Abbotsford, British Columbia
Abbotsford | ||
---|---|---|
City of Abbotsford | ||
From top, left to right: Abbotsford from Mill Lake, The Reach Gallery Museum, Mill Lake, University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford International Airport | ||
District of Sumas 1972 | | |
Amalgamation with the District of Matsqui | 1995 | |
Government | ||
• Body | Abbotsford City Council | |
• Mayor | Ross Siemens[1] | |
• City Council | List of MPs
| |
• MP | List of MPs
| |
• MLA | List of MLAs | |
Area GDP (Abbotsford-Mission CMA) | CA$6.9 billion (2016)[6] | |
GDP per capita (Abbotsford-Mission CMA) | CA$38,162 (2016) | |
Website | www |
Abbotsford is a city in British Columbia next to the Canada–United States border, Greater Vancouver and the Fraser River. With a census population of 153,569 people (2021), it is the largest municipality in the province outside metropolitan Vancouver.[3] Abbotsford–Mission has the third-highest proportion of visible minorities among census metropolitan areas in Canada, after the Greater Toronto Area and the Greater Vancouver CMA.[7] It is home to Tradex, the University of the Fraser Valley, and Abbotsford International Airport.
As of the
The community of 375.55 square kilometres (145.00 sq mi) is the largest city by area in British Columbia. The municipality's southern boundary is the Canada–United States border. In Canada, it is bordered by the Township of Langley to the west, the City of Mission to the north, and the City of Chilliwack to the east. Abbotsford borders the town of Sumas, Washington, to the south. Much of Abbotsford has views of Mount Baker (to the southeast, in Washington) and the Coast Mountains (to the north).
History
Settlement
The first residents of the area are the
European settlement began when the Royal Engineers surveyed the area in response to the gold rush along the Fraser River in 1858. This led to the building of Yale Road (today Old Yale Road), the first transportation route to link the Fraser Valley. The settlement grew and the production of butter, milk and tobacco began by the late 1860s. In 1889, former Royal Engineer John Cunningham Maclure applied for a Crown grant to obtain the 160 acres (0.65 km2) that would become Abbotsford.
The Gur Sikh Temple, located on 33089 South Fraser Way, is the oldest Sikh temple in North America. Built in 1908 and opened in 1911, it is now over 110 years old, outlasting the now demolished 2nd Avenue temple in Vancouver (opened in 1908),[11] and the Golden temple (opened in 1905) which was destroyed by fire.[12]
There is some controversy over the origin of the Abbotsford name.
Contemporary period
The title passed hands to Robert Ward, who filed a townsite subdivision on July 9, 1891. Also in 1891, the CPR built a railway line through the area that connected Mission with the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railway at Sumas, Washington. This route was the only rail connection between Vancouver and Seattle until 1904. The Village of Abbotsford was incorporated in 1892. At that time Robert Ward sold many of the lots to private investors, but also sold off a significant portion to the Great Northern Railway's subsidiary company the Vancouver, Victoria and Eastern Railway. The British Columbia Electric Railway (BCER) arrived in 1910. The Interurban, as the BCER tram linking Abbotsford with Vancouver and Chilliwack was called, was discontinued in 1950, but BCER's successor BC Hydro retains the right to re-introduce passenger rail service. Service to Vancouver runs from neighbouring Mission by way of the West Coast Express.
The most notable natural disaster to hit Abbotsford was a major flood of the Fraser River in 1948.
In September 1984, Pope John Paul II held an open-air Mass for over 200,000 people at Abbotsford International Airport.[17]
The amalgamation of the Village of Abbotsford and the
In June 2013, the City of Abbotsford spread chicken manure on a homeless camp located in the city.[18] Abbotsford Mayor Bruce Banman publicly apologized for the incident.[19] A lawsuit was launched on behalf of some of the homeless, stating that a bylaw which prevents overnight camping in Abbotsford parks is against their right 'to shelter. The city has formed a homelessness action plan, and has approved a proposal for a supportive housing facility.[20]
The city of Abbotsford has a long and ongoing history of gang-related crime, particularly that of violence and the illegal sale of controlled substances.[21][22][23][24]
On November 16, 2021, Abbotsford residents living in the
Government
The Abbotsford flag and coat of arms are the same, featuring straight, diagonal crosses representing Abbotsford as at a "crossroads". At the centre is a strawberry blossom to symbolize the local berry industry. The flag of Abbotsford was originally blue in colour. The change to green was initiated in 1995 when the District of Abbotsford and the District of Matsqui amalgamated to create the City of Abbotsford.
