View source for Lillooet

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{{Infobox settlement
| name                            = Lillooet
| population_demonym              = 
| official_name                   = District of Lillooet
| other_name                      = 
| native_name                     = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
| nickname                        = 
| settlement_type                 = [[List of district municipalities in British Columbia|District municipality]]
| motto                           = 
| image_skyline                   = Downtown Lillooet, Main Street.jpg
| imagesize                       = 250px
| image_caption                   = Main Street in Downtown Lillooet
| image_flag                      = 
| flag_size                       = 
| image_seal                      = 
| seal_size                       = 
| image_shield                    = 
| shield_size                     = 
| city_logo                       = 
| citylogo_size                   = 
| image_map                       = 
| mapsize                         = 
| map_caption                     = 
| pushpin_map                     = Canada British Columbia#Canada<!-- the name of a location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map -->
| pushpin_label_position          = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
| pushpin_map_caption             = Location of Lillooet
| pushpin_mapsize                 = 
| subdivision_type                = Country
| subdivision_name                = Canada
| subdivision_type1               = [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Province]]
| subdivision_name1               = [[British Columbia]]
| subdivision_type2               = [[List of regions of Canada|Region]]
| subdivision_name2               = [[Lillooet Country|Lillooet]]-[[Fraser Canyon]]
| subdivision_type3               = [[List of British Columbia Regional Districts|Regional District]]
| subdivision_name3               = [[Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, British Columbia|Squamish-Lillooet]]
| government_type                 = 
| leader_title                    = Mayor
| leader_name                     = Laurie Hopfl<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://lillooet.ca/Municipal-Government/Mayor-Council.aspx |title=lillooet.ca}}</ref>
| leader_title1                   = Governing&nbsp;body
| leader_name1                    = District of Lillooet
| leader_title2                   = [[Legislative Assembly of British Columbia|MLA]]
| leader_name2                    = [[Tony Luck]] ([[Conservative Party of British Columbia|BC Conservative]])
| leader_title3                   = [[Current members of the Canadian House of Commons|MP]]
| leader_name3                    = [[Brad Vis]] ([[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]])
| established_title               = Incorporated
| established_date                = 1946 (as village), 1996 (as district municipality)
| established_title2              = 
| established_date2               = 
| established_title3              = 
| established_date3               = 
| area_magnitude                  = 
| unit_pref                       = <!--Enter: Imperial, if Imperial (metric) is desired-->
| area_footnotes                  = 
| area_total_km2                  = 27.63
| area_land_km2                   = 
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| area_urban_sq_mi                = 
| area_metro_km2                  = 
| area_metro_sq_mi                = 
| population_as_of                = 2021
| population_footnotes            = 
| population_note                 = 
| population_total                = 2302
| population_density_km2          = 83.3
| population_density_sq_mi        = 
| population_metro                = 
| population_density_metro_km2    = 
| population_density_metro_sq_mi  = 
| population_urban                = 
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| population_blank1_title         = 
| population_blank1               = 
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| timezone                        = [[Pacific Time Zone|PST]]
| utc_offset                      = −08:00
| timezone_DST                    = PDT
| utc_offset_DST                  = −07:00
| coordinates                     = {{coord|50|41|37|N|121|56|01|W|region:CA-BC|display=inline}}
| elevation_footnotes             = <!--for references: use <ref> tags-->
| elevation_m                     = 
| elevation_ft                    = 820
| postal_code_type                = Postal code span
| postal_code                     = V0K 1V0
| area_codes                      = [[Area code 250|250]], [[Area codes 778, 236, and 672|778, 236, & 672]]
| blank_name                      = [[List of British Columbia provincial highways|Highways]]
| blank_info                      = {{jct|state=BC|Hwy|99}} <br> {{jct|state=BC|Hwy|12}}
| blank1_name                     = Waterways
| blank1_info                     = [[Fraser River]], [[Seton River]], [[Cayoosh Creek]],
| website                         = [https://www.lillooet.ca/ Official website]
| footnotes                       = 
}}
'''Lillooet''' ({{IPAc-en|lang|pron|ˈ|l|ɪ|l|oʊ|.|ɛ|t}}) is a district municipality in the [[Squamish-Lillooet Regional District|Squamish-Lillooet]] region of southwestern [[British Columbia]]. The town is on the west shore of the [[Fraser River]] immediately north of the [[Seton River]] mouth. On [[British Columbia Highway 99|BC Highway 99]], the locality is by road about {{convert|100|km|mi}} northeast of [[Pemberton, British Columbia|Pemberton]], {{convert|64|km|mi}} northwest of [[Lytton, British Columbia|Lytton]], and {{convert|172|km|mi}} west of [[Kamloops]].

