View source for Port Alberni

{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Port Alberni
| official_name            = City of Port Alberni
| settlement_type          = [[List of cities in British Columbia|City]]
| motto                    = Gateway to the Pacific West Coast
| image_skyline            = Aerial_view_of_the_south_end_of_Port_Alberni.JPG
| imagesize                = 
| image_caption            = Aerial view of Port Alberni
| image_flag               = 
| flag_size                = 
| image_seal               = 
| seal_size                = 
| image_shield             = 
| shield_size              = 
| city_logo                = 
| citylogo_size            = 
| image_map                = 
| mapsize                  = 
| map_caption              = 
| pushpin_map              = Vancouver Island#Canada British Columbia<!-- 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 Port Alberni in [[British Columbia]]
| pushpin_mapsize          = 
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = Canada
| subdivision_type1        = [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Province]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[British Columbia]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[Regional district]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District|Alberni-Clayoquot]]
| subdivision_type3        = 
| subdivision_name3        = 
| subdivision_type4        = 
| subdivision_name4        = 
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = 
| leader_title             = Mayor
| leader_name              = Sharie Minions
| leader_title1            = Governing&nbsp;body
| leader_name1             = Port Alberni City Council
| leader_title2            = <!--[[Members of the Canadian House of Commons|MP]]-->
| leader_name2             = 
| leader_title3            = <!--[[Legislative Assembly of British Columbia|MLA]]-->
| leader_name3             = 
| leader_title4            = 
| leader_name4             = 
| established_title        = Incorporated
| established_date         = 1912
| established_title2       = <!-- Incorporated (town) -->
| established_date2        = 
| established_title3       = <!-- Incorporated (city) -->
| established_date3        = 
| area_magnitude           = 
| area_total_km2           = 19.66
| population_as_of         = 2021 <ref name="Population">{{cite web |title=Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population Profile table |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=Port%20Alberni&DGUIDlist=2021A00055923008&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0 |website=Statistics Canada |access-date=11 January 2025}}</ref>
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_note          = 
| population_total         = 18,259<ref name="Population"/>
| population_density_km2   = 928.9
| timezone                 = [[Pacific Standard Time Zone|PST]]
| utc_offset               = -8
| timezone_DST             = [[Pacific daylight time]]
| utc_offset_DST           = -7
| coordinates              = {{coord|49|14|2|N|124|48|18|W|region:CA-BC|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes      = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags-->
| elevation_m              = 
| postal_code_type         = [[Canadian postal code#Forward sortation areas|Forward sortation area]]
| postal_code              = [[List of V postal codes of Canada|V9Y]]
| area_codes                = [[Area code 250|250]], [[Area code 778|778]], [[Area code 236|236]], [[Area code 672|672]]
| blank_name               = Highways
| blank_info               = [[British Columbia Highway 4|Highway 4]]
| blank1_name              = Waterways
| blank1_info              = [[Sproat Lake]], [[Alberni Inlet]]
| blank2_name              = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank2_info              = [[Mediterranean climate#Warm-summer mediterranean climate|Csb]]
| website                  = {{URL|portalberni.ca}}
| footnotes                = 
}}

'''Port Alberni''' ({{IPAc-en|æ|l|ˈ|b|ɜr|n|i}}) is a city located on [[Vancouver Island]] in the province of [[British Columbia]], Canada. The city lies within the [[Alberni Valley]] at the head of the [[Alberni Inlet]], Vancouver Island's longest inlet. Port Alberni currently has a total population of 18,259.

It is the location of the head offices of the [[Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District]]. Port Alberni is served by the coast-spanning [[Island Highway]] system, and a local airport. The principal industry is forestry products.

==History==
{{more citations needed section|date=November 2014}}
Port Alberni and the West Coast of Vancouver Island have been populated by the people of [[Tseshaht First Nation]], [[Hupacasath First Nation]], and the [[Nuu-chah-nulth people]] for thousands of years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hupacasath.ca/|title=Hupačasath First Nation {{!}} Alberni Valley, BC|website=Hupačasath First Nation|language=en|access-date=2019-05-10}}</ref> Many place names in Port Alberni have a [[Nuu-chah-nulth language|Nuu-chah-nulth]] origin, such as Somass (washing), Kitsuksis (log across mouth of creek), Pacheena (foamy), and Nootka (go around). Ancient petroglyph carvings can be found at [[Sproat Lake]].

