, other adult hockey recreation leagues, and a community centre hosting various events in the summer
- Vanderhoof Curling Club
- Riverside Park & Campground – birdwatching tower, playground, beach volleyball, picnic shelter, walking trails
- Ferland Park - playground, waterpark
- Bradley Park, Leiding Park, Vanderview Park –playgrounds
- Community Garden – greenhouse, raised beds, in-ground plots, public washroom
- Rip n' The North Bike Park – mountain bike trails
- Moore's Motocross Track – dirt bike track
- Community trail system
- Nechako White Sturgeon Conservation Centre – identifying, maintaining and potentially restoring critical sturgeon habitat in the Nechako River
- Nechako Valley Sporting Association – archery, hand gun range, fishing and hunting, cross-country skiing, trap shooting, Wilderness Watch
- Omineca Express – local weekly newspaper published Thursdays
- CIAM FM, "The Light 98.5 FM" – community radio station, also a rebroadcaster for CIAM radio network
- CBC Radio 1, 91.5 FM
- Real Country, 910 AM
- Vanderhoof Public Library
- Community Bus – free community transportation service (12-passenger capacity with 2 wheelchair positions)
Telegraph Trail
A telegraph line, set up in the 1890s for communication with the Klondike Gold Rush gold fields, was abandoned in the 1930s and later converted into a series of walking trails. A 10 km trail connects Hogsback Lake (near Vanderhoof) to Blackwater Road.
Community events
- Wild Goose Chase: held the first Sunday in May, this community 8 km, 5 km, and 3.5 km Fun Run brings out hundreds of participants and volunteers.
- Vanderhoof Chamber of Commerce Biennial Trade Show, scheduled in May on the "odd numbered" years.
- BC Rodeo - held in April
- Stoney Creek Elders Fishing Derby - May
- Hooterville Hoot: an annual classic car show, held in early June.
- Concert In The Park: July - Local talent performs for an afternoon and evening filled with great entertainment.
- Canada Day Celebration: - July 1
- Vanderhoof Farmers' Market: fresh locally grown produce, organic meat products, preserves, crafted goods and much more. Markets run Thursdays from June to September.
- Vanderhoof International Air show: Taking place biennially in August - showcasing many skilled pilots and their aircraft, as well as several static displays.
- Nechako Valley Exhibition: held the third weekend in August. A true country fair that is fun for the whole family.
- Recreation/Leisure Fair: held in early September to introduce clubs and recreational opportunities to the community.
- The Great Pumpkin Walk: Held annually, October 31 - With hand-carved pumpkins and "trick-or-treating" in the park, attended by thousands of residents—a safe and convenient place for families to spend Halloween night. Followed by a fireworks display that lights up the entire Nechako River Valley.
- Parade of Lights and Midnight Madness: Held the first Saturday in December, this kicks off the Christmas time retail season with the light parade and crazy sales at many retail stores.
Climate
Vanderhoof has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb) with mild summers and cold winters.
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: British Columbia Regional Districts, Municipalities, Corporate Name, Date of Incorporation and Postal Address . British Columbia Ministry of Communities, Sport and Cultural Development . . 2 November 2014.
- District of Vanderhoof. Mayor and Councillors
- Web site: Vanderhoof . Official Travel Website of British Columbia . 30 October 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110927155449/http://www.hellobc.com/en-CA/RegionsCities/Vanderhoof.htm . 27 September 2011 . dead . dmy-all.
- Web site: Census Profile, 2016 Census - Vanderhoof [Population centre], British Columbia and British Columbia [Province]. 8 February 2017.
- Web site: Vanderhoof . BC Geographical Names . 17 January 2019 .
- Web site: Grand Trunk Pacific Development Company Limited . memorybc.ca . 18 December 2020.
- Web site: Vanderhoof . The Canadian Encyclopedia . Historica Canada . 18 December 2020.
- Web site: Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), British Columbia . . February 9, 2022 . February 20, 2022.
- Web site: Government of Canada . Statistics Canada . 2021-10-27 . Census Profile, 2016 Census . 2023-03-16 . www12.statcan.gc.ca.
- Web site: Government of Canada . Statistics Canada . 2015-11-27 . NHS Profile . 2023-03-16 . www12.statcan.gc.ca.
- Web site: Government of Canada . Statistics Canada . 2019-08-20 . 2006 Community Profiles . 2023-03-16 . www12.statcan.gc.ca.
- Web site: Government of Canada . Statistics Canada . 2019-07-02 . 2001 Community Profiles . 2023-03-16 . www12.statcan.gc.ca.
- Web site: Government of Canada . Statistics Canada . 2019-06-04 . Electronic Area Profiles Profile of Census Divisions and Subdivisions, 1996 Census . 2023-03-16 . www12.statcan.gc.ca.
- Web site: Government of Canada . Statistics Canada . 2019-03-29 . 1991 Census Area Profiles Profile of Census Divisions and Subdivisions - Part B . 2023-03-16 . www12.statcan.gc.ca.
- Web site: 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 . 2023-03-16 . www12.statcan.gc.ca.
- Web site: 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 . 2023-03-16 . www12.statcan.gc.ca.
- Web site: 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 . 2023-03-16 . www12.statcan.gc.ca.
- Web site: Government of Canada . Statistics Canada . 2013-04-03. Canada's aboriginal population by census subdivisions from the 1986 Census of Canada . 2023-03-16 . www12.statcan.gc.ca.
- Web site: Government of Canada . Statistics Canada . 2020-05-26 . Data tables, 1981 Census Profile for Canada, Provinces and Territories, Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 1981 Census - Part A . 2023-03-22 . www12.statcan.gc.ca.
- Web site: Government of Canada . Statistics Canada . 2020-05-26 . Data tables, 1981 Census Profile for Canada, Provinces and Territories, Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 1981 Census - Part B . 2023-03-22 . www12.statcan.gc.ca.
- Web site: Government of Canada . Statistics Canada . 2022-10-26 . Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population . 2022-11-11 . www12.statcan.gc.ca.
