Abbotsford is a Canadian city in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia, adjacent to Metro Vancouver. It is the 5th largest municipality in British Columbia and the 37th largest in Canada, home to 128,940 people (2006). Its Census Metropolitan Area numbers 159,020 people (23rd largest in Canada in 2006).

Abbotsford is the third most ethnically diverse city in Canada, after Toronto and Vancouver. It is also home to Abbotsford International Airport, which serves as a reliever airport to Vancouver International Airport.

The municipality's southern boundary is the Canada-US border, which it shares with Whatcom County. In Canada, it is bordered by Langley to the west, Mission to the north, and Chilliwack to the east. Much of Abbotsford has dramatic views of Mount Baker, which is less than 100 km from the city. To the north, the southernmost Coast Mountains are visible.

History

The first stage in Abbotsford's colonial development occurred when the Royal Engineers surveyed the area in response to the Gold Rush along the Fraser River in 1858. This led to the building of Old Yale Road, the first transportation route to link the Fraser Valley. Settlement continued and butter, milk and tobacco were produced by the late 1860s. In 1889 former Royal Engineer John Cunningham Maclure applied for a crown grant to obtain the 160 acres that would become Abbotsford.

Maclure transferred the title to his son, John Charles Maclure, who then sold it to Robert Ward. Ward then filed a town site subdivision on 9 July, 1891. The Maclures named Abbotsford after a family friend Harry Abbott, the Western Superintendent of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Also, in 1891 the CPR built a railway line through the area that connected Mission with Sumas, Washington. This route was that of the rail connection between Seattle and Vancouver until the completion of the New Westminster rail bridge.

The Village of Abbotsford was incorporated in 1892. At that time Robert Ward sold many of the lots to private investors, however he sold off a significant portion to the Great Northern Railroad’s subsidiary company the Vancouver, Victoria and Eastern Railway.

British Columbia Electric Railway arrived soon after in 1910, ensuring a rapid rate of growth that has continued to this day. The most notable natural disaster to ever hit Abbotsford was a major flood in 1948.

1972 saw the amalgamation of the Village of Abbotsford and the District of Sumas in the District of Abbotsford. The District of Abbotsford amalgamated with the District of Matsqui in 1995 to become the City of Abbotsford.

Government

The City of Abbotsford uses a Council-Manager system of local government. The current Mayor and Council were elected on November 19, 2005. The current mayor is George Ferguson. The Abbotsford flag and coat of arms are the same, featuring straight, diagonal crosses representing Abbotsford as at a "crossroads". At the centre is a strawberry blossom, symbolizing the local berry industry, and the Fraser River.

The flag of Abbotsford was originally blue in colour. The change to green was initiated in 1995 when the District of Abbotsford and the District of Matsqui amalgamated to create the City of Abbotsford.

Demographics

Abbotsford is the third most ethnically diverse city in Canada. It now leads the country with the highest proportion of people of South Asian origin per capita, according to results from the 2006 census. It also contains a large German and Dutch population in addition to a large, associated religious community of Lutherans, Mennonite, Dutch Reformed and various fundamentalist denominations. There are also large components of the population of Scandinavian and Eastern and Southern European origins.

Abbotsford's largest religious group is Christian at 61.4% of the population, with associated Lutheran and other Protestant denominations and the Anabaptist (Mennonite Brethren and Mennonite Church) being the largest congregations. The next largest religious group are the Sikhs, comprising 13.4% of the population. The city contains the first Sikh temple built in Canada, which is also one of the oldest in North America.

The largest racial group is Caucasian, comprising approximately 79.6% of the population. This includes English, German, Canadian, Scottish, Dutch, Irish, Norwegian, Swedish, Italian, Hungarian, Russian, Polish, Danish and Spanish. (see table below)

The next largest racial group in Abbotsford is South Asian (countries of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka) comprising 14.9% of the population. This is followed by East and Southeast Asian at 4.71% and Aboriginals at 2.2% of the population (3.4% of which includes Metis and indigenous peoples from other parts of Canada and the United States).

English is the primary language spoken, with 71.2% of the population having it as their first language. Punjabi is the second most spoken language.

23.8% of the city's population was born outside of Canada. Of that percentage, a majority is from South Asia, followed by groups from Southeast Asia, China, Korea and Latin America. In previous decades similar figures applied to the Mennonite population.

