Economic Regions of British Columbia
British Columbia (B.C.) has eight distinct economic regions, each with advantages in various sectors. Importantly, B.C. is home to over 200 First Nations communities that are actively involved in economic development within their traditional territories.
Diverse communities, an energetic and educated workforce, powerful transportation and communication networks, an abundance of natural resources, and an unmatched quality of life makes B.C. naturally easy to love.
Explore Regions & Major Cities in B.C.
Vancouver Island and Coast
The Vancouver Island and Coast economic region is found on the west coast of B.C. and includes B.C.’s capital city of Victoria, several medium-sized cities and many smaller oceanside communities. The services sector plays a major role in the region’s economy, including health care, public administration, accommodation and tourism. Logging and fishing are also important industries.
- Population: 881,700
- Key Industry Sectors: Aerospace, Agriculture, AI, Clean Energy, Digital Media, Forestry, ICT, Life Sciences, Marine, Mass Timber, Agri Tech, Clean Tech, Hydrogen
- Key Cities: Victoria, Nanaimo, Courtenay
Cariboo
Located in central B.C., the Cariboo region is an area of vast landscapes of mountain ranges, lakes and rivers. It includes the city of Prince George, which acts as a major service centre for the northern half of the province.
- Population: 169,600
- Key Industry Sectors: Agriculture, Clean Energy, Forestry, Critical Minerals, Clean Tech, Agri Tech
- Key Cities: Prince George, Williams Lake, Quesnel, Mackenzie
Kootenay
Located in the southeast corner of B.C., bordering the United States and Alberta, the Kootenay region is one of Canada’s leading destinations for outdoor adventures. Coal production, critical minerals and logging are important industries in this area. Tourism also contributes to the economy.
- Population: 163,100
- Key Industry Sectors: Agriculture, Clean Energy, Critical Minerals, Clean Tech, Agri Tech
- Key Cities: Nelson, Cranbrook
Lower Mainland/Southwest
The Lower Mainland/Southwest is B.C.’s most populous region, home to over 3 million people, about 60 percent of the provincial population. This dynamic metropolitan area offers numerous economic opportunities, a mild climate, an active lifestyle, and all the amenities of a vibrant urban centre.
- Population: 3,200,000
- Key Industry Sectors: Aerospace, Agriculture, AI, Clean Energy, Digital Media, Forestry, ICT, Life Sciences, Marine, Mass Timber, Agri Tech, Clean Tech, Hydrogen
- Key Cities: Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond
Nechako
The second largest region in the province by land area, Nechako is also the least populated. It is an area of vast and remote wilderness. Natural resources, particularly critical minerals and forestry, have a critical role in the area’s economy and development. Many companies are actively exploring for minerals in the area.
- Population: 40,400
- Key Industry Sectors: Agriculture, Critical Minerals, Agri Tech
- Key Cities: Smithers, Burns Lake, Vanderhoof
North Coast
Bordering the Pacific Ocean, the North Coast region is an area of spectacular forests, majestic mountains, and rugged coastlines. The economy has diversified in recent years as a result of new capacity at the Port of Prince Rupert, and ports in Kitimat and Stewart. Major investments in the aluminum smelter in Kitimat and new large liquified natural gas plants and other large infrastructure projects are economic drivers.
- Population: 59,300
- Key Industry Sectors: Agriculture, Critical Minerals, Clean Tech, Agri Tech
- Key Cities: Prince Rupert, Kitimat, Terrace
Northeast
The Northeast Region is growing through rapid development of the energy sector, driven by opportunities in natural gas production and critical minerals. Capital investment in the natural resource industries, including natural gas, shows consistent growth.
- Population: 72,300
- Key Industry Sectors: Agriculture, Clean Energy, Forestry, Critical Minerals, Clean Tech, Agri Tech
- Key Cities: Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson
Thompson/Okanagan
Located in the interior of B.C., the Thompson-Okanagan region is popular destination, renowned for its sunny climate, beautiful landscapes, and relaxed lifestyle. Its diverse economy is based on agriculture, the service sector, forest products and manufacturing.
- Population: 609,300
- Key Industry Sectors: Aerospace, Agriculture, Clean Energy, Digital Media, ICT, Life Sciences, Critical Minerals, Mass Timber, Agri Tech, Clean Tech, Hydrogen
- Key Cities: Kelowna, Vernon, Kamloops
Vancouver Island and Coast
The Vancouver Island and Coast economic region is found on the west coast of B.C. and includes B.C.’s capital city of Victoria, several medium-sized cities and many smaller oceanside communities. The services sector plays a major role in the region’s economy, including health care, public administration, accommodation and tourism. Logging and fishing are also important industries.
