Hitting the Road: Migration Flows in B.C.

The Lower Mainland has traditionally seen the strongest population growth across all regions in the province. But in recent years population growth has become more balanced. People are choosing to relocate to the Vancouver Island and in the Thompson-Okanagan in growing numbers. The result of the shift is that population growth on the Island and in the Okanagan is now slightly stronger than in the Lower Mainland.

The reorientation of population growth is driven by changing migration patterns. Within the province, more people are moving out of the Lower Mainland and relocating to other regions in the province, particularly the Okanagan and Island. People moving from other provinces are also increasingly settling in areas other than Metro Vancouver. High housing prices are likely the main reason for the change in migration patterns.