Fort St. John, British Columbia
Fort St. John | |
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City of Fort St. John | |
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Website | fortstjohn |
Fort St. John is a city located in northeastern
History
Over the 19th and 20th centuries, the community has been moved a number of times for varying economic reasons. The present location is thought to be its sixth. The original trading post built in the area was named Rocky Mountain House (not to be confused with
After a lapse of nearly forty years, Fort St. John was reopened in 1860 on the south side of the Peace River, directly south of the present community. It was moved in 1872 by
The first census that recognized Fort St. John as a
Geography
Fort St. John is geographically on the western edge of the
Sitting at an elevation of 690 m (2,260 ft), Fort St. John is situated within a low-lying valley near the eastern foothills of the
Fort St. John, along with neighboring cities of Chetwynd, Tumbler Ridge, and Dawson Creek, are within Peace River Country, a large geographic area of British Columbia and Alberta. The Peace River valley provides opportunities for farming, in contrast to the rugged mountains to the west.
Climate
Fort St. John experiences a cold
Fort St. John is east of the Rocky Mountains, and thus has a climate much more similar to the prairies than the British Columbia interior west of the mountains. The frost-free period is much longer east of the mountains than west, and thus the Peace River area including Fort St. John can grow crops that cannot be grown in most of the province such as wheat and canola.
Fort St. John is one of the sunniest places in the province, especially in the winter and spring. The city holds British Columbia's record for most sunshine ever recorded in March (247.4 hours in 1965), May (373.5 hours in 1972), and November (141.3 hours in 1976).[9]
The highest temperature ever recorded in Fort St. John was 38.3 °C (100.9 °F) on 16 July 1941.[10] The coldest temperature ever recorded was −53.9 °C (−65.0 °F) on 11 January 1911.[11]
Climate data for Fort St. John (Fort St. John Airport) WMO ID: 71943; coordinates 56°14′17″N 120°44′25″W / 56.23806°N 120.74028°W; elevation: 694.9 m (2,280 ft); 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1910–present[a] | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high humidex | 12.7 | 12.4 | 17.3 | 27.4 | 31.5 | 34.3 | 37.4 | 34.5 | 32.6 | 25.4 | 16.2 | 11.2 | 37.4 |
Record high °C (°F) | 12.9 (55.2) |
15.0 (59.0) |
18.0 (64.4) |
28.5 (83.3) |
32.2 (90.0) |
31.7 (89.1) |
38.3 (100.9) |
33.6 (92.5) |
32.2 (90.0) |
26.7 (80.1) |
18.3 (64.9) |
15.0 (59.0) |
38.3 (100.9) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −8.7 (16.3) |
−5.1 (22.8) |
0.1 (32.2) |
9.1 (48.4) |
15.5 (59.9) |
19.6 (67.3) |
21.7 (71.1) |
20.5 (68.9) |
15.2 (59.4) |
7.7 (45.9) |
−2.9 (26.8) |
−7.4 (18.7) |
7.1 (44.8) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | −12.8 (9.0) |
−9.6 (14.7) |
−4.6 (23.7) |
3.9 (39.0) |
9.8 (49.6) |
14.1 (57.4) |
16.2 (61.2) |
14.9 (58.8) |
10.1 (50.2) |
3.6 (38.5) |
−6.6 (20.1) |
−11.4 (11.5) |
2.3 (36.1) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −16.9 (1.6) |
−14.0 (6.8) |
−9.2 (15.4) |
−1.3 (29.7) |
4.0 (39.2) |
8.6 (47.5) |
10.7 (51.3) |
9.2 (48.6) |
4.9 (40.8) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
−10.2 (13.6) |
−15.3 (4.5) |
−2.5 (27.5) |
Record low °C (°F) | −53.9 (−65.0) |
−50.0 (−58.0) |
−37.8 (−36.0) |
−31.1 (−24.0) |
−13.1 (8.4) |
−5.6 (21.9) |
−4.4 (24.1) |
−2.9 (26.8) |
−12.8 (9.0) |
−25.0 (−13.0) |
−39.2 (−38.6) |
−50.6 (−59.1) |
−53.9 (−65.0) |
Record low wind chill | −59.5 | −59.3 | −48.7 | −37.8 | −19.9 | −6.2 | 0.0 | −7.8 | −18.4 | −35.3 | −58.3 | −53.9 | −59.5 |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 25.4 (1.00) |
19.0 (0.75) |
