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Vanderhoof, British Columbia facts for kids

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Vanderhoof
District municipality
District of Vanderhoof
Vanderhoof BC's welcome sign.jpg
Vanderhoof is located in British Columbia
Vanderhoof
Vanderhoof
Location in British Columbia
Country Canada
Province British Columbia
Region Interior Plateau
Regional district Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako
Incorporated 1926
Area
 • Total 54.83 km2 (21.17 sq mi)
Elevation
640 m (2,100 ft)
Population
 (2016)
 • Total 4,439
 • Density 81.0/km2 (210/sq mi)
Time zone UTC-8 (PST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-7 (PDT)
Area code(s) 250 / 778 / 236
Highways Hwy 16 (TCH) Trans-Canada Highway
Hwy 27
Waterways Nechako River
Climate Dfb

Vanderhoof is a district municipality near the geographical centre of British Columbia, Canada. Covering 2.92 square kilometers, it has a population of about 4,500 within town limits, and offers services to nearly 10,000 people in nearby rural communities. Its main industries are forestry, agriculture, and related businesses. Tourism is also growing, and mining operations are being developed in the area. It has many elementary schools, and one major secondary school, Nechako Valley Secondary School (NVSS), comprising School District 91 Nechako Lakes. The College of New Caledonia has a regional campus there.

Via Rail's Jasper–Prince Rupert train serves the Vanderhoof railway station.

History

The municipality is named after Herbert Vanderhoof of Chicago, one of its founders. He was an employee of the Grand Trunk Pacific Development Company, a subsidiary of Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. The municipality's population rapidly expanded until World War II, when many of the town's men left to fight overseas. After the war, an increase in lumber prices and the construction of the Kenney Dam lead to increases in population again. Today Vanderhoof is a service centre in the eastern Bulkley-Nechako for surrounding communities, and the second-largest municipality in the regional district.

Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Vanderhoof had a population of 4,346 living in 1,786 of its 1,885 total private dwellings, a change of -2% from its 2016 population of 4,434. With a land area of 53.93 km2 (20.82 sq mi), it had a population density of 80.6/km2 (209/sq mi) in 2021.

Ethnicity

Panethnic groups in the District of Vanderhoof (1981−2021)
Panethnic
group
2021 2016 2011 2006 2001 1996 1991 1986 1981
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
European 3,500 81.68% 3,665 85.13% 3,740 85.58% 3,550 87.44% 3,915 90.52% 4,050 92.89% 3,510 88.08% 3,055 88.55% 2,300 87.45%
Indigenous 480 11.2% 460 10.69% 485 11.1% 280 6.9% 230 5.32% 160 3.67% 325 8.16% 290 8.41% 170 6.46%
Southeast Asian 115 2.68% 90 2.09% 35 0.8% 75 1.85% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 5 0.14% N/A N/A
South Asian 70 1.63% 50 1.16% 75 1.72% 35 0.86% 130 3.01% 95 2.18% 120 3.01% 70 2.03% 110 4.18%
African 40 0.93% 15 0.35% 15 0.34% 65 1.6% 0 0% 30 0.69% 15 0.38% 0 0% N/A N/A
Latin American 25 0.58% 10 0.23% 0 0% 0 0% 10 0.23% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
East Asian 15 0.35% 20 0.46% 10 0.23% 30 0.74% 45 1.04% 15 0.34% 15 0.38% 30 0.87% 50 1.9%
Middle Eastern 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 20 0.49% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Other/Multiracial 25 0.58% 10 0.23% 0 0% 10 0.25% 0 0% 0 0% N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Total responses 4,285 98.6% 4,305 97.09% 4,370 97.54% 4,060 99.9% 4,325 98.52% 4,360 99.07% 3,985 99.06% 3,450 98.43% 2,630 113.22%
Total population 4,346 100% 4,434 100% 4,480 100% 4,064 100% 4,390 100% 4,401 100% 4,023 100% 3,505 100% 2,323 100%
Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses

Religion

According to the 2021 census, religious groups in Vanderhoof included:

