Merritt, British Columbia
Merritt | ||
---|---|---|
City of Merritt | ||
City Council List of Councilors | ||
• 672 | ||
Highways | Hwy 5 Hwy 5A Hwy 8 Hwy 97C | |
NTS Map | 092I02 | |
GNBC Code | JCBSO | |
Website | merritt |
Merritt is a city in the
Once known as Forksdale, the community adopted its current name in 1906 in honour of mining engineer and railway promoter William Hamilton Merritt III.[4] The 24-square-kilometre (9.3 sq mi) city limits consist of the community, a number of civic parks, historical sites, an aquatic centre, a local arena, a public library (which is a branch of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District Library System) and a civic centre. Merritt has dozens of bronzed hand prints of country music stars who have been in the city for the annual Merritt Mountain Music Festival displayed throughout town. Merritt is also home to a local radio station, a weekly newspaper and the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology campus. Nearby, there are four provincial parks, numerous lakes, and several recreational trails. Merritt is known as the "Country Music Capital of Canada" for its wealth of country music attractions, activities, and events.
Highway 5, and Highway 97C intersect at Merritt with Highway 97C East connecting the city to Kelowna and Penticton, Highway 97C Northwest to Logan Lake, Highway 8 to Spences Bridge and Lillooet, Highway 5A South to Princeton, Highway 5A North to Kamloops, Highway 5 South to Hope, and Highway 5 North to Kamloops. Merritt's economy is dominated by the primary industries of forestry, tourism, and service.
History
For years, the Merritt area was a gathering place for local European colonists and
In the 1880s three ranches located at the confluence of the Nicola and Coldwater Rivers, owned by William Voght, Jesus Garcia, and the John Charters Estate, became the focus of a farming community known as "The Forks". With the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway through British Columbia in 1885, interest increased in the coal deposits south of The Forks.
Parts of the ranches owned by Voght, Garcia and Charters were surveyed in 1893 for the townsite of Forksdale, but the name did not catch on with locals. Instead, the name was changed in 1906 to honour
Armstrong's Store moved from Lower Nicola to Nicola Avenue in Merritt in the spring of 1907. G.B. Armstrong became Merritt's first
The move toward incorporation began in 1910 and culminated on April 1, 1911, when Merritt was granted its city charter. The first Merritt
Merritt dedicated the names of its streets and avenues to early settlers. Among the names honoured were Charters, Chapman, Cleasby, Garcia, Voght, Coutlee, Nicola, Granite, and Quilchena.
As the town grew, it featured a drug store, a general store, a brewery and a jewellery store. The first electrical power service by the city was provided in February 1913.
Merritt and the Nicola Valley experienced prosperity until the passage of restrictive trade legislation in the United States in 1930. Because the city had financially backed one of the major sawmills, the loss of lumber markets caused the city to go into receivership from 1933 to 1952.[3]
The next wave of immigrants, primarily
In advance polls during the 2015 Canadian elections, an unexpectedly high turnout in Merritt resulted in there being an insufficient quantity of ballots.[6]
On November 15, 2021, the entire city was ordered to evacuate after
Cityscape
Merritt is composed of four distinct residential areas: Bench, Collettville, Central and Diamondvale. The Bench is a residential mountain bench, hence the name, sited on the northwest side of the valley. Collettville, on the southwest edge of the community south of the Coldwater River, was the newest addition to Merritt. Central is situated at the south of the city centre. Diamond Vale is in the heart of the valley, and is the most populated. Each area is served by an elementary school:
Commerce and industry
Today,
Merritt was once host to an annual Merritt Mountain Music Festival that is estimated to have drawn as many as 148,000 people at its peak in the summer of 2005. The Mountain Music Festival, combined with the development of the Merritt Walk of Stars - a display of bronzed handprints of Mountainfest artists placed around the community - the Merritt Walk of Stars Mural Project, painted by artist Michelle Loughery,[9] the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, Music in the Square and in the Park along with other tourism development activities have been used to solidify the city's branding as the Country Music Capital of Canada.
