Central Saanich is a district municipality in Greater Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, and a member municipality of the Capital Regional District. It is located on the Saanich Peninsula, in the far south-east of Vancouver Island. It is the traditional territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ people. The district began as a farming community, and many hobby farms, along working farms and vineyards, still exist. In recent decades, the area has seen increasing residential, commercial, and industrial development, especially around the neighbourhoods of Brentwood Bay and Saanichton, which are occasionally referred to as separate communities.

Central Saanich
The Corporation of the District of Central Saanich[1]
Flag of Central Saanich
Central Saanich is located in Capital Regional District
Central Saanich
Central Saanich
Location of Central Saanich within the Capital Regional District
Central Saanich is located in Vancouver Island
Central Saanich
Location of Central Saanich in British Columbia
Central Saanich is located in British Columbia
Central Saanich
Central Saanich (British Columbia)
Coordinates: 48°30′51″N 123°23′2″W / 48.51417°N 123.38389°W / 48.51417; -123.38389
CountryCanada
ProvinceBritish Columbia
Regional districtCapital
Incorporated1950
Government
 • Governing bodyCentral Saanich District Council
 • MayorRyan Windsor
 • MPElizabeth May (Green)
 • MLARob Botterell (BC Green)
Area
 • Land41.20 km2 (15.91 sq mi)
Elevation
100 m (300 ft)
Population
 • Total17,385
 • Density421.9/km2 (1,093/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-8 (PST)
Forward sortation area
Highways17
WaterwaysSaanich Inlet, Tod Inlet
Websitewww.centralsaanich.ca Edit this at Wikidata

The area's best-known tourist attractions are the Butchart Gardens, located in the Brentwood Bay area, Gowlland Tod Provincial Park,[3] and Island View Beach.

The mayor of Central Saanich is former district councillor Ryan Windsor. Municipal councillors last elected in 2022[4] include Niall Paltiel, Sarah Riddell, Zeb King, Bob Thompson, Gord Newton, and Christopher Graham.

Geography

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Neighbourhoods of Central Saanich:

Demographics

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In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Central Saanich had a population of 17,385 living in 7,105 of its 7,621 total private dwellings, a change of 3.4% from its 2016 population of 16,814. With a land area of 41.2 km2 (15.9 sq mi), it had a population density of 422.0/km2 (1,092.9/sq mi) in 2021.[2]

Historical census populations – Central Saanich
YearPop.±%
1951 2,069—    
1956 2,477+19.7%
1961 2,952+19.2%
1966 3,640+23.3%
1971 5,136+41.1%
1976 7,413+44.3%
1981 9,890+33.4%
1986 11,475+16.0%
YearPop.±%
1991 13,684+19.3%
1996 14,611+6.8%
2001 15,348+5.0%
2006 15,745+2.6%
2011 15,936+1.2%
2016 16,814+5.5%
2021 17,385+3.4%
Source: Statistics Canada

Ethnicity

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Panethnic groups in the District of Central Saanich (1996−2021)
Panethnic
group
2021[5] 2016[6] 2011[7] 2006[8] 2001[9] 1996[10]
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
European[a] 15,065 87.74% 14,745 89.53% 14,435 91.8% 14,585 93.46% 14,635 95.53% 13,635 94.36%
Indigenous 655 3.81% 660 4.01% 420 2.67% 215 1.38% 200 1.31% 85 0.59%
South Asian 490 2.85% 365 2.22% 225 1.43% 195 1.25% 140 0.91% 225 1.56%
East Asian[b] 405 2.36% 355 2.16% 230 1.46% 310 1.99% 105 0.69% 210 1.45%
Southeast Asian[c] 255 1.49% 175 1.06% 115 0.73% 205 1.31% 175 1.14% 100 0.69%
African 105 0.61% 80 0.49% 115 0.73% 35 0.22% 50 0.33% 105 0.73%
Latin American 90 0.52% 50 0.3% 65 0.41% 25 0.16% 10 0.07% 45 0.31%
Middle Eastern[d] 35 0.2% 0 0% 60 0.38% 20 0.13% 10 0.07% 0 0%
Other/Multiracial[e] 80 0.47% 20 0.12% 35 0.22% 25 0.16% 15 0.1% 35 0.24%
Total responses 17,170 98.76% 16,470 97.95% 15,725 98.68% 15,605 99.11% 15,320 99.82% 14,450 98.9%
Total population 17,385 100% 16,814 100% 15,936 100% 15,745 100% 15,348 100% 14,611 100%
Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses

Religion

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According to the 2021 census, religious groups in Central Saanich included:[5]

Potato ban

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The production of potatoes from Central Saanich, east of the West Saanich Road, was banned in 1982 due to infestation by the golden nematode.[11] Potatoes from this region of Central Saanich are banned from entry into the United States.[12]

Notable people

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Notes

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  1. ^ Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.
  2. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.
  3. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.
  4. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.
  5. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority, n.i.e." and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.

References

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  1. ^ "British Columbia Regional Districts, Municipalities, Corporate Name, Date of Incorporation and Postal Address" (XLS). British Columbia Ministry of Communities, Sport and Cultural Development. Archived from the original on July 13, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c "Central Saanich (Code 5917015) Census Profile". 2021 census. Government of Canada - Statistics Canada. Retrieved 2024-10-15.
  3. ^ "Gowlland Tod Provincial Park". BC Parks. Archived from the original on 2008-09-22. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  4. ^ "Central Saanich (District) Election Results". Retrieved 2023-02-07.
  5. ^ a b Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2022-10-26). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  6. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2021-10-27). "Census Profile, 2016 Census". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  7. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2015-11-27). "NHS Profile". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  8. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-08-20). "2006 Community Profiles". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  9. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-07-02). "2001 Community Profiles". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  10. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-07-02). "Profile of Census Divisions and Subdivisions, 1996 Census". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  11. ^ "Potato Production and Sale (Central Saanich) Restriction Regulations". Government of Canada. 22 March 2006. Archived from the original on 2013-05-24. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  12. ^ "7 CFR § 319.56-10 - Importation of fruits and vegetables from Canada". Cornell Law School. Archived from the original on 2019-06-30. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
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