Welcome to Vanderhoof

Vanderhoof is located in the geographical centre of the Province of British Columbia in Canada.  We are in the fertile Nechako Valley.  10 hour drive north of Vancouver.  1 hour west of Prince George.  Located at the junction of Highway 16 and 27.  This town is the central service area for a population of approximately 24,000. 

Population:  Our total population is about 5000 people.  The majority of the people are between 25 to 44 years of age.

Average home prices:  The average home price is approx.  $162,000.00

Industry:  The two main industries in Vanderhoof are Forestry and Agriculture.

        ---Forestry:  Forestry is the number one industry here.  There ae several mills operating in the area.  The Pine Beetle has done everything in it's power to shut us down but God continues to bless this town and the curse has become a blessing in some ways.  It has generated more work in the logging industry as we try to harvest the dead wood.

        ----Agriculture:  The second largest forage producing industry in B. C. is located here in the Nechako Valley.  Our hay is highly prized and sought after.  There are several local dairy producers as well as buffalo, ostrich, sheep and swine.

Tourism:  An estimated 400,000 tourists pass through Vanderhoof each year.  Travellers going west to Port Edward and Prince Rupert or to the Stewart Cassiar link to the Yukon all must pass through Vanderhoof as do the people travelling noth on Highway 27 to Fort St. James. 

History  In 1906 the Village of Vanderhoof was only a survey line in the wilderness to mark the location of the marked railway.  When the last spike was driven in on April 7th, 1914, it started a race for the land.  The Grand Trunk Pacific Development Company offered cheap land and had one of their employees, Mr. Herbert Vanderhoof lay out the townsite.  Vanderhoof is Dutch for "of the farm: which was very appropriate, since it was the first agricultural settlement in the province.  In 1926 the Village of Vanderhoof was born.  With the construction of the Kenney Dam in the early 1950's came a boost to the population and economy.  There was a large influx of American immigrants in the 1960's and since then we have enjoyed steady growth.

Religion:  We have the most churches per capita in the world I think.  I'm sure there should be one here that will suit you.  There is a large Mennonite community which is where a lot of our roots come from.  In all I would say we have a very family oriented town with good work ethics.

Climate:  Average monthyly temperature:  January -12.5 degrees celcius July +22.2   Average yearly precipitaion: 469.,1 mm,  Average rainfall: 292.5 cm  Average snowfall: 176.6 cm  Average number of frost free days:  53,   Elevation: 674 (2,211 ft) above sea level.