Best Cities in B.C. to Raise a Family

Best cities in B.C. to raise a family

Growing Up In British Columbia

British Columbia is one of the most picturesque places on the planet, it has a thriving economy and has an incredibly diverse culture which makes it a prime location to start a family. We took a look at the unemployment rate, average household income, average price of a home and the crime rate per 100,000 residents we have compiled a list of the Best Cities in B.C. to Raise a Family.

1. Saanich, B.C.

best sities in b.c. to raise a family | Saanich B.C.
Adopting its name from the Saanich First Nations, the Vancouver island community was established in 1906 and has since evolved into a thriving city of 115,000 residents. The area is highlighted by its miles of sandy beaches on numerous ocean bays as well as the rocky outcroppings carved by past glacial movement. Along with great outdoor activities, the low unemployment rate and quality schools at all levels of education, Saanich is a wonderful city for you to start your family.

Unemployment rate: 5.7%
Average Household Income: $86,710.20
Average Home Price: $577,652.00
Crime Rate per 100,000: 4662.79

2. North Vancouver, B.C.

best sities in b.c. to raise a family | North Vancouver B.C.
Although the waterfront municipality located on the north side of the Burrard Inlet has a higher cost of living, the average home price is nearly a million dollars, but there is no doubt you are getting what you pay for. Usually considered a suburb of Vancouver for commuters, North Van has its own self-supporting industries that include shipping, chemical production and film production. The low crime rate and high average household income are great indicators of a strong community.

Unemployment rate: 6%
Average Household Income: $118,223.85
Average Home Price: $910,031.00
Crime Rate per 100,000: 4185.64

3. Maple Ridge, B.C.

best sities in b.c. to raise a family | Maple Ridge B.C.
Maple Ridge residents recently took a vote to change the community’s status from a district municipality to a city. Although it is only recently minted as a city, Maple Ridge has a long history and is actually the fifth oldest municipality in British Columbia. The area has a rich culture in the arts which include venues for performing like the Arts Centre and Theatre (ACT) and the bandstand at Memorial Peace Park that host events and festivals throughout the year. The relatively low price of a home and diverse culture make Maple Ridge one of the best cities in B.C. to raise a family. If you’re looking for a great neighbourhood in Maple Ridge our friends at What’s My House Worth have you covered.

Unemployment rate: 6.8%
Average Household Income: $85,762.00
Average Home Price: $377,164.00
Crime Rate per 100,000: 8186.5

4. Salmon Arm, B.C.

best sities in b.c. to raise a family | Salmon Arm B.C.
Located on the shores of Shuswap Lake where the Salmon river ends, Salmon Arms is a small community of around 17,000 people. The beautiful interior B.C. town supports a plethora of tourist attractions. such as the longest wood wharf in North America. In the summer time vacationers flock from all over to rent house boats, enjoy the local camping venues and relax on the beaches. The outdoor lifestyle, diverse culture and low average price of a home make Salmon Arm perfect for the family who love out going adventures.

Unemployment rate: 7.8%
Average Household Income: $65,631.79
Average Home Price: $310,215.00
Crime Rate per 100,000: 9223.9

5. Delta, B.C.

best sities in b.c. to raise a family | Delta B.C.
Flanked by the Fraser River and the US border, Delta is made up of three separate communities; Ladner, North Delta and Tsawwassen. Each has their own identity and their own unique atmosphere. Ladner represents the historic culture of the area and is defined by heritage farms and an old fishing village feel. By contrast, North Delta boasts more of an urban feel and represents the commercial industries of the area. Tsawwassen is a seaside community that is home to Canada’s first fully negotiated, self-governing First Nations community. The area is rich with history and a great spot to enjoy the Pacific ocean with activities like surfing, kiteboarding, and non-motorized sports.

Unemployment rate: 6.3%
Average Household Income: $98,278.89
Average Home Price: $607,783.00
Crime Rate per 100,000: 5699.11