KITSILANO 4Th AVENUE NEIGHBOURHOOD Profile

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KITSILANO 4th AVENUE NEIGHBOURHOOD profile

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Fast Facts WHO LIVES IN Kitsilano? A highly educated and ethnically diverse community in the city of Vancouver, Kitsilano »» BIA size: 8 city blocks; residential area size is 1 3.17 sq. km. is home to young adults and the young at heart who enjoy a carefree lifestyle. Kitsilano residents are wealthier than average for the city of Vancouver and are less likely than »» 24,862 residents; 16,170 daytime employee base, their city and regional counterparts to have children. With more disposable income, they including 3,100 within the BIA. also spend proportionately more than their Vancouver or Metro Vancouver counterparts »» Population density per sq. km. is 79, as compared on non-essential items. with 48 for Vancouver and 7 for Metro Vancouver. Kitsilano is comprised of significantly more residents with British heritage than average »» Highly educated residential base (87% have some form of post-secondary education). for Vancouver. English is the dominant household language for area residents, followed by Chinese; however, many other languages are commonly heard in the area, including »» Residents are primarily employed in professional positions, with a high proportion in social German, Japanese, Greek and Spanish. science/education/ government/religion,” and Household sizes in the area are smaller than the city and the Metro Vancouver average, “art/culture recreation/sport”. with fewer married couples but more common-law couples. With more apartment-type »» Average household size: 1.6 people, as compared dwellings than average, Kitsilano has a lower percentage of homeowners than average. with 2.3 for Vancouver and 2.6 for Metro The area is also more transient, with a much greater percentage of movers in the past Vancouver. year and the past five years than average for the city and the region. »» Average household income: $67,795 as compared with $64,889 and $68,853 for A higher proportion of Kitsilano residents are employed in “social science, education, Vancouver and Metro Vancouver respectively. government and religion”, as well as “art, culture, recreation and sport” positions. This is reflected in the vibe of the Kitsilano th4 Avenue BIA; a meeting place for young urban »» Average house price: $324,735 (apartment) as compared with $364,033,in Vancouver and professionals on the go. $282,079 in Metro Vancouver. »» Dominant languages: English, Chinese, German, about the Kitsilano bia Japanese, Greek and Spanish - significantly lower th incidence of Chinese than Vancouver. Kitsilano 4 Avenue is a relatively small Business Improvement Area (BIA). Its boundaries include the eight blocks between Balsam and Fir streets on West 4th Avenue, comprising »» 27% of residents have moved within the past year (primarily from elsewhere in the city), as 318 businesses and approximately 3,100 employees. Its primary residential base is the compared with 20% for Vancouver and 16% for area within one kilometre of 4th Avenue and Yew Street, which comprises over 24,800 Metro Vancouver. residents.2 »» New Canadians: 3% international migrants in the This report provides an overview of the Kitsilano 4th Avenue BIA neighbourhood market, past year, as compared with 3% for Vancouver focusing primarily on population, household and spending statistics.3 A companion and 2% for Metro Vancouver; 8% international document, Kitsilano 4th Avenue Market Profile, focuses on key market information migrants in the past 5 years, which is lower than Vancouver (11%) and the region (9%). including zoning and development potential as well as business and employee mix.

1 For the purposes of this study, the Kitsilano 4th Avenue BIA residential catchment area is defined as all residences within a 1 kilometre radius of 4th Avenue and Yew, the heart of the BIA. 2 See Footnote 1. It is noted that the total Kitsilano residential area as defined by the City of Vancouver consists of approximately 40,000 residents. 3 Unless otherwise stated, statistics used in this report come from Statistics Canada’s 2001 Census data. Census data is copyrighted material and any reproduction without prior approval is prohibited. KITSILANO 4th AVENUE NEIGHBOURHOOD profile