23.7 (0.93) |
20.0 (0.79) |
37.9 (1.49) |
65.6 (2.58) |
75.2 (2.96) |
51.2 (2.02) |
44.7 (1.76) |
30.8 (1.21) |
29.2 (1.15) |
22.0 (0.87) |
444.7 (17.51) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.4 (0.02) |
0.4 (0.02) |
0.7 (0.03) |
9.7 (0.38) |
31.9 (1.26) |
65.6 (2.58) |
75.2 (2.96) |
51.1 (2.01) |
40.0 (1.57) |
13.3 (0.52) |
3.4 (0.13) |
0.7 (0.03) |
292.4 (11.51) |
Average snowfall cm (inches) | 32.7 (12.9) |
25.3 (10.0) |
28.7 (11.3) |
12.7 (5.0) |
6.4 (2.5) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.0) |
4.8 (1.9) |
19.6 (7.7) |
32.5 (12.8) |
26.8 (10.6) |
189.6 (74.6) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 10.6 | 8.4 | 9.0 | 6.9 | 8.8 | 11.1 | 12.9 | 10.4 | 10.4 | 9.6 | 11.1 | 9.5 | 118.5 |
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 3.8 | 7.9 | 11.1 | 12.9 | 10.4 | 10.0 | 5.5 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 66.0 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 10.8 | 9.0 | 8.8 | 4.0 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 5.4 | 10.3 | 9.5 | 60.3 |
Average relative humidity (%) (at 15:00 LST)
|
68.5 | 62.9 | 53.8 | 42.6 | 41.1 | 45.7 | 49.3 | 50.6 | 52.4 | 57.9 | 72.3 | 71.5 | 55.7 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 74.3 | 106.4 | 175.0 | 223.4 | 267.7 | 266.5 | 287.4 | 260.0 | 177.7 | 134.7 | 70.5 | 51.8 | 2,095.4 |
Percent possible sunshine | 31.5 | 39.4 | 47.8 | 52.5 | 52.9 | 50.6 | 54.5 | 55.5 | 46.3 | 41.6 | 28.4 | 23.8 | 43.7 |
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada[8][10][11][12][13] |
Demographics
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
2016 | 20,155 | +8.3% |
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Fort St. John had a population of 21,465 living in 8,777 of its 10,004 total private dwellings, a change of 5.9% from its 2016 population of 20,260. With a land area of 32.67 km2 (12.61 sq mi), it had a population density of 657.0/km2 (1,701.7/sq mi) in 2021.[17]
Fort St. John | British Columbia | |
---|---|---|
Median age | 32.0 years | 38.4 years |
Under 15 years old | 22.1% | 18% |
Between 25 and 44 years old | 33.4% | 30% |
Over 65 years old | 6.7% | 14% |
Visible minority | 3% | 21% |
Protestant | 38% | 31% |
Ethnicity
Panethnic group |
2021[19] | 2016[20] | 2011[21] | 2006[22] | 2001[23] | 1996[24] | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | |||
European[b] | 14,970 | 70.7% | 15,195 | 76.7% | 15,395 | 83.44% | 14,990 | 86.65% | 13,695 | 85.94% | 13,405 | 89.85% | ||
Indigenous | 2,770 | 13.08% | 2,240 | 11.31% | 2,120 | 11.49% | 1,645 | 9.51% | 1,780 | 11.17% | 1,030 | 6.9% | ||
Southeast Asian[c] | 1,225 | 5.79% | 725 | 3.66% | 290 | 1.57% | 115 | 0.66% | 130 | 0.82% | 95 | 0.64% | ||
South Asian | 1,120 | 5.29% | 595 | 3% | 160 | 0.87% | 150 | 0.87% | 45 | 0.28% | 80 | 0.54% | ||
African
|
435 | 2.05% | 375 | 1.89% | 140 | 0.76% | 100 | 0.58% | 90 | 0.56% | 50 | 0.34% | ||
East Asian[d] | 325 | 1.53% | 370 | 1.87% | 275 | 1.49% | 215 | 1.24% | 130 | 0.82% | 190 | 1.27% | ||
Latin American | 85 | 0.4% | 90 | 0.45% | 0 | 0% | 50 | 0.29% | 10 | 0.06% | 0 | 0% | ||
Middle Eastern[e] | 50 | 0.24% | 120 | 0.61% | 35 | 0.19% | 20 | 0.12% | 20 | 0.13% | 10 | 0.07% | ||
Other/Multiracial[f] | 190 | 0.9% | 90 | 0.45% | 35 | 0.19% | 20 | 0.12% | 30 | 0.19% | 60 | 0.4% | ||
Total responses | 21,175 | 98.65% | 19,810 | 98.29% | 18,450 | 99.15% | 17,300 | 99.41% | 15,935 | 99.38% | 14,920 | 99.33% | ||
Total population | 21,465 | 100% | 20,155 | 100% | 18,609 | 100% | 17,402 | 100% | 16,034 | 100% | 15,021 | 100% | ||
Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses |
Religion
According to the 2021 census, religious groups in Fort St. John included:[19]
- Irreligion (12,170 persons or 57.5%)
- Christianity (7,685 persons or 36.3%)
- Sikhism (490 persons or 2.3%)
- Hinduism (290 persons or 1.4%)