Demographics
City of Abbotsford
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
2021 | 153,524 | +8.6% |
Sources: Statistics Canada[26][a][b] |
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Abbotsford had a population of 153,524 living in 53,234 of its 55,659 total private dwellings, a change of 8.6% from its 2016 population of 141,397. With a land area of 375.33 km2 (144.92 sq mi), it had a population density of 409.0/km2 (1,059.4/sq mi) in 2021.[3]
The 2021 census reported that
Languages
According to the 2021 Census, 92,460 persons or 61.0% of Abbotsford's population have
Furthermore, the 2021 census stated 141,175 persons or 93.6% of Abbotsford's population have knowledge of the English language; 41,145 persons or 27.3% of the population have knowledge of the Punjabi language, followed by Hindi (7,080 or 4.7%), French (6,295 or 4.2%), German (3,665 or 2.4%), Spanish (2,880 or 1.9%), Tagalog (1,835 or 1.2%), Korean (1,430 or 0.9%), Vietnamese (1,170 or 0.8%), Dutch (1,145 or 0.8%), Mandarin (1,430 or 0.9%), Arabic (1,030 or 0.7%), Urdu (985 or 0.7%), Cantonese (810 or 0.5%), and Russian (805 or 0.5%).[27]
Religion
A plurality of Abbotsford's population is
The next largest religious group is
The 2021 census reported the religious demography in the city of Abbotsford was:[27]
- Christianity (56,900 persons or 37.7%)
- Irreligion (47,550 persons or 31.5%)
- Sikhism (38,395 persons or 25.5%)
- Hinduism (3,620 persons or 2.4%)
- Islam (2,125 persons or 1.4%)
- Buddhism (1,000 persons or 0.7%)
- Judaism(90 persons or 0.1%)
- Indigenous Spirituality(75 persons or <0.1%)
- Other (1,060 persons or 0.7%)
Ethnicity
According to the 2021 census, the largest pan-ethnic group is European, comprising approximately 55.2% of the municipal population.[27][c] This group includes German, Dutch, British, Irish, Scandinavian and Slavic ethnic origins.
The next largest pan-ethnic group in Abbotsford is South Asian, comprising 30.2% of the city population; this group includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka national origins, while the population in Abbotsford primarily includes persons of Punjabi ethnic origin.[27] Members of the ethnic group first arrived in the early 1900s to work on farms and in the lumber industry.[30][31]
This is followed by Indigenous peoples at 4.6% of the population, Southeast Asians (3.1%), and East Asians (2.7%).[27]
Panethnic group | 2021[27] | 2016[32] | 2011[33] | 2006[34] | 2001[35] | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | |
European[c] | 83,270 | 55.22% | 85,325 | 61.58% | 87,790 | 67.04% | 86,415 | 70.73% | 88,080 | 77.42% |
South Asian | 45,505 | 30.18% | 35,310 | 25.48% | 29,725 | 22.7% | 23,360 | 19.12% | 17,005 | 14.95% |
Indigenous | 6,855 | 4.55% | 6,595 | 4.76% | 4,460 | 3.41% | 3,565 | 2.92% | 2,500 | 2.2% |
Southeast Asian[e] | 4,610 | 3.06% | 3,110 | 2.24% | 2,005 | 1.53% | 2,130 | 1.74% | 1,650 | 1.45% |
East Asian[f] | 4,340 | 2.88% | 4,145 | 2.99% | 3,785 | 2.89% | 4,145 | 3.39% | 2,610 | 2.29% |
African
|
2,080 | 1.38% | 1,415 | 1.02% | 1,120 | 0.86% | 730 | 0.6% | 500 | 0.44% |
Latin American | 1,515 | 1% | 1,120 | 0.81% | 755 | 0.58% | 1,095 | 0.9% | 760 | 0.67% |
Middle Eastern[g] | 1,270 | 0.84% | 555 | 0.4% | 380 | 0.29% | 295 | 0.24% | 145 | 0.13% |