Physical Profile4 The Kitsilano 4th Avenue BIA is centrally located within the city of Vancouver – approximately 2.5 kilometres from City Hall and 2.25 kilometres from downtown.4 A fire hall is located 6 blocks south of the BIA. The BIA is an 8-block retail and commercial strip along West 4th Avenue. It is comprised of primarily C-2B zoning, which promotes a wide range of goods and services, particularly personal services, in a central location. A small percentage of C-3A zoning also allows light manufacturing as well as residential. heritage and culture The Kitsilano 4th Avenue BIA is home to two heritage sites as listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register. Several others are in close proximity. Two libraries are within walking distance of the BIA. Several community gardens are located just south of the BIA, along the CP Rail right-of-way between 5th and 6th Avenue. recreation Three community parks are within walking distance of the BIA – Granville Loop Park under the Granville Street Bridge, Delamont Park veggie canadian PHOTO: and Seaforth Park. Kitsilano Beach, the Vancouver Maritime Museum, H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, Kitsilano Community Centre (2690 Figure 2: Population by Age Larch Street) and False Creek Community Centre (1318 Cartwright 50% Street) are also close by.  Kitsilano 40%  Vancouver education  Metro Vancouver Henry Hudson Elementary (1551 Cypress Street), Tennyson 30% Elementary (1936 West 10th Avenue), Gordon Elementary (2896 West 6th Avenue) and Kitsilano Secondary (2550 West 10th Avenue) are all 20% within walking distance of the BIA.

transportation 10% % OF TOTAL POPULATION TOTAL % OF The Kitsilano 4th Avenue BIA is easily accessible by vehicle, although parking is often at a premium, with residential parking restrictions 0% >20 20-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ on most side streets. Metered street parking and pay parking lots at Safeway and Capers do a brisk business. The Cypress Bikeway runs of children under 20 and higher proportion of the primary work north-south through the BIA along Cypress Street. The Off-Broadway force (ages 20 through 54). Kitsilano also has a higher proportion of Bikeway along 7th/8th Avenue provides east-west cycling access. residents aged 65-plus. The BIA is well served by frequent transit service.5 In particular, Between 2001 and 2005, Kitsilano saw a 4% population growth, the #4 (Phibbs Exchange/ Powell/Downtown/UBC), #7 (Nanaimo about the same as Vancouver overall (3%) and the GVRD (5%).6 Station/Dunbar), #44 (UBC/Downtown), #84 (UBC/VCC Station) and #258 (UBC/West Vancouver) run along 4th Avenue, and provide ethnic origin convenient service to Waterfront Station and connections to SeaBus Ethnic origin refers to the culture or ethnic roots with which and West Coast Express and SkyTrain. residents identify themselves. In Kitsilano, the top five ethnic origins in order are English, Scottish, Canadian, Irish and German. The key population indicators absence of Chinese and presence of German ancestry within the top five origins is significantly different than average for Vancouver Population and Metro Vancouver. With a total population of 24,862 Kitsilano is comprised of 47% Figure 3 illustrates key differences between Kitsilano residents’ ethnic men and 53% women – the typical gender profile for the city of origin as compared with the mix for Vancouver and the region. As Vancouver is 49% males and 51% women. The average age for illustrated, Kitsilano’s strong British heritage is significantly higher Kitsilano residents is 38.1 years as compared with 38.4 for Vancouver than that of the city or Metro Vancouver overall. Kitsilano is also and 37.1 for the region. The dominant age range is 25-34 years. comprised of significantly more residents with European heritage Figure 2 illustrates key differences between Kitsilano and the city and significantly fewer residents with Asian heritage than either and regional age profile. Of note is the significantly lower proportion Vancouver or the regon. 2 4 City of Vancouver VanMap. 6 Statistics Canada: adjusted five year forecast (2005). All other statistics are 2001. 5 www.translink.bc.ca KITSILANO 4th AVENUE NEIGHBOURHOOD profile

