View source for Lower Mainland

{{Short description|Region of British Columbia, Canada}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=May 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name          = Lower Mainland
|nickname               = 
|settlement_type        = Region
|image_map              = Lower Mainland of British Columbia, 2012.jpg
|mapsize                = 300px
|map_caption            = Core area of the Lower Mainland
|subdivision_type       = Country
|subdivision_name       = Canada
|subdivision_type1      = Province
|subdivision_name1      = [[British Columbia]]
|subdivision_type2      = Region
|subdivision_name2      = [[British Columbia Coast]]
|area_magnitude         = 
|unit_pref                = <!--Enter: Imperial, if Imperial (metric) is desired-->
|area_footnotes           =
|area_total_km2           = 36303.31
|area_total_sq_mi         =
|area_blank1_title        = Extended area
|area_blank1_km2          = 31368.24
|area_blank1_sq_mi        =
|area_blank2_title        = Core area
|area_blank2_km2          = 4935.07
|area_blank2_sq_mi        = 
|population_as_of               = [[2021 Canadian census|2021]]<!-- Do not change until the 2026 census is released -->
|population_footnotes           =
|population_note                =
|population_total               = 3049496{{efn|Total population of the Lower Mainland Economic Region, which includes the [[Metro Vancouver Regional District]], [[Fraser Valley Regional District]], [[Squamish-Lillooet Regional District]], and [[Sunshine Coast Regional District]].|name=population2}}<ref name="2021census"/><!-- Do not change until the 2026 census is released -->
|population_density_km2         = 84.1<!-- Do not change until the 2026 census is released -->
|population_blank1_title        = Core area
|population_blank1              = 2924685{{efn|name=population}}<ref name="2021censusB"/><ref name="2021censusC"/><!-- Do not change until the 2026 census is released -->
|population_blank2_title        = Extended area
|population_blank2              = 124811<!-- Do not change until the 2026 census is released -->
|timezone               = [[Pacific Time Zone|PST]]
|utc_offset             = −08:00
|timezone_DST           = PDT
|utc_offset_DST         = −07:00
|coordinates            = {{coord|49|05|00|N|122|21|00|W|region:CA-BC|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type       = Postal code prefixes
|postal_code            = [[List of V postal codes of Canada|V]]
|area_codes              = [[Area code 236|236]], [[Area code 257|257]], [[Area code 604|604]], [[Area code 672|672]], [[Area code 778|778]]
}}
The '''Lower Mainland''' is a geographic and cultural region of the [[British Columbia Coast|mainland coast]] of the [[Canadian province]] of [[British Columbia]] that generally comprises the [[regional district]]s of [[Metro Vancouver Regional District|Metro Vancouver]] and the [[Fraser Valley Regional District|Fraser Valley]]. Home to approximately 3.05{{nbsp}}million people as of the [[2021 Canadian census]],{{efn||name=population2}} the Lower Mainland contains sixteen of the province's 30 most populous municipalities and approximately 60% of the province's total population.<ref name="2021census">{{Cite web |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=Lower%20Mainland%2D%2DSouthwest&DGUIDlist=2021S05005920&GENDERlist=1&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0 |title=Data table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Lower Mainland--Southwest [Economic region], British Columbia |access-date=10 February 2022 |archive-date=28 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528030808/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=Lower%20Mainland%2D%2DSouthwest&DGUIDlist=2021S05005920&GENDERlist=1&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The region was historically occupied by the [[Stó꞉lō|Sto:lo]], a [[Halkomelem]]-speaking people of the [[Coast Salish]] linguistic and cultural grouping.

==Boundaries==
Although the term ''Lower Mainland'' has been used from the earliest period of European colonization in British Columbia, it has never been officially defined in legal terms. The term has historically been in popular usage for over a century to describe a region that extends from [[Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver|Horseshoe Bay]] south to the [[Canada–United States border]] and east to [[Hope, British Columbia|Hope]] at the eastern end of the [[Fraser Valley]]. This definition makes the term ''Lower Mainland'' almost synonymous with the [[regional district]]s of [[Metro Vancouver Regional District|Metro Vancouver]] and [[Fraser Valley Regional District|Fraser Valley]].<ref>Gentilcore, R.L., ed. 1993. ''Historical Atlas of Canada, Vol II, The Land Transformed 1800–1891.'' Plate 36, "Lower Mainland 1881." Toronto: University of Toronto Press. {{ISBN|0-8020-3447-0}}.</ref>

However, the [[British Columbia Geographical Names Information System]] (BCGNIS) comments that most residents of Vancouver might consider it to be only areas west of [[Mission, British Columbia|Mission]] and [[Abbotsford, British Columbia|Abbotsford]], while residents in the rest of the province consider it to be the [[Sea-to-Sky Corridor]] south of [[Whistler, British Columbia|Whistler]] and west of [[Hope, British Columbia|Hope]].<ref>{{Cite bcgnis |id=57400 |title=Lower Mainland}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{See also|Lower Mainland Ecoregion|Puget lowland forests}}
The region is bounded to the north by the [[Pacific Ranges]] and to the southeast by the [[Cascade Range|Cascade Mountains]], and is traversed from east to west by the [[Fraser River]]. Due to its consistency of [[climate]], [[flora (plants)|flora]] and [[fauna (animals)|fauna]], [[geology]] and [[land use]], "Lower Mainland" is also the name of an [[ecoregion]]—a biogeoclimatic region—that comprises the eastern part of the [[Georgia Depression]] and extends from Powell River on the [[Sunshine Coast, British Columbia|Sunshine Coast]] to Hope at the eastern end of the Fraser Valley.<ref name="EC196">Environment Canada. [http://ecozones.ca/english/region/196.html Ecoregions of Canada – Lower Mainland] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516091638/http://ecozones.ca/english/region/196.html |date=16 May 2013}}. Ecological Framework of Canada. Retrieved on: 9 July 2011</ref>