Other[h] | 1,350 | 0.9% | 985 | 0.71% | 930 | 0.71% | 430 | 0.35% | 530 | 0.47% |
Total responses | 150,800 | 98.23% | 138,555 | 97.99% | 130,950 | 98.09% | 122,175 | 98.64% | 113,770 | 98.53% |
Total population | 153,524 | 100% | 141,397 | 100% | 133,497 | 100% | 123,864 | 100% | 115,463 | 100% |
Abbotsford CMA
At the
The
Ethnicity
Abbotsford has the third-highest proportion of visible minorities among Census Metropolitan Areas in Canada, after the Greater Toronto Area and Greater Vancouver.[7] The Abbotsford metropolitan area has Canada's highest Census Metropolitan Area proportion of South Asians.[37]
Panethnic group | 2021[38][39] | 2016[40] | 2011[41] | 2006[42] | 2001[43] | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | |
European[i][j] | 113,740 | 59.2% | 115,345 | 65.41% | 117,210 | 70.32% | 113,960 | 72.75% | 115,020 | 79.33% |
South Asian | 49,835 | 25.94% | 38,250 | 21.69% | 32,245 | 19.35% | 25,580 | 16.33% | 18,660 | 12.87% |
Indigenous | 10,525 | 5.48% | 9,755 | 5.53% | 6,965 | 4.18% | 5,805 | 3.71% | 4,210 | 2.9% |
Southeast Asian[e] | 5,630 | 2.93% | 3,525 | 2% | 2,110 | 1.27% | 2,390 | 1.53% | 1,820 | 1.26% |
East Asian[f] | 5,135 | 2.67% | 4,660 | 2.64% | 4,215 | 2.53% | 4,680 | 2.99% | 2,915 | 2.01% |
African
|
2,375 | 1.24% | 1,670 | 0.95% | 1,435 | 0.86% | 930 | 0.59% | 595 | 0.41% |
Latin American | 1,855 | 0.97% | 1,430 | 0.81% | 935 | 0.56% | 1,280 | 0.82% | 995 | 0.69% |
Middle Eastern[g] | 1,505 | 0.78% | 605 | 0.34% | 505 | 0.3% | 360 | 0.23% | 180 | 0.12% |
Other[h] | 1,635 | 0.85% | 1,080 | 0.61% | 1,055 | 0.63% | 485 | 0.31% | 595 | 0.41% |
Total responses | 192,115 | 98.16% | 176,330 | 97.68% | 166,680 | 97.94% | 156,640 | 98.5% | 144,985 | 98.38% |
Total population | 195,726 | 100% | 180,518 | 100% | 170,191 | 100% | 159,020 | 100% | 147,370 | 100% |
Ethnic origin[44] | Population (2006) | Percent of 156,640[k] | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Cornish | 10 | 0.01% | |
English | 42,190 | 26.93% | |
Irish | 21,430 | 13.68% | |
Manx | 40 | 0.03% | |
Scottish | 28,695 | 18.32% | |
Welsh | 3,665 | 2.34% | |
misc. British Isles, n.i.e.[l] | 2,265 | 1.45% | |
Acadian | 55 | 0.04% | |
French | 13,725 | 8.76% | |
Inuit | 50 | 0.03% | |
Métis
|
2,670 | 1.70% | |
North American Indian
|
5,335 | 3.41% | incl. First Nations, Native Americans and Alaska Natives |
American | 2,320 | 1.48% | |
Canadian | 30,415 | 19.42% | |
Newfoundlander
|
65 | 0.04% | |
Québécois | 55 | 0.04% | |
Barbadian | 15 | 0.01% | |
Carib | 15 | 0.01% | |
Guyanese | 20 | 0.01% | |
Haitian | 135 | 0.09% | |
Jamaican | 305 | 0.19% | |
Kittitian/Nevisian | 10 | 0.01% | |
Puerto Rican
|
15 | 0.01% | |
St. Lucian | 10 | 0.01% | |
Trinidadian/Tobagonian | 95 | 0.06% | |
Vincentian/Grenadinian | 15 | 0.01% | |
West Indian | 35 | 0.02% | |
Caribbean, n.i.e.[l] | 15 | 0.01% | |
Aboriginal from Central/South America
|
40 | 0.03% | |
Argentinian | 35 | 0.02% | |
Belizean
|
20 | 0.01% | |
Brazilian
|
130 | 0.08% | |
Chilean
|
110 | 0.07% | |
Colombian
|
150 | 0.10% | |
Costa Rican
|
55 | 0.04% | |
Ecuadorian
|
10 | 0.01% | |
Guatemalan
|
85 | 0.05% | |
Hispanic
|
10 | 0.01% | |
Honduran
|
25 | 0.02% | |
Maya
|
30 | 0.02% | |
Mexican
|
475 | 0.30% | |
Nicaraguan
|
35 | 0.02% | |
Panamanian
|
10 | 0.01% | |
Paraguayan
|
195 | 0.10% | |
Peruvian
|
10 | 0.01% | |
