City of Chilliwack, BC: Complete City Guide

Chilliwack is a fast-growing city of about 95,000 people in the eastern Fraser Valley, about 100 km east of Vancouver, surrounded by mountains, rivers and some of the most beautiful farmland in British Columbia. Known as the "Great Outdoors" city, it is the gateway to Cultus Lake, the Chilliwack River Valley, Bridal Veil Falls and Chilliwack Lake, and is famous for its sweet corn, dairy farms and tulip fields. Chilliwack is also the centre of Stó:lō culture, home to many Stó:lō communities and the Stó:lō Nation's offices. It is part of the Fraser Valley Regional District, outside Metro Vancouver.

Chilliwack sits on the traditional and unceded territory of the Stó:lō people, the "People of the River," including the Ts'elxwéyeqw (Chilliwack) tribe and many local First Nations.

Chilliwack at a Glance: Quick Facts

Statistics Canada counted the population again in May 2026, but city-level results are not expected until 2027. Figures on this page use the 2021 census unless stated.

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History of Chilliwack

The Stó:lō

The Stó:lō people have lived in the Fraser Valley for thousands of years, fishing for salmon, gathering plants and building villages along the Fraser and Chilliwack rivers. The name Chilliwack comes from the Halq'eméylem word Ts'elxwéyeqw, often translated as "quieter water at the head" or "going back upstream." Today, many Stó:lō communities, including Skwah, Squiala, Tzeachten, Skowkale, Aitchelitz, Yakweakwioose and Shxwhá:y, are located in and around Chilliwack, and the Stó:lō Nation's offices are at Coqualeetza in Sardis.

Riverboats and farms

Settlers arrived in the 1860s during the Fraser River gold rush, landing riverboats at Chilliwack Landing. The rich floodplain soils made the area ideal for farming, and the Township of Chilliwhack was incorporated in 1873. The town centre at Five Corners grew into the City of Chilliwack, incorporated in 1908. The BC Electric interurban railway reached Chilliwack in 1910, and the 1912 City Hall, now the Chilliwack Museum, was built soon after. Mennonite settlers founded the farming community of Yarrow in the 1920s.

The military years

In 1942 the Canadian Army opened Camp Chilliwack, which became Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack, home of the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering. The base was a major part of local life for 55 years until it closed in 1997. Its land became Garrison Crossing, a residential neighbourhood, and Canada Education Park, home to a University of the Fraser Valley campus and the RCMP Pacific Region Training Centre.

Recent decades

The City and Township merged in 1980 to form the District of Chilliwack, which became the City of Chilliwack in 1999. Chilliwack has grown rapidly since, with new neighbourhoods on Promontory and the eastern hillsides and a revitalized downtown. It was hit hard by the November 2021 atmospheric river floods, which closed highways and isolated the community for days.

Key dates in Chilliwack history

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Geography of Chilliwack

Chilliwack lies on the south side of the Fraser River in the eastern Fraser Valley, between Abbotsford to the west and the mountains of the Cascade Range to the east and south. The Vedder River and Chilliwack River flow through the southern part of the city, and Cultus Lake lies just south. Mount Cheam, one of the most striking peaks in the Fraser Valley, rises to the east. Much of the city is flat, fertile floodplain protected by dikes, while newer neighbourhoods climb the slopes of Promontory and the eastern hillsides.

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Chilliwack Neighbourhoods

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Chilliwack Climate and Weather

Chilliwack has a warmer, more continental climate than Vancouver, with hot summers and colder winters. It gets plenty of rain in fall and winter, and cold outflow winds from the Fraser Canyon can bring snow and freezing temperatures.

Figures are approximate, based on Environment and Climate Change Canada normals for the area.

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Urban Planning in Chilliwack

Chilliwack is one of the fastest-growing cities in BC. Its plans focus on revitalizing the downtown with new apartments and businesses, building new hillside neighbourhoods, protecting farmland in the Agricultural Land Reserve and strengthening flood protection along the Fraser and Vedder rivers. Traffic, infrastructure and keeping services in step with growth are major issues.