Figure 3: Ethnic Origin 100%  Kitsilano 80%  Vancouver  Metro Vancouver 60%

40% % OF POPULATION 20%

0% British S/E European Canadian Western Asian European The Kitsilano population base is more transient than average for the city and the region. Fully 27% of Kitsilano residents have moved in the past year as compared with 20% for Vancouver and 16% for the GVRD. Most have moved from elsewhere in the city (15%). About 8% of Kitsilano residents are new Canadians, having immigrated in the past five years (3% in the past year). This is lower Ki t silan o B IA PHOTO: than the city (11%) and Metro Vancouver (9%) average. Figure 5: Education Levels spoken languages Kitsilano Vancouver Metro Vancouver As with residents of the city and Metro Vancouver, English is the Population 20 Years or Older dominant language in Kitsilano. However, reflecting residents’ heritage, the area exhibits some important differences in non-official Less than Grade 9 2% 9% 7% spoken languages. As illustrated in Figure 4, there are more German, Grade 9 to 13 12% 22% 27% Greek and Spanish speaking residents and significantly less Chinese Trades Certificate or 6% 7% 10% and Punjabi-speaking residents in Kitsilano than the Vancouver and Diploma regional average. Kitsilano also has a high percentage of Japanese College or other 24% 21% 24% speakers. Non-Universtiy Figure 4: Top 5 Languages University 57% 40% 32% Population 15 - 24 Years Kitsilano Vancouver Metro Vancouver Attending School Dominant 49% 59% 57% Full-Time English 79% 50% 62% Attending School 9% 10% 10% Non-Official Part-Time Chinese 23% 56% 41% 15-24 is less likely than their city and regional counterparts to be German 11% - 5% attending school particularly on a full-time basis. This is likely due Japanese 9% - - to their higher level of education already achieved, as well as their Greek 8% - - significantly higher employment rate (see next section). Spanish 6% 3% - household income Punjabi - 6% 12% Despite significantly smaller household sizes, Kitsilano is a relatively Tagalog (Filipino) - 5% 5% wealthy Vancouver neighbourhood. A significantly smaller Vietnamese - 5% - proportion of households are at the low end of the income scale, as Korean - - 4% illustrated in Figure 6 on the next page. This is likely due in part to their higher education levels. However, level of education Kitsilano household incomes are below average for the region Kitsilano residents tend to have higher education levels than overall. The average 2001 household income in Kitsilano was average for Vancouver or the region. Fully 87% of Kitsilano $60,390 as compared with $57,916 for Vancouver and $63,003 residents 20 years and older have some form of post-secondary for Metro Vancouver. Projected 2005 income levels are $67,795. education, as compared with 68% of Vancouver and 66% of Metro Comparisons between 4th Avenue and the rest of the region are Vancouver residents, as illustrated in Figure 5. The population aged summarized in Figure 7 on the next page. 3 KITSILANO 4th AVENUE NEIGHBOURHOOD profile

Figure 6: Average Household Income Although sales and service positions are the most common job 35% type for Kitsilano residents, a higher share of Kitsilano residents are employed in professional occupations requiring some form of 30%  Kitsilano  Vancouver post secondary education. In particular, a higher share of Kitsilano 25%  Metro Vancouver residents are employed in “social science/education/government/ religion,” and “art/culture/recreation/sport” than average for the 20% city and region. There is also a higher share of residents with 15% positions in management as well as natural and applied science. A smaller proportion is employed in trade related or primary industry 10% % OF POPULATION positions. This is illustrated in more detail in Figure 8. 5% The top five occupations for Kitsilano residents are: 0% • professional occupations Under $20K $20-$39K $40-$59K $60-$79K $80K+ • clerical occupations • teachers and professors Figure 7: Household Income Summary • judges, lawyers, psychologists, social workers, ministers of religion, policy and program officers Kitsilano Vancouver Metro Vancouver • technical occupations 2001 Average $60,390 $57,916 $63,003 Household Income family structure7 2005 Projected $67,795 $64,889 $68,853 Kitsilano is home to 15,046 households. Of these, only 5,534 or 37% Household Income are families, a significantly lower proportion than for Vancouver 2001 Household Size 1.6 2.3 2.6 overall (57%) or the region (71%). Kitsilano households that have (# Persons) families tend to be smaller than average for Vancouver and Metro OCCUPATION Vancouver in size and number of children as Figure 9 illustrates. With their younger age and higher education levels, a high Figure 9: Family Structure percentage of Kitsilano residents are in the labour force. Fully 79% of the population 15-years of age and over is in the labour force, Kitsilano Vancouver Metro Vancouver which is significantly higher than the labour force participation rate Number of 15,046 236,095 758,715 in Vancouver (65%) and the region (66%). The employment rate is Households also significantly higher (74%) as compared to Vancouver (60%) and Average Number of 1.6 2.3 2.6 Metro Vancouver (61%), although the unemployment rate is the Persons/Household same at 5%. % of Households 37% 57% 71% Figure 8: Occupation with Families* Number of Families 5,534 134,380 535,260 Kitsilano Vancouver Metro Vancouver Sales & Service 19% 25% 25% Average Number of 0.5 2.9 3.0 Persons/Family Business, Finance, 19% 18% 19% Admin Average Number of 1.3 1.1 1.2 Children/Family Social Science, Education, Gov’t & 15% 10% 8% Religion Figure 10: Family Composition Management 14% 11% 12% 100% Art, Culture, 11% 6% 4% Recreation & Sport 80% Natural & Applied 10% 8% 7% Sciences 60% Health Occupations 6% 6% 5%

