Marpole, Vancouver's southernmost neighbourhood, is one of Vancouver's oldest communities in fact, archaeologists have found evidence that Marpole was inhabited as far back as 3500 BCE.
When the first non-native settlers arrived in the 1860s, Marpole was named Eburne Station after Harry Eburne, the area's first storekeeper and postmaster. At that time, it was a small town separated from the rest of the city by miles of forest.
In the early 20th century, the construction of a railway and electric interurban train line was a boon for business in Marpole. Sawmills, shingle mills and gravel companies were built along the riverfront. In 1916, the neighbourhood was renamed for Richard Marpole, general superintendent of the Canadian Pacific Railway. In 1929, it amalgamated with the City of Vancouver.
Today, the high volume of traffic that passes along Marpole's busy thoroughfares helps keep Marpole's rental prices lower than the city's average, which attracts many students, seniors, newcomers and young families to the area. However, Marpole's average home price is about $1 million.
Marpole Amenities
Marpole Shopping
Shopping in Marpole is concentrated along the south end of Granville Street, where smaller stores predominate. There is a large Safeway grocery store just north of the foot of the Arthur Laing Bridge to Richmond.
Schools and Education in Marpole
Primary schools
- David Lloyd George Elementary School (homes for sale)
- Sir Wilfred Laurier Elementary School (homes for sale)
- Laurier Annex
- Dr. R. E. McKechnie Elementary School (homes for sale)
- J. W. Sexsmith Community School (homes for sale)
Marpole Cafés and Restaurants
White Spot, Vancouver's own popular chain of hamburger restaurants, opened its first location in Marpole in 1928. While the original building, located on 67th Avenue and Granville Street, closed permanently after a fire in 1988, a new location has since reopened on SW Marine Drive.
Marpole Sports and Recreation
Marpole is home to many city parks and park sites: Winona Park features three terraced fields for football, rugby and ultimate frisbee, not to mention a spectacular view of the Fraser River; Ebisu Park, named after the Japanese god of fishermen, includes a climbing rock and pinetum (17 pine trees); and Oak Park boasts basketball courts and a summertime water park. Plus, Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre Vancouver's oldest community centre was opened in 1949 and still offers a full recreational facility for Marpole's residents.
Marpole Transportation
Located on the north shore of the Fraser River, Marpole's boundaries are 57th Avenue to the north, Angus Drive to the west and Ontario Street to the east. With almost all TransLink buses going to the Lower Mainland's southern suburbs passing through Marpole, the neighbourhood is very well-served by public transit. Marpole also sits directly across from the Vancouver International Airport, located in Richmond, and boasts several Canada Line rapid-transit SkyTrain stations.
Marpole Property Statistics
Home prices* Houses $1,110,000 Townhouses $635,000 Apartments $339,000 Rentals** Average gross rent $933
*Source: Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, average sale prices in Marpole for 12 months ended November 3, 2010 **Source: City of Vancouver
Marpole Demographics
Population* 23,835 *Source: http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/Marpole-census-data.pdf
Age* 65+ 13.2% 40 to 64 39.6% 20 to 39 28.5% 19 and under 18.8%
*Source: http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/Marpole-census-data.pdf
Occupancy* Fully owned 10,075
*Source: City of Vancouver
Dwellings* Single-detached house 24.4% Semi-detached house 5.7% Detached duplex 10.2% Row House 4.9% Apartment, under five stories 52.5% Apartment, five or more stories 2.2% Rented Dwellings 56.4%
*Source: City of Vancouver
Neighbourhoods surrounding Marpole
- Kerrisdale
- Oakridge
- Sunset