Salvadoran | 540 | 0.35% | |
Venezuelan | 65 | 0.04% | |
Misc. Latin, Central or South American, n.i.e.[l]
|
160 | 0.01% | |
Austrian
|
1,500 | 1.00% | |
Belgian
|
620 | 0.40% | |
Dutch (Netherlands) | 16,645 | 10.63% | % not incl. Frisians or Flemish |
Flemish | 110 | 0.07% | |
Frisian
|
160 | 0.10% | |
German
|
32,580 | 20.80% | |
Swiss | 1,215 | 0.78% | |
Finnish
|
1,210 | 0.77% | |
Danish
|
1,950 | 1.24% | |
Icelandic
|
930 | 0.59% | |
Norwegian | 4,715 | 3.01% | |
Swedish
|
4,240 | 2.71% | |
Misc. Scandinavian, n.i.e.[l] | 310 | 0.20% | may include Sami and Kven
|
Estonian
|
175 | 0.11% | |
Latvian
|
40 | 0.03% | |
Lithuanian
|
130 | 0.08% | |
Belarusian
|
70 | 0.05% | |
Czech
|
590 | 0.38% | |
Czechoslovakian
|
230 | 0.15% | |
Slovak
|
190 | 0.12% | |
Hungarian (Magyar)
|
2,150 | 1.37% | |
Polish | 4,940 | 3.15% | |
Romanian
|
1,065 | 0.68% | |
Russian
|
7,420 | 4.73% | |
Ukrainian | 8,090 | 5.16% | |
Albanian
|
135 | 0.09% | |
Bosnian
|
10 | 0.01% | |
Bulgarian
|
60 | 0.04% | |
Croatian
|
245 | 0.16% | |
Greek
|
655 | 0.42% | |
Italian
|
3,675 | 2.35% | |
Kosovar | 25 | 0.02% | |
Macedonian | 45 | 0.03% | |
Maltese | 55 | 0.04% | |
Portuguese | 745 | 0.48% | |
Serbian | 100 | 0.08% | |
Sicilian | 10 | 0.01% | |
Slovenian
|
125 | 0.08% | |
Spanish
|
1,600 | 1.02% | |
Yugoslav, n.i.e.[l]
|
290 | 0.19% | |
Basque
|
10 | 0.01% | |
Gypsy (Roma) | 35 | 0.02% | |
Misc. Slav (European)
|
40 | 0.03% | |
Ethnic groups in Europe, n.i.e.[l] | 260 | 0.17% | |
Afrikaner
|
25 | 0.02% | |
Bantu
|
10 | 0.01% | |
Black | 140 | 0.09% | |
Congolese (Zairian) | 20 | 0.01% | |
Congolese, n.o.s.[m] | 15 | 0.01% | |
Dinka | 40 | 0.03% | |
Ethiopian
|
10 | 0.01% | |
Ghanaian
|
50 | 0.03% | |
Kenyan | 35 | 0.02% | |
Mauritian
|
20 | 0.01% | |
Nigerian
|
50 | 0.03% | |
South African
|
415 | 0.26% | |
Sudanese
|
20 | 0.01% | |
Tanzanian
|
15 | 0.01% | |
Misc. African, n.i.e.[l]
|
130 | 0.08% | |
Egyptian
|
25 | 0.02% | |
Iraqi
|
15 | 0.01% | |
Lebanese | 85 | 0.05% | |
Maghrebi origins | 10 | 0.01% | |
Palestinian
|
65 | 0.04% | |
Syrian
|
50 | 0.03% | |
Misc. Arab, n.i.e.[l]
|
75 | 0.05% | |
Afghan
|
50 | 0.03% | |
Iranian | 185 | 0.12% | |
Israeli
|
15 | 0.01% | |
Kurdish
|
35 | 0.02% | |
Tatar
|
10 | 0.01% | |
Turkish | 120 | 0.08% | |
Indian | 23,445 | 16.47% | |
Goan | 15 | 0.01% | |
Nepali
|
45 | 0.03% | |
Pakistani
|
195 | 0.12% | |
Punjabi
|
2,040 | 1.30% | |
Sri Lankan | 50 | 0.03% | |
Tamil
|
10 | 0.01% | |
Misc. South Asian, n.i.e.[l]
|
820 | 0.52% | |
Cambodian
|
50 | 0.03% | |
Chinese | 2,585 | 1.65% | |
Filipino
|
740 | 0.47% | |
Indonesian | 205 | 0.13% | |
Japanese | 890 | 0.57% | |
Korean
|
1,665 | 1.06% | |
Laotian
|
240 | 0.15% | |
Malaysian
|
50 | 0.03% | |
Taiwanese | 75 | 0.05% | |
Thai | 100 | 0.06% | |
Vietnamese | 1,150 | 0.73% | |
East or Southeast Asian, n.i.e.[l] | 85 | 0.05% | |
Australian
|
265 | 0.17% | |
New Zealander
|
145 | 0.09% | |
Fijian | 100 | 0.06% | |
Hawaiian
|
50 | 0.03% | |
Samoan
|
10 | 0.01% |
Ethnic origin by regional grouping[7] | Population | Percent of 156,640 |
---|---|---|
British Isles origins | 65,495 | 41.81% |
French origins[n] | 13,745 | 8.77% |
Aboriginal origins[o] | 7,860 | 5.02% |
Other North American origins[p] | 31,870 | 20.34% |
Caribbean origins | 665 | 0.43% |
Latin, Central and South American origins[q] | 2,070 | 1.32% |
