Our region has seen a lot of growth in the last few years, and the heart of that growth has been in the West Shore.
Recreation, service and affordability all led to the big boom.
For decades, West Shore communities were seen as Greater Victoria’s last bastion when it comes to “great affordability,” according to realtor Tania Delmonico.
Colwood, Langford, Sooke, Highlands and Metchosin are the five municipalities that make up the West Shore, and each have their own personalities.
More than 86,000 people call the West Shore home, according to the latest census in 2021.
A breakdown of each population, and how much they have increased between the 2016 and 2021 census, can be found below.
- 46,584 in Langford (up 31.8 per cent since 2016)
- 18,961 in Colwood (up 12.5 per cent since 2016)
- 13,001 Sooke (up 16.6 per cent since 2016)
- 5,067 in Metchosin (up 7.6 per cent since 2016)
- 2,482 in Highlands (up 11.6 per cent since 2016)
(CHEK News/Google Maps)
Langford’s civic pride swelled last year when Canada Post recognized it as its own mailing address.
In 2021, the national service allowed residents to put their address as “Langford” instead of “Victoria.”
“Ten years from now, population, we’re probably going to be over 60,000,” said Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson.
Other West Shore mayors also think the future is bright, with Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi saying development continues to pick up, while a “slowdown” is being seen elsewhere in the capital region.
“Land is still slightly cheaper out here,” he said.
SEE ALSO:
- Proposed Royal Bay pool has Colwood community buzzing
- Feds and B.C. contributing to $13.2M transit upgrades in West Shore
As for Sooke, well, residents seem pretty happy, except for only having one road in and out of town.
“Every time I come back from town I’m in backup traffic,” said longtime resident Dola Parsons.
It’s an issue that may persist, as more and more people turn their eyes west to the West Shore to live.
CHEK News