===Climate===
One of the mildest climates in Canada, the region has a mean annual temperature of {{Convert|9|C}} with a summer mean of {{Convert|15|C}} and a winter mean of {{Convert|3.5|C}}. Annual precipitation ranges from an annual mean of {{Convert|850|mm|in}} in the west end to {{Convert|2000|mm|in}} in the eastern end of the Fraser Valley and at higher elevations. Maximum precipitation occurs as rain in winter. Less than ten percent falls as snow at sea level but the amount of snowfall increases significantly with elevation.<ref name="EC196" />

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
| title = Core area{{efn|Combined population of the [[Metro Vancouver Regional District]] and the [[Fraser Valley Regional District]]|name=population}} population history
| type  = Canada
| align = right
| footnote = ''Source: [[Statistics Canada]]''<ref name="2021censusB"/><ref name="2021censusC"/><ref name="2016censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=27 October 2021 |title=Census Profile, 2016 Census Greater Vancouver, Regional district [Census division], British Columbia and British Columbia [Province] |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=5915&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&SearchText=Greater%20Vancouver&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=5915&TABID=1&type=0 |access-date=13 November 2022 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca |archive-date=14 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114021415/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=5915&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&SearchText=Greater%20Vancouver&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=5915&TABID=1&type=0 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="2016censusC">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=27 October 2021 |title=Census Profile, 2016 Census Fraser Valley, Regional district [Census division], British Columbia and British Columbia [Province] |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=5909&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&SearchText=Fraser%20Valley&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=5909&TABID=1&type=0 |access-date=13 November 2022 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca |archive-date=28 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528030708/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=5909&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&SearchText=Fraser%20Valley&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=5909&TABID=1&type=0 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="2011censusD">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=31 May 2016 |title=2011 Census of Population Census Profile Greater Vancouver, RD British Columbia (Census division) |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=5915&Geo2=PR&Code2=01&Data=Count&SearchText=Greater%20Vancouver&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=5915&TABID=1 |access-date=13 November 2022 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca |archive-date=14 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114021402/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=5915&Geo2=PR&Code2=01&Data=Count&SearchText=Greater%20Vancouver&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=5915&TABID=1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="2011censusF">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=31 May 2016 |title=2011 Census of Population Census Profile Fraser Valley, RD British Columbia (Census division) |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=5909&Geo2=PR&Code2=01&Data=Count&SearchText=Fraser%20Valley&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=5909&TABID=1 |access-date=13 November 2022 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca |archive-date=28 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528030814/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=5909&Geo2=PR&Code2=01&Data=Count&SearchText=Fraser%20Valley&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=5909&TABID=1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="2006censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=20 August 2019 |title=2006 Community Profiles Greater Vancouver British Columbia (Regional district) |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=5915&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=Greater%20Vancouver&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=5915 |access-date=13 November 2022 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca |archive-date=28 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528030709/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=5915&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=Greater%20Vancouver&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=5915 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="2006censusC">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=20 August 2019 |title=2006 Community Profiles Fraser Valley British Columbia (Regional district) |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=5909&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=Fraser%20Valley&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=5909 |access-date=13 November 2022 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca |archive-date=14 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114021409/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=5909&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=Fraser%20Valley&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=5909 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="2001censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2 July 2019 |title=Community Highlights for Greater Vancouver Regional District |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/English/profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=5915&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=Greater%20Vancouver%20Regional%20District&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=5915 |access-date=13 November 2022 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca |archive-date=14 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114014651/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/English/profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=5915&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=Greater%20Vancouver%20Regional%20District&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=5915 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="2001censusC">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2 July 2019 |title=Community Highlights for Fraser Valley Regional District |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/English/profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=5909&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=Fraser%20Valley%20Regional%20District&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=5909 |access-date=13 November 2022 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca |archive-date=14 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114014650/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/English/profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=5909&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=Fraser%20Valley%20Regional%20District&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=5909 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Community Highlights for Fraser Valley Regional District |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=5909&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=fraser%20valley&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |access-date=31 January 2019 |archive-date=28 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528030818/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=5909&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=fraser%20valley&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 1971|1121018
| 1981|1309560
| 1986|1491580
| 1991|1733761
| [[Canada 1996 Census|1996]]|2054062
| [[Canada 2001 Census|2001]]|2224515
| [[Canada 2006 Census|2006]]|2373612
| [[Canada 2011 Census|2011]]|2590921
| [[Canada 2016 Census|2016]]|2759365
| [[Canada 2016 Census|2021]]|2966830
}}
===Population===
As of the 2021 census, the population of the Lower Mainland core area totals 2,966,830:
* 2,642,825 in [[Metro Vancouver Regional District]]<ref name="2021censusB"/>
* 324,005 in the [[Fraser Valley Regional District]]<ref name="2021censusC"/>

These figures are slightly inflated due to the inclusion of areas within the regional districts which are not normally considered to be part of the Lower Mainland, notably the lower [[Fraser Canyon]] and the heads of [[Harrison Lake|Harrison]] and [[Pitt Lake]]s, which are within the FVRD, and [[Lions Bay]] and [[Bowen Island]], which are within the Metro Vancouver Regional District.{{Cn|date=February 2025}}

===Ethnicity===
{{Pie chart
 | caption=[[Panethnicity|Panethnic]] breakdown of the Lower Mainland ([[Canada 2021 Census|2021 census]])<ref name=2021censusB/><ref name=2021censusC/>
 | label1 = European{{efn|name=euro}}
 | value1 = 45.72
 | color1 = white
 | label2 = East Asian{{efn|name=EastAsian}}
 | value2 = 21.02
 | color2 = yellow
 | label3 = South Asian
 | value3 = 14.46
 | color3 = blue
 | label4 = Southeast Asian{{efn|name=SoutheastAsian}}
 | value4 = 7.09
 | color4 = orange
 | label5 = Middle Eastern{{efn|name=MiddleEastern}}
 | value5 = 3.05
 | color5 = darkgreen
 | label6 = [[Indigenous peoples of Canada|Indigenous]]
 | value6 = 2.99
 | color6 = red
 | label7 = Latin American
 | value7 = 1.86
 | color7 = brown
 | label8 = African
 | value8 = 1.53
 | color8 = black
 | label9 = Other{{efn|name=Other}}
 | value9 = 2.32
 | color9 = grey
}}

The Lower Mainland is among the most [[Multiculturalism in Canada|multicultural]] and diverse regions in Canada. 