Merritt's prime location has provided the opportunity to host many events, the West Coast Rally Association's Pacific Forest Rally, an off-road rally conducted as part of the Canadian Rally Championship series every October, also the annual winter Thunderbird Rally often begins and ends in Merritt. The Bass Coast Festival held annually on the BC Day weekend and supports electronic music and creative arts draws attendees from all over North America. The annual Labour Day Rodeo and Fall Fair are long standing traditions in this ranching valley, drawing participants from all over Canada and the US.
As a filming location
Merritt provided the backdrop for the
The Nicola Valley is also host to the shooting of numerous commercials. Merritt is a member of the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission, which is a full-time, full service film commission representing the Thompson Nicola Regional District.
Music
The Merritt Mountain Music Festival was an outdoor music festival in Merritt. In 2005 the festival hosted a record-breaking attendance of approximately 148,000 people throughout the six-day event. Over the years it has hosted country stars such as Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire, and Wynonna Judd. Since cancelling the festival in the summer of 2012, The Merritt Mountain Music Festival is no longer in operation.[16]
Starting on the BC Day weekend in 2013 (Friday, August 2 to Monday, August 5, 2013),[17] Bass Coast Music Festival will be making Merritt, BC its new home (after taking place in Squamish, BC its first four years).[18] Bass Coast features a wide variety of music "from daytime soul and reggae jams, to live experimental electronic music, house and techno".[19]
2015 was the first year for the Rockin' River Music Fest, formerly held in Mission B.C., taking place July 30 to August 2. The return of a country music festival to Merritt was the first since the cancellation of the Merritt Mountain Music Festival in 2012. The 2015 headliners included Lady Antebellum.
Sports
Merritt is home to the longest continuously run franchise in the
Merritt also hosts the Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo on the Saturday and Sunday of Labour Day weekend every year.
Merritt is also home to the Nicola Valley Thunder minor lacrosse club.
A round of the Canadian Rally Championship,[20] the Pacific Forest Rally,[21] is held each year in and around Merritt. The international motorsport event is televised on TSN and RDS in Canada, and MotorsTV in Europe.
Merritt and the Nicola Valley features two golf courses, the Merritt Golf and Country Club in downtown Merritt and the Quilchena on the Lake Golf Course, located 15 minutes east of the city at historic Quilchena.
Merritt features a skateboard park, bike park, and numerous walking trails. Monck Provincial Park is located on the western shore of Nicola Lake, 22 km (14 mi) north of Merritt. It offers an abundance of camping, picnicking, swimming, fishing, boating, water-skiing, wind-surfing and hiking.
The Merritt Panthers high school teams compete in boys and girls volleyball, basketball, and rugby.
There is also a local slo-pitch softball league and the Merritt Otters swim club, which makes its home at the Nicola Valley Aquatic Centre.
Media
Merritt is home to Q101 Merritt's Music Mix, the Nicola Valley's only local radio station. 101.1 FM,
Merritt has a weekly newspaper, the Merritt Herald, that publishes on Thursdays. Merritt is also served by Shaw TV and by TELUS PureFibre Internet and Optik TV.
