City of Coquitlam, BC: Complete City Guide

Coquitlam is a fast-growing city of about 150,000 people in the northeast of Metro Vancouver and the largest of the Tri-Cities, alongside Port Coquitlam and Port Moody. It stretches from the Fraser River in the south to wild mountain watersheds in the north, mixing a busy high-rise City Centre on the SkyTrain line with leafy suburbs, lakes, river trails and some of the best mountain views in the region. Coquitlam is known for its French Canadian heritage in Maillardville, one of the largest Korean communities in Canada, a strong Iranian community, and easy access to forests and trails just minutes from home.

Coquitlam sits on the traditional and unceded territories of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) First Nation and other Coast Salish peoples. The city's name comes from the Kwikwetlem name, often translated as "red fish up the river," a reference to the sockeye salmon that once filled the Coquitlam River.

Coquitlam 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 Coquitlam

Before the city

For thousands of years the Kwikwetlem people lived along the Coquitlam River, Pitt River and Fraser River, fishing for salmon, gathering plants and travelling by canoe through a network of rivers and lakes. Coquitlam Lake, high in the mountains, was an important place. The Kwikwetlem First Nation still has reserves on the Coquitlam River, and its people are working to restore the river's once-famous sockeye run.

Mill town and Maillardville

Settlers arrived after New Westminster was founded in 1859, and the District of Coquitlam was incorporated on July 25, 1891, as a scattered farming and logging district. The big change came with Fraser Mills, a huge lumber mill on the Fraser River. In 1909 the mill brought in French Canadian workers and their families from Quebec, and the community that grew up around their church was named Maillardville after Oblate priest Edmond Maillard. It became the largest francophone community west of Manitoba, and French language and culture are still celebrated there today.

Riverview and the 20th century

In 1913 the province opened a large psychiatric hospital on the hillside above the Coquitlam River, first known as Essondale and later as Riverview Hospital. For much of the century it was one of Coquitlam's biggest employers, with its own farm at Colony Farm. Riverview closed in 2012, and its historic buildings and grounds are now being planned with the Kwikwetlem First Nation under the name səmiq̓ʷəʔelə.

After the Second World War, Coquitlam grew into a suburb. The Lougheed Highway, the Trans-Canada Highway and the Port Mann Bridge (1964) made it easy to commute to Vancouver. Coquitlam Centre mall opened in 1979, and the City Centre began to grow around it. Westwood Plateau was developed in the 1990s, and Coquitlam officially became a city in 1992.

Recent decades

The opening of the Evergreen Extension of the Millennium Line SkyTrain in December 2016 transformed Coquitlam. Burquitlam and City Centre filled with towers, and the population jumped. Burke Mountain in the northeast has become one of the region's largest new suburban neighbourhoods, and the old Fraser Mills site is being rebuilt as a waterfront community.

Key dates in Coquitlam history

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Geography of Coquitlam

Coquitlam is shaped like a long band running north from the Fraser River into the Coast Mountains. Burnaby and New Westminster are to the west, Port Moody to the northwest, and Port Coquitlam to the east, with the Coquitlam River forming much of that border. In the south, the city reaches the Fraser River at Maillardville and Fraser Mills.

The populated part of the city climbs from river flats through rolling hills to Westwood Plateau and Burke Mountain. North of that lies a huge area of forest and mountains, including the Coquitlam Lake watershed, which supplies drinking water to much of Metro Vancouver, and Pinecone Burke Provincial Park. Lakes inside the city include Lafarge Lake, Como Lake and Mundy Lake.

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Coquitlam Neighbourhoods

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Coquitlam Climate and Weather

Coquitlam has the mild, rainy oceanic climate typical of Metro Vancouver, but its position against the mountains makes it wetter than Vancouver or Surrey. Higher neighbourhoods such as Westwood Plateau and Burke Mountain get noticeably more rain and snow than City Centre or Maillardville.