As of 2021, Europeans form a plurality with 1,337,105 persons or 45.7 percent of the total population, followed by East Asians with 614,860 persons or 21.0 percent and South Asians with 422,880 persons or 14.5 percent.
{| class="wikitable collapsible sortable"
|+ [[Panethnicity|Panethnic]] groups in the Lower Mainland (2001−2021)
! rowspan="2" |[[Panethnicity|Panethnic]]<br>group
! colspan="2" |2021<ref name=2021censusB/><ref name=2021censusC/>
! colspan="2" |2016<ref name=2016censusB/><ref name=2016censusC/>
! colspan="2" |2011<ref name=2011censusD/><ref name=2011censusF/>
! colspan="2" |2006<ref name=2006censusB/><ref name=2006censusC/>
! colspan="2" |2001<ref name=2001censusB/><ref name=2001censusC/>
|-
![[Population (human biology)|{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
| [[European Canadians|European]]{{efn|Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.|name=euro}}
| 1,337,105
| {{Percentage | 1337105 | 2924685 | 2 }}
| 1,387,125
| {{Percentage | 1387125 | 2715000 | 2 }}
| 1,403,525
| {{Percentage | 1403525 | 2552350 | 2 }}
| 1,381,770
| {{Percentage | 1381770 | 2351805 | 2 }}
| 1,397,990
| {{Percentage | 1397990 | 2201330 | 2 }}
|-
| [[East Asian Canadians|East Asian]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.|name=EastAsian}}
| 614,860
| {{Percentage | 614860 | 2924685 | 2 }}
| 564,445
| {{Percentage | 564445 | 2715000 | 2 }}
| 494,130
| {{Percentage | 494130 | 2552350 | 2 }}
| 458,165
| {{Percentage | 458165 | 2351805 | 2 }}
| 399,785
| {{Percentage | 399785 | 2201330 | 2 }}
|-
| [[South Asian Canadians|South Asian]]
| 422,880
| {{Percentage | 422880 | 2924685 | 2 }}
| 330,925
| {{Percentage | 330925 | 2715000 | 2 }}
| 285,780
| {{Percentage | 285780 | 2552350 | 2 }}
| 233,530
| {{Percentage | 233530 | 2351805 | 2 }}
| 183,660
| {{Percentage | 183660 | 2201330 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Southeast Asia|Southeast Asian]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.|name=SoutheastAsian}}
| 207,420
| {{Percentage | 207420 | 2924685 | 2 }}
| 173,060
| {{Percentage | 173060 | 2715000 | 2 }}
| 159,430
| {{Percentage | 159430 | 2552350 | 2 }}
| 115,185
| {{Percentage | 115185 | 2351805 | 2 }}
| 88,000
| {{Percentage | 88000 | 2201330 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Middle Eastern Canadians|Middle Eastern]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.|name=MiddleEastern}}
| 89,135
| {{Percentage | 89135 | 2924685 | 2 }}
| 63,300
| {{Percentage | 63300 | 2715000 | 2 }}
| 49,505
| {{Percentage | 49505 | 2552350 | 2 }}
| 36,085
| {{Percentage | 36085 | 2351805 | 2 }}
| 27,595
| {{Percentage | 27595 | 2201330 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Indigenous peoples in Canada|Indigenous]]
| 87,355
| {{Percentage | 87355 | 2924685 | 2 }}
| 83,660
| {{Percentage | 83660 | 2715000 | 2 }}
| 70,915
| {{Percentage | 70915 | 2552350 | 2 }}
| 54,845
| {{Percentage | 54845 | 2351805 | 2 }}
| 48,380
| {{Percentage | 48380 | 2201330 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Latin American Canadians|Latin American]]
| 54,545
| {{Percentage | 54545 | 2924685 | 2 }}
| 36,855
| {{Percentage | 36855 | 2715000 | 2 }}
| 30,510
| {{Percentage | 30510 | 2552350 | 2 }}
| 24,480
| {{Percentage | 24480 | 2351805 | 2 }}
| 20,040
| {{Percentage | 20040 | 2201330 | 2 }}
|-
| [[African-Canadian|African]]
| 44,700
| {{Percentage | 44700 | 2924685 | 2 }}
| 32,325
| {{Percentage | 32325 | 2715000 | 2 }}
| 25,385
| {{Percentage | 25385 | 2552350 | 2 }}
| 21,945
| {{Percentage | 21945 | 2351805 | 2 }}
| 19,320
| {{Percentage | 19320 | 2201330 | 2 }}
|-
| Other/[[Multiracial people|multiracial]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority, {{abbr|n.i.e.|not included elsewhere}}" and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.|name=Other}}
| 67,755
| {{Percentage | 67755 | 2924685 | 2 }}
| 43,295
| {{Percentage | 43295 | 2715000 | 2 }}
| 33,165
| {{Percentage | 33165 | 2552350 | 2 }}
| 25,815
| {{Percentage | 25815 | 2351805 | 2 }}
| 16,565
| {{Percentage | 16565 | 2201330 | 2 }}
|- class="sortbottom"
! Total responses
! 2,924,685
! {{Percentage | 2924685 | 2966830 | 2 }}
! 2,715,000
! {{Percentage | 2715000 | 2759365 | 2 }}
! 2,552,350
! {{Percentage | 2552350 | 2590921 | 2 }}
! 2,351,805
! {{Percentage | 2351805 | 2373612 | 2 }}
! 2,201,330
! {{Percentage | 2201330 | 2224515 | 2 }}
|- class="sortbottom"
! Total population{{efn|name=population}}
! 2,966,830
! {{Percentage | 2966830 | 2966830 | 2 }}
! 2,759,365
! {{Percentage | 2759365 | 2759365 | 2 }}
! 2,590,921
! {{Percentage | 2590921 | 2590921 | 2 }}
! 2,373,612
! {{Percentage | 2373612 | 2373612 | 2 }}
! 2,224,515
! {{Percentage | 2224515 | 2224515 | 2 }}
|- class="sortbottom"
| colspan="11" | {{Small|Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses.}} 
|}
[[File:Ethnic origins of Lower Mainland (2021).jpg|thumb|left|Largest ethnic origin by census tract, 2021 census]]
{{clear}}