Demographics
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1981 | 6,110 | — |
1986 | 6,189 | +1.3% |
1991 | 6,898 | +11.5% |
1996 | 7,631 | +10.6% |
2001 | 7,088 | −7.1% |
2006 | 6,998 | −1.3% |
2011 | 7,113 | +1.6% |
2016 | 7,139 | +0.4% |
[23] |
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Merritt had a population of 7,051 living in 2,975 of its 3,149 total private dwellings, a change of -1.2% from its 2016 population of 7,139. With a land area of 26.04 km2 (10.05 sq mi), it had a population density of 270.8/km2 (701.3/sq mi) in 2021.[24]
Characteristics | Total |
---|---|
Population in 2011 | 7,113 |
Population in 2006 | 6,998 |
2006 to 2011 population change (%) | 1.6 |
Total private dwellings | 3,115 |
Population density per square kilometre | 286.6 |
Land area (square km) | 24.82 |
Total population | 7,110 |
Median age of the population | 43.9 |
% of the population aged 15 and over | 82.7 |
Population Under 25 | 2,590 |
% of Population Under 25 | 36% |
Ethnicity
Panethnic group |
2021[26] | 2016[27] | 2011[28] | 2006[29] | 2001[30] | 1996[31] | 1991[32][33] | 1986[34][35][36]: 102 | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | ||||
European[a] | 4,640 | 68.84% | 4,600 | 66.86% | 5,655 | 82.02% | 5,025 | 72.3% | 5,355 | 76.17% | 5,515 | 72.57% | 4,425 | 71.14% | 4,575 | 74.03% | |||
Indigenous | 1,480 | 21.96% | 1,575 | 22.89% | 750 | 10.88% | 1,125 | 16.19% | 980 | 13.94% | 1,170 | 15.39% | 1,030 | 16.56% | 715 | 11.57% | |||
South Asian | 375 | 5.56% | 400 | 5.81% | 290 | 4.21% | 610 | 8.78% | 575 | 8.18% | 715 | 9.41% | 655 | 10.53% | 815 | 13.19% | |||
East Asian[b] | 135 | 2% | 150 | 2.18% | 115 | 1.67% | 150 | 2.16% | 85 | 1.21% | 140 | 1.84% | 85 | 1.37% | 60 | 0.97% | |||
Southeast Asian[c] | 40 | 0.59% | 65 | 0.94% | 0 | 0% | 20 | 0.29% | 30 | 0.43% | 25 | 0.33% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | |||
African
|
30 | 0.45% | 65 | 0.94% | 30 | 0.44% | 0 | 0% | 10 | 0.14% | 15 | 0.2% | 25 | 0.4% | 5 | 0.08% | |||
Latin American | 30 | 0.45% | 10 | 0.15% | 0 | 0% | 10 | 0.14% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 5 | 0.08% | |||
Middle Eastern[d] | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 5 | 0.08% | |||
Other/Multiracial[e] | 0 | 0% | 10 | 0.15% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | — | — | — | — | |||
Total responses | 6,740 | 95.59% | 6,880 | 96.37% | 6,895 | 96.94% | 6,950 | 99.31% | 7,030 | 99.18% | 7,600 | 99.59% | 6,220 | 99.47% | 6,180 | 99.85% | |||
Total population | 7,051 | 100% | 7,139 | 100% | 7,113 | 100% | 6,998 | 100% | 7,088 | 100% | 7,631 | 100% | 6,253 | 100% | 6,189 | 100% | |||
Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses |
Religion
According to the 2021 census, religious groups in Merritt included:[26]
- Irreligion (4,165 persons or 61.7%)
- Christianity (2,225 persons or 33.0%)
- Sikhism (185 persons or 2.7%)
- Hinduism (40 persons or 0.6%)
- Indigenous Spirituality(40 persons or 0.6%)
- Buddhism (20 persons or 0.3%)
- Other (50 persons or 0.7%)
Religious group | 2021[26] | 2011[28] | 2001[30] | 1991[32] | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | |
Christian | 2,225 | 32.99% | 3,635 | 52.72% | 3,995 | 56.79% | 3,945 | 63.42% |
Sikh | 185 | 2.74% | 265 | 3.84% | 565 | 8.03% | 600 | 9.65% |
Hindu | 40 | 0.59% | 0 | 0% | 35 | 0.5% | 45 | 0.72% |
Indigenous spirituality
|
40 | 0.59% | 0 | 0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Buddhist | 20 | 0.3% | 25 | 0.36% | 0 | 0% | 40 | 0.64% |
Muslim | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
Jewish
|
0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
Other religion | 50 | 0.74% | 0 | 0% | 45 | 0.64% | 35 | 0.56% |
Irreligious | 4,165 | 61.75% | 2,935 | 42.57% | 2,390 | 33.97% | 1,550 | 24.92% |
Total responses | 6,745 | 95.66% | 6,895 | 96.94% | 7,035 | 99.25% | 6,220 | 99.47% |
Climate
Merritt has a humid continental climate (Dfb).
