A former logging town and pit stop for travellers to Whistler, Squamish is coming into its own. Ambitious plans are underway to redevelop the city’s core and waterfront. The oceanfront lands were sold to Newport Beach Developments Limited Partnership on February 3, with a major mixed-use development including about 1,100 residential units scheduled to break ground later this year. Another 2,000 residential units could be built on another piece of land two kilometres from downtown Squamish.
Quest University, an independent, not-for-profit university that opened in 2007, has also added to the community’s allure.
Employment in Squamish is dominated by construction, retail and hospitality. Outdoor sports also contribute to the economy. The Chief, a popular peak for hikers and rock-climbers, dominates the Squamish landscape. Windsurfers and kite boarders from all corners of the world find their way to Squamish for the great wind and marine conditions. The community also offers access to extensive trail networks.
Squamish offers a huge range of real estate options, from studio condos starting at around $100,000 to 5,000+-square-foot homes for about $2 million. View Squamish homes for sale and upcoming open houses.
Squamish Amenities
Shopping
Squamish has developed as a key retail centre along the Sea to Sky Highway. A growing population and strong tourism traffic have boosted the appeal to retailers such as Walmart, Home Depot and Save-On Foods, while the shops along Cleveland Avenue provide small-town charm. On Saturdays from May to October, the Squamish farmers’ market offers local produce.
Cafés and Restaurants
Squamish offers plenty of restaurants, dominated by casual fare. Chef Big D’s is a favourite spot for breakfast and brunch, and the Howe Sound Brewing Company is known for its craft beer.
Arts and Culture
Squamish has an active arts scene headed up by the Squamish Arts Council, which manages the galleries at the Arts Council building and the Artisan Galleries on Main Street. The Squamish First Nation celebrates and promotes Indigenous art, dance and other cultural traditions dating back to the Coast Salish peoples.
Sports and Recreation
Squamish calls itself the “outdoor recreation capital of Canada,” and with good reason. The area draws rock-climbers from all over the world to its more than 1,500 climbing routes, including the legendary Stawamus Chief. Those who don't want to venture the sheer rock face can take one of the hiking trails (or snowshoe in the winter), or head out for a round of golf. Boating, kayaking, windsurfing, mountain biking, kite boarding and eagle watching are also popular. The new Sea to Sky Gondola opens up even more hiking and climbing possibilities.
Transportation
Squamish is connected to surrounding communities by the Sea to Sky Highway. BC Ferries offers services to the Gulf Islands, Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island from Horseshoe Bay, a 35-minute drive south, and Squamish has its own municipal airport and floatplane access for charter flights. Residents use the Squamish Transit System for local jaunts.
Squamish Schools and Education
Primary schools
- Squamish Elementary School (French immersion)
- Valleycliffe Elementary School
- Mamquam Elementary School
Middle school (Grades 7–9)
- Don Ross Middle School (French immersion)
Secondary school
- Howe Sound Secondary School (French immersion)
Post-secondary
Squamish Property Statistics
Average home price in downtown Squamish1 $530,166
Rental information2
Average monthly shelter costs for rental dwellings
$1,040
Makeup of dwellings3
Total occupied private dwellings
6,520
Single detached houses
49.3%
Semi-detached and row houses
21.9%
Duplexes
5.4%
Apartments, five or more storeys
0.9%
Apartments, less than five storeys
17.5%
Moveable dwellings
5.0%
Squamish Demographics3
Population 17,158
Age
80+
2.3%
60 to 79
12.0%
40 to 59
29.4%
20 to 39
30.7%
5 to 19
17.8%
0 to 4
7.8%
Neighbourhoods Surrounding Squamish
1REW.ca interactive map, incorporating data from the Chilliwack & District Real Estate Board, Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, and Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, March 2016. The number is exclusively based on listings in downtown Squamish.
2Statistics Canada. Squamish, DM, British Columbia (Code 5931006) (table). National Household Survey (NHS) Profile.2011 National Household Survey. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 99-004-XWE. Ottawa. Released September 11, 2013. The figure Includes all shelter expenses paid by households that rent their dwellings, such as the monthly rent and the costs of electricity, heat and municipal services.
3Statistics Canada. Squamish, British Columbia (Code 5931006) and Canada (Code 01) (table). Census Profile. 2011 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 98-316-XWE. Ottawa. Released October 24, 2012.