Western European origins[r] | 46,395 | 29.62% |
Northern European origins[s] | 12,140 | 7.75% |
Eastern European origin[t] | 21,765 | 13.89% |
Southern European origins | 7,470 | 4.77% |
Other European origins[u] | 840 | 00.54% |
African origins[v] | 990 | 0.63% |
Arab origins[w] | 320 | 0.20% |
West Asian origins[x] | 410 | 00.26% |
South Asian origins | 25,800 | 16.47% |
East and Southeast Asian origins | 7,375 | 4.71% |
Oceanian origins[y] | 565 | 0.36% |
Climate
Abbotsford has an
Climate data for Abbotsford International Airport (1981–2010) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high humidex | 18.8 | 20.0 | 24.8 | 31.2 | 39.5 | 49.8 | 46.2 | 43.4 | 40.1 | 31.2 | 21.0 | 18.9 | 49.8 |
Record high °C (°F) | 18.1 (64.6) |
20.6 (69.1) |
24.9 (76.8) |
29.8 (85.6) |
36.0 (96.8) |
42.9 (109.2) |
38.0 (100.4) |
39.4 (102.9) |
37.5 (99.5) |
29.3 (84.7) |
22.4 (72.3) |
18.2 (64.8) |
42.9 (109.2) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 6.7 (44.1) |
9.0 (48.2) |
11.6 (52.9) |
14.7 (58.5) |
18.1 (64.6) |
20.8 (69.4) |
24.0 (75.2) |
24.4 (75.9) |
21.3 (70.3) |
15.0 (59.0) |
9.3 (48.7) |
5.9 (42.6) |
15.1 (59.2) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 3.6 (38.5) |
5.0 (41.0) |
7.2 (45.0) |
9.8 (49.6) |
13.0 (55.4) |
15.7 (60.3) |
18.1 (64.6) |
18.2 (64.8) |
15.3 (59.5) |
10.5 (50.9) |
6.0 (42.8) |
2.9 (37.2) |
10.4 (50.7) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 0.4 (32.7) |
1.1 (34.0) |
2.7 (36.9) |
4.8 (40.6) |
7.8 (46.0) |
10.5 (50.9) |
12.2 (54.0) |
12.0 (53.6) |
9.3 (48.7) |
5.9 (42.6) |
2.7 (36.9) |
−0.1 (31.8) |
5.8 (42.4) |
Record low °C (°F) | −21.1 (−6.0) |
−18.9 (−2.0) |
−12.8 (9.0) |
−4.4 (24.1) |
−2.2 (28.0) |
1.1 (34.0) |
2.2 (36.0) |
3.3 (37.9) |
−1.7 (28.9) |
−7.5 (18.5) |
−16.7 (1.9) |
−20.0 (−4.0) |
−21.1 (−6.0) |
Record low wind chill | −26.6 | −29.6 | −19.7 | −7.3 | −4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | −5.4 | −13.9 | −27.6 | −33.3 | −33.3 |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 211.7 (8.33) |
132.3 (5.21) |
149.3 (5.88) |
117.8 (4.64) |
99.8 (3.93) |
74.8 (2.94) |
43.2 (1.70) |
45.9 (1.81) |
75.5 (2.97) |
152.7 (6.01) |
248.2 (9.77) |
186.6 (7.35) |
1,537.8 (60.54) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 193.6 (7.62) |
123.4 (4.86) |
144.9 (5.70) |
117.1 (4.61) |
99.8 (3.93) |
74.8 (2.94) |
43.2 (1.70) |
45.9 (1.81) |
75.5 (2.97) |
152.7 (6.01) |
241.5 (9.51) |
170.9 (6.73) |
1,483.3 (58.40) |
Average snowfall cm (inches) | 18.5 (7.3) |
8.6 (3.4) |
4.4 (1.7) |
0.5 (0.2) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
6.7 (2.6) |
16.5 (6.5) |
55.2 (21.7) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 20.1 | 16.2 | 19.1 | 16.3 | 14.4 | 13.0 | 7.3 | 7.1 | 9.6 | 15.8 | 20.8 | 19.8 | 179.5 |
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 18.2 | 15.4 | 18.6 | 16.3 | 14.4 | 13.0 | 7.3 | 7.1 | 9.6 | 15.8 | 20.2 | 18.2 | 174.1 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 12.2 |
Average relative humidity (%) (at 3pm)
|
73.3 | 62.9 | 59.9 | 56.0 | 56.5 | 57.1 | 54.5 | 53.2 | 56.4 | 66.1 | 74.3 | 74.5 | 62.1 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 68.3 | 99.0 | 131.5 | 171.5 | 208.7 | 213.7 | 276.7 | 263.2 | 201.9 | 122.6 | 64.7 | 64.9 | 1,886.7 |