The City of Port Alberni is named for Captain [[Pedro de Alberní y Teixidor|Don Pedro de Alberní]],<ref name="Don Pedro de Alberni">{{cite web| last =  Archer| first =  Christon| title = ALBERNI, PEDRO DE| publisher = Library and Archives Canada| url =http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=2229}}</ref> a [[Spain|Spanish]] officer, who commanded [[Fort San Miguel]] at [[Nootka Sound]] on [[Vancouver Island]]'s west coast from 1790 to 1792. Sproat Lake was named after Gilbert Sproat and Stamp Falls and Stamp River were named after Edward Stamp. Rogers Creek, which flows through the centre of Port Alberni, is named after Jeremiah Rogers who was the head logger for the British company Anderson, Anderson & Co.<ref>[https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/users/jmartens/Northport%20walking%20tour_0.pdf Alberni Valley Museum]</ref>

{{stack|[[File:Lone Indian.png|thumb|upright|Illustration from ''Indian Legends of Vancouver Island'' by Alfred Carmichael]]}}

In March 1787, Captain [[Charles William Barkley]] of the ''[[Imperial Eagle (ship)|Imperial Eagle]]'', explored [[Barkley Sound]], which now bears his name. Barkley travelled with his 17-year-old bride, [[Frances Barkley]], the first European woman to visit what is now British Columbia. ''Frances Barkley'' is also the name of one of the two vessels that makes trips down the Alberni Inlet from Port Alberni to [[Bamfield]] and [[Ucluelet]]. The other, since retired, was the MV ''Lady Rose''.

In 1849, the British established the [[Colony of Vancouver Island]] under Governor [[James Douglas (governor)|James Douglas]]. The island had been claimed by both Spain and Great Britain, but a treaty was made between them designating the island as British territory. The island colony was later merged with the Colony of British Columbia, which joined Canada in 1871.

In 1856, [[Adam Grant Horne|Adam Horne]], a Scottish fur trader employed by the [[Hudson's Bay Company]], was directed to locate a land route across Vancouver Island. There were stories that the Indigenous people used a trail starting at Qualicum. Adam Horne found this trail leading to the Alberni Valley and it became known as the Horne Lake Trail. Many other settlers used this trail to get to the Alberni Valley.

[[File:AndersonSawmill.png|thumb|right|Anderson Sawmill Port Alberni, B.C. 1863]]

In 1860, the Anderson company, a shipping company from [[London]], England, took the advice of their Victoria agent Captain Edward Stamp and set up a sawmill operation.  At the time, the American Civil War prevented the importation of timber from the southern United States. [[Gilbert Sproat]] and [[Edward Stamp]] transported men and machinery to Alberni. They received land grants from Governor [[James Douglas (governor)|James Douglas]] and started running the Anderson sawmill at the mouth of the Somass River on May 22, 1861, at the rate of 14,000 board feet a day. The first mill in B.C. was built to export lumber. The original mill failed, but several others were established in the 1880s. The settlement of Alberni developed around the sawmill.

In 1862, small-scale placer gold mining took place on China Creek; in the 1890s more gold mining took place along the Alberni Inlet at China Creek and Mineral Creek. Several gold veins were found.  Exploration for gold continued over the years with peaks in the 1930s and 1960s.

The subdistrict of Alberni had a population of 191 in 1891.<ref>Government of Canada (Department of Agriculture, Census Branch). ''[https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2016/statcan/CS98-1891-1.pdf Census of Canada, 1890-1891]'', 1893, table 2.</ref> In 1896, a new settlement was established to the south of Alberni, first known as New Alberni and later as Port Alberni. It was built around a new Canadian Pacific Navigation Company wharf at the foot of today's Argyle Street.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.timescolonist.com/islander/port-alberni-more-than-just-a-mill-town-4618879 |title=Port Alberni: More than just a mill town |first=Jan |last=Peterson |date=February 8, 2015 |work=Victoria Times-Colonist }}</ref> In 1921, there were 998 people in Alberni.<ref>Government of Canada ([[Dominion Bureau of Statistics]]). ''[https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/statcan/CS98-1921-1-1924.pdf Sixth Census of Canada, 1921]'', 1924, table 10, p. 220.</ref>