Climate data for Merritt, 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1918–present | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 17.5 (63.5) |
16.0 (60.8) |
23.5 (74.3) |
30.6 (87.1) |
36.0 (96.8) |
44.5 (112.1) |
39.5 (103.1) |
39.0 (102.2) |
38.5 (101.3) |
30.5 (86.9) |
21.7 (71.1) |
18.5 (65.3) |
44.5 (112.1) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 1.1 (34.0) |
4.2 (39.6) |
10.2 (50.4) |
15.1 (59.2) |
19.4 (66.9) |
23.0 (73.4) |
26.7 (80.1) |
27.0 (80.6) |
21.9 (71.4) |
13.7 (56.7) |
5.2 (41.4) |
0.0 (32.0) |
14.0 (57.2) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | −3.0 (26.6) |
−0.5 (31.1) |
4.1 (39.4) |
8.1 (46.6) |
12.3 (54.1) |
15.9 (60.6) |
18.8 (65.8) |
18.6 (65.5) |
13.9 (57.0) |
7.6 (45.7) |
1.2 (34.2) |
−3.7 (25.3) |
7.8 (46.0) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −7.0 (19.4) |
−5.2 (22.6) |
−2.1 (28.2) |
1.1 (34.0) |
5.1 (41.2) |
8.7 (47.7) |
10.8 (51.4) |
10.1 (50.2) |
5.9 (42.6) |
1.5 (34.7) |
−2.9 (26.8) |
−7.3 (18.9) |
1.6 (34.9) |
Record low °C (°F) | −43.3 (−45.9) |
−35.0 (−31.0) |
−28.3 (−18.9) |
−12.2 (10.0) |
−5.6 (21.9) |
−1.7 (28.9) |
1.1 (34.0) |
0.0 (32.0) |
−7.2 (19.0) |
−23.0 (−9.4) |
−32.0 (−25.6) |
−42.8 (−45.0) |
−43.3 (−45.9) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 30.5 (1.20) |
19.4 (0.76) |
16.2 (0.64) |
15.1 (0.59) |
30.1 (1.19) |
36.6 (1.44) |
29.1 (1.15) |
20.6 (0.81) |
24.6 (0.97) |
27.6 (1.09) |
35.4 (1.39) |
36.0 (1.42) |
321.1 (12.64) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 13.7 (0.54) |
11.0 (0.43) |
11.8 (0.46) |
14.2 (0.56) |
29.8 (1.17) |
36.6 (1.44) |
29.1 (1.15) |
20.6 (0.81) |
24.6 (0.97) |
26.2 (1.03) |
23.4 (0.92) |
13.3 (0.52) |
254.5 (10.02) |
Average snowfall cm (inches) | 16.8 (6.6) |
8.3 (3.3) |
4.4 (1.7) |
0.9 (0.4) |
0.3 (0.1) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
1.3 (0.5) |
12.0 (4.7) |
22.7 (8.9) |
66.7 (26.3) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 9.7 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 9.5 | 9.6 | 7.0 | 6.2 | 7.3 | 9.5 | 11.5 | 10.0 | 104.1 |
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 4.6 | 4.7 | 6.6 | 7.4 | 9.4 | 9.6 | 7.0 | 6.2 | 7.3 | 9.2 | 8.4 | 3.9 | 84.2 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 5.6 | 3.8 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 4.0 | 6.6 | 22.8 |
Source: |
Surrounding communities
Notes
- ^ Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.
- ^ Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.
- ^ Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" 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.
References
- ^ "City Council".
- ^ "Census shows Merritt is growing….slowly - Merritt Herald - Merritt Herald". www.merrittherald.com. February 9, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
- ^ ISBN 0-929069-11-0.
