Comox Valley | Vancouver Island

This region of Vancouver Island comprises a greater than 660 square mile (about 1700 square kilometre) area that stretches to Mud Bay in the South, Saratoga beach in the North, the Strait of Georgia in the East, and the Beaufort Mountains in the West. This region is currently populated by about 66,527 people according to the results of the 2016 census, and it comprises the communities of Courtenay, Comox, Cumberland, CFB Comox, Royston, Union Bay, Fanny Bay, Merville, Black Creek, and Saratoga Beach as shown on the following map.

The median family income in 2013 was reported at $72,600 (compared to a BC average of $74,150) and the crime rate per 100,000 recorded in 2015 was 7,374 (compared to a BC average of 8,799). The 2016 population breakdown is children under 19 accounting for 19% and seniors (65+) accounting for 25%. The median age in the Comox Valley is 48.3 (49.1 in Comox and 46.5 in Courtenay). Of the people, about 98% speak English at home and 45% have post-secondary education. There were 32,076 private dwelling recorded during the 2016 census and this number continues to rise as new construction briskly continues is a number of areas.

The top five industries are retail trade (14.3%), health care and social assistance (12.8%), public administration (9.6%), construction (8.5%) and educational services (7.8%). About 87% of people aged 25 to 54 participate in the labour force (2013 stats) compared to 85% in BC. The local airport had 318,830 passengers use it in 2014 and 351,530 use it in 2015.

Our Geographic Area

Area Demographics

Comox Valley Demographics details taken during the 2011 census follow
Males 48% and females 52%; Ages 0-19 comprise 20% of the population and ages 65 and over comprise 22% of the population
Ages 19-64 comprise 64% of the population. People in the 20s comprise 9%; people in their 30s comprise 10%; people in their 40s comprise 14%; people in their 50s comprise 16%; and ages 60-64 comprise 9%.

The median age in Courtenay is 48.3 years compared to the median age in British Columbia of 41.9 years and the median age in Canada of 39.5 years. As an aside the highest median age in a community in BC is Qualicum Beach at 63.9 years.

Household Marital Status and Languages Spoken

Nearly 70% of families are married couples, 15% common law and 15% single parent. Nearly 91% report English as their mother tongue, 6% speak a non official language (German, Dutch and Spanish being the most prevalent) and 2.4% speak French.

Household Accommodations

About 66% of private household families live in single detached houses. About 15% live in semi-detached or row houses, 15% live in apartments and 4% live in movable homes.

Getting Here

Visitors to the Comox Valley can arrive by air, road, ferry (from Powell River) and boat (where they can tie up their boat at the Comox Harbour.

The Comox Valley airport is located on the West side of the airfield (airport identifier CYQQ) maintained and operated by Canadian Forces Base Comox. The Comox Valley airport is operated by the Comox Valley Airport Commission and it has access to the 10,000 foot main runway and 5000 foot secondary runway operated by the base.

The ferry operated by BC Ferries from Powell River to Little River provides another means of getting to the Comox Valley from the mainland.

Most people travelling to and from the Comox Valley use either Highway 19 (a four lane express highway) or 19A (a two lane scenic highway). Both highways are part of the Province of British Columbia road system maintained by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

Staying Here and Getting Around

Local area accommodations include a number of hotels and motels, resorts, campgrounds, hostels, lodges, vacation rentals, and bed and breakfast options. If you need to take a Comox Valley bus or local taxi they are available

Dining Out

Once located in the area you will have access to 160 different places to eat in the Comox Valley. Most of them are located in or near Courtenay and Comox. They range from a great hamburger or Chinese Take out at Georges Food Bar to dining with a view at Crown Isle.

Things to Do

You certainly will not be bored while you are here. Consider visiting the 14 nature parks, participating in many different outdoor activities such as golf, fishing (salt and freshwater), boating, air tours, watersports, most other sports, skiing (alpine and downhill), snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking, dolphin and whale watching, and ocean diving just to name a few. Just for a change of pace you may also wish to visit a few of our local wineries. You can even watch the Snowbird Aerial Demonstration Team in April when they practice at the local airfield each year before heading out across Canada.

Courtenay recreation and Comox recreation programs offer a wide variety of ongoing and seasonal programs for all ages.

Courtenay Arts and Cultural programs are among the many diverse ones available in the region.

The Comox Valley is host to a significant number of events and festivals throughout the year such as the well known Vancouver Island Music Festival in early July and the Filberg Festival at the end of July. Lesser known but locally popular events include the Comox Valley Shellfish and Seafood Festival in June in Comox and the Comox Valley Cruise and Car Show in Courtenay at the end of July. Or if you just want to brag that you went fishing, snow skiing and golfing in the same day check out these options

School Information

Comox Valley schools include an international study program. A number of local schools are well rated by the Fraser Institute

The following map shows the location of schools within the Comox Valley. Additional information on each individual school can be found by clicking on View Larger Map and then by selecting the school of interest that appear in the left pane.

Additional information about the school district can be found by contacting School District 71 located at 607 Cumberland Road, Coutenay BC V9N 7G5 (250)-334-5500. Their web address is SD 71

Health Facilites

The current hospital in Comox was replaced by a brand new hospital being built in Courtenay. There is also a number of other types of health care in the Comox Valley such as community care and assisted living. Dental care is also widely available.

Our New Hospital

Comox Valley Regional Real Estate Areas

The diagram below provides a breakdown of the Comox Valley from a real estate perpsective. The region comprises the City of Courtenay, Town of Comox and the smaller villages of Cumberland, Royston, Union Bay, Fanny Bay, Bowser, Merville and Black Creek. For real estate purposes, the City of Courtenay is divided into Courtenay East, Courtenay City, Courtenay North, Courtenay West and Courtenay South. The Comox Peninsula borders the City of Courtenay and Town of Comox.

Real Estate Sub Areas of the Comox Valley

The Comox Valley, for real estate purposes, is divided into 12 sub areas (also sometimes referred to as tracts). These include: Z2 Courtenay City; Z2 Courtenay East; Z2 Courtenay West; Z2 Courtenay North; Z2 Courtenay South; Z2 Comox (Town of); Z2 Comox Peninsula; Z2 Crown Isle; Z2 Cumberland; Z2 Merville Black Creek; Z2 Union Bay Fanny Bay; and Z2 Mount Washington as shown on the following map.

Once you leave the City of Courtenay and the Town of Comox, you enter more rural areas of the Comox Valley. Each area has its own charms and features. The Comox Glacier and Comox Peninsula are two of the more prominent landmarks. Some of these areas are close to the ocean

Rural Comox Valley

The villages of Cumberland, Royston, Union Bay, Fanny Bay, Bowser, Merville and Black Creek dot the landscape of rural Comox Valley. The following videos are provided to give viewers a sense of these rural areas.

The Village of Cumberland is a growing incorporated municipality of about 3500 people

The Seaside Hamlet of Royston is home to about 1500 people.

Union Bay is a small community about 15 kilometers south of Courtenay and is home to about 1200 people.

Fanny Bay is a small hamlet of about 800 people located on Baynes Sound about 25 minutes south of Courtenay

Bowser is located by the south end of the Comox Valley just past Deep Bay. It is home to about 1600 people and is located in an area known as Lighthouse Country

Merville is an unincorporated community of about people located about 15 minutes north of Courtenay.

Black Creek is a small rural community located about 25 minutes north of Courtenay

Need More Information?

This information just scratches the surface on all of what there is to do in the Comox Valley. To find out more contact Brett to be your Realtor and guide when you relocate here.