===Religion===
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in the Lower Mainland (2021)<ref name="2021censusB"/><ref name="2021censusC"/>
|label1 = [[Irreligion in Canada|Irreligious]]
|value1 = 46.56
|color1 = Grey
|label2 = [[Christianity in Canada|Christian]]
|value2 = 33.82
|color2 = white
|label3 = [[Sikhism in Canada|Sikh]]
|value3 = 9.09
|color3 = blue
|label4 = [[Islam in Canada|Muslim]]
|value4 = 3.89
|color4 = Green
|label5 = [[Buddhism in Canada|Buddhist]]
|value5 = 2.48
|color5 = Gold
|label6 = [[Hinduism in Canada|Hindu]]
|value6 = 2.43
|color6 = DarkOrange
|label7 = [[Judaism in Canada|Jewish]]
|value7 = 0.7
|color7 = Blue
|label8 = [[Religion in Canada|Other]]
|value8 = 1.02
|color8 = Black
}}
The Lower Mainland includes large irreligious, Christian, and Sikh communities. The Sikh population, numbering over 265,000 persons or 9.1 percent of the total population is statistically significant across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley; proportionally, it is more than four times the national average of 2.1 percent.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Religious groups in the Lower Mainland (2001−2021)
! rowspan="2" |[[Religion in Canada|Religious]]<br>group
! colspan="2" |2021<ref name="2021censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=26 October 2022 |title=Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population Profile table Greater Vancouver, Regional district British Columbia [Census division] |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=Greater%20Vancouver&DGUIDlist=2021A00035915&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0 |access-date=13 November 2022 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca |archive-date=14 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114014646/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=Greater%20Vancouver&DGUIDlist=2021A00035915&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="2021censusC">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=26 October 2022 |title=Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population Profile table Fraser Valley, Regional district British Columbia [Census division] |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=Fraser%20Valley&DGUIDlist=2021A00035909&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0 |access-date=13 November 2022 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca |archive-date=14 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114014650/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=Fraser%20Valley&DGUIDlist=2021A00035909&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0 |url-status=live }}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2011<ref name="2011censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=27 November 2015 |title=NHS Profile, Greater Vancouver, RD, British Columbia, 2011 |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=5915&Data=Count&SearchText=Greater%20Vancouver&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&A1=All&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=5915&TABID=1 |access-date=13 November 2022 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca |archive-date=14 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114014652/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=5915&Data=Count&SearchText=Greater%20Vancouver&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&A1=All&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=5915&TABID=1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="2011censusC">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=27 November 2015 |title=NHS Profile, Fraser Valley, RD, British Columbia, 2011 |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=5909&Data=Count&SearchText=Fraser%20Valley&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&A1=All&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=5909&TABID=1 |access-date=13 November 2022 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca |archive-date=14 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114014646/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=5909&Data=Count&SearchText=Fraser%20Valley&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&A1=All&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=5909&TABID=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2001<ref name="2001censusB"/><ref name="2001censusC"/>
|-
![[Population (human biology)|{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
| [[Irreligion in Canada|Irreligion]]
| 1,361,800
| {{Percentage | 1361800 | 2924685 | 2 }}
| 1,042,815
| {{Percentage | 1042815 | 2552350 | 2 }}
| 758,130
| {{Percentage | 758130 | 2201325 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Christianity in Canada|Christianity]]
| 989,105
| {{Percentage | 989105 | 2924685 | 2 }}
| 1,088,160
| {{Percentage | 1088160 | 2552350 | 2 }}
| 1,138,505
| {{Percentage | 1138505 | 2201325 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Sikhism in Canada|Sikhism]]
| 265,870
| {{Percentage | 265870 | 2924685 | 2 }}
| 184,810
| {{Percentage | 184810 | 2552350 | 2 }}
| 116,110
| {{Percentage | 116110 | 2201325 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Islam in Canada|Islam]]
| 113,880
| {{Percentage | 113880 | 2924685 | 2 }}
| 74,320
| {{Percentage | 74320 | 2552350 | 2 }}
| 53,225
| {{Percentage | 53225 | 2201325 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Buddhism in Canada|Buddhism]]
| 72,595
| {{Percentage | 72595 | 2924685 | 2 }}
| 79,680
| {{Percentage | 79680 | 2552350 | 2 }}
| 76,140
| {{Percentage | 76140 | 2201325 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Hinduism in Canada|Hinduism]]
| 71,210
| {{Percentage | 71210 | 2924685 | 2 }}
| 42,205
| {{Percentage | 42205 | 2552350 | 2 }}
| 28,440
| {{Percentage | 28440 | 2201325 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Judaism in Canada|Judaism]]
| 20,430
| {{Percentage | 20430 | 2924685 | 2 }}
| 19,125
| {{Percentage | 19125 | 2552350 | 2 }}
| 17,555
| {{Percentage | 17555 | 2201325 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Mythologies of the indigenous peoples of the Americas|Indigenous spirituality]]
| 2,895
| {{Percentage | 2895 | 2924685 | 2 }}
| 2,590
| {{Percentage | 2590 | 2552350 | 2 }}
| 2,225
| {{Percentage | 2225 | 2201325 | 2 }}
|-
| Other
| 26,900
| {{Percentage | 26900 | 2924685 | 2 }}
| 18,640
| {{Percentage | 18640 | 2552350 | 2 }}
| 11,015
| {{Percentage | 11015 | 2201325 | 2 }}
|-
! Total responses
! 2,924,685
! {{Percentage | 2924685 | 2966830 | 2 }}
! 2,552,350
! {{Percentage | 2552350 | 2590921 | 2 }}
! 2,201,325
! {{Percentage | 2201325 | 2224515 | 2 }}
|-
! Total population{{efn|Combined population of the [[Metro Vancouver Regional District]] and the [[Fraser Valley Regional District]]|name=population}}
! 2,966,830
! {{Percentage | 2966830 | 2966830 | 2 }}
! 2,590,921
! {{Percentage | 2590921 | 2590921 | 2 }}
! 2,224,515
! {{Percentage | 2224515 | 2224515 | 2 }}
|}