==First Nations==
A main population centre of the [[Stʼatʼimc]] (Lillooet Nation), who comprise just over 50 per cent of the Lillooet area residents, it is one of the southernmost communities in North America where [[Indigenous peoples in Canada|indigenous people]] form the majority. [[First Nations in Canada|First Nations]] communities assert the land is traditional territory, having been continuously inhabited for thousands of years. The confluence of several main streams with the Fraser attracted large seasonal and permanent indigenous populations. Situated in the [[Fountain, British Columbia|Lower Fountain]], the [[Bridge River Rapids]] (Sat' or Setl), which blocked migrating salmon, has remained a popular fishing and fish drying site for centuries. [[Keatley Creek Archaeological Site]], one of the largest ancient [[pit-house]] communities in the [[Pacific Northwest]], is one of the many archaeological and heritage sites in the vicinity.<ref>''A Complex Culture of the Northwest Plateau'', ed. Bryan Hayden, SFU Archaeology</ref> Several [[petroglyph]] sites have been documented along the Fraser in the vicinity of Lillooet.<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/ohs/1.0132214#p22z-4r0f:%22Lillooet%22 |last=Lundy |first=Doris |title=Okanagan Historical Society: Petroglyphs of the Middle Fraser River |date=1978 |pages=23–28 (21–26) |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref>

==Name origin==
The First Nations name of Pap-shil-KWA-KA-meen translates as the "place where the three rivers meet". The former European name of '''Cayoosh Flat''' inferred a dead or dying [[Cayuse horse]] (namely a decrepit specimen) at the river. In 1859, [[James Douglas (governor)|Governor Douglas]] granted a petition to change the name to Lillooet. The [[Lil'wat]] people lived on the [[Douglas Road]], a.k.a. the Lakes Route, which was the main trail from the south. This name, which means "wild onion",<ref name=BCGNIS>{{BCGNIS|1843|Lillooet (district municipality)}}</ref> appears on Anderson's 1849 map.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcbooks/1.0375699#p178z-6r0f:%22Lillooet%22 |last=Armstrong |first=G.H. |page=179 (163) |title=The origin and meaning of place names in Canada |year=1930 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref>

==Roads, ferries and bridges==
For the fortune seekers of the [[Fraser Canyon Gold Rush]] (upper canyon) and the [[Cariboo Gold Rush]], the portage-intensive Douglas Road from the south terminated at Lillooet.{{sfn|Edwards|1976|p=114}} 
Across the Fraser, [[Parsonville, British Columbia|Parsonville]] was "Mile 0" of the [[Old Cariboo Road]],{{sfn|Harris|1977|p=16}} which stretched about {{convert|339|km|mi}} northward to [[Alexandria, British Columbia|Alexandria]]. Built as a toll road by [[Gustavus Blin Wright]],<ref>{{Google books| 1q5J3Fb9tJ0C |Golden Nuggets: Roadhouse Portraits Along the Cariboo's Gold-Rush Trail |page=24}}</ref> the first 20 to 30 kilometres of tortuous canyon-brink grade remained little changed until the 1970s.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}} In 1864, the shorter [[Cariboo Road]], which connected [[Yale, British Columbia|Yale]] to [[Barkerville, British Columbia|Barkerville]] via [[Ashcroft, British Columbia|Ashcroft]], bypassed Lillooet.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.clintonmuseumbc.org/gallery/getting-there |title=It was all about getting there 'up the Cariboo road' |website=www.clintonmuseumbc.org}}</ref>

The Fraser was crossed by [[Lillooet ferries and bridges (Fraser River)#Ferry era|ferry at Lillooet]]. Parsonville had faded into obscurity by 1889, when the first [[Lillooet ferries and bridges (Fraser River)#Road bridges|bridge at Lillooet]] opened. Consequently, Lillooet became "Mile 0".{{sfn|Harris|1977|p=16}} The numbered roadhouse names of the [[Cariboo]] district became measured from the bend in Main Street commemorated by a cairn erected in 1939.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1999-05-01-23 |page=23 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=1 May 1999 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}}</ref> However, when the present bridge was constructed south of the town, these old travel measurements became understated by about two miles.

In 1994, fire destroyed the station bridge over the Seton River.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://canada.constructconnect.com/joc/news/infrastructure/2015/05/first-nations-and-bc-partner-on-bridge-project-1007669w |title=Journal of Commerce |date=14 May 2015 |website=canada.constructconnect.com}}</ref> In 2020, a two-lane structure replaced the temporary single lane bridge installed in 1994.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/sea-to-sky/lillooet-station-bridge-to-be-replaced-2508792 |title=Pique News |date=24 Nov 2019 |website=piquenewsmagazine.com}}</ref>

==Mining== 
The section of Main Street north from the cairn was called "the Golden Mile" allegedly to reflect gold dust scattered on the ground{{citation needed|date=June 2022}} but indisputably as a supply hub fueled by the goldrush traffic.{{sfn|Harris|1977|p=8}}

West of Lillooet, the Golden Cache Mine on [[Cayoosh Creek]], was staked in 1895. However, promising expectations proved illusive, which ended further investment. The associated prospecting boom ceased by 1900, when mining activity relocated to the [[Klondike Gold Rush|Klondike]].{{sfn|Harris|1977|p=38}}{{sfn|Edwards|1976|p=189}}

Other gold prospecting in the area included [[underground hard-rock mining]] in the [[Bridge River Country]], which began in the 1880s and 1890s, but peaked from the 1930s to the 1950s. [[Gold Bridge]] and [[Bralorne]] were mining centres. Prospecting for gold continues and to a lesser extent for copper, silver and [[nephrite jade]]. Until the discovery of larger jade deposits near [[Cassiar, British Columbia|Cassiar]], the Lillooet area was the world's largest source of the nephrite form. Unknown tonnes were exported to China before government assayers discovered the nature of the "black rocks" that the Chinese miners found so interesting.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