- Islam (250 persons or 1.2%)
- Indigenous Spirituality(60 persons or 0.3%)
- Buddhism (50 persons or 0.2%)
- Judaism(20 persons or 0.1%)
Economy
Economy[18] | ||
---|---|---|
Rate | Town | Province |
Unemployment rate | 3% | 8.5% |
Participation rate | 77.9% | 65.2% |
Poverty rate | 6.7% | 17.8% |
Average male income | $54,252 | $50,191 |
Average female income | $31,083 | $35,895 |
As the urban centre for a rural and farming population of about 8,306 people and home to 18,609 people, Fort St. John is a retail, service and industrial centre. The province's
Fort St. John is a
The 2001 Canadian census recorded 9,985 income-earners over the age of 15 residing in Fort St. John; of these, 4,500 worked full-time throughout the year. The high participation rate stems from the relatively young population, much of which was attracted by the area's high-paying oil and gas industry. Its male-female income gap is large.[18]
Health care
Fort St. John has a hospital, which as of 2022, had 44 in patient beds, 4 intensive care unit beds, and 7 delivery beds.[26] It has a CT scanner and ultrasound.[27]
Arts and culture
As the urban centre for approximately 20,000 people, much of the region's recreational and cultural facilities are located in town. Within the city, Centennial Park groups much of these facilities in a central location close to residences and businesses. This large park includes the Fort St. John North Peace Museum,
Attractions
The city's main recreation centre is the
Fort St. John hosted the BC Winter Games in 1984 and the Northern BC Winter Games in 1975, 1976, 1994, 2000, and 2007. Every August, the Great Canadian Welding Competition is held in Fort St. John, which sees welding artists fill Centennial Park creating statues on the year's given theme. In January the annual High on Ice Winter Carnival has a frozen Centennial Park filled with ice sculptors competing and other special winter-related activities occurring around town.
Government
The City of Fort St. John has a
Fort St. John is situated in the
of Fort St. John polls, respectively. He has served as the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources since 2001.Federally, Fort St. John is located in the
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Police
Police protection is contracted to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police which operates a 26 officer municipal detachment and a 10-member rural detachment from the city.[44] In 2005, the municipal detachment reported 4,048 Criminal Code offences, which translates into a crime rate of 228 Criminal Code offences per 1,000 people, much higher than the provincial average of 125 offences. During that year, compared to the provincial average, the RCMP reported much higher crime rates in Fort St. John for cocaine, cannabis, non-sexual assaults, property damage, and arson related offences. However, the city had lower crime rates for robbery, theft from motor vehicles, and business break-and-enters. [45]
Infrastructure
Fort St. John is the transportation hub of the region. The main highway,
The city's water and sewer infrastructure pumps water from 4 deep wells located near the Peace River with a backup source being Charlie Lake;[47] it is filtered, chlorinated and fluoridated before being distributed. The water has been rated by the BC Ministry of Environment as being "Very hard."[47] Sewage is processed in one of two lagoons. The lagoon south of the city releases the processed effluent into the Peace River and the lagoon north of the city releases into the Beatton River. Storm sewers run with the sanitary sewers but storm discharge is directed into the rivers without going through the lagoons. The city's fire department consists of volunteer and professional members, covering the city plus five miles (8 km) into the rural areas.