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Chilliwack Landmarks

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Chilliwack Demographics and Population

The 2021 census counted 93,203 people in Chilliwack, up about 11% from 2016. Chilliwack attracts young families and retirees from Metro Vancouver looking for more affordable homes.

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Ethnicity and Cultural Diversity

Figures are rounded from the Statistics Canada 2021 Census Profile. Chilliwack has one of the largest Indigenous populations of any city in the Lower Mainland and a strong Dutch, German and Mennonite heritage.

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Languages Spoken in Chilliwack

English is the main language. Other languages spoken include Punjabi, German, Dutch, Tagalog, Korean, Mandarin and French. Halq'eméylem, the language of the Stó:lō, is being revived through local language programs.

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Religion in Chilliwack

About half of residents reported no religion in 2021, and most of the rest are Christian, with many Mennonite, Reformed, Evangelical, Catholic and other churches. There are small Sikh, Muslim and Buddhist communities.

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LGBTQ2S+ Chilliwack

Chilliwack's LGBTQ2S+ community has grown more visible, with Pride events in the Fraser Valley, support at UFV and local community groups.

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Homelessness in Chilliwack

Homelessness is a visible issue in Chilliwack, especially downtown. The city works with BC Housing, the Stó:lō Nation and local non-profits on shelters, supportive housing and outreach. Fraser Valley homeless counts are run separately from Metro Vancouver's.

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Chilliwack Economy

• Agriculture: Chilliwack is one of BC's most important dairy, poultry and corn-growing areas, and famous for Chilliwack sweet corn.
• Education and training: Canada Education Park is home to the University of the Fraser Valley's Chilliwack campus and the RCMP Pacific Region Training Centre.
• Manufacturing and industry: food processing, manufacturing and trades.
• Tourism: Cultus Lake, Bridal Veil Falls, the Chilliwack River Valley and Harrison Hot Springs nearby draw visitors year-round.
• Retail and services: Cottonwood Mall and the Sardis–Vedder corridor serve the eastern Fraser Valley.

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City Government, Mayor and Council

Chilliwack is governed by a mayor and six councillors, all elected city-wide for four-year terms. Voters also elect seven school trustees for School District 33 and two commissioners to the Cultus Lake Park Board. City Hall is at 8550 Young Road.

Mayor and city councillors (term 2022–2026)

The next civic election is Saturday, October 17, 2026. Reports indicate Mayor Popove is not seeking another term, so Chilliwack will elect a new mayor.

Other levels of government

Chilliwack is in the federal riding of Chilliwack–Hope and the provincial ridings of Chilliwack North and Chilliwack-Cultus Lake. Regional services are provided by the Fraser Valley Regional District, and transit is run by BC Transit.

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Policing and Crime in Chilliwack

Chilliwack is policed by the Upper Fraser Valley Regional RCMP detachment, and Chilliwack Fire Department provides fire protection. Most reported crime is property crime, with concerns about downtown safety tied to homelessness and addiction.

For emergencies call 9-1-1. For non-emergency matters, contact the Upper Fraser Valley Regional RCMP.

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Military in Chilliwack

Chilliwack has a long military history. From 1942 to 1997, CFB Chilliwack was home to the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering, training thousands of military engineers. The former base is now Garrison Crossing and Canada Education Park and the military heritage is honoured with memorials in the area. Remembrance Day is marked each November 11 at the downtown cenotaph.

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Chilliwack Sister Cities

Chilliwack does not currently promote any formal sister city relationships. Check with the City of Chilliwack for the latest information.

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Getting to and Around Chilliwack

Driving

Highway 1 runs through Chilliwack, about 1 hour 15 minutes from Vancouver without traffic. Highway 9 crosses the Fraser at Agassiz toward Harrison Hot Springs, and the Chilliwack Lake Road leads up the Chilliwack River Valley.