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

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Urban Planning in Coquitlam

Coquitlam's planning focuses growth around its SkyTrain stations, with high-rise towers in City Centre and Burquitlam, mid-rise buildings in Austin Heights and Maillardville, and new single-family and townhouse neighbourhoods on Burke Mountain. The city has used a "density bonus" program to collect money from developers for parks, community centres and affordable housing.

Key projects include the Burquitlam–Lougheed plan, the City Centre plan around Coquitlam Central and Lincoln stations, the Fraser Mills riverfront community, the Burke Mountain village and school sites, and the future of the historic Riverview lands with the Kwikwetlem First Nation. Housing affordability, traffic and keeping schools and services in step with growth are the main challenges.

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Coquitlam Architecture and Landmark Buildings

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Coquitlam Demographics and Population

The 2021 census counted 148,625 people in Coquitlam, up almost 7% from 2016. About half of residents were born outside Canada and more than half belong to a visible minority group. Coquitlam has many families with children, especially on Burke Mountain and Westwood Plateau, while City Centre and Burquitlam attract young professionals and newcomers.

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Ethnicity and Cultural Diversity

Coquitlam is one of the most diverse cities in Canada, and it has one of the highest shares of Korean residents of any Canadian city. The table shows approximate shares from the 2021 census.

Figures are rounded from the Statistics Canada 2021 Census Profile. North Road on the Burnaby border is known as Metro Vancouver's Koreatown, Persian grocers and restaurants are found across the city, and Maillardville keeps its French Canadian identity alive.

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Languages Spoken in Coquitlam

English is the main shared language. The most common other languages are Mandarin, Korean, Persian (Farsi), Cantonese, Tagalog, Spanish, Russian and Punjabi. French has a long history in Maillardville, where many families have spoken it since 1909, and the city supports French immersion and francophone programs.

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Religion in Coquitlam

Roughly 45% of residents reported no religion in 2021, and Christians make up about 40%, including many Catholic, Korean Presbyterian and Evangelical churches. Coquitlam also has a sizeable Muslim community, along with Buddhist, Sikh and Hindu residents. Our Lady of Lourdes in Maillardville and Our Lady of Fatima are among the city's historic parishes, and there are mosques and Islamic centres serving the Tri-Cities.

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LGBTQ2S+ Coquitlam: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Coquitlam has an inclusive and growing LGBTQ2S+ community. The City raises the Pride flag each year and supports Tri-Cities Pride events, and local groups, youth programs at community centres and the Coquitlam Public Library offer support and social activities. Most of the region's queer nightlife is in Vancouver, about 40 minutes away by SkyTrain.

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Homelessness in Coquitlam

Homelessness in Coquitlam is counted together with Port Coquitlam and Port Moody as the Tri-Cities. The 2025 point-in-time count found about 144 people experiencing homelessness in the Tri-Cities, a 10% drop from 160 in 2023. However, fewer people were in shelter: 75 were sheltered and 69 were unsheltered, up from 62 unsheltered in 2023. Counts are always an undercount, since they miss people couch-surfing or living in vehicles.

The 3030 Gordon shelter and supportive housing in Coquitlam is the only permanent shelter in the Tri-Cities. Local churches run winter shelters, and the Tri-Cities Homelessness and Housing Task Group coordinates services across the three cities.

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Coquitlam Economy and Major Employers

Coquitlam's economy is driven by retail, construction, health, education and professional services, with many residents commuting to Burnaby and Vancouver. Big employers include School District 43, the City of Coquitlam, Fraser Health, Douglas College and Coquitlam Centre's retailers.

Retail and food. Coquitlam Centre is one of the largest malls in the region, and Burquitlam's North Road is lined with Korean grocery stores and restaurants that draw shoppers from across Metro Vancouver.

Construction and real estate. Tower and townhouse construction around the SkyTrain stations and on Burke Mountain is one of the city's biggest industries.

Industry and logistics. The United Boulevard and Fraser Mills area along the Fraser River has warehouses, auto dealers, home furnishing stores and light industry.

Film. Coquitlam is one of the busiest filming cities in BC, largely thanks to the historic Riverview lands.

