British Columbia Community Prof ile...
Duncan
Overview
Known as the “City of the Totems,” the community of Duncan takes pride in its rich First Nations heritage.
Over 75 totem poles and other cultural artifacts embellish the townscape. Duncan is located in the Cowichan
region in the south central part of Vancouver Island and is a supply and service hub for the area. It is home
to some of British Columbia’s newest vineyards that grow amidst rolling hillsides and country lanes. Duncan
can be characterized by its history and strong community spirit.
Accessibility
Duncan is located in the Cowichan region of southern Vancouver Island, 50 km (approx. 1 hour) north by
highway from the capital city of Victoria. The area is accessible by regular bus and rail services. Commercial
air service and ferry service to British Columbia’s mainland are located just outside of the city of Victoria.
History
The area around Duncan is the traditional home of the Coast Salish First Nations people. Although the
first non-native settlers arrived in 1848, the city itself originated in 1886 with completion of the Esquimalt
& Nanaimo Railroad when local farmer William Duncan was asked to have a stop created on his land. In
1896, copper was discovered and by 1902, the mine was the economic foundation of a bustling community.
Duncan City was in incorporated in 1912 and in 1985, became known as the “City of Totems”. Today over 41
distinctive hand-carved cedar poles from local native artists enhance local parks and downtown streets.
www.healthmatchbc.org
Photo Credits: Tourism British Columbia and KootenayRockies.com
NORTHWEST
TERRITORIES
YUKON
FORT NELSON •
ALASKA,
USA
• DEASE LAKE
FORT ST. JOHN •
• STEWART
DAWSON CREEK •
HUDSON’S HOPE •
• CHETWYND
• KINCOLITH • NEW AIYANSH
• TERRACE
MASSET •
MACKENZIE •
• HAZELTON
TUMBLER RIDGE •
• SMITHERS
ALBERTA
FORT ST JAMES •
• PRINCE RUPERT
• HOUSTON
BURNS LAKE •
• KITIMAT
• QUEEN CHARLOTTE CITY
• FRASER LAKE
VANDERHOOF •
PRINCE GEORGE •
MCBRIDE •
QUESNEL •
BELLA COOLA •
• BELLA BELLA
VALEMOUNT •
WILLIAMS LAKE •
• CLEARWATER
100 MILE HOUSE •
GOLDEN •
BARRIERE •
PORT HARDY •
PORT MCNEILL • • ALERT BAY
PORT ALICE •
LILLOOET •
SAYWARD •
• REVELSTOKE
• SORRENTO
CHASE •
KAMLOOPS•
• SALMON ARM
•
ASHCROFT
INVERMERE •
• ENDERBY
• LOGAN LAKE
• NAKUSP
TE
PEMBERTON •
LYTTON •
ELKFORD •
WHISTLER •
TAHSIS • QUADRA ISLAND •
MERRITT •
CAMPBELL RIVER •
NEW DENVER •
•
POWELL
RIVER
KELOWNA
•
COMOX
GOLD RIVER •
• SQUAMISH
• KASLO
SPARWOOD•
COURTENAY • •
• MADEIRA PARK
RIONDEL •
CUMBERLAND •
• KIMBERLEY
•
SECHELT
WINLAW
•
DENMAN ISLAND • •
PENTICTON •
• GIBSONS
CRANBROOK •
HORNBY ISLAND
• PRINCETON SLOCAN PARK •
• BOWEN ISLAND
HOPE •
QUALICUM BEACH •
• NELSON
HARRISON
•
• FERNIE
PARKSVILLE • GABRIOLA ISLAND
• AGASSIZ
KEREMEOS
CASTLEGAR •
PORT ALBERNI • NANAIMO
• VANCOUVER
• •
•
•
SALMO
• TOFINO
• CHRISTINA LAKE
OLIVER •
UCLUELET •
• MAYNE ISLAND
FORKS • TRAIL
OSOYOOS • GRAND
• CRESTON
•
• SATURNA ISLAND
• •PENDER ISLAND
SALTSPRING ISLAND
XA
DA
ISL
AN
D•
• VICTORIA
• SEATTLE
www.healthmatchbc.org
WASHINGTON, USA
Vancouver Island Health
British Columbia Community Prof ile...