  • Irreligion (2,080 persons or 48.5%)
  • Christianity (2,065 persons or 48.2%)
  • Sikhism (40 persons or 0.9%)
  • Judaism (25 persons or 0.6%)
  • Buddhism (15 persons or 0.4%)
  • Hinduism (15 persons or 0.4%)
  • Islam (15 persons or 0.4%)
  • Indigenous Spirituality (10 persons or 0.2%)

Wildlife

Vanderhoof is known for its bird sanctuary along the Nechako River. Many Canada geese, swans, and other migratory birds pass through Vanderhoof during their annual migrations. The Nechako is home to a number of fish species, including salmon and the endangered Nechako white sturgeon. Many hunters come to Vanderhoof in search of bear, moose, deer, cougar and elk.

Schools

Elementary:
Evelyn Dickson
W.L. McLeod
Sinkutview
Mapes

Secondary:
Nechako Valley Secondary School (NVSS
Northside Christian School
Valhalla High Virtual School: EBUS Academy

Culture and recreation

Street Art, Vanderhoof, British Columbia, Canada 1
A collaborative mural painted on the Neighbourhood Space Youth Centre in 2010.
  • Nechako Valley Exhibition Grounds- home of the Fall Fair (August), 2 riding arenas, and agricultural show facilities
  • Vanderhoof Heritage Museum
  • Vanderhoof Airport – 5,018-foot paved runway and two grass runways (5,200 feet and 3,200 feet)
  • Vanderhoof Aquatic Centre – 6-lane 25m lap pool, climbing wall, 30-person hot tub, sauna, and 1500 sq. foot leisure pool
  • Vanderhoof Skateboard Park
  • Grand Reo Theatre – a restored 175-seat movie theatre
  • Omineca Golf Course – par 72, 18 holes
  • Disc Golf Course
  • Vanderhoof Arena – indoor skating rink in the winter, home to Figure Skating Club, Speed Skating Club, Minor Hockey Club, other adult hockey recreation leagues, and a community centre hosting various events in the summer
  • Vanderhoof Curling Club
  • Riverside Park & Campground – birdwatching tower, playground, beach volleyball, picnic shelter, walking trails
  • Ferland Park - playground, waterpark
  • Bradley Park, Leiding Park, Vanderview Park –playgrounds
  • Community Garden – greenhouse, raised beds, in-ground plots, public washroom
  • Rip n' The North Bike Park – mountain bike trails
  • Moore's Motocross Track – dirt bike track
  • Community trail system
  • Nechako White Sturgeon Conservation Centre – identifying, maintaining and potentially restoring critical sturgeon habitat in the Nechako River
  • Nechako Valley Sporting Association – archery, hand gun range, fishing and hunting, cross-country skiing, trap shooting, Wilderness Watch
  • Omineca Express – local weekly newspaper published Thursdays
  • CIAM FM, "The Light 98.5 FM" – community radio station, also a rebroadcaster for CIAM radio network
  • CBC Radio 1, 91.5 FM
  • Real Country, 910 AM
  • Vanderhoof Public Library
  • Community Bus – free community transportation service (12-passenger capacity with 2 wheelchair positions)

Telegraph Trail

A telegraph line, set up in the 1890s for communication with the Klondike Gold Rush gold fields, was abandoned in the 1930s and later converted into a series of walking trails. A 10 km trail connects Hogsback Lake (near Vanderhoof) to Blackwater Road.