In the 1950s, local farmer and teacher Ron Purvis adapted the skil-saw concept to create a diamond rotary blade. The blade could safely cut the immovable jade boulders which line the banks and beds of the [[Fraser River|Fraser]] and [[Bridge River|Bridge]] rivers, whereas blasting would have shattered the rock. Although local stores sell polished jade souvenirs, major commercial jade operations no longer exist in the Lillooet area.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

==Railway==
[[File:Lillooet railway station 2011.jpg|thumb|Lillooet railway station, 2011]]

The northward advance of the [[BC Rail|Pacific Great Eastern Railway]] (PGE) rail head reached the head of
[[Seton Lake]] in January 1915<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/proslill/1.0212100#p0z-4r0f:%22steel%22 |page=1 |title=Prospector |date=29 Jan 1915 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref> and the Lillooet locality the following month. PGE built a depot between the Seton River and Cayoosh Creek.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/proslill/1.0212080#p0z-4r0f:%22rails%22 |page=1 |title=Prospector |date=19 Feb 1915 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref> That month, the first passenger train arrived,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/prj/1.0312691#p0z-2r0f:%22Lillooet%22 |page=1 |title=Prince Rupert Journal |date=21 Feb 1915 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref> triggering a revival for the isolated town, since a railway could ship agricultural produce.{{sfn|Harris|1977|p=25}} By year end, the track reached [[Clinton, British Columbia|Clinton]],<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/fgherald/1.0345056#p0z-3r0f:%22Pacific%22 |page=1 |title=Fort George Herald |date=25 Dec 1915 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/proslill/1.0212327#p0z-4r0f:%22Clinton%22 |page=1 |title=Prospector |date=31 Dec 1915 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref> an additional {{convert|45|mi|km|0|order=flip}}.

To benefit the railway rather than land speculators, PGE had bypassed the downtown by crossing the Fraser south of the Seton River on the [[Lillooet ferries and bridges (Fraser River)#Railway bridges|Lillooet railway bridge]]. PGE erected a station and four-stall roundhouse at East Lillooet, which was a [[divisional point]].<ref name=Tuff>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.cwrailway.ca/sites/default/files/Cariboo/Cariboo%20-%20Issue%2033.pdf#page=6 |last=Tuff |first=Ron |title=The Cariboo: Lillooet Terminal |date=Aug 1998 |issue=33 |pages=6–10 |website=www.cwrailway.ca}}</ref> The initial depot, called Lillooet station, was {{convert|1.5|mi|km|adj=on|order=flip}} westward across the Fraser.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1922-05-30-03 |page=3 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=30 May 1922 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}}</ref>

In 1930, PGE built the {{convert|5.5|mi|km|adj=on|order=flip}} Lillooet Diversion from the head of Seton Lake, through the downtown, and north to the Polley bridge. In 1931, PGE completed the bridge, built a new two-storey station downtown, and dismantled and reassembled the roundhouse nearby. The latter was demolished during the early 1970s.<ref name="Tuff" /> The Lillooet station building, which was replaced in 1986,<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://lillooet.ca/Recreation-Activities/Golden-Miles-of-History/The-Pacific-Great-Eastern-Railway.aspx |title=The Pacific Great Eastern Railway |website=lillooet.ca}}</ref> was {{convert|3.0|mi|km|1|order=flip}} east of Craig ({{convert|8.9|mi|km|1|order=flip}} east of Retakit after Craig closed) and {{convert|2.7|mi|km|1|order=flip}} south of Polley ({{convert|7.7|mi|km|1|order=flip}} south of Fountain after Polley closed).<ref>Timetable. 15 Feb 1959</ref>

The withdrawal of the [[Cariboo Prospector]] passenger train in October 2002 ended through service.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/PGC:2002-11-01-01 |page=1 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=1 Nov 2002 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}}</ref> [[Canadian National Railway]] freight trains on break and the [[Kaoham Shuttle]] still use the station.

{{Adjacent stations
|header1=Current services at Lillooet
|system2=Tsal'alh Seton Train|left2=Ohin
|type3=Lillooet Secondary School|left3=Ohin|right3=Lillooet Secondary School|note-right3=School days only
|type4=BuyLow Foods|left4=Ohin|right4=BuyLow Foods|note-right4=PM trip only
|header10=Former services
|system11=Canadian National Railway|line11=Kaoham Shuttle|
left11=Shalalth}}

==Early community==
The town began as a goldrush centre in the late 1850s, booming during the progression of discoveries on the Fraser and in the Cariboo in the early 1860s. The title of "the largest town west of [[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]] and north of [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]]" moved in rapid succession from [[Yale, British Columbia|Yale]] to Lillooet, and then to [[Barkerville, British Columbia|Barkerville]].<ref>{{Google books| sf5s0LCrQbcC |Whoever Givers Us Bread, 2011 |page=20}}</ref> Just after this gold rush, the town's layout was surveyed by the [[Royal Engineers]].{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