Duncan
Economy
Duncan plays a role as a major business centre for the fishing, farming, forestry and tourism industries of
the Cowichan Valley. Tourism is expected to play a more significant role in the local economy in the future.
Vancouver Island is the province’s newest wine-growing region with most of the production taking place in
the Cowichan Valley. There are 10 wineries in the Duncan area.
Population Profile
The population of Duncan is 4,986 with a median age of 44.2, compared to 38.4 for the province as a
whole. It is part of a larger catchment area population of 38,813. The total trading area population for the
Cowichan Region is approximately 80,000.
Climate
Duncan and the Cowichan Valley experience a temperate climate and boast the highest average
mean temperature in all of Canada. Temperatures in the summer average 16.3 degrees Celsius, while
temperatures in the winter average 3.6 degrees. The Cowichan Valley receives an average of 977 mm of
rainfall and 96 cm of snow annually.
Housing
The average cost of a single-family home in Duncan is $300,000. A two-bedroom apartment rents for
approximately $800 per month.
Education/Daycare
There are 25 elementary schools, 2 high schools and 7 private schools in Duncan as well as a variety of day
care services for young children. The local satellite campus of Malaspina University-College offers college
preparation, trades, career, technology and university transfer programs, as well as community education
courses and contract training.
www.healthmatchbc.org
British Columbia Community Prof ile...
Duncan
Recreation
Duncan offers its residents a wide variety of recreational facilities, including 4 skating rinks, a large
community centre with a swimming pool complex and a 700-seat performing arts theatre, bowling alleys,
soccer fields, lawn bowling fields, tennis courts and a fitness gym. There are also golf courses, hiking
trails, and mountain biking trails in the area. A wide range of organized recreational activities is available
to the community.
Duncan enjoys the warmest weather in Canada and is surrounded by some of the most beautiful natural
recreational areas British Columbia has to offer. The lakes and rivers surrounding Duncan offer good
freshwater fishing, canoeing and boating, while the surrounding countryside is a haven for golfing,
hiking, camping, cycling and wildlife viewing.
Special events in the area include the annual Vancouver Island Wine Festival.
Culture
Duncan and the Cowichan Valley have more artists per capita than any other place in British Columbia.
There are numerous art galleries in the area, as well as self-guided studio tours. The local Mercury
Theatre is home to a theatre group and hosts performances throughout the year. In addition, examples of
Northwest Coast First Nations Culture can be viewed at the local interpretive centre, including carving,
weaving, beadwork and the renowned Cowichan sweaters.
The Cowichan Valley Museum, housed inside a 1912 train station, features pioneer artifacts, displays and
photographs. The museum is open daily in July and August.
Services & Amenities
Duncan is a supply and service centre for the farming and forestry industries of the Cowichan Valley and
offers a wide range of services and amenities concentrated within approximately 4 city blocks including
an indoor mall, grocery stores, department stores, banks, clothing stores, boutiques, pharmacies,
hardware stores, restaurants, a movie theatre, a library, postal services and a local transit system. High
speed Internet service is available here.
Places of worship in Duncan serve the Anglican, Baptist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic,
Sikh, United, Buddhist, Gospel, Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Nazarene, Jehovah’s Witness,
Reformed, Seventh Day Adventist, and Trinity Lutheran faiths.
www.healthmatchbc.org
British Columbia Community Prof ile...
Duncan
Health Authority
Duncan is part of the South Island Region of Vancouver Island Health. Vancouver Island Health provides a
full range of healthcare services to over 700,000 people living on the Vancouver Island, the Northern and
Southern Gulf Islands, and some of the remote coastal communities on BC’s mainland. Vancouver Island
Health Authority (VIHA) provides healthcare services that include acute care facilities, mental health &
addictions, environmental and public health, home, and community care. For comprehensive information
on Vancouver Island Health Authority, visit their website (see Internet References below).
Internet References
BritishColumbia.com
http://www.britishcolumbia.com/regions/
City of Duncan
http://www.city.duncan.bc.ca/
Duncan Chamber of Commerce
http://www.duncancc.bc.ca/
Cowichan Region Economic Development Commission
http://www.cvrd.bc.ca/edc/
Statistics Canada (Community demographic information)
http://www.statcan.ca/
Vancouver Island Health
http:// www.viha.ca
© Health Match BC
www.healthmatchbc.org