Community Profile: Tofino
Tofino is a small town located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, BC, at the end of Highway 4. Tofino has a temperate climate – warm winters and cool summers. It is one of the wettest locations in Canada. In 2008, Tofino received “Resort Municipality” status from the province. The BC Resort Municipality Initiative was created to provide resort-oriented municipalities with new finance, development and business promotion tools to enhance the resort sector in BC. The town is part of the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It is known to be one of the best surf towns in North America, and is popular for a myriad of outdoor recreational activities.
Population: 1,879 residents
25 to 34 year olds make up the largest age group of the population (28%). 50% of the population consist of 20 to 44 year olds. Median age of the population is 33 years old. Approximately 46% of the adult population is married or living with a common-law partner, while the other 54% are single or not living with a common-law partner.
Cultural demographics:
Majority of the population reported English as their first language. 135 people reported non-official languages as their first language, such as German, Spanish, and Tagalog.
Major industries:
- Tourism
- Small business
Growing industries:
As per Tofino’s Official Community Plan released in 2013, the District intends to encourage small business development and achieve a year-round economy. The District would also like to promote new economic activity in research and education, as well as in internet-based enterprise.
Median family income in community: $69,150 (???)
Amenities: (ie. ski resorts, schools, parks, Costco/walmart)
- Tofino-Long Beach Airport (YAZ) – accessible to private and commercial aircraft
- Tofino General Hospital
- Wickaninnish Community School
- Festivals:
- Pacific Rim Whale Festival
- Tofino Food and Wine Festival
- Tofino Lantern Festival
- Art in the Gardens – arts and music festival
Recreational opportunities nearby:
- Surfing
- Fishing
- Whale watching
- Long Beach
- Pacific Rim National Park
- Maquinna Marine Provincial Park (natural hot springs)
- Lot of other recreational opportunities in neighboring town of Ucluelet
- Kayakin
- Hiking