Percent possible sunshine | 25.2 | 34.6 | 35.7 | 41.8 | 44.1 | 44.2 | 56.7 | 59.1 | 53.3 | 36.5 | 23.4 | 25.2 | 40.0 |
Source: |
Economy
Some 62 percent of residents in Abbotsford work in the City of Abbotsford itself. Most of the remaining 38 percent commute to Mission, Chilliwack or Vancouver and its suburbs (primarily Surrey and Langley). More than 25 percent of Abbotsford's workforce commutes to Abbotsford from other municipalities.[49]
The Conference Board of Canada has identified the local economy as one of the most diverse in the country.[50] Abbotsford's main industries are agriculture, transportation, manufacturing and retail. The city earns the highest dollar per acre of agricultural land in the country, greater than the Niagara Region and the North Okanagan. Total sales from agricultural businesses grew from $635,000,000 in 2010 to nearly $1 billion as of 2021 and accounts for almost 50% of all chicken eggs and dairy milk production for all of British Columbia.[51][50]
The BC government's Animal Health Centre, at the Abbotsford Agriculture Centre offers "more than 400 laboratory diagnostic tests for agents that may be found in wild and domestic birds, mammals, fish, reptiles and amphibians" and is the leading accredited full-service veterinary laboratory in Western Canada.
Local and privately owned confectionery company Brookside Foods was acquired by The Hershey Company in 2011.[56] In 2016, it announced it would be closing.[57]
Education
Forty-six public elementary, middle, and secondary schools are administered by the
Private schools include Dasmesh Punjabi School, St. John Brebeuf Regional Secondary, Mennonite Educational Institute, and Abbotsford Christian School.
Post-secondary institutions in the city include the University of the Fraser Valley, religious institutions such as Columbia Bible College and Summit Pacific College, as well as career colleges such as Career Gate Community College, Sprott Shaw College, Vancouver Career College, Métis Skills and Employment Centre, and CDI College.
Arts, culture and heritage
The Abbotsford Arts Council hosts a number of free local events including music in
The Reach Gallery Museum features exhibitions from across Canada and around the world, as well as the work of local artists. It houses a heritage archive, runs special events, programs and courses and seeks to promote local arts and culture.
Trethewey House Heritage Site features a restored 1920s Craftsman-style house built by J.O. Trethewey, one of the owners of the lumber and shingle mill that gave
The Mennonite Heritage Museum, which opened in January 2016, features a permanent exhibit that tells the 500-year-old story of the
Gallery 7 Theatre and Performing Arts has been one of Abbotsford only performing arts organizations since 1991 and operates out of Mennonite Educational Institute. They produce four mainstage productions every year.
Transportation
Public bus transportation is provided by the Central Fraser Valley Transit System. Passenger rail service to Vancouver currently runs from nearby Mission by way of the West Coast Express.
Air links are provided by the Abbotsford International Airport. WestJet provides regular scheduled service from the airport, due to its proximity to Vancouver's eastern suburbs. The airport is also the home of the annual Abbotsford International Airshow.