From 1900 until 1973, the Alberni Indian Residential School operated just north of Port Alberni on the west bank of the Somass River.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thechildrenremembered.ca/school-histories/alberni/ |title=Alberni Residential School |website=thechildrenremembered.ca |accessdate=July 17, 2024}}</ref> The Alberni School is now considered to be part of a genocidal operation against the Indigenous people.<ref>[http://www.irsr-rqpi.gc.ca/english/reconciliation.html Indian and Northern Affairs Canada] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030501040932/http://www.irsr-rqpi.gc.ca/english/reconciliation.html |date=2003-05-01 }}</ref> The School, run by the Presbyterian and United Churches and the federal government, forcibly separated children from their families and communities so as to cut them off from their traditional culture. Children at the school were fed poorly, at one time deliberately as part of a malnutrition experiment, murdered, and abused in other ways. The residential school was closed in 1973 and in 2009 it was demolished.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/residential-school-dorm-to-be-demolished-tuesday/|title=Residential School Dorm to be demolished Tuesday|work=CTV News}}</ref> ''Strength from Within'' is an art installation by [[Connie Watts]] located in Port Alberni that commemorates survivors of and those whose people died at the Alberni School. The installation depicts two thunderbirds, adorned with West Coast designs, and a third without any cultural symbols to represent the horrors of the residential school era.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-10-02|title=Art installation ensures people will never forget, or deny, what happened at AIRS {{!}} Ha-Shilth-Sa Newspaper|url=https://www.hashilthsa.com/news/2014-10-02/art-installation-ensures-people-will-never-forget-or-deny-what-happened-airs|access-date=2021-04-16|website=www.hashilthsa.com|language=en}}</ref>

[[Port Alberni Mill]] opened as a [[kraft process|kraft pulp mill]] in 1946, followed by two [[paper machines]] in 1957.<ref name=christie>{{cite web |url=http://www.pulpandpapercanada.com/news/looking-west-historical-overview-of-the-industry-in-bc/1000141957/?&er=NA |title=Looking West: Historical Overview of the Industry in BC |last=Christie |first=Doug |date=1 January 2004 |work=Pulp and Paper Canada |access-date=9 July 2015 |archive-date=9 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709192606/http://www.pulpandpapercanada.com/news/looking-west-historical-overview-of-the-industry-in-bc/1000141957/?&er=NA |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Bank of Montreal damage in 1946.jpg|thumb|Damage to Bank of Montreal in Port Alberni by the 1946 Vancouver Island earthquake.]]

The [[1946 Vancouver Island earthquake]] was a 7.3 [[moment magnitude scale|magnitude]] [[earthquake]] that struck at 10:15&nbsp;a.m. on Sunday, June 23, 1946.<ref>[http://earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca/historic_eq/20th/1946/1946_e.php The M7.3 Vancouver Island Earthquake of 1946] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060418172000/http://earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca/historic_eq/20th/1946/1946_e.php |date=2006-04-18 }} Retrieved on 2008-06-11</ref> The main shock [[Epicenter|epicentre]] occurred in the [[Forbidden Plateau]] area north of Port Alberni. While most of the large earthquakes in the [[Vancouver]] area occur at [[plate tectonics|tectonic plate]] boundaries, the 1946 Vancouver Island earthquake was a [[crust (geology)|crustal]] event.<ref>[https://www.air-worldwide.com/In-the-News/Media-Center/ 1946 Vancouver Island Earthquake Anniversary] Retrieved on 2008-06-11</ref> Shaking was felt from [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]], Oregon to [[Prince Rupert, British Columbia|Prince Rupert]], British Columbia. The earthquake is remembered as one of the most damaging earthquakes in the history of British Columbia.

In 1955, the Alberni Athletics Senior-A Men's Basketball Team had an outstanding year. The Alberni Athletics won the Canadian Senior Basketball Championships at home. A young [[Jim Robson]] honed his sports reporting skills  doing the play-by-play on radio station [[CJAV]]. The Alberni Athletics were inducted into the [[BC Sports Hall of Fame]] in 2001.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bcsportshall.com/honoured_member/1955-alberni-athletics-/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009025040/http://www.bcsportshalloffame.com/inductees/inductees/bio?id=6&type=team|url-status=live|archive-date=October 9, 2015|title=Alberni Athletics Senior A men's basketball team welcomed into BC Sports Hall of Fame in 1955}}</ref>

[[File:USGS Tsunami Travel Time.gif|thumb|left|Good Friday tsunami]]

In 1964, Port Alberni was hit by a [[tsunami]] during the [[Good Friday earthquake]]. The water rose about {{cvt|1|ft|cm|disp=flip}} in a minute reaching {{cvt|10|ft|0|disp=flip}} above the high-water mark. About 375 homes were damaged and 55 were washed away, however there were no injuries or fatalities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/1227757/watch-remembering-the-1964-port-alberni-tsunami/|title=Remembering the 1964 Port Alberni Tsunami|website=Global News}}</ref>

In 1967, the neighboring towns of Alberni (on the north) and Port Alberni (on the south) amalgamated to form the city of Port Alberni.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.albernivalleynews.com/news/port-alberni-celebrates-50th-anniversary-of-amalgamation/|title=Port Alberni Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Amalgamation.|work=Alberni Valley News}}</ref>