Quick Facts:

• Population (2006 Estimate): 128,940
• % Change (2001-2006): 7.2
• Resident labour force (2001): 58,140
• Dwellings (2006): 45,286
• Area (km²): 359.36
• Density (persons per km²) (2006): 344.7
• Gross income of population (2002): $2,337,376,686
• Average household income (2001): $56,165
• Average individual income (2001): $26,794

Tables of ethnic groups

Ethnic Origin	Population	Percent of 156,640*	Comments
Cornish	10	0.01%
English	42,190	26.93%
Irish	21,430	13.68%
Manx	40	0.03%
Scottish	28,695	18.32%
Welsh	3,665	2.34%
misc. British Isles, n.i.e.**	2,265	1.45%
Acadian	55	0.04%
French	13,725	8.76%
Inuit	50	0.03%
Métis	2,670	1.70%
North American Indian	5,335	3.41%	incl. First Nations, Native Americans and Alaska Natives
American	2,320	1.48%
Canadian	30,415	19.42%
Newfoundlander	65	0.04%
Québécois	55	0.04%
Barbadian	15	0.01%
Carib	15	0.01%
Guyanese	20	0.01%
Haitian	135	0.09%
Jamaican	305	0.19%
Kittitian/Nevisian	10	0.01%
Puerto Rican	15	0.01%
St. Lucian	10	0.01%
Trinidadian/Tobagonian	95	0.06%
Vincentian/Grenadinian	15	0.01%
West Indian	35	0.02%
Caribbean, n.i.e.**	15	0.01%
Aboriginal from Central/South America	40	0.03%
Argentinian	35	0.02%
Belizian	20	0.01%
Brazilian	130	0.08%
Chilean	110	0.07%
Colombian	150	0.10%
Costa Rican	55	0.04%
Ecuadorian	10	0.01%
Guatemalan	85	0.05%
Hispanic	10	0.01%
Honduran people	25	0.02%
Maya	30	0.02%
Mexican	475	0.30%
Nicaraguan	35	0.02%
Panamanian	10	0.01%
Paraguayan	195	0.10%
Peruvian	10	0.01%
Salvadoran	540	0.35%
Venezuelan	65	0.04%
misc. Latin, Central or South American, n.i.e.**	160	0.01%
Austrian	1,500	1.00%
Belgian	620	0.40%
Dutch (Netherlands)	16,645	10.63%	% not incl. Frisians or Flemish
Flemish	110	0.07%
Frisian	160	0.10%
German	32,580	20.80%
Swiss	1,215	0.78%
Finnish	1,210	0.77%
Danish	1,950	1.24%
Iceland	930	0.59%
Norwegian	4,715	3.01%
Swedish	4,240	2.71%
misc. Scandinavian, n.i.e.**	310	0.20%	may include Sami and Kven
Estonian	175	0.11%
Latvian	40	0.03%
Lithuanian	130	0.08%
Byelorussian	70	0.05%
Czech	590	0.38%
Czechoslovakian	230	0.15%
Slovak	190	0.12%
Hungarian (Magyar)	2,150	1.37%
Polish	4,940	3.15%
Romanian	1,065	0.68%
Russian	7,420	4.73%
Ukrainian	8,090	5.16%
Albanian	135	0.09%
Bosnian	10	0.01%
Bulgarian	60	0.04%
Croatian	245	0.16%
Greek	655	0.42%
Italian	3,675	2.35%
Kosovar	25	0.02%
Macedonian	45	0.03%
Maltese	55	0.04%
Portuguese	745	0.48%
Serbian	100	0.08%
Sicilian	10	0.01%
Slovenian	125	0.08%
Spanish	1,600	1.02%
Yugoslav, n.i.e.**	290	0.19%
Basque	10	0.01%
Gypsy (Roma)	35	0.02%
Jewish	510	0.33%
misc. Slav (European)	40	0.03%
misc. European, n.i.e.**	260	0.17%
Afrikaner	25	0.02%
Bantu	10	0.01%
Black	140	0.09%
Congolese (Zairian)	20	0.01%
Congolese, n.o.s.***	15	0.01%
Dinka	40	0.03%
Ethiopian	10	0.01%
Ghanaian	50	0.03%
Kenyan	35	0.02%
Mauritian	20	0.01%
Nigerian	50	0.03%
South African	415	0.26%
Sudanese	20	0.01%
Tanzanian	15	0.01%
misc. African, n.i.e.**	130	0.08%
Egyptian	25	0.02%
Iraqi	15	0.01%
Lebanese	85	0.05%
Maghrebi origins	10	0.01%
Palestinian	65	0.04%
Syrian	50	0.03%
misc. Arab, n.i.e.	75	0.05%
Afghan	50	0.03%
Iranian	185	0.12%
Israeli	15	0.01%
Kurd	35	0.02%
Tatar	10	0.01%
Turk	120	0.08%
East Indian	23,445	16.47%
Goan	15	0.01%
Nepali	45	0.03%
Pakistani	195	0.12%
Punjabi	2,040	1.30%
Sri Lankan	50	0.03%
Tamil	10	0.01%
misc. South Asian, n.i.e.**	820	0.52%
Cambodian	50	0.03%
Chinese	2,585	1.65%
Filipino	740	0.47%
Indonesian	205	0.13%
Japanese	890	0.57%
Korean	1,665	1.06%
Laotian	240	0.15%
Malaysian	50	0.03%
Taiwanese	75	0.05%
Thai	100	0.06%
Vietnamese	1,150	0.73%
East or Southeast Asian, n.i.e.**	85	0.05%
Australian	265	0.17%
New Zealander	145	0.09%
Fijian	100	0.06%
Hawaiian	50	0.03%
Samoan	10	0.01%
*Percentages total more than 100% due to multiple responses, e.g. German-East Indian, Norwegian-Irish-Polish
**'not included elsewhere.'
***'not otherwise specified.'