Major transportation routes leading into Abbotsford are the Trans-Canada Highway (No. 1), the Abbotsford-Mission Highway (No. 11) and the Fraser Highway (No. 1A). Access to the United States is via the Sumas–Huntingdon Border Crossing.[59][60]
Media
This section needs additional citations for verification. (May 2014) |
Due to its proximity to Vancouver, most Vancouver television and radio stations are also available in Abbotsford, although in a few cases there are repeater stations licensed to different centres in the region.
Radio
Two radio stations originate from Abbotsford: CIVL-FM, campus radio station of the University of the Fraser Valley, and country music station CKQC-FM.[61][62]
- The Abbotsford News[63]
- The Abbotsford Times (ceased publication in December 2013)
- The Punjabi Patrika
Online
Sports
Hockey
Abbotsford Minor Hockey is one of the largest associations in British Columbia, with more than 1,000 players registered from the ages of 5 through 18 years old. This association is recognized by many as a model and a leader in the development of minor hockey programs, and several Abbotsford-raised players have gone on to the highest levels of this sport. In the 2005–06 hockey season, Abbotsford's bantam AAA team were ultimately the Western Canadian Bantam Champions, and eight individual players from this team (the most ever) were selected in the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft.
The
From 2009 until 2014, Abbotsford hosted the
On May 6, 2021, the NHL's Vancouver Canucks were approved to relocate their AHL affiliate to Abbotsford for the 2021–22 season as the Abbotsford Canucks.[71]
Other sports
From 2012 and 2013, the
Abbotsford's
Abbotsford has a superior youth soccer program, winning two national titles, and numerous provincial titles. It is also home of soccer all-stars Sophie Schmidt, Brad Petoom and Adam Lang. Abbotsford is home to the
Abbotsford is home to many high school sports, with
Abbotsford's rugby club supports three men's teams, two women's teams, U19 men's and women's, U15 U16 and U17 men's, and a great mini rugby program. Many of Abbotsford's players have gone on to play for Canada, such as Erin Lockwood, Ryan McWhinney, Scott Hunter and Brodie Henderson.[74]
In Olympic sports, Abbotsford's Alana Kraus has won medals in short-track speed skating.
Club | League | Sport | Venue | Established | Championships | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abbotsford Canucks | Ice hockey | Abbotsford Centre | 2021
|
0
|
Active | |
Abbotsford Heat | Ice hockey | Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre
|
2009
|
0
|
Defunct | |
BC Angels | LFL Canada |
Arena football | Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre | 2012
|
0
|
Defunct |
Abbotsford Pilots | PIJHL |
Ice hockey | MSA Arena | 1987
|
3
|
Active |
Fraser Valley Mariners | USL |
Soccer
|
Bateman Park | 2003
|
0
|
Active |
Abbotsford RFC | Rugby | CFV Exhibition Park | 1972
|
0
|
Active | |
Fraser Valley Thunderbirds | BCMML |
Ice hockey | Abbotsford Centre | 2018
|
1
|
Active |
Abbotsford Air Force | Football | Rotary Stadium | 1987
|
0
|
Defunct | |
Abbotsford Flyers | BCJHL |
Ice hockey | MSA Arena | 1976
|
1
|
Defunct |
Abbotsford Falcons
|
BCJHL |
Ice hockey | MSA Arena | 1985
|
0
|
Defunct |
Valley Rebels | Box lacrosse | MSA Arena | 2005
|
0
|
Active | |
Abbotsford Bandits | Box lacrosse | MSA Arena | 2000
|
0
|
Defunct | |
UFV Cascades | Basketball | UFV Athletic Centre | ?
|
?
|
Active | |
UFV Cascades | Soccer
|
MRC Sports Complex | ?
|
?
|
Active | |
UFV Cascades | Volleyball | UFV Athletic Centre | ?
|
?
|
Active | |
UFV Cascades | Baseball | Delair Park | ?
|
?
|
Active | |
UFV Cascades | Rugby | Rotary Stadium | ?
|
?
|
Active | |
CBC Bearcats | Basketball | Columbia Place | ?
|
?
|
Active | |
CBC Bearcats | Volleyball | Columbia Place | ?
|
?
|
Active |
Crime
In 2005, the Abbotsford–Mission metropolitan area had the highest property crime rate and the second-highest violent crime rate among cities with a population of 100,000 to 500,000 in Canada.[75]
The metropolitan area had the highest rate of homicides nationally for two years running (2008 and 2009) with a rate of 5.22 homicides per 100,000 population, compared with the national average of 1.81.[76][77] In 2010, the rate was 2.3.[78]
The City of Abbotsford has its own municipal police force, one of eleven municipal police forces in British Columbia. It is the third-largest municipal police force in British Columbia (behind Vancouver and Victoria). As of 2006[update], the Abbotsford Police Department employed nearly 200 officers and 80 civilian employees.