Education
There are 9 public schools within the city limits, with one being a secondary school, and another 10 outside of Fort St. John that are all administered by School District 60 Peace River North. There is one private Christian school in Fort St. John, also administered by School District 60 Peace River North. Northern Lights College has a campus in Fort St. John housing the B.C. Centre of Training Excellence in Oil and Gas, which includes a full-sized oil rig and simulated well site. The 2001 Census estimated that 10% of people in Fort St. John between 20 and 64 years old graduated from a university, less than half of the 24% provincial average and 27% did not graduate from secondary school, 7% higher than the provincial average.[18]
Media
The Alaska Highway News and The Northerner are published in Fort St. John. A local free magazine known as Northern Groove focuses on local music, arts, and live entertainment events in Fort St. John and area and is published monthly.[48] The EnergeticCity.ca website is a digital news outlet focused on local news in and around Fort St. John; it is owned by 0914126 B.C. Ltd., which is controlled 100% by Adam Reaburn, owner of local radio station CKFU-FM.[49]
Radio stations broadcasting from Fort St. John include Move! 98.5 FM (CHRX-FM) (Variety), Bounce 101.5 FM (CKNL-FM) (Oldies), 92.5 Sunrise FM (CIAM-FM) (Religious) and the aforementioned country music station 100.1 Moose FM (CKFU-FM).[citation needed]
Freedom of the City
The following People and Military Units have received the Freedom of the City of Fort St. John.
Individuals
- Charles “Bud” Hamilton: 7 December 1979.
- William James "Jim" Eglinski: 24 June 2019.
- The Honourable Senator Richard Neufeld: 24 June 2019.
- Jean Leahy: 9 September 2019.
- Sue Popesku: 11 June 2022.[50]
Military Units
- 2276 Royal Canadian Army Cadets: 10 April 2006.[51]
References
- ^ "Fort St. John". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada.
- ^ "Focus on Geography Series, 2016 Census)". Statistics Canada. 28 May 2012. Archived from the original on 25 December 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
- ^ "BC Gov Stats)". BC Gov Stats. 1 July 2020. Archived from the original on 24 July 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ "Fort St. John National Historic Site of Canada". Directory of Designations of National Historic Significance of Canada. Parks Canada. Retrieved 8 January 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Parks Canada - Fort St. John National Historic Site of Canada". Archived from the original on 2 May 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
- ^ BC Stats, Municipal Census Populations, 1921–1971.
- ^ Chepkemoi, Joyce (25 April 2017). "Facts About the Canadian Prairie Provinces". WorldAtlas. Archived from the original on 27 October 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
- ^ a b "Fort St. John A, British Columbia". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 January 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ a b "July 1941". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
- ^ a b "January 1911". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
- ^ "Fort St John". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
- ^ "April 2016". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
- ^ BC Stats, Municipal Census Populations, 1976–1986.
- ^ BC Stats, Municipal Census Populations, 1986–1996.
- ^ BC Stats, Municipal Census Populations, 1996–2006.
- ^ "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), British Columbia". Statistics Canada. 9 February 2022. Archived from the original on 10 February 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
- ^ a b c d Statistics Canada, Community Highlights for Fort St. John[permanent dead link], 2001 Community Profiles, February 20, 2007.
