About Vernon

Vernon is the commercial hub of the North Okanagan region of the Southern Interior of B.C. It’s  nestled in the grassland hills and surrounded by three lakes, Okanagan, Kalamalka, and Swan lakes. Vancouver is approximately four-and-a-half hours west by car, and the US border at Washington State is three hours south.   

Vernon proper has a population of 44,000. Greater Vernon, which encompasses the communities of Coldstream, Armstrong, Spallumcheen, Enderby and Lumby, has a population of 66,000.  

The region was originally home to the Okanagan people, a tribe of the Interior Salish. A fur trader settlement began in 1863, and a nearby gold discovery also brought new inhabitants. Vernon’s growth accelerated beginning in 1891, after the Canadian Pacific Railway reached the area. A year later, the City of Vernon was incorporated.

Historically a major economic destination in the Okanagan, Vernon was home to many cattle ranches and fruit orchard areas, and attracted many British families. Today, Vernon is a tourist destination known for its lakes and beaches in the summer, and skiing and hockey in the winter.

Vernon has a humid continental climate with warm, sometimes hot summers and cold winters with highs around freezing, though mild by Canadian standards.

Vernon Real Estate Highlights

The average sold price for single family homes in Vernon and the North Okanagan increased 11.49 percent compared to 2019, moving from $523,152 to $583,256 in 2020. The median price was $530,000, according to figures from the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board.

Demographics

The age breakdown of residents in the Vernon census area includes 26.3 percent who are 65 or older and 60.3 percent between the ages of 15 and 64.

Employment is generated from the professional services sector, forestry and agriculture, tourism, technology, manufacturing, retail and service sectors.

Amenities in Vernon

Schools

Vernon is served by a school district that includes 14 elementary schools and 5 high schools. Independent schools include the Vernon Christian School. For post-secondary education,  Okanagan College is a multi-campus full-degree-granting college. 

Parks, Sports & Recreation

The Vernon area is home to several golf courses, including Predator Ridge Resort, a 36-hole golf resort and community.

Skiing is also popular, with winter sports enthusiasts flocking to two major nearby resorts: Silver Star and Sovereign Lake Nordic Club. One of the top ski resorts in North America, Silver Star also has a large cross-country skiing area. Sovereign Lake is the region's premier cross-country skiing location with over 50 kilometers of skiing terrain.

Kalamalka Beach (Kal Beach) is the most popular of the many beaches in and around Vernon. Kin Beach and Paddle Wheel Park Beach on Okanagan Lake are also among the 20 or so larger beaches in Vernon.

Areas for mountain biking include Ellison Provincial Park and Kalamalka Lake Park, along with  Sovereign Lake, Predator Ridge and Silver Star. Ellison, about 15–20 minutes out of South Vernon, also hosts cliff jumpers and campers. Cougar Canyon is both a popular rock climbing site and an ecological preserve.

An indoor swimming pool at the Vernon Recreation Centre offers lessons and drop-in swimming.  The area is also home to the Greater Vernon Athletics Park, a track and field facility with natural and artificial turf and spectator seating for events including football and soccer.  

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Each winter, Vernon plays host to the Vernon Winter Carnival. First held in 1961, it has become Western Canada's largest winter carnival.

Cultural and educational facilities include the Vernon Public Art Gallery, the Greater Vernon Museum & Archive, the Okanagan Science Centre, the Vernon Library, and O'Keefe Ranch.

Vernon is also home to the state-of-the-art Vernon and District Performing Arts Center. The Center hosts dance, theatre, concerts, and community-based events.

A theatrical society presents plays in the 60-plus-year-old Powerhouse Theatre, which is housed in a former power station. The Art Deco-style Towne Cinema is home to the Vernon Film Society. The Vernon Community Arts Centre (VCAC) in Polson Park offers year-round programming for youth and adults such as art classes and workshops and independent study sessions.

Dining

Vernon’s picturesque downtown is made up primarily of locally owned and operated retail shops, restaurants and professional services. There are over 50 restaurants and 250 retail and service shops.

There are several tasting rooms in and around Vernon. The Vernon Tasting Trail offers a culinary tour of local wine, beer, mead, fine spirit, and food.

Vernon Real Estate Listings

Copyright © Real Estate Guide 2021 | Legal Sitemap
Area Modal Trigger
X