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City Government, Mayor and Council

Coquitlam is governed by a mayor and eight councillors, all elected city-wide for four-year terms. Unlike Vancouver or Surrey, Coquitlam has no civic political parties; all members run as independents. Coquitlam voters also help elect trustees to the School District 43 board, which serves the Tri-Cities, Anmore and Belcarra. City Hall is at 3000 Guildford Way in City Centre.

Mayor and city councillors (term 2022–2026)

The next civic election is Saturday, October 17, 2026. After 18 years in office, Mayor Richard Stewart is stepping down and has endorsed Councillor Craig Hodge to succeed him.

Other levels of government

Coquitlam is split among several federal and provincial ridings, including Coquitlam–Port Coquitlam and Port Moody–Coquitlam federally and Coquitlam-Burke Mountain and Coquitlam-Maillardville provincially. Drinking water, sewage treatment and regional parks are provided by Metro Vancouver, and TransLink runs transit.

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Policing and Crime in Coquitlam

Coquitlam is policed by the Coquitlam RCMP, which serves Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Anmore and Belcarra from its detachment in City Centre. Port Moody has its own municipal police department. Metro Vancouver Transit Police patrol SkyTrain and the West Coast Express.

Coquitlam has relatively low crime rates for a city of its size. Most reported crime is property crime such as car break-ins, bike theft and shoplifting around busy shopping areas and transit hubs.

For emergencies call 9-1-1. For non-emergency police matters call Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550.

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Military in Coquitlam

Coquitlam has no Canadian Armed Forces base or reserve unit; the nearest reserve units are in New Westminster and Vancouver. Cadet units train locally, and Remembrance Day ceremonies are held each November 11 in Coquitlam and across the Tri-Cities.

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Coquitlam Sister Cities

Coquitlam wound down several older, inactive partnerships to focus on these two relationships.

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Public Transport and Getting Around Coquitlam

Driving

The Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) runs through southern Coquitlam to the Port Mann Bridge. The Lougheed Highway (Highway 7), Barnet Highway, United Boulevard, Pinetree Way and North Road are other major routes.

Cycling and walking

The Coquitlam River Trail, the Traboulay PoCo Trail loop, trails around Lafarge Lake and Mundy Park, and the steep Coquitlam Crunch stair trail are local favourites. A multi-use path runs alongside the Evergreen SkyTrain line.

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Schools, Universities and Colleges in Coquitlam

Coquitlam is part of School District 43, one of the largest school districts in BC, serving Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra. The district uses a three-level system of elementary, middle (grades 6 to 8) and secondary schools, and offers French immersion, International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement and a large international student program. Rapid growth on Burke Mountain has led to new schools being built there.

Public secondary schools in Coquitlam

Nearby SD43 secondary schools in Port Coquitlam and Port Moody, such as Riverside, Terry Fox, Port Moody and Heritage Woods, also serve Tri-Cities families. The francophone school École des Pionniers-de-Maillardville is in nearby Port Coquitlam. Independent schools include Our Lady of Fatima School and the Traditional Learning Academy.

Universities and colleges

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Coquitlam Public Library

Coquitlam Public Library has two branches: the City Centre branch on Pinetree Way and the Poirier branch in central Coquitlam. Membership is free for residents and includes e-books, streaming, multilingual collections in Korean, Chinese and Persian, makerspace equipment and programs for all ages.

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Arts and Culture in Coquitlam

Museums and galleries

Theatre and performing arts

Filming locations in Coquitlam

The former Riverview Hospital is one of the most-filmed locations in Canada. Its grand old buildings and tree-lined grounds have appeared in The X-Files, Supernatural, Riverdale and many other films and series. Coquitlam's forests, lakes and suburban streets are also popular backdrops.