In 1860, the population was 4,000–5,000.{{sfn|Harris|1977|p=15}} About that time, Richard Hoey was granted {{convert|40|acre|0|order=flip}} on the Texas Creek Road.{{sfn|Harris|1977|p=23}} St. Mary the Virgin Anglican church was built in 1861{{sfn|Edwards|1976|p=185}} and a school established in 1863.{{sfn|Edwards|1976|p=186}} That year, the hotels and shops served a population of about 1,600. The Stage Hotel (1860) was considered first class.<ref>{{Google books| haCevYlprTcC |Trails to Gold, Volume 1, 1995 |page=50}}</ref> The Pioneer Hotel (1862) became the Excelsior in the early 1900s. Further lodgings were the International Hotel (1866) and Victoria Hotel (1892).<ref>{{Google books| haCevYlprTcC |Trails to Gold, Volume 1, 1995 |page=51}}</ref>

In 1864, Joseph Watkinson, Thomas Harris, F.W. Foster, and Richard Hoey built the first [[gristmill|flour mill]].<ref>{{Google books| haCevYlprTcC |Trails to Gold, Volume 1, 1995 |page=49}}</ref> In 1896, St. Andrews Presbyterian church was erected.{{sfn|Edwards|1976|p=187}} In 1904, the town was surveyed.{{sfn|Edwards|1976|p=231}}

The 1930 fire destroyed the Excelsior, Hurley's Grocery, a movie theatre and the government liquor store.{{sfn|Edwards|1976|p=218}} In 1946, the settlement incorporated as a village municipality.<ref name="BCGNIS" /> In 1948, fire destroyed the Log Cabin Theatre, an 1860s livery barn that had been remodelled into theatre in 1934.{{sfn|Edwards|1976|p=218}}

Booms occurred during local gold mining activity, and in the 1940s and 50s during the construction of the [[Bridge River|Bridge River Power Project]].{{citation needed|date=June 2022}} In 1996, the town re-incorporated as a district municipality.<ref name="BCGNIS" />

==Forestry and agriculture==
[[File:Lillooet,_British_Columbia.JPG|thumb|The Hop Farm neighbourhood.]]
The economy was historically based upon logging, the railway, ranching, farming, and government services. The long growing season has favoured orchards, and in recent times, ginseng. Once, hop and tobacco crops supported the former local beer, cigar and chewing tobacco industries. The town has relied upon [[forestry]] since the mid-1970s.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://bivouac.com/TownPg.asp?TownId=17 |title=Lillooet |website=bivouac.com}}</ref>

In the 1940s, an Italian named Savona planted vines in the [[Fountain, British Columbia|Fountain]] area. Established in 2009, the [[Fort Berens Winery]] in East Lillooet was the first attempt at commercial [[viticulture]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/opinion/lillooet-mdash-who-knew-2497268 |title=Pique News |date=12 Nov 2014 |website=piquenewsmagazine.com}}</ref> Visitors can taste the award-winning wines. The Cliff & George Vineyards, about {{convert|20|km|mi}} south on the west side of the Fraser, offers a similar opportunity as well as picnic areas on the historic Texas Creek Ranch near [[Texas Creek (Fraser River)|Texas Creek]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://visitlillooet.ca/activities/wine-agriculture |title=Lillooet Wineries & Vineyards |website=visitlillooet.ca}}</ref>

==Japanese internment camps==
Four [[Japanese Canadian internment|internment]] camps existed in the Lillooet area during [[World War II]], following the removal of [[Japanese Canadian]]s from the British Columbia Coast in 1942. Each were "self-support" sites, where family groups who had the financial means could remain together, but the locations were more isolated than the camps in the Kootenays. Since internees were not permitted to return to the coast until 1949, many families permanently settled in Lillooet. The largest camp was East Lillooet, housing 309 people.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://heritagebc.ca/japanese-canadian-location/east-lillooet-self-supporting-interment-camp/?lang=en | title=East Lillooet Self-Supporting Internment <!-- Interment in the source --> Camp | website=www.heritagebc.ca}}</ref> The other nearby camps were at [[Shalalth]],<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://heritagebc.ca/japanese-canadian-location/bridge-river-internment-site/?lang=en | title=Bridge River Internment Site | website=www.heritagebc.ca}}</ref> [[Minto City|Minto Mine]],<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://heritagebc.ca/japanese-canadian-location/minto-mine/?lang=en | title=Minto Mine | website=www.heritagebc.ca}}</ref> and McGillvray Falls.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://heritagebc.ca/japanese-canadian-location/mcgillivray-falls/?lang=en | title=McGillvray Falls | website=www.heritagebc.ca}}</ref>