===Language===
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break|width=33%}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Knowledge of language (2016−2021)
! rowspan="2" | Language
! colspan="2" |[[2021 Canadian census|2021]]<ref name="2021censusB"/><ref name="2021censusC"/>
! colspan="2" |[[2016 Canadian census|2016]]<ref name="2016censusB"/><ref name="2016censusC"/>
|-
![[Population (human biology)|{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
|[[English language|English]]
| 2,772,150
| {{Percentage | 2772150 | 2924680 | 2 }}
| 2,569,215
| {{Percentage | 2569215 | 2714995 | 2 }}
|-
|[[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]]
| 295,400
| {{Percentage | 295400 | 2924680 | 2 }}
| 252,260
| {{Percentage | 252260 | 2714995 | 2 }}
|-
|[[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]
| 286,270
| {{Percentage | 286270 | 2924680 | 2 }}
| 223,510
| {{Percentage | 223510 | 2714995 | 2 }}
|-
|[[Cantonese]]
| 235,220
| {{Percentage | 235220 | 2924680 | 2 }}
| 224,655
| {{Percentage | 224655 | 2714995 | 2 }}
|-
|[[French language|French]]
| 185,330
| {{Percentage | 185330 | 2924680 | 2 }}
| 185,420
| {{Percentage | 185420 | 2714995 | 2 }}
|-
|[[Tagalog language|Tagalog]]
| 113,205
| {{Percentage | 113205 | 2924680 | 2 }}
| 98,395
| {{Percentage | 98395 | 2714995 | 2 }}
|-
|[[Hindi]]
| 119,435
| {{Percentage | 119435 | 2924680 | 2 }}
| 75,125
| {{Percentage | 75125 | 2714995 | 2 }}
|-
|[[Spanish language|Spanish]]
| 100,355
| {{Percentage | 100355 | 2924680 | 2 }}
| 79,885
| {{Percentage | 79885 | 2714995 | 2 }}
|-
|[[Korean language|Korean]]
| 63,335
| {{Percentage | 63335 | 2924680 | 2 }}
| 52,650
| {{Percentage | 52650 | 2714995 | 2 }}
|-
|[[German language|German]]
| 43,490
| {{Percentage | 43490 | 2924680 | 2 }}
| 47,825
| {{Percentage | 47825 | 2714995 | 2 }}
|-
! Total responses
! 2,924,680
! {{Percentage | 2924680 | 2966830 | 2 }}
! 2,714,995
! {{Percentage | 2714995 | 2759365 | 2 }}
|-
! Total population{{efn|name=population}}
! 2,966,830
! {{Percentage | 2966830 | 2966830 | 2 }}
! 2,759,365
! {{Percentage | 2759365 | 2759365 | 2 }}
|}
{{Col-break|width=33%}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+[[First language|Mother tongue]] (2016−2021)
! rowspan="2" | Language
! colspan="2" |[[2021 Canadian census|2021]]<ref name="2021censusB"/><ref name="2021censusC"/>
! colspan="2" |[[2016 Canadian census|2016]]<ref name="2016censusB"/><ref name="2016censusC"/>
|-
![[Population (human biology)|{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
|[[English language|English]]
| 1,576,995
| {{Percentage | 1576995 | 2939500 | 2 }}
| 1,537,875
| {{Percentage | 1537875 | 2731255 | 2 }}
|-
|[[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]
| 219,015
| {{Percentage | 219015 | 2939500 | 2 }}
| 182,050
| {{Percentage | 182050 | 2731255 | 2 }}
|-
|[[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]]
| 193,190
| {{Percentage | 193190 | 2939500 | 2 }}
| 176,435
| {{Percentage | 176435 | 2731255 | 2 }}
|-
|[[Cantonese]]
| 183,860
| {{Percentage | 183860 | 2939500 | 2 }}
| 185,135
| {{Percentage | 185135 | 2731255 | 2 }}
|-
|[[Tagalog language|Tagalog]]
| 69,895
| {{Percentage | 69895 | 2939500 | 2 }}
| 68,240
| {{Percentage | 68240 | 2731255 | 2 }}
|-
|[[Persian language|Persian]]
| 54,985
| {{Percentage | 54985 | 2939500 | 2 }}
| 41,645
| {{Percentage | 41645 | 2731255 | 2 }}
|-
|[[Korean language|Korean]]
| 54,385
| {{Percentage | 54385 | 2939500 | 2 }}
| 47,715
| {{Percentage | 47715 | 2731255 | 2 }}
|-
|[[Spanish language|Spanish]]
| 49,255
| {{Percentage | 49255 | 2939500 | 2 }}
| 38,705
| {{Percentage | 38705 | 2731255 | 2 }}
|-
|[[French language|French]]
| 27,280
| {{Percentage | 27280 | 2939500 | 2 }}
| 27,820
| {{Percentage | 27820 | 2731255 | 2 }}
|-
|[[German language|German]]
| 24,795
| {{Percentage | 24795 | 2939500 | 2 }}
| 32,210
| {{Percentage | 32210 | 2731255 | 2 }}
|-
! Total responses
! 2,939,500
! {{Percentage | 2939500 | 2966830 | 2 }}
! 2,731,255
! {{Percentage | 2731255 | 2759365 | 2 }}
|-
! Total population{{efn|name=population}}
! 2,966,830
! {{Percentage | 2966830 | 2966830 | 2 }}
! 2,759,365
! {{Percentage | 2759365 | 2759365 | 2 }}
|}
{{Col-end}}

==Regional districts==
{{Unreferenced section|date=February 2025}}
[[Regional district]]s were first created across British Columbia from 1966 to 1967 to form bodies for inter-municipal coordination and to extend municipal-level powers to areas outside existing municipalities. Today, the Lower Mainland includes two regional districts: the [[Metro Vancouver Regional District]] (MVRD) and the [[Fraser Valley Regional District]] (FVRD). Both regional districts, however, include areas outside the traditional limits of the Lower Mainland. Metro Vancouver includes areas like Surrey and Langley that are geographically in the [[Fraser Valley]].

