Community Information
Whether you're buying a home, selling your home or relocating to Richmond, Here are some interesting facts about Richmond BC.
Richmond is a culturally diverse and geographically unique community centrally located on Canada's West Coast, in Metro Vancouver. The City is 20 minutes from Downtown Vancouver, and 25 minutes from the US border and it is the location of Metro Vancouver's international airport.
A recent venue City for the 2010 Winter Games, Richmond has been experiencing growth and change with remarkable speed, transforming from a rural, local community to an international city with a balance of urban, sub-urban family, and rural areas. The continuing development of the City's downtown core and waterfront areas, and the recently completed construction of the Canada Line rapid transit system as well as the legacy of the Richmond Olympic Oval ensures that Richmond's transformation is ongoing.
Richmond also has a colourful history which is celebrated at museums and several public heritage sites some of which are of national importance. These include the Historic Steveston Fishing Village.
With a population last estimated at 218,307 people, Richmond is an ethnically diverse growing and dynamic urban centre with a unique mix of residential, and commercial property, agricultural lands, industrial parks, waterways and natural areas. Richmond lies where the Fraser River meets the Pacific Ocean.
The shores surrounding Richmond create an estuary border that provides habitat for fish and for migrating birds on the Pacific Flyway between the Arctic and South America.
Richmond has undergone enormous change over the last several decades, with significant growth in the early 1990's. Today, Richmond is a dynamic, multi-ethnic community. Much of the recent population growth has been made up of Asian immigrants. People of Chinese or South Asian ancestry represent more than sixty per cent of Richmond residents. Newcomers have contributed significantly to the growth of the small business and retail sectors and have added to the diversity and vibrancy of the City of Richmond.
Employment & Industry
Richmond's economy supports over 126,000 jobs in various sectors including services, retailing, tourism, technology industries, light manufacturing, airport services and aviation, agriculture, fishing and government. In recent years, Richmond has been emerging as a leading centre for high tech industries.
Public Amenities
Richmond is known throughout the Vancouver region for its quality Parks, Trails and Cycling Routes, Recreation and Community Centre facilities, and its Arts, Culture and Heritage facilities.
Richmond has 1950 acres (789 hectres) of park land and 73 kilometres of trails and 60 kilometres of on road cycling paths. An extensive system of 145 parks provides sports and recreation amenities in every neighbourhood in addition to a wide variety of recreational amenities, including pools, arenas, community centres, tennis courts, playgrounds, picnic areas, golf courses, lacrosse boxes, running tracks and playing fields all of which contributes to our health and quality of life in Richmond.
The system of interconnecting perimeter dyke trails provides for a variety of recreational opportunities as well as scenic views of the north shore mountains and natural and historic areas. Cultural facilities include libraries, a performing arts theatre, art gallery, arts centre, museums, archives and heritage sites.
Amidst the recent rapid change, the community has continued to place a priority on protecting farmland, preserving its heritage and protecting the natural environment. Among the popular sites for experiencing Richmond's unique environmental and cultural heritage are Garry Point Park with its beaches and estuary habitat, Britannia Heritage Shipyard, Gulf of Georgia Cannery and London Heritage Farm.
Access & Transportation
Richmond is connected to neighbouring lower mainland cities by a series of bridges and a tunnel. There are two major freeways feeding into Richmond a rapid transit line and two railway lines. Richmond also has two international seaports. In addition, Vancouver International Airport is located in Richmond on Sea Island. See Translink Transit Services for information about the Canada Line and other public transit information.
Climate
Richmond enjoys a temperate west coast climate. Unlike other parts of Canada the west coast gets little or no snow most winters, and because of Richmond's distance from the mountains, our average rainfall (1112.6mm or 43.8 in.) is 30% less than Vancouver's.
While Richmond does not experience extreme temperatures, weather conditions can change quickly. We recommend the layered look for visiting the west coast, so that you can add or remove layers as needed.
For more information refer to the current weather conditions for the Greater Vancouver Region at Environment Canada's Weather Office.