The Abbotsford Police Department was officially formed in 1995 when the District of Matsqui and the District of Abbotsford amalgamated to become the City of Abbotsford. Prior to the amalgamation, the District of Matsqui was patrolled by the Matsqui police and the District of Abbotsford by the RCMP. During the referendum citizens elected to keep a municipal police force.
Cityscape
These places represent parts of the city that have more than one neighbourhood in them.
- Abbotsford East
- Abbotsford West
- Aberdeen
- Bradner
- Central Abbotsford
- Matsqui
- Poplar
- Sumas Mountain
- Sumas Prairie
Neighbourhoods
- Aberdeen
- Arnold
- Auguston
- Blueridge
- Bradner
- Clayburn
- Clearbrook
- Downtown
- Eagle Mountain
- Gifford
- Glen Mountain
- Huntingdon
- Kilgard
- Matsqui
- McKinley Heights
- Mill Lake
- Mount Lehman
- North Poplar
- Peardonville
- Pepin Brook
- Sandy Hill
- South Poplar
- Straiton
- Townline
Gibrin D.M and Fakanál. C
Notable people
- Karen Lee Batten
- Chase Claypool
- Kristina Collins
- Ryan Craig
- Kyle Cumiskey
- Frank Davey
- Sunny Dhinsa
- Dianne Doan
- Brian Doerksen
- Jacob Doerksen
- Burkely Duffield
- Victoria Duffield
- Jared Falk
- Michael Funk
- Amy Gough
- Derek Grant
- Adam Hadwin
- Charles Hill-Tout
- Jacob Hoggard
- Marek Klassen
- Evangeline Lilly
- Brad Moran
- Greg Neufeld
- Larry Nickel
- Gladys Powers
- Jordan Pritchett
- Nathan Lieuwen
- Mauro Ranallo
- Sophie Schmidt
- Jared Slingerland
- Devon Toews
- David Van der Gulik
- Jake Virtanen
- Shane Wiebe
See also
- Coat of arms of Abbotsford, British Columbia
- Mission Bridge
- Mission Railway Bridge
- Sumas Lake
- Sumas Prairie
Notes
- ^ In 1976, the amalgamation with the District of Sumas raised the population. Previous figures were for the square mile of Abbotsford only.
- ^ In 1995, the amalgamation with the District of Matsqui raised the population.
- ^ a b Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.
- ^ a b Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses.
- ^ a b Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.
- ^ a b Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.
- ^ a b Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.
- ^ a b Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority, n.i.e." and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.
- ^ 2001–2016: Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.
- ^ 2021: Statistic includes all persons belonging to the non-indigenous and non-visible minority "White" population group.
- ^ Percentages total more than 100% due to multiple responses e.g. German-East Indian, Norwegian-Irish-Polish
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Not included elsewhere
- ^ Not otherwise specified
- ^ Statistics Canada does not distinguish between European and North American French origins. This category includes Acadians; Québécois-only (not multiple responses) are in North American origins.
- ^ Métis, First Nations, Inuit, Native Americans, Alaska Natives
- ^ American, Canadian, Québécois, Newfoundlander; does not include aboriginal peoples
- ^ Including aboriginal people of South and Central America
- ^ Germany, Austria, Benelux, Switzerland
- ^ Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland
- ^ Slavic and Baltic countries, plus Romania, Hungary and Albania
- ^ Roma (Gypsy), Jewish, Basque, misc. Slav
- ^ Excluding Arab countries of the Maghreb, including Afrikaners and other white South Africans
- ^ Including the Maghreb / North Africa
- ^ Afghan, Iranian, Azerbaijani, Kurdish, Turkish, Georgian, Armenian
- ^ Pacific Islands, Australia, New Zealand
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- University College of the Fraser Valley. p. 3 (PDF p. 4/14). Retrieved on October 20, 2014.
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- ^ a b [1][dead link]
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- ^ "Hershey Reaches an Agreement to Acquire Brookside Foods Ltd". businesswire.com (Press release). December 8, 2011.
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External links
- Official website
- Abbotsford travel guide from Wikivoyage