The Metro Vancouver Regional District is made up of 21 municipalities. The MVRD is bordered on the west by the Strait of Georgia, to the north by the [[Squamish-Lillooet Regional District]], on the east by the Fraser Valley Regional District, and to the south by [[Whatcom County, Washington]], in the [[United States]].

The Fraser Valley Regional District lies east of the Metro Vancouver Regional District, and comprises the cities of [[Abbotsford, British Columbia|Abbotsford]] and [[Chilliwack]], the [[District municipality|district municipalities]] of [[Mission, British Columbia|Mission]], [[Agassiz, British Columbia|Kent]], and [[Hope, British Columbia|Hope]], and the village of [[Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia|Harrison Hot Springs]]. It also includes many unincorporated areas in the Fraser Valley and along the west side of the [[Fraser Canyon]] (the Fraser Canyon is not in the Lower Mainland).

Regional district powers are very limited and other localized provincial government services are delivered through other regionalization systems.

==Indigenous territories==
{{unreferenced section|date=December 2024}} 
The region was historically occupied by the [[Musqueam]] and [[Tsleil-Waututh First Nation|Tsleil'waututh]], and the southern portion was historically occupied by the [[Squamish people|Squamish]]. Its claims overlap those of the Tsleil-waututh, Musqueam, and Kwikwetlem. Other peoples who historically occupied the region are the [[Sto:lo]], [[Sts'Ailes|Chehalis]], [[Katzie First Nation|Katzie]], [[Kwantlen First Nation|Kwantlen]], [[Tsawwassen First Nation|Tsawwassen]], and [[Semiahmoo First Nation|Semiahmoo]]; many of their territories overlap with those of the Musqueam, and with each other. Many other peoples of the [[Georgia Strait]] region also frequented the lower Fraser, including those from Vancouver Island and what is now [[Whatcom County, Washington]]. Sto:lo "traditional territory", known as ''Solh Temexw'' in [[Halkomelem]], roughly coincides with the Lower Mainland, except for the inclusion of [[Port Douglas, British Columbia|Port Douglas]] at the head of Harrison Lake, which is in [[In-SHUCK-ch]] territory, and the lands around Burrard Inlet.

==Health regions==
Health system services and governance in the Lower Mainland are provided by [[Vancouver Coastal Health]], serving Vancouver, Richmond and the North Shore, and the mainland coast as far north as the [[British Columbia Coast|Central Coast]] region, and [[Fraser Health]], which serves the area of the Lower Mainland east of Vancouver and Richmond.<ref>BC Ministry of Health. [http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/socsec/provmap.html British Columbia Health Authorities: Maps] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705014605/http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/socsec/provmap.html |date=5 July 2011}}. Retrieved on: 10 July 2011.</ref>

==Natural threats==

===Flooding===
The Lower Mainland is considered to have a high vulnerability to flood risk. There have been two major region-wide floods in [[Fraser River#1894 flood|1894]] and [[Fraser River flood of 1948|1948]], both associated with an extreme [[Freshet|spring freshet]] of the [[Fraser River]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Flood History|publisher=Flood Wise|url=https://floodwise.ca/flood-101/flood-history/|quote=The Lower Mainland has experienced two major Fraser River floods in just the past 130 years. The largest flood on written record was in 1894, and the second largest was in 1948. Earlier large-scale floods are also part of the oral history of Coast Salish First Nations.|access-date=29 November 2021|archive-date=30 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130011811/https://floodwise.ca/flood-101/flood-history/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=From the Archives: The 1894 and 1948 Fraser Valley floods|publisher=Vancouver Sun|url=https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/from-the-archives-the-1894-and-1948-fraser-valley-floods|date=17 November 2021|access-date=29 November 2021|archive-date=30 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130013714/https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/from-the-archives-the-1894-and-1948-fraser-valley-floods|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=This Week in History: 1894 & 1948 The Fraser Valley is inundated in a great flood|publisher=Vancouver Sun|url=https://vancouversun.com/news/this-week-in-history-1894-1948-the-fraser-valley-is-inundated-in-a-great-flood|date=19 November 2021|access-date=29 November 2021|archive-date=30 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130011810/https://vancouversun.com/news/this-week-in-history-1894-1948-the-fraser-valley-is-inundated-in-a-great-flood|url-status=live}}</ref> Other major floods in the Lower Mainland{{Snd}}including June 1972,<ref>{{cite web|title=Flooding events in Canada: British Columbia|publisher=Government of Canada|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/water-overview/quantity/floods/events-british-columbia.html|quote=On June 16, the lower Fraser peaked at Hope, with a maximum instantaneous flow of 3400 cubic metres per second and a maximum elevation of 7.1 metres, well above the danger level of 6.1 metres.|date=2 December 2010|access-date=29 November 2021|archive-date=30 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130011813/https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/water-overview/quantity/floods/events-british-columbia.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=River flooding part of Hope history|publisher=Hope Standard|url=https://www.hopestandard.com/community/river-flooding-part-of-hope-history/|quote=In 1972, the Fraser River again experienced record flood waters – the second highest in recorded times with a discharge of 12,900 cubic metres per second and a maximum height of 10.141 meters at Hope on June 16. Wardle Street and part of Seventh Avenue were submerged, and on Tom Berry Road 10 houses were flooded and families were forced to evacuate their properties. Pumps were brought in to remove water and residents were able to return home after approximately a week.|date=27 June 2012|access-date=29 November 2021|archive-date=30 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130011815/https://www.hopestandard.com/community/river-flooding-part-of-hope-history/|url-status=live}}</ref> November 1990,<ref>{{cite web|title=The Fraser River doesn't pose the only flood threat to Abbotsford|publisher=The Abbotsford News|url=https://www.abbynews.com/news/the-fraser-river-doesnt-pose-the-only-flood-threat-to-abbotsford/|quote=A Nooksack flood in 1990 swamped the Whatcom Road interchange and western portions of Sumas Prairie. Such a flood is expected to take place every 35 years or so. There are worries that a larger flood event would change the course of the river entirely, diverting it north into the channel of the much-smaller Sumas River.|date=17 May 2018|access-date=29 November 2021|archive-date=30 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130011811/https://www.abbynews.com/news/the-fraser-river-doesnt-pose-the-only-flood-threat-to-abbotsford/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Group tasked with preventing major Fraser Valley flood hasn't met in seven years|publisher=Today In BC|url=https://www.todayinbc.com/news/group-tasked-with-preventing-major-fraser-valley-flood-hasnt-met-in-seven-years/|quote=In 1990, the Nooksack River in northern Washington overflowed its banks, with its waters flooding over the border and into Sumas Prairie. The flood cut off Highway 1, and also inundated the towns of Everson and Sumas.|date=3 September 2018|access-date=29 November 2021|archive-date=30 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130011811/https://www.todayinbc.com/news/group-tasked-with-preventing-major-fraser-valley-flood-hasnt-met-in-seven-years/|url-status=live}}</ref> and November 2021{{Snd}}have been more localized, primarily impacting areas in the Fraser Valley like the [[Sumas Prairie]], with comparatively minor impacts to Metro Vancouver. Prior to the 2021 flood, according to the Fraser Basin Council, scientists predicted a one-in-three chance of a similar-sized flood occurring in the next 50 years.<ref>{{cite web |title=Flood Hazard Management on the Fraser River |publisher=Fraser Basin Council |url=http://www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/programs/flood.html#risk |access-date=18 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626142044/http://www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/programs/flood.html#risk |archive-date=26 June 2008}}</ref>