Community events

  • Wild Goose Chase: held the first Sunday in May, this community 8 km, 5 km, and 3.5 km Fun Run brings out hundreds of participants and volunteers.
  • Vanderhoof Chamber of Commerce Biennial Trade Show, scheduled in May on the "odd numbered" years.
  • BC Rodeo - held in April
  • Stoney Creek Elders Fishing Derby - May
  • Hooterville Hoot: an annual classic car show, held in early June.
  • Concert In The Park: July - Local talent performs for an afternoon and evening filled with great entertainment.
  • Canada Day Celebration: - July 1
  • Vanderhoof Farmers' Market: fresh locally grown produce, organic meat products, preserves, crafted goods and much more. Markets run Thursdays from June to September.
  • Vanderhoof International Air show: Taking place biennially in August - showcasing many skilled pilots and their aircraft, as well as several static displays.
  • Nechako Valley Exhibition: held the third weekend in August. A true country fair that is fun for the whole family.
  • Recreation/Leisure Fair: held in early September to introduce clubs and recreational opportunities to the community.
  • The Great Pumpkin Walk: Held annually, October 31 - With hand-carved pumpkins and "trick-or-treating" in the park, attended by thousands of residents—a safe and convenient place for families to spend Halloween night. Followed by a fireworks display that lights up the entire Nechako River Valley.
  • Parade of Lights and Midnight Madness: Held the first Saturday in December, this kicks off the Christmas time retail season with the light parade and crazy sales at many retail stores.

Climate

Vanderhoof has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb) with mild summers and cold winters.

Climate data for Vanderhoof, 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1916–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 13.0
(55.4)
16.7
(62.1)
20.0
(68.0)
28.9
(84.0)
36.0
(96.8)
33.9
(93.0)
35.0
(95.0)
35.5
(95.9)
33.0
(91.4)
28.0
(82.4)
17.5
(63.5)
12.5
(54.5)
36.0
(96.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −4.5
(23.9)
−0.1
(31.8)
5.9
(42.6)
12.4
(54.3)
17.8
(64.0)
21.3
(70.3)
23.5
(74.3)
23.3
(73.9)
17.9
(64.2)
10.3
(50.5)
0.9
(33.6)
−4.1
(24.6)
10.4
(50.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) −9.0
(15.8)
−5.5
(22.1)
−0.2
(31.6)
5.6
(42.1)
10.7
(51.3)
14.4
(57.9)
16.3
(61.3)
15.9
(60.6)
11.0
(51.8)
5.0
(41.0)
−2.8
(27.0)
−8.1
(17.4)
4.4
(39.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −13.3
(8.1)
−10.9
(12.4)
−6.3
(20.7)
−1.3
(29.7)
3.5
(38.3)
7.4
(45.3)
9.1
(48.4)
8.3
(46.9)
4.1
(39.4)
−0.3
(31.5)
−6.5
(20.3)
−12.1
(10.2)
−1.5
(29.3)
Record low °C (°F) −51.7
(−61.1)
−51.1
(−60.0)
−42.8
(−45.0)
−29.4
(−20.9)
−9.4
(15.1)
−6.7
(19.9)
−3.3
(26.1)
−5.0
(23.0)
−16.7
(1.9)
−28.0
(−18.4)
−42.2
(−44.0)
−50.6
(−59.1)
−51.7
(−61.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 44.4
(1.75)
26.6
(1.05)
24.4
(0.96)
25.4
(1.00)
34.7
(1.37)
57.0
(2.24)
52.4
(2.06)
43.1
(1.70)
44.3
(1.74)
50.8
(2.00)
45.1
(1.78)
41.3
(1.63)
489.2
(19.26)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 6.6
(0.26)
5.4
(0.21)
7.1
(0.28)
19.4
(0.76)
34.2
(1.35)
56.8
(2.24)
52.3
(2.06)
43.1
(1.70)
44.0
(1.73)
43.3
(1.70)
16.1
(0.63)
3.8
(0.15)
332.0
(13.07)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 37.8
(14.9)
21.3
(8.4)
17.3
(6.8)
6.0
(2.4)
0.5
(0.2)
0.2
(0.1)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.2
(0.1)
7.5
(3.0)
29.0
(11.4)
37.5
(14.8)
157.2
(61.9)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 14.1 9.5 10.0 9.7 12.6 14.1 13.8 12.5 13.0 16.3 14.5 11.8 152.1
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 2.9 2.8 5.0 8.0 12.5 14.1 13.8 12.5 12.9 14.7 6.4 2.0 107.7
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 12.1 7.2 6.0 2.5 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 2.7 10.1 10.3 51.4
Source: Environment Canada
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