- ^ Akrigg, Helen B. and Akrigg, G.P.V; 1001 British Columbia Place Names; Discovery Press, Vancouver 1969, 1970, 1973, p. 114
- ^ SFU Archives (ed.). http://aabc.bc.ca/access/aabc/archbc/display/SFU-143.
{{cite book}}
: Missing or empty|title=
(help)[permanent dead link] - ^ "Democracy Watch calls for audit after voting mix-ups". cbc.ca. October 14, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
- ^ Gray, Jennifer (November 30, 2021). "It hasn't been a lake for a century. An atmospheric river just made it one again". CNN. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
- ^ "Entire city of Merritt ordered to evacuate after flooding of wastewater treatment plant". CBC.ca. November 15, 2021. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- ^ "You are being redirected..." www.predatorridge.com. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
- ^ "Filming Locations for The Sweet Hereafter". The Internet Movie Database (IMDB). Retrieved November 15, 2008.
- ^ Davies, Colton. "Jurassic World 3 to begin filming in Merritt tomorrow". Radio NL - Kamloops News. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ "UPDATE: Jurassic World open casting call up in the air". Merritt Herald. February 7, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ Beasley, Tom (December 5, 2019). "'Jurassic World 3' filming under working title 'Arcadia', heading to Canada in 2020". Yahoo. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
- ^ "B.C. boy crashes Jurassic World wrap party in T-Rex costume". CBC.ca. March 7, 2020. Archived from the original on March 8, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- ^ Leclair, Kim (February 26, 2020). "Midweek edition". Merritt Morning Market. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ "Let the Festivities Begin - Merritt Fest - Call A Booking Agent NOW!". Merritt Fest. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
- ^ "Bass Coast Electronic Music and Art Festival". Archived from the original on July 22, 2013. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
- ^ "Bass Coast Electronic Music and Art Festival". Archived from the original on July 20, 2013. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
- ^ "BASS COAST 2013". beatroute.ca. July 3, 2013. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
- ^ "Home | Canadian Rally Championship". CarsRally.
- ^ "PFR Entry Page". www.pacificforestrally.com.
- ^ (CRTC), Government of Canada, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (April 24, 2009). "ARCHIVED - CJNL Merritt - Conversion to FM band and CHNL Kamloops - New transmitter at Merritt". www.crtc.gc.ca. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Population 1981/1986[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), British Columbia". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
- ^ "2011 Annual Report". Archived from the original on February 13, 2013.
- ^ a b c Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (October 26, 2022). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
- ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (October 27, 2021). "Census Profile, 2016 Census". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
- ^ a b Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (November 27, 2015). "NHS Profile". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
- ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (August 20, 2019). "2006 Community Profiles". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
- ^ a b Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (July 2, 2019). "2001 Community Profiles". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
- ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (June 4, 2019). "Electronic Area Profiles Profile of Census Divisions and Subdivisions, 1996 Census". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
- ^ a b Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (March 29, 2019). "1991 Census Area Profiles Profile of Census Divisions and Subdivisions - Part B". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
- ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (March 29, 2019). "Data tables, 1991 Census Population by Ethnic Origin (24), Showing Single and Multiple Origins (2) - Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
- ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (June 27, 2019). "Data tables, 1986 Census Census Profile for Canada, Provinces and Territories, Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 1986 Census - Part A". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
- ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (June 27, 2019). "Data tables, 1986 Census Census Profile for Canada, Provinces and Territories, Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 1986 Census - Part B". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
- ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (April 3, 2013). "Canada's aboriginal population by census subdivisions from the 1986 Census of Canada". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
- Environment Canada. Climate ID: 1125079. Retrieved January 15, 2014.[permanent dead link]
- Environment Canada. October 31, 2011. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
- Environment Canada. October 31, 2011. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
- ^ Canada, Environment and Climate Change (October 31, 2011). "Daily Data Report for June 2021 - Climate - Environment and Climate Change Canada". climate.weather.gc.ca.
External links
- Official website
- Merritt travel guide from Wikivoyage