- ^ a b Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (26 October 2022). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 10 November 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
- ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (27 October 2021). "Census Profile, 2016 Census". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 3 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
- ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (27 November 2015). "NHS Profile". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 3 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
- ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (20 August 2019). "2006 Community Profiles". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 3 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
- ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2 July 2019). "2001 Community Profiles". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 3 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
- ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (4 June 2019). "Electronic Area Profiles Profile of Census Divisions and Subdivisions, 1996 Census". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
- ^ KPMG (October 29, 2004). Marketing Strategy for the BC: Oil and Gas Service Sector [dead link]
- ^ "Fort St. John facility information | Northern Health". www.northernhealth.ca. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
- ^ "Medical Imaging | Northern Health". www.northernhealth.ca. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
- ^ "Fort St John Museum website". Archived from the original on 23 September 2009. Retrieved 24 March 2009.
- ^ Pomeroy Sport Centre webpage Archived 2012-05-08 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 2012-08-17
- ^ Reaburn, Adam (November 19, 2005). Municipal Election Results Archived 25 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Fort St. John Now!. Retrieved on November 19, 2006.
- ^ Peace River Regional District Board of Directors Archived 2009-09-05 at the Wayback Machine, Board of Directors 22 February 2006
- ^ School District No. 60 (British Columbia) BY-LAW NO. 4/05 Archived 2007-10-29 at the Wayback Machine, School District No. 60 (Peace River North), February 22, 2006.
- ^ "Board of Trustees". SD60. Archived from the original on 4 April 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
- ^ Elections BC (1991) Peace River North Electoral District Poll-by-Poll Results Archived 2008-05-07 at the Wayback Machine, Statement of Votes, 1991, February 22, 2006.
- ^ Elections BC (1996) Peace River North Electoral District Archived 2008-05-07 at the Wayback Machine, Statement of Votes, 1996, February 22, 2006.
- ^ Elections BC (2001) Peace River North Electoral District Archived 2008-04-11 at the Wayback Machine, Statement of Votes, 2001, February 22, 2006.
- ^ Elections BC (2005) Peace River South Electoral District (pdf) Archived September 27, 2006, at the Wayback Machine, Statement of Votes, 2005, November 18, 2005.
- ^ a b Elections Canada 36th and 37th General Elections: Official Voting Results: Poll-by-poll Results Archived 7 December 2006 at the Wayback Machine, Elections Canada On-Line|General Information, January 22, 2006. (Requires user to download database.
- ^ Elections Canada (2004) Thirty-eighth General Election 2004 — Poll-by-poll results Archived 9 March 2021 at the Wayback Machine, Official Voting Results/Résultats officiels du scrutin, November 18, 2005. (Requires navigation to Prince George—Peace River)
- ^ Library of Parliament (2006) Oberle, The Hon. Frank, P.C., Federal Political Experience, January 22, 2006.
- ^ "Forty-First General Election". Official Voting Results. Elections Canada. 2011. Archived from the original on 1 August 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2011. Requires navigation to Prince George—Peace River
- ^ "Peace River South Electoral District" (PDF). Statement of Votes, 2009. Elections BC. 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
- ^ Police Services Division, pp. 101, 106-110, 151, 154.
- ^ Police Services Division, Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Province of British Columbia (2005) Municipal and Provincial Police Strength, 1996–2005 page 97. ISSN 1198-9971. Archived December 26, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Police Services Division, Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Province of British Columbia (2005) Police and Crime: Summary Statistics: 1995 - 2004 Archived 13 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine, pages 106-110, 151, 154. ISSN 1198-9971
- ^ Dickson, Janice (9 July 2018). "Greyhound Canada to end routes in Prairies, B.C." Global News. Archived from the original on 29 November 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
- ^ a b "Archived copy" (PDF). env.gov.bc.ca. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 May 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "TheVAULTmagazine | the Peace Region's Premier Alternative Newspaper". Archived from the original on 25 April 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
- ^ "About Us". EnergeticCity.ca. 16 April 2023. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
- ^ Lueneberg, Dave (7 June 2022). "Sue Popesku to be honoured with Freedom of the City award". The Alaska Highway News. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
- ^ "Freedom of the City Policy" (PDF). City of Fort St. John. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 December 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ Climate data was recorded in the city of Fort St. John from January 1910 to February 1945, and at Fort St. John Airport from March 1942 to present.
- ^ Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.
- ^ Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.
- ^ Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" 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.
External links
- Official website
- Fort St. John travel guide from Wikivoyage