Ethnic Origin by Regional grouping	Population	Percent of 156,640
British Isles origins	65,495	41.81%
French origins1	13,745	8.77%
Aboriginal origins2	7,860	5.02%
Other North American origins3	31,870	20.34%
Caribbean origins	665	0.43%
Latin, Central and South American origins4	2,070	1.32%
Western European origins5	46,395	29.62%
Northern European origins6	12,140	7.75%
Eastern European origin7	21,765	13.89%
Southern European origins	7,470	4.77%
Other European origins8	840	00.54%
African origins9	990	0.63%
Arab origins10	320	0.20%
West Asian origins11	410	00.26%
South Asian origins	25,800	16.47%
East and Southeast Asian origins	7,375	4.71%
Oceania origins12	565	0.36%

footnotes to Ethnic Origin by Regional grouping
1Census Canada does not distinguish between European and North American French origins. This category includes Acadians; Québécois-only (not multiple responses) are in North American origins.
2>Métis, First Nations, Inuit, Native Americans, Alaska Natives
3American, Canadian, Québécois, Newfoundlander, does not include aboriginal peoples
4incl. aboriginal people of South and Central America
5Germany, Austria, Benelux, Switzerland
6Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland
7Slavic and Baltic countries, plus Hungary and Albania
8Roma (Gypsy), Jewish, Basque, misc. Slav
9excluding Arab countries of the Maghreb, including Afrikaners and other white South Africans
10including the Maghreb/North Africa
11Afghan, Iranian, Azerbaijani, Kurdish, Turkish, Georgian, Armenian
12Pacific Islands, Australia, New Zealand

Living

Approximately 92% of employed residents work in the city or in neighbouring communities. Agriculture is Abbotsford's main industry, followed closely by transportation, manufacturing and retail. There is also a small, but growing aerospace industry led by Conair Group Inc., and Cascade Aerospace. Abbotsford also is home to three federal prisons, each of which employs between 200 and 500 officers and support staff.

Education

Public elementary, middle, and secondary schools are administered by School District 34 Abbotsford.

Post Secondary institutions in the city include the University of the Fraser Valley, two religious institutions: Columbia Bible College and Summit Pacific College, as well as career colleges such as Sprott Shaw Community College, Vancouver Community College, CTC Changes Training Centre and CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care.

There is also a virtual school called "Abbotsford Virtual School" that offers more than 30 semestered online courses. This school offers a unique Animation and Modeling program that teaches students aspects of the video gaming industry.

Police

The City of Abbotsford has its own municipal police force. The Abbotsford Police Department is one of eleven other municipal police forces in British Columbia. It was officially formed in 1995 when Matsqui and Abbotsford amalgamated to become the City of Abbotsford. Prior to the amalgamation, Matsqui was patrolled by the Matsqui Police and Abbotsford by the RCMP. During the referendum citizens elected to keep a municipal police force.

As of 2006, the Abbotsford Police Department employs nearly 200 officers and 80 civilian employees. It is the third largest municipal police force in British Columbia (behind Vancouver and Victoria).

As of July 20, 2006, the Abbotsford metropolitan area (which includes Mission) has the highest property crime rate and the second highest violent crime rate for cities with a population of 100,000 to 500,000 in Canada.