Trades, Transport 40% & Equipment 3% 8% 12%

Operators % OF FAMILIES 20% Processing, Manufacturing & 1% 4% 4% Utilities 0% Kitsilano Vancouver Metro Vancouver Primary Industry- 1% 1% 2% Specific  Married Couples  Common-Law Couples  Lone Parent 4 7 Family is defined as a census family - a married couple, a common-law couple or a lone-parent with a child or youth who is under the age of 25 and who does not have his or her own spouse or child living in the household. Married couples and common-law couples may or may not have such children and youth living with them. KITSILANO 4th AVENUE NEIGHBOURHOOD profile

Kitsilano is also home to a higher proportion of common-law couples and a correspondingly smaller percentage of married families, as illustrated in Figure 10. housing profile

Structural Mix 89% of all Kitsilano dwelling units are apartments, significantly higher than the norm for Vancouver (56%) or the region (37%). Only 6% are semi-detached and 4% are single-family homes. Figure 11 illustrates.

Figure 11: Dwellings by Major Structural Type 100%  Kitsilano 80%  Vancouver  Metro Vancouver

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% OF DWELLINGS Housing Prices9 20% Apartment prices in Kitsilano are slightly lower than that of the city of Vancouver but higher than the Metro Vancouver average. The 0% Single-Detached Semi-Detached Apartment 2005 average price for an apartment in Kitsilano was $324,735 as compared with $364,033 in Vancouver and $282,079 in the GVRD. The one-year average increase in Kitsilano was 14.8% as compared Tenure with 17.3% for Vancouver and 19.7% for Metro Vancouver. This could In keeping with this housing mix, 64% of Kitsilano residents rent be in part due to the lower rate of new residential developments their homes, which is higher than the Vancouver average of 56% in Kitsilano in recent years. A January 2006 survey10 of the area and the regional average of 39%. There are no non-market housing identified only one proposed new mixed commercial/residential complexes within the Kitsilano 4th Avenue BIA, however there are development (at the eastern edge of the BIA, at 1650 West 4th five complexes within a 1-2 block radius of the BIA.8 Avenue). age of housing stock The average 2005 price for a townhouse residence in Kitsilano The age of housing stock in the Kitsilano area is quite similar to the was $635,914, slightly higher than the Vancouver-West average of age mix for the city of Vancouver, but slightly older than for Metro $530,329 and significantly higher than the Metro Vancouver average Vancouver, as illustrated in Figure 12. of $351,970. The average price of a detached home in Kitsilano was $788,365 – lower than average for the west side of Vancouver Figure 12: Age of Housing Stock ($955,027). 50%  Kitsilano Figure 13: Household Spending Patterns 40%  Vancouver  Metro Vancouver Kitsilano Vancouver Metro Vancouver Food 11% 12% 11% 30% Shelter 20% 20% 20%

20% Transportation 10% 12% 13% Health & Personal 4% 4% 4% % OF DWELLINGS 10% Care Recreation 6% 6% 6% 0% Taxes 22% 21% 22% Pre 1946 1946-1970 1971-1990 1991 or Newer Insurance, Pension 5% 5% 5% Contributions The relatively even mix of ages is in keeping with Kitsilano’s Other 21% 20% 19% continued popularity as a place to live, and provides for a vibrant mix of heritage and new urban design. 5 8 VanMap, February 2006. 10 BIA physical survey, January 2006 by National Land Consultants, Lucent Strategies and Girard 9 Housing price information courtesy of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver. Land Services. KITSILANO 4th AVENUE NEIGHBOURHOOD profile

Spending Patterns Reflecting their household income levels, Kitsilano households spend more per year than the average Vancouver household and less per year than the average Metro Vancouver household. In 2005, Kitsilano averaged $65,069 in household spending as compared with $62,536 for city of Vancouver and $65,917 for Metro Vancouver households. On a percentage basis Kitsilano residents spend less on transportation and more on taxes and “other expenses” than the Vancouver and regional average, as Figure 13 illustrates. Figure 14 provides a complete breakdown of average 2005 spending per household in Kitsilano. As illustrated, Kitsilano residents spend more on taxes each year than on shelter or food.