==Later community==
{{Historical populations
| title       = Census population:<br/>Lillooet
| type        = Canada
| align       = right
| width       =
| state       =
| shading     =
| percentages =
|1951|469
|1956|1083
|1961|1304
|1966|1379
|1971|1514
|1976|2218
|1981|1725
|1986|1758
|1991|1782
|1996*|1988
|2001|2741
|2006|2324
|2011|2322
|2016|2275
|2021|2302
| footnote    =
| source      = [[Statistics Canada]]<br/><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/statcan/CS92-702-1971.pdf |page=120 (2–117)| title=1971 Census (1921–1971 |website=publications.gc.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/statcan/CS92-805-1976.pdf |page=27 (3–45)| title=1976 Census |website=publications.gc.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/statcan/CS94-905-1981.pdf |page=35 (1–25)| title=1981 Census |website=publications.gc.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2013/statcan/rh-hc/CS92-101-1987.pdf |page=74 (2–50)| title=1986 Census |website=publications.gc.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2013/statcan/rh-hc/CS93-304-1992.pdf |page=126 (118)| title=1991 Census |website=publications.gc.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2012/statcan/rh-hc/CS93-357-1997.pdf |page=257 (243)| title=1996 Census |website=publications.gc.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/census01/products/standard/popdwell/Table-CSD-P.cfm?T=1&PR=59&SR=401&S=1&O=A | title=2001 Census |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/hlt/97-550/Index.cfm?TPL=P1C&Page=RETR&LANG=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=1&O=A&RPP=9999&CMA=0&PR=59| title=2006 Census |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5931026&Geo2=PR&Code2=01&Data=Count&SearchText=lillooet&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1| title=2011 Census |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca| date=8 February 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5931026&Geo2=CD&Code2=5931&SearchText=lillooet&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&TABID=1&type=0| title=2016 Census |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca| date=8 February 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=lillooet&DGUIDlist=2021A00055931026&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0| title=2021 Census |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca| date=9 February 2022 }}</ref><br /> * Boundary change for 2001 would have adjusted 1996 to 2,886
}}

The town includes infrastructure typical for its size.

In 2009, the district developed a community plan.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://lillooet.bc.libraries.coop/files/2019/08/DOL_OfficialCommunityPlan-2009.pdf |title=District of Lillooet: Official Community Plan |date=Feb 2009 |website=lillooet.bc}}</ref> In 2013, the water treatment plant received a $5.6 million upgrade.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/media/news-nouvelles/2012/20120123lillooet-eng.html |title=Lillooet Water System to be Upgraded |website=infrastructure.gc.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://cummingconstruction.ca/experience/water-wastewater-infrastructure/lillooet-water-treatment-plant/ |title=Lillooet Water Treatment Plant |website=cummingconstruction.ca}}</ref> In 2019, Tourism Lillooet released a strategic plan.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ee11ec14a1f5b7144d0e925/t/5fa72439f6d39911884684f2/1604789307270/2019-08-31+Tourism+Lillooet++Strategic+PlanFinal.pdf |title=Tourism Lillooet – Strategic Plan |date=31 Aug 2019 |website=static1.squarespace.com}}</ref> In 2022, an electric vehicle fast charging station opened.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.bchydro.com/news/press_centre/news_releases/2022/ev-lillooet.html |title=BC Hydro's electric vehicle fast charging site operational in Lillooet |date=18 Mar 2022 |website=www.bchydro.com}}</ref>

Police, fire, and ambulance, respectively operate emergency service bases.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://lillooet.ca/City-Services/Emergency-Services.aspx |title=Emergency Services |website=lillooet.ca}}</ref> The Lillooet Hospital & Health Centre is a Level 1 Community Hospital which includes 24-hour emergency services.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.interiorhealth.ca/locations/lillooet-hospital-health-centre |title=About Lillooet Hospital & Health Centre |website=www.interiorhealth.ca}}</ref> The district owns and operates the [[Lillooet Airport]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://lillooet.ca/Business-Investment/Community-Demographics-Infrastructure.aspx |title=Infrastructure |website=lillooet.ca}}</ref>

==Demographics==
In the [[2021 Canadian census|2021 Census of Population]] conducted by [[Statistics Canada]], Lillooet had a population of 2,302 living in 1,111 of its 1,214 total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:2302-2275}}|2275|1}} from its 2016 population of 2,275. With a land area of {{cvt|27.63|km2}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|2302|27.63|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.<ref name=2021census>{{cite web | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000202&geocode=A000259 | title=Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), British Columbia | publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] | date=9 February 2022 | accessdate=20 February 2022}}</ref>

Lillooet's larger regional population includes that of the three large bands of the [[St'at'imc]] or Lillooet Nation whose reserves abut the town on all sides, and another three large reserves within {{convert|20|mi|km}}; 430 of the District of Lillooet's population are aboriginal.<ref name="Census of Canada, Community Profile">{{cite web|url=http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?B1=All&Code1=5931026&Code2=59&Custom=&Data=Count&Geo1=CSD&Geo2=PR&Lang=E&SearchPR=01&SearchText=Lillooet&SearchType=Begins|title=Community Profiles from the 2006 Census, Statistics Canada - Census Subdivision|date=13 March 2007|work=statcan.ca|access-date=14 October 2015}}</ref> Historical populations have included large numbers of Americans and Chinese, although there are few of either today (although many longtime local families, First Nations and non-First Nations, have some bloodlines from both).<ref>''The Newspapering Murrays'', Georgina Keddell, self-publ.</ref> The town's non-native population has been historically multi-ethnic in extraction, with a relatively high-rate of intermarriage between all groups.<!--historical censuses would be the citation when demanded; only 1871, 1891, 1911 are available; Dr. Miyazaki has some comments about this in his ''My Sixty years in Canada'' book-->