In the second quarter of 2007, the Lower Mainland was on high alert for flooding. Higher than normal snow packs in the [[British Columbia Interior]] prompted municipal governments to start taking emergency measures in the region. [[Dike (construction)|Dikes]] along the Fraser River are regulated to handle approximately {{Convert|8.5|m}} at the Mission Gauge (the height above sea level of the dykes at Mission). Warmer than normal weather in the province's Interior region caused large amounts of snow to melt prematurely, resulting in higher-than-normal water levels, which, nevertheless, remained well below flood levels.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fraser Valley prepares for possible flooding |publisher=CBC News |date=5 June 2007 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/fraser-valley-prepares-for-possible-flooding-1.648037 |access-date=24 June 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070709215645/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/fraser-valley-prepares-for-possible-flooding-1.648037 |archive-date=9 July 2007}}</ref><ref>Nguyen, Linda (7 June 2007). [http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/story.html?id=570b533b-65a6-438c-813a-04f5a4c4ec89 Lower Mainland at flood risk for weeks yet] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626080216/http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/story.html?id=570b533b-65a6-438c-813a-04f5a4c4ec89 |date=26 June 2007}}. ''Vancouver Sun.'' Retrieved on: 18 June 2008.</ref>

Flooding can cover much of the Lower Mainland. [[Cloverdale, Surrey|Cloverdale]], [[Barnston Island]], low-lying areas of [[Maple Ridge, British Columbia|Maple Ridge]], areas west of [[Hope, British Columbia|Hope]], [[White Rock, British Columbia|White Rock]], [[Richmond, British Columbia|Richmond]], parts of [[Vancouver]], and parts of [[Surrey, British Columbia|Surrey]] are potentially at risk. In 2007, the Lower Mainland was largely spared, although northern regions of the province, along the [[Skeena River|Skeena]] and [[Nechako River|Nechako]] Rivers, experienced floods. [[Climatology|Climate scientists]] predict that increasing temperatures will mean wetter winters and more snow at the high elevations. This will increase the likelihood of snowmelt floods.<ref>{{cite news |last=Drake |first=Laura |title=Flooding in future may be more frequent, scientists say |newspaper=Globe and Mail |date=16 June 2007 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070616.BCFLOOD16/TPStory/TPNational/BritishColumbia/  | access-date=24 June 2007}}</ref>

The provincial government maintains an integrated flood hazard management program and extensive flood protection infrastructure in the Lower Mainland. The infrastructure consists of dikes, [[pump station]]s, floodboxes, [[riprap]], and [[relief well]]s.<ref>{{cite web |author=Ministry of Environment |title=Lower Mainland Dike and Emergency Maps |url=http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/public_safety/flood/maps.html#emergmaps |access-date=24 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070620191654/http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/public_safety/flood/maps.html#emergmaps |archive-date=20 June 2007}}</ref>

===Earthquakes===
While [[earthquake]]s are common in British Columbia and adjacent coastal waters, most are minor in energy release or are sufficiently remote to have little effect on populated areas. Nevertheless, earthquakes with a magnitude of up to 7.3 have occurred within {{Convert|150|km}} of the Lower Mainland.

Based on geological evidence, however, stronger earthquakes appear to have occurred at approximately 600-year intervals. Therefore, there is a probability that there will be a major earthquake in the region within the next 200 years.<ref name="eqplan">British Columbia. Provincial Emergency Program. (1999). [http://www.pep.bc.ca/hazard_plans/eqplan99/eqplan99-x2.html British Columbia Earthquake Response Plan, Appendix 2-The Earthquake Threat] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081113110254/http://www.pep.bc.ca/hazard_plans/eqplan99/eqplan99-x2.html |date=13 November 2008}}. {{ISBN|0-7726-3924-8}}. Retrieved on: 7 April 2008.</ref>

In April 2008, the [[United States Geological Survey]] released information concerning a newly found [[Fault (geology)|fault]] south of downtown [[Abbotsford, British Columbia|Abbotsford]], called the Boulder Creek Fault. Scientists now believe this fault is [[Active fault|active]] and capable of producing earthquakes in the 6.8 magnitude range.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120903164840/http://www.mcclatchydc.com/science/v-print/story/34512.html McClatchy Washington Bureau]. Earthquake risk. Retrieved on 12 May 2009.</ref>