Figure 14: Kitsilano Spending Patterns Average Household (2005 $)

Expenditure Area Amount Total Expenditure per Household $65,069 Personal Taxes $14,484 Shelter $13,276 PHOTO: Ki t silan o B IA PHOTO: Food $7,342 This document profiles the Kitsilano th4 Avenue neighbourhood market, focusing primarily on Transportation $6,181 population, household and spending statistics. Unless otherwise stated, statistics used in this report come from Statistics Canada’s 2006 Census data, courtesy of Small Business BC. Census Recreation $4,119 data is copyrighted material and any reproduction without prior approval is prohibited. A Insurance & Pension Contributions $3,439 companion document, Kitsilano 4th Avenue Commercial Market Profile, focuses on key market information, including zoning and development potential, as well as business and employee mix. Health & Personal Care $2,328 To access this profile, visit www.bizmap.ca Other Clothing $3,207 #202, 1857 West 4th Avenue Vancouver, BC Phone/Fax 604 263 6443 Household Operation $2,723 www.kitsilano4thavenue.com Tobacco Products & Alcoholic Beverages $2,027 Gifts of Money & Contributions $1,663 Education $1,586 Household Furnishings & Equipment $1,323 Miscellaneous Expenditures $674 Reading Materials & Other Printed Matter $507 Games of Chance $191

Conclusions A long-time commercial and residential community on Vancouver’s west side, Kitsilano offers a stable and relatively dense residential base, exposure to thousands of daily commuters by bus, bike and car, as well as access to tens of thousands of tourists and destination shoppers due to its proximity to other major destination areas such as Kitsilano Beach. Businesses catering to younger and more middle-aged, ethnically diverse, highly educated individuals; small and primarily single- person households; and people who enjoy urban living with all of its conveniences and amenities will find a solid market base in the Kitsilano 4th Avenue BIA.

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BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREAS (BIAs) 1. Cambie Village BIA (2006)

2. Chinatown BIA (2000) GE O 19 RGIA ST

3. Collingwood BIA (2001) . 8 4. Commercial Drive BIA (2000) 15

T. DS R HASTINGS ST. 5. Downtown Vancouver BIA (1990) A R R 5 BU 6. Dunbar Village BIA (2008) 17 9 . 20 2 7. Fraser Street BIA (2007) 4 RENFREW ST

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A. 9. Hastings-North BIA (2001) BROADWAY I

12TH AVE. M 10. Kerrisdale BIA (1991) 14 M 16 GRANDVIEW HWY. 16TH AVE. CO .

T 11. Kitsilano Fourth Avenue BIA (2001) T.

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A 33R M D AVE. V 14. Point Grey Village BIA (2004) R KI

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15. Robson Street BIA (1991 KS

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18. Victoria Drive BIA (2004) L I

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BO ED 12 K R. 70TH AVE. DR. S.E. MARINE Business Improvement Area (BIA) organizations are not-for-profit associations that promote the shared interests of commercial property owners and businesses located within specified geographic areas. Established by municipal bylaw, BIAs are funded through a special tax levy that is collected by the municipality, and passed on entirely to the individual BIA. These funds support programs such as marketing Partners: & promotion, street enhancement, safety & security, events & festivals, and business development. Each BIA organization is independently managed by a Board of Directors, with autonomy for decision-making and priority-setting. The City of Vancouver has a formal program to support merchants and property owners who wish to establish a Business Improvement Area. Presently, there are 20 BIAs within the city of Vancouver, representing over 15,000 businesses. Many of the businesses that are represented For further information, please contact the Vancouver Economic by BIAs are small and locally-owned. Development Commission at 604-632-9668. Production of the BizMapBC commercial and neighbourhood profiles www.vancouvereconomic.com has been made possible with support from the Vancouver Economic Development Commission, Small Business BC, the City of Vancouver, Western Economic Diversification Canada and the participating BIA. The initial phase of the BizMapBC project (2005) established profiles for 9 of Vancouver’s 20 BIAs and in 2007/08, commercial profiles for 6 of these BIAs were updated. In 2009, the remaining 11 BIAs will receive both commercial and residential profiles. www.bizmapbc.com 7