=== Religion ===
According to the [[2021 Canadian census|2021 census]], religious groups in Lillooet included:<ref name="2021censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2022-10-26 |title= Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=Lillooet&DGUIDlist=2021A00055931026&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0 |access-date=2023-03-12 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
*[[Irreligion in Canada|Irreligion]] (1,490 persons or 65.5%)
*[[Christianity in Canada|Christianity]] (735 persons or 32.3%)
*Other (25 persons or 1.1%)
{| class="wikitable collapsible sortable"
|+ Religious groups in Lillooet (1991−2021)
! rowspan="2" |Religious group
! colspan="2" |[[2021 Canadian census|2021]]<ref name="2021censusB" />
! colspan="2" |[[2011 Canadian census|2011]]<ref name="2011census">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2015-11-27 |title= NHS Profile |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5931026&Data=Count&SearchText=lillooet&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&A1=All&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1|access-date=2023-03-12 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |[[2001 Canadian census|2001]]<ref name="2001census">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2019-07-02 |title= 2001 Community Profiles |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5931026&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=lillooet&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=|access-date=2023-03-12 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |[[1991 Canadian census|1991]]<ref name="1991census">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2019-03-29 |title= 1991 Census Area Profiles Profile of Census Divisions and Subdivisions - Part B |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/English/census91/data/profiles/Rp-eng.cfm?TABID=2&LANG=E&APATH=3&DETAIL=1&DIM=0&FL=A&FREE=1&GC=0&GID=51812&GK=0&GRP=1&PID=30&PRID=0&PTYPE=3&S=0&SHOWALL=No&SUB=0&Temporal=1991&THEME=113&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF=&D1=0&D2=0&D3=0&D4=0&D5=0&D6=0|access-date=2023-03-12 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
|-
![[Population|{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
| [[Christianity in Canada|Christian]]
|   735
| {{Percentage |   735|    2,275| 2 }}
|   770
| {{Percentage |   770|    2,270 | 2 }}

| 1,340
| {{Percentage | 1,340|      2,720 | 2 }}
| 1,035
| {{Percentage | 1,035|    1,750| 2 }}
|-
| [[Mythologies of the indigenous peoples of the Americas|Indigenous spirituality]]
|     0
| {{Percentage |    0|    2,275| 2 }}
|  30
| {{Percentage |  30|    2,270 | 2 }}
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
|-
| [[Sikhism in Canada|Sikh]]
|    0
| {{Percentage |    0|    2,275| 2 }}
|  0
| {{Percentage |  0|    2,270 | 2 }}

|   	65
| {{Percentage |   	65|      2,720 | 2 }}
|   105
| {{Percentage |   105|    1,750| 2 }}
|-
| [[Islam in Canada|Muslim]]
|  0
| {{Percentage |  0|    2,275| 2 }}
|  0
| {{Percentage |  0|    2,270 | 2 }}

|   45
| {{Percentage |   45|     2,720  | 2 }}
|   25
| {{Percentage |   25|    1,750| 2 }}
|-
| [[Buddhism in Canada|Buddhist]]
|   0
| {{Percentage |    0|    2,275| 2 }}
|  0
| {{Percentage |  0|    2,270 | 2 }}

|   20
| {{Percentage |   20|      2,720 | 2 }}
|   10
| {{Percentage |   10|    1,750| 2 }}
|-
| [[Judaism in Canada|Jewish]]
|    0
| {{Percentage |   0|    2,275| 2 }}
|  0
| {{Percentage |  0|    2,270 | 2 }}

|   0
| {{Percentage |   0|      2,720 | 2 }}
|   10
| {{Percentage |   10|    1,750 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Hinduism in Canada|Hindu]]
|    0
| {{Percentage |    0|    2,275| 2 }}
|  0
| {{Percentage |  0|    2,270  | 2 }}

|   0
| {{Percentage |   0|      2,720 | 2 }}
|   0
| {{Percentage |   0|    1,750 | 2 }}
|-





| Other religion
|   25
| {{Percentage |   25|    2,275| 2 }}
|  0
| {{Percentage |  0|    1,750| 2 }}

| 15
| {{Percentage | 15|      2,720 | 2 }}
|   20
| {{Percentage |   20|    1,750| 2 }}
|-
| [[Irreligion in Canada|Irreligious]]
|    1,490
| {{Percentage |    1,490|    2,275| 2 }}
|    1,440 
| {{Percentage |    1,440 |    2,270 | 2 }}
|      1,235 
| {{Percentage |      1,235 |      2,720 | 2 }}
|     540
| {{Percentage |     540|    1,750| 2 }}
|- class="sortbottom"
! Total responses
!   2,275
! {{Percentage |   2,275|   2,302| 2 }}
!   2,270 
! {{Percentage |   2,270 | 2,322| 2 }}
!   2,720 
! {{Percentage |   2,720 |   2,741 | 2 }}
!  1,750
! {{Percentage |  1,750|   1,782 | 2 }}
|-
|}