Cycling and walking

The Vedder River Rotary Trail, the dike trails, the Trans Canada Trail and the trails at Cultus Lake and Teapot Hill are favourites, and the surrounding mountains offer serious hiking.

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Schools, Universities and Colleges in Chilliwack

The Chilliwack School District (School District 33) serves the city, with secondary schools including Chilliwack Secondary, G.W. Graham Secondary, Sardis Secondary and Imagine High Integrated Arts and Technology Secondary. The University of the Fraser Valley has a large campus at Canada Education Park, and the RCMP Pacific Region Training Centre is also located there.

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Libraries in Chilliwack

Chilliwack is served by the Fraser Valley Regional Library, with branches including the Chilliwack Library downtown, the Sardis Library and the Yarrow Library. Membership is free for residents.

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Arts and Culture in Chilliwack

Filming locations

Chilliwack's farms, small towns, rivers and mountains are popular with film and TV productions looking for rural and wilderness settings.

Media

• Local news: Chilliwack Progress, Fraser Valley Current
• Regional: CBC, CTV, Global BC and CityNews

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Chilliwack Nightlife

Downtown Chilliwack and Sardis have pubs, craft breweries, restaurants and wineries nearby, and the Chilliwack Cultural Centre and Coliseum host concerts and shows. Summer evenings at Cultus Lake are a highlight.

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Parks and Nature in Chilliwack

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Natural Attractions In and Near Chilliwack

Chilliwack is one of the best outdoor recreation bases in BC. Cultus Lake has warm water, beaches, a waterpark and an adventure park. The Chilliwack River is known for whitewater rafting and salmon fishing. Hikes such as Elk Mountain, Mount Cheam and Teapot Hill offer stunning views. Harrison Hot Springs and Agassiz are just across the Fraser.

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Things to Do in Chilliwack: Top Attractions

1. Spend a summer day at Cultus Lake.
2. See Bridal Veil Falls.
3. Raft or kayak the Chilliwack River.
4. Hike Teapot Hill or Elk Mountain.
5. Visit the Tulips of the Valley festival in spring.
6. Buy Chilliwack corn at a farm stand in late summer.
7. Get lost in a corn maze in the fall.
8. Explore downtown and the Chilliwack Museum.
9. Watch the Chilliwack Chiefs play hockey.
10. Day-trip to Harrison Hot Springs.

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Sports and Recreation in Chilliwack

The Chilliwack Chiefs of the BC Hockey League play at the Chilliwack Coliseum. Recreation facilities include the Chilliwack Landing Leisure Centre, Sardis Sports Complex and many parks and fields. Rafting, fishing, hiking, mountain biking and golf are especially popular.

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Annual Events and Festivals in Chilliwack

Dates change from year to year, so check with organizers before you go.

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Sustainability and Green City Goals

Flood protection is a top priority for Chilliwack, with ongoing work on dikes along the Fraser and Vedder rivers after the 2021 floods. Other priorities include protecting farmland, rivers and salmon habitat, managing air quality in the Fraser Valley and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

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City Services and Amenities

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Chilliwack FAQ

Is Chilliwack part of Metro Vancouver?

No. Chilliwack is in the Fraser Valley Regional District, about 100 km east of Vancouver.

What is Chilliwack known for?

Cultus Lake, Bridal Veil Falls, sweet corn, dairy farms, the Chilliwack River, Stó:lō culture and its mountain views.

How far is Chilliwack from Vancouver?

About 100 km, or roughly 1 hour 15 minutes by car on Highway 1 without traffic.

What is the population of Chilliwack?

The 2021 census counted 93,203 people.

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Sources

• City of Chilliwack: 2026 General Local Election
• Chilliwack Progress: Popove elected mayor (2018)
• Statistics Canada: Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population

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