Media

• Local news: Tri-City News, Tri-Cities Dispatch, Freshet News
• Regional: CBC, CTV, Global BC and CityNews cover the Tri-Cities from Vancouver and Burnaby
• Korean and Persian media: Several Korean- and Persian-language newspapers and websites serve the local communities

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Coquitlam Nightlife

Coquitlam's nightlife is about food, not clubs. Burquitlam's North Road is packed with late-night Korean barbecue, fried chicken, karaoke and dessert cafes. Austin Heights and City Centre have pubs and Persian, Chinese and Japanese restaurants. The Hard Rock Casino Vancouver, near Coquitlam's southern edge on United Boulevard, offers gaming and live concerts. For clubs and big nights out, most people take SkyTrain into Vancouver.

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Parks and Gardens in Coquitlam

Coquitlam has more than 100 parks, plus huge wilderness areas to the north.

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Natural Attractions In and Near Coquitlam

Coquitlam's "jungle" is temperate rainforest of cedar, hemlock and fir, which you can walk through in Mundy Park, along the Coquitlam River and on Burke Mountain. The Coquitlam Crunch is a steep 2.2 km stair-and-trail workout with views over the Fraser Valley. Nearby, Buntzen Lake (in Anmore), Belcarra Regional Park, Rocky Point Park in Port Moody and Widgeon Marsh offer swimming, kayaking and hiking within 20 minutes.

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Things to Do in Coquitlam: Top Attractions

Top 10 places to visit in Coquitlam

1. Lafarge Lake: easy lake loop and, in winter, the free Lights at Lafarge display.
2. Mundy Park: big forest trails right in the city.
3. Minnekhada Regional Park: marsh views and lookouts.
4. Coquitlam Crunch: a famous local stair workout with a view.
5. Burquitlam's Koreatown: Korean barbecue, bakeries and grocery stores.
6. Maillardville: francophone heritage, Mackin House and Place des Arts.
7. Riverview lands: historic buildings, arboretum and filming locations.
8. Colony Farm Regional Park: bird-watching and river walks.
9. Evergreen Cultural Centre: theatre, music and art.
10. Coquitlam Centre: big shopping mall right on SkyTrain.

Full list of Coquitlam attractions

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Sports Teams and Recreation in Coquitlam

Teams

Recreation facilities

Coquitlam's main facilities include the City Centre Aquatic Complex, the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (arenas, pool and fitness centre), Pinetree Community Centre, Glen Pine Pavilion, Dogwood Pavilion for seniors, the Place Maillardville community centre and new facilities on Burke Mountain. Percy Perry Stadium in Town Centre Park hosts track, football and soccer, and Mundy Park and Blue Mountain Park have outdoor pools and water play.

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Annual Events and Festivals in Coquitlam

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

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Sustainability and Green City Goals

Coquitlam's environmental plans focus on protecting its forests, creeks and salmon habitat, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and transportation, and adapting to climate risks such as heavy rain, flooding and wildfire smoke. The city protects large natural areas on Burke Mountain and along the Coquitlam River, requires low-carbon systems in new buildings, and is expanding EV charging and cycling routes. Restoring sockeye salmon to the Coquitlam River, together with the Kwikwetlem First Nation, is a long-term goal.

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City Services and Amenities

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Coquitlam FAQ

Is Coquitlam part of Vancouver?

No. Coquitlam is a separate city with its own mayor and council, and part of the wider Metro Vancouver region.

What are the Tri-Cities?

The Tri-Cities are Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody, three neighbouring cities in northeast Metro Vancouver, often grouped with the villages of Anmore and Belcarra.

How far is Coquitlam from downtown Vancouver?

About 45 minutes by SkyTrain from Coquitlam Central to Waterfront Station, or 30 to 45 minutes by car depending on traffic.

What is Coquitlam known for?

Its forests and trails, Lafarge Lake, Koreatown on North Road, the francophone heritage of Maillardville, Riverview filming locations and fast-growing SkyTrain neighbourhoods.

What is the population of Coquitlam?

The 2021 census counted 148,625 people, making Coquitlam the largest of the Tri-Cities.

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Sources

• Metro Vancouver: Homeless population data
• City of Coquitlam: official website
• Statistics Canada: Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population

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