==Education==
Lillooet has one high school, Lillooet Secondary, which also serves students from neighbouring rural localities such as [[Shalalth]], [[Seton Portage]], [[Gold Bridge]] and [[Bralorne]], although those communities do offer students a secondary school program. Cayoosh Elementary School is in the Cayoosh Heights subdivision and George M. Murray Elementary serves North Lillooet. The Upper St'at'imc Culture, Language and Education Society (USCLES) operates education programs, but most St'at'imc children attend the public school system. Post-secondary programs are offered at a [[Thompson Rivers University]] campus.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}} The [[Fountainview Academy]], about {{convert|24|km|mi}} south, is an international private school, which offers work-study experience that includes organic farming.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://chimp.net/charities/fountainview-academy-association|title=Fountainview Academy Association|website=chimp.net}}</ref>

==Notable people==
*[[Johnder Basran]], first Indo-Canadian mayor in Canada
*[[Alexander Edmund Batson Davie|Alexander E.B. Davie]], member of the [[Legislative Assembly]] for [[Lillooet (electoral district)|Lillooet]] and 8th [[Premier of British Columbia]]
*[[Don Dickinson]], Canadian writer and teacher. He was shortlisted nominee for the Governor General's Award for English-language fiction at the 1991 Governor General's Awards for his short story collection ''Blue Husbands'', and for the 1993 Books in Canada First Novel Award for his novel ''The Crew''. ''Blue Husbands'' was also a winner of the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize in 1992.
*[[Andrew Charles Elliott|A.C. Elliott]], magistrate in Lillooet and 4th [[Premier of British Columbia]]
*[[George Leach (musician)|George Leach]], actor and Juno award-winning songwriter/guitarist
*[[Bertha Hosang Mah]], first Chinese woman to graduate from a Canadian university (McGill, 1917); born in Lillooet
*[[Masajiro Miyazaki]], Japanese-Canadian internee and town coroner during WWII, founder of the local ambulance and hospital, [[Order of Canada]] awardee
*[[George Matheson Murray|George Murray]], MLA and publisher of the 'Bridge River-Lillooet News'
*[[Margaret Lally "Ma" Murray]], editor of the Bridge River-Lillooet News, [[Order of Canada]] awardee
*[[Caspar Phair]], Lillooet pioneer, [[Gold Commissioner]] and first [[Special agent|Government Agent]]

==Climate==
Lillooet experiences a humid continental/oceanic climate, but it borders on a semi-arid climate (Köppen ''[[Semi-arid climate#Cold semi-arid climates|Cfb/Dfb/BSk]]).''{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

Situated at an intersection of deep gorges in the lee of the [[Coast Mountains]], it has a dry climate with an average of {{convert|349.5|mm|abbr=on}} of precipitation being recorded annually. The locality often vies with [[Lytton, British Columbia|Lytton]] and [[Osoyoos]] for the title of "Canada's Hot Spot" on a daily basis in summer.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

Lillooet holds the record for the fourth-hottest temperature recorded in British Columbia and Canada (behind [[Lytton, British Columbia|Lytton]], [[Ashcroft, British Columbia|Ashcroft]] and [[Kamloops]]). On 29 June 2021, during the [[2021 Western North America heat wave]] which brought unprecedented heat to the [[Pacific Northwest]], the temperature reached {{convert|46.8|C}}.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.currentresults.com/Weather-Extremes/Canada/hottest.php | title=Hottest Places in Canada | publisher=Current Results Nexus | access-date=21 June 2013}}</ref> Lillooet also holds the record for the hottest temperature recorded in the province during the months of April ({{convert|36.1|C|disp=sqbr}}), May ({{convert|41.7|C|disp=sqbr}}), and December ({{convert|22.2|C|disp=sqbr}}). The coldest temperature recorded was measured at the airport during a November cold snap in 1985.