Transportation

Abbotsford is served by a regional transit system (ValleyMAX) operated by Township Transit Inc., with funding from the City of Abbotsford and the District of Mission. Major transportation routes leading into Abbotsford are the Trans-Canada Highway (#1), Abbotsford-Mission Highway (#11), and the Fraser Highway (#1A). Access to the United States is via the Huntingdon border crossing.

Abbotsford is served by the Abbotsford International Airport, located in the southern part of the municipality. It is one of the fastest growing commercial airports in western Canada, and acts as a reliever airport for Vancouver International Airport. WestJet provides regular scheduled service from the airport, due to its close proximity to Vancouver's eastern suburbs. The airport is also the home of the annual Abbotsford International Airshow.

Sports

Abbotsford's Jane and Gerry Swan Track at Rotary Stadium is home to the Valley Royals Track & Field Club, who have produced numerous Olympians including two for the 2008 Olympics. Rotary Stadium is also home to the Canadian Junior Football League's Abbotsford Air Force; however, the Air Force fell into non-playing status for the 2007 and 2008 seasons.

The Abbotsford Pilots of the Pacific International Junior Hockey League (Junior B level) play at MSA Arena, which is Abbotsford's largest arena at just over 400 seats. Abbotsford was considered as a possible home for the Chilliwack Chiefs (Junior A), who were forced to move in 2006 when the Chilliwack Bruins (a WHL expansion team) took over their arena, Prospera Centre. Abbotsford would have become the home of the Chiefs if the city had supported them in building a new arena; instead, the Chiefs moved to Langley. Ironically, construction has now started in Abbotsford on a far bigger sports & entertainment centre (with 7,500 seats).

Abbotsford Minor Hockey is one of the largest associations in British Columbia with more than 1000 players registered from the ages of 5 through 18 years old. This association is recognized by many as a model and a leader in the development of minor hockey programs, and several Abbotsford-raised players have gone on to the highest levels of this sport. In the 2005-2006 hockey season, Abbotsford's Bantam AAA team were ultimately the Western Canadian Bantam Champions, and eight individual players from this team (the most ever) were selected in the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft. (http://www.abbotsfordminorhockey.com/ )

Abbotsford has a superior Youth soccer program, winning 2 national titles, and numerous provincial titles. It is also home of soccer all stars Sophie Schmidt and Brad Petoom. Abbotsford is home to the Abbotsford Rangers of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League, the highest level of amateur soccer in North America.

Abbotsford is home to many high school sports, with Abbotsford Collegiate, W.J. Mouat Secondary, Rick Hansen Secondary, Robert Bateman Secondary, Yale Secondary, and the Mennonite Educational Institute, among others, doing very well in track and field, volleyball, basketball, and football. These schools have consistently ranked among the highest in the province. The Yale Secondary Senior Boys Basketball Team, under Coah Al Friesen, won the 2008 TELUS BC Boys ‘AAA’ Provincial Championship.

Abbotsford's rugby club supports three men's teams, two women's teams, U19 men's and women's, U15 U16 and U17 men's, and a great mini rugby program. Many of Abbotsford's players have gone on to play for Canada, such as Erin Lockwood, Ryan McWhinney, Scott Hunter, Bryn Keys, and Brodie Henderson (http://www.abbotsfordrugby.com/).

Neighbourhoods

• Aberdeen
• Arnold
• Bradner
• Clayburn
• Clearbrook
• Eagle Mountain
• Gifford
• Huntingdon
• Glen Mountain
• Kilgard
• Matsqui
• Mount Lehman
• North Poplar
• Peardonville
• South Poplar
• Straiton
• Blueridge
• Townline

Areas

West Abotsford, Central Abbotsford, East Abbotsford, Sumas Mountain, Sumas Prairie, Poplar, Matsqui, Bradner, Aberdeen,

Neighbouring cities and towns

 

	North: Mission,Fraser Valley H
West: Langley Township Aldergrove	Abbotsford Abbotsford completely surrounds Upper Sumas 6	East: Chilliwack, Fraser Valley E, Yarrow
	South: Sumas, Washington

Notable Residents

• George Ferguson
• David Van der Gulik
• Brad Moran
• Michael Funk
• Ryan Craig
• Kyle Cumiskey
• Gladys Powers
• Karen-Lee Batten
• Jacob Hoggard
• Shane Wiebe
• Chad Kroeger
• Greg Neufeld
• Evangeline Lilly
• Brian Doerksen

Sister cities

• Fukagawa, Japan

References

External links

• Abbotsford's Population Data
• City of Abbotsford