===Volcanoes===
Much of the Lower Mainland is vulnerable to [[explosive eruption]]s from the [[Garibaldi Volcanic Belt]]. Volcanoes in this zone are capable of producing large quantities of [[volcanic ash]] that may cause short and long term water supply problems for Lower Mainland communities.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Natural Resources Canada]] |url=http://gsc.nrcan.gc.ca/volcanoes/cat/feature_garibaldi_e.php |title=Garibaldi volcanic belt: Garibaldi Lake volcanic field |work=Catalogue of Canadian volcanoes |date=1 April 2009 |access-date=26 May 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513070258/http://gsc.nrcan.gc.ca/volcanoes/cat/feature_garibaldi_e.php |archive-date=13 May 2008}}</ref> All airports covered by the accompanying [[eruption column]] would be closed, heavy [[pyroclastic fall|ash falls]] would damage electrical equipment and weak structures could collapse under the weight of the ash.<ref>{{citation |last1=V. Stasiuk |first1=Mark |last2=J. Hickson |first2=Catherine |author-link2=Catherine Hickson |last3=Mulder |first3=Taimi |journal=Natural Hazards |title=The Vulnerability of Canada to Volcanic Hazards |publisher=[[Kluwer Academic Publishers]] |volume=28 |page=580 |year=2003 |issue=2/3 |doi=10.1023/A:1022954829974 |bibcode=2003NatHa..28..563S |s2cid=129461798 |issn=0921-030X}}</ref>

==Communities==
The Lower Mainland's communities includes large cities in Metro Vancouver, and smaller cities, towns and villages along both banks of the Fraser River. Neighbourhoods within cities are not listed unless historically or otherwise notable and/or separate. Only some of the many Indian Reserves are listed.

===Upper Fraser Valley===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Agassiz, British Columbia|Agassiz]]
* [[Bridal Falls, British Columbia|Bridal Falls]]
* [[Chehalis, British Columbia|Chehalis]]
* [[Greendale, British Columbia|Greendale]]
* [[Lake Errock, British Columbia|Lake Errock]]
* [[Kent, British Columbia|Kent]]
* [[Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia|Harrison Hot Springs]]
* [[Harrison Mills, British Columbia|Harrison Mills]]
* [[Hope, British Columbia|Hope]]
* [[Flood, British Columbia|Flood]]
* [[Laidlaw, British Columbia|Laidlaw]]
* [[Popkum, British Columbia|Popkum]]
* [[Rosedale, British Columbia|Rosedale]]
* [[Ruby Creek, British Columbia|Ruby Creek]]


{{div col end}}

===Central Fraser Valley===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Abbotsford, British Columbia|Abbotsford]]
* [[Bradner, British Columbia|Bradner]]
* [[Chilliwack]]
* [[Clayburn, British Columbia|Clayburn]]
* [[Clearbrook, British Columbia|Clearbrook]]
* [[Cultus Lake, British Columbia|Cultus Lake]]
* [[Deroche, British Columbia|Deroche]]
* [[Dewdney, British Columbia|Dewdney]]
* [[Durieu, British Columbia|Durieu]]
* [[Hatzic, British Columbia|Hatzic]]
* [[Huntingdon, British Columbia|Huntingdon]]
* [[Mission, British Columbia|Mission]]
* [[Mount Lehman, British Columbia|Mount Lehman]]
* [[Nicomen Island]]
* [[Ruskin, British Columbia|Ruskin]]
* [[Sardis, British Columbia|Sardis]]
* [[Silverdale, British Columbia|Silverdale]]
* [[Silverhill, British Columbia|Silverhill]]
* [[Stave Falls]]
* [[Steelhead, British Columbia|Steelhead]]
* [[Yarrow, British Columbia|Yarrow]]
{{div col end}}

===Metro Vancouver===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Albion, British Columbia|Albion]]
* [[Aldergrove, British Columbia|Aldergrove]]
* [[Anmore]]
* [[Annieville, British Columbia|Annieville]]
* [[Barnston Island]]
* [[Belcarra]]
* [[Boundary Bay, British Columbia|Boundary Bay]]
* [[Bridgeport, British Columbia|Bridgeport]]
* [[Brighouse, British Columbia|Brighouse]]
* [[Burnaby]]
* [[Burquitlam, British Columbia|Burquitlam]]
* [[Cloverdale, British Columbia|Cloverdale]]
* [[Coquitlam]]
* [[Crescent Beach, British Columbia|Crescent Beach]]
* [[Derby, British Columbia|Derby]] ("Old Derby")
* [[Douglas, British Columbia|Douglas]]
* [[Delta, British Columbia|Delta]]
* [[Fort Langley]]
* [[Haney, British Columbia|Haney]]
* [[Kanaka Creek, British Columbia|Kanaka Creek]]
* [[Langley, British Columbia (city)|Langley City]]
* [[Langley, British Columbia (district municipality)|Langley District]]
* [[Lions Bay]]
* [[Maillardville]]
* [[Maple Ridge, British Columbia|Maple Ridge]]
* [[New Westminster]]
* [[Newton, British Columbia|Newton]]
* [[North Vancouver (city)|North Vancouver City]]
* [[North Vancouver (district municipality)|North Vancouver District]]
* [[Pitt Meadows]]
* [[Port Coquitlam]]
* [[Port Hammond]] (Hammond)
* [[Port Kells]]
* [[Port Moody]]
* [[Queensborough, British Columbia|Queensborough]]
* [[Richmond, British Columbia|Richmond]]
* [[Sapperton, New Westminster|Sapperton]]
* [[Sea Island (British Columbia)|Sea Island]]
* [[Scottsdale, British Columbia|Scottsdale]]
* [[Steveston, British Columbia|Steveston]]
* [[Surrey, British Columbia|Surrey]]
* [[Tsawwassen]] (neighbourhood)
* [[Tsawwassen First Nation]]
* [[University of British Columbia Vancouver|UBC Vancouver]]
* [[University Endowment Lands]]
* [[Vancouver]]
* [[West Vancouver]]
* [[Whalley, Surrey|Whalley]]
* [[White Rock, British Columbia|White Rock]]
* [[Whonnock]]
* [[Yennadon, British Columbia|Yennadon]]
{{div col end}}

==See also==
* [[Fraser Lowland]]
* [[List of provincial parks of the Lower Mainland]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Wikivoyage-inline|Lower Mainland}}

{{Subdivisions of British Columbia|regions=yes|state=expanded}}
{{Portal bar|Pacific Northwest|Canada}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Lower Mainland| ]]
[[Category:South Coast of British Columbia]]
[[Category:Geography of Vancouver]]