With an average annual snowfall of {{convert|26.5|cm|abbr=on}}, Lillooet is the least snowy place in the BC Interior.<ref name="climate">[[Environment Canada]]—[http://www.climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/climate_normals/index_e.html Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627223111/http://climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/climate_normals/index_e.html |date=27 June 2013 }}, accessed 9 July 2013</ref>
{{Weather box
|width=100%
|location = Lillooet (1981–2010)
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = 18.5
|Feb record high C = 17.8
|Mar record high C = 25.6
|Apr record high C = 36.1
|May record high C = 41.7
|Jun record high C = 46.8
|Jul record high C = 44.4
|Aug record high C = 40.5
|Sep record high C = 38.8
|Oct record high C = 30.0
|Nov record high C = 23.3
|Dec record high C = 22.2
|year record high C = 46.8
|Jan high C = 0.6
|Feb high C = 4.4
|Mar high C = 10.9
|Apr high C = 16.2
|May high C = 21.2
|Jun high C = 24.9
|Jul high C = 28.3
|Aug high C = 28.2
|Sep high C = 22.3
|Oct high C = 13.5
|Nov high C = 5.0
|Dec high C = 0.0
|year high C = 14.6
|Jan mean C = -2.4
|Feb mean C = 0.4
|Mar mean C = 5.2
|Apr mean C = 9.9
|May mean C = 14.8
|Jun mean C = 18.6
|Jul mean C = 21.6
|Aug mean C = 21.3
|Sep mean C = 15.9
|Oct mean C = 8.8
|Nov mean C = 2.1
|Dec mean C = -2.4
|year mean C = 9.5
|Jan low C = -5.2
|Feb low C = -3.7
|Mar low C = -0.4
|Apr low C = 3.6
|May low C = 8.3
|Jun low C = 12.3
|Jul low C = 14.6
|Aug low C = 14.2
|Sep low C = 9.4
|Oct low C = 4.1
|Nov low C = -0.9
|Dec low C = -4.9
|year low C = 4.3
|Jan record low C = -31.1
|Feb record low C = -27.0
|Mar record low C = -18.3
|Apr record low C = -11.1
|May record low C = -3.9
|Jun record low C = 2.8
|Jul record low C = 4.4
|Aug record low C = 4.4
|Sep record low C = -2.8
|Oct record low C = -17.0
|Nov record low C = -32.0
|Dec record low C = -31.1
|year record low C = -32.0
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 38.3
|Feb precipitation mm = 20.3
|Mar precipitation mm = 16.8
|Apr precipitation mm = 19.0
|May precipitation mm = 26.1
|Jun precipitation mm = 23.7
|Jul precipitation mm = 35.5
|Aug precipitation mm = 25.7
|Sep precipitation mm = 23.7
|Oct precipitation mm = 33.8
|Nov precipitation mm = 44.6
|Dec precipitation mm = 41.7
|year precipitation mm = 349.0
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 30.9
|Feb rain mm = 17.1
|Mar rain mm = 15.2
|Apr rain mm = 19.0
|May rain mm = 26.1
|Jun rain mm = 23.7
|Jul rain mm = 35.5
|Aug rain mm = 25.7
|Sep rain mm = 23.7
|Oct rain mm = 33.2
|Nov rain mm = 40.6
|Dec rain mm = 31.9
|year rain mm = 322.5
|snow colour = green
|Jan snow cm = 7.5
|Feb snow cm = 3.3
|Mar snow cm = 1.6
|Apr snow cm = 0.05
|May snow cm = 0.0
|Jun snow cm = 0.0
|Jul snow cm = 0.0
|Aug snow cm = 0.0
|Sep snow cm = 0.0
|Oct snow cm = 0.7
|Nov snow cm = 3.8
|Dec snow cm = 9.7
|year snow cm = 26.5
|unit precipitation days= 0.2 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 9.7
|Feb precipitation days = 7.7
|Mar precipitation days = 9.1
|Apr precipitation days = 8.0
|May precipitation days = 8.5
|Jun precipitation days = 7.5
|Jul precipitation days = 7.9
|Aug precipitation days = 6.7
|Sep precipitation days = 6.5
|Oct precipitation days = 10.7
|Nov precipitation days = 13.0
|Dec precipitation days = 10.2
|year precipitation days = 105.1
|unit rain days= 0.2 mm
|Jan rain days = 7.4
|Feb rain days = 6.5
|Mar rain days = 8.1
|Apr rain days = 8.0
|May rain days = 8.5
|Jun rain days = 7.5
|Jul rain days = 7.9
|Aug rain days = 6.7
|Sep rain days = 6.5
|Oct rain days = 10.6
|Nov rain days = 12.0
|Dec rain days = 7.2
|year rain days = 97.3
|unit snow days = 0.2 cm
|Jan snow days = 3.4
|Feb snow days = 1.5
|Mar snow days = 0.5
|Apr snow days = 0.05
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.2
|Nov snow days = 1.7
|Dec snow days = 3.6
|year snow days = 10.9
|source 1 = [[Environment Canada]]<ref name="climate"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/advanceSearch/searchHistoricDataStations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=lillooet&searchMethod=contains&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2013&Month=1&Day=2&Year=2013&selRowPerPage=25&cmdStnSubmit=Search |title=Station Results - Advanced Search |work=weatheroffice.gc.ca |access-date=14 October 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513184618/http://www.climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/advanceSearch/searchHistoricDataStations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=lillooet&searchMethod=contains&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2013&Month=1&Day=2&Year=2013&selRowPerPage=25&cmdStnSubmit=Search |archive-date=13 May 2013}}</ref><ref name="June 2021">
{{cite web
| url = https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?StationID=27388&Month=6&Day=1&Year=2021&timeframe=2&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2021
| title = Daily Data Report for June 2021
| publisher = Environment Canada
| access-date = 27 June 2021}}</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

==References==
*{{cite book|last=Harris |first=Lorraine |title=Halfway to the Goldfields, A History of Lillooet |publisher=J.J. Douglas |year=1977 |isbn=0-88894-062-9}}
*{{cite book|last=Edwards |first=Irene |title=Short Portage to Lillooet |publisher=self-published |year=1976}}

== External links ==
{{wikivoyage|Lillooet}}
*{{official|https://www.lillooet.ca}}

{{Subdivisions of British Columbia|district=yes}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}

[[Category:Lillooet]]
[[Category:British Columbia gold rushes]]
[[Category:Canadian gold rushes]]
[[Category:District municipalities in British Columbia]]
[[Category:Internment of Japanese Canadians]]
[[Category:Populated places on the Fraser River]]
[[Category:World War II internment camps in Canada]]