- Population: 881,700
- Key Industry Sectors: Aerospace, Agriculture, AI, Clean Energy, Digital Media, Forestry, ICT, Life Sciences, Marine, Mass Timber, Agri Tech, Clean Tech, Hydrogen
- Key Cities: Victoria, Nanaimo, Courtenay
Cariboo
Located in central B.C., the Cariboo region is an area of vast landscapes of mountain ranges, lakes and rivers. It includes the city of Prince George, which acts as a major service centre for the northern half of the province.
- Population: 169,600
- Key Industry Sectors: Agriculture, Clean Energy, Forestry, Critical Minerals, Clean Tech, Agri Tech
- Key Cities: Prince George, Williams Lake, Quesnel, Mackenzie
Kootenay
Located in the southeast corner of B.C., bordering the United States and Alberta, the Kootenay region is one of Canada’s leading destinations for outdoor adventures. Coal production, critical minerals and logging are important industries in this area. Tourism also contributes to the economy.
- Population: 163,100
- Key Industry Sectors: Agriculture, Clean Energy, Critical Minerals, Clean Tech, Agri Tech
- Key Cities: Nelson, Cranbrook
Lower Mainland/Southwest
The Lower Mainland/Southwest is B.C.’s most populous region, home to over 3 million people, about 60 percent of the provincial population. This dynamic metropolitan area offers numerous economic opportunities, a mild climate, an active lifestyle, and all the amenities of a vibrant urban centre.
- Population: 3,200,000
- Key Industry Sectors: Aerospace, Agriculture, AI, Clean Energy, Digital Media, Forestry, ICT, Life Sciences, Marine, Mass Timber, Agri Tech, Clean Tech, Hydrogen
- Key Cities: Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond
Nechako
The second largest region in the province by land area, Nechako is also the least populated. It is an area of vast and remote wilderness. Natural resources, particularly critical minerals and forestry, have a critical role in the area’s economy and development. Many companies are actively exploring for minerals in the area.
- Population: 40,400
- Key Industry Sectors: Agriculture, Critical Minerals, Agri Tech
- Key Cities: Smithers, Burns Lake, Vanderhoof
North Coast
Bordering the Pacific Ocean, the North Coast region is an area of spectacular forests, majestic mountains, and rugged coastlines. The economy has diversified in recent years as a result of new capacity at the Port of Prince Rupert, and ports in Kitimat and Stewart. Major investments in the aluminum smelter in Kitimat and new large liquified natural gas plants and other large infrastructure projects are economic drivers.
- Population: 59,300
- Key Industry Sectors: Agriculture, Critical Minerals, Clean Tech, Agri Tech
- Key Cities: Prince Rupert, Kitimat, Terrace
Northeast
The Northeast Region is growing through rapid development of the energy sector, driven by opportunities in natural gas production and critical minerals. Capital investment in the natural resource industries, including natural gas, shows consistent growth.
- Population: 72,300
- Key Industry Sectors: Agriculture, Clean Energy, Forestry, Critical Minerals, Clean Tech, Agri Tech
- Key Cities: Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson
Thompson/Okanagan
Located in the interior of B.C., the Thompson-Okanagan region is popular destination, renowned for its sunny climate, beautiful landscapes, and relaxed lifestyle. Its diverse economy is based on agriculture, the service sector, forest products and manufacturing.
- Population: 609,300
- Key Industry Sectors: Aerospace, Agriculture, Clean Energy, Digital Media, ICT, Life Sciences, Critical Minerals, Mass Timber, Agri Tech, Clean Tech, Hydrogen
- Key Cities: Kelowna, Vernon, Kamloops
Vancouver Island and Coast
The Vancouver Island and Coast economic region is found on the west coast of B.C. and includes B.C.’s capital city of Victoria, several medium-sized cities and many smaller oceanside communities. The services sector plays a major role in the region’s economy, including health care, public administration, accommodation and tourism. Logging and fishing are also important industries.
- Population: 881,700
- Key Industry Sectors: Aerospace, Agriculture, AI, Clean Energy, Digital Media, Forestry, ICT, Life Sciences, Marine, Mass Timber, Agri Tech, Clean Tech, Hydrogen
- Key Cities: Victoria, Nanaimo, Courtenay
Connect With A Regional Expert
Regional experts can help familiarize you with the amenities, infrastructure, and opportunities in each region. They can introduce you to the economic development offices and industry associations that will support the integration of your business into the province.
We acknowledge the many Indigenous peoples on whose traditional territory British Columbian's reside and do business. As part of our commitment to reconciliation, the Province of B.C. recognizes Indigenous people as full partners and participants in all aspects of the economy, with established rights and interests to participate in, and benefit from, land and resource activities within their territories.
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