Today, the town is a hub for local, regional, and provincial government, and its West Coast General Hospital provides services to west coast communities like Bamfield, [[Tofino]], and Ucluelet.<ref>[https://www.islandhealth.ca/our-locations/hospitals-health-centre-locations/west-coast-general-hospital West Coast General Hospital]</ref> Currently, the natural resources of the area are taking centre stage again, but in a different way. Port Alberni is in the process of "re-developing" itself as a tourism destination. The area's amenities, such as the natural environment of the area, the opportunities for fishing (both marine and freshwater), its convenience as a jumping-off point for new outdoor recreation and ecotourism activities such as hiking, kayaking, and mountain-biking, lend themselves to these activities very well.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://albernivalleytourism.com|title=Alberni Valley Tourism}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{more citations needed section|date=November 2014}}
Located at the head of the [[Alberni Inlet]], Port Alberni lies adjacent to this natural harbour as well as the Somass River. The other end of the inlet is located on [[Barkley Sound]], which includes the [[Broken Group]] Islands, considered to be one of the best areas for kayaking in the world.<ref>Vancouverisland.com {{cite web |url=http://www.vancouverisland.com/Regions/towns/?townID=4013 |title=Broken Group Islands, Pacific Rim, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada |access-date=2010-01-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100818214656/http://www.vancouverisland.com/Regions/towns/?townID=4013 |archive-date=2010-08-18 }}</ref> [[Sproat Lake]] is located {{cvt|10|km}} west of the city, and the valley is guarded by the snow-covered peaks of the Beaufort range, [[Mount Arrowsmith]] and Mount Klitsa, and surrounded by mountains on all sides.  Kuth-kah-chulth, is the [[Nuu-chah-nulth people|Nuu-Chah-Nulth]] name for Mount Arrowsmith.

[[File:Aerial View of Port Alberni harbour.JPG|thumb|right|Head of the inlet]]

The city itself owes its unique layout to its former "[[Twin cities (geographical proximity)|twin city]]" status, due to its two official [[city centre]]s, as well as the numerous [[Stream|creeks]] and [[ravine]]s that bisect the townsite. The former city of Alberni is now dubbed "North Port", and is centred at [[British Columbia Highway 4|Highway 4]] and Gertrude Street. Visitors continuing onward to the west coast will pass this intersection, marked by the historic Alberni Post Office on the Southeast corner. Much of Port Alberni's recent development has occurred in the North Port area, especially "up the hill", east of the North Port downtown.

The former City of Port Alberni (now referred to as "South Port" or "Uptown") can be found about {{cvt|3|km}} South on 3rd and Argyle street. In 2004, the Capitol Theatre, a local landmark in South Port, underwent extensive renovations and emerged as a stately yet modern relic of past times. This theatre now often hosts live performances. South Port is anchored by the Harbour Quay, a waterfront collection of shops, art galleries, great food and parks. The Port Alberni railway station, farmers market on Saturdays, as well as the Maritime Discovery Centre can be found here.

The city's West End is an eclectic mix of new suburban style homes, large acreages, and two [[First Nations in Canada|First Nations]] [[Indian reserve|reserves]]. Much of the residential growth over the past decade has occurred in the city's West End, where the Westporte neighbourhood has taken shape.

The creeks and ravines that cut through the city create natural barriers; Kitsuksis Creek, Cherry Creek, Roger Creek and Dry Creek each flow through the city.  The hiking trails in these creeks and ravines add tremendously to the quality of life in Port Alberni.

===Climate===
Port Alberni's dry July gives it a warm-summer [[Mediterranean climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Csb''), although it is much wetter than most such places. Although the summer months do see a relatively small amount of precipitation, the vast majority of it comes during the winter months as cool, moist air flows from the Pacific Ocean over the much colder B.C. coast. Despite its location on the relatively drier east side of Vancouver Island, the resulting weak rain shadow is not enough to keep the city dry. Despite its generally wet climate, in summer, afternoon shade temperatures quite often exceed {{cvt|30|C|1}} on average 15–30 days a year, making it one of the warmest places on Vancouver Island in the summer months.

The highest temperature ever recorded in Port Alberni was {{cvt|42.7|C|1}} on [[2021 Western North America heat wave|28 June 2021]].<ref>{{cite web
|url= https://globalnews.ca/news/7991383/lytton-bc-new-all-time-canadian-heat-record-third-day/
|title=Lytton B.C. sets all-time Canadian heat record for third day in a row
|publisher= Global TV
|access-date=29 June 2021}}</ref> The coldest temperature ever recorded was {{cvt|-21.7|C|1}} on 14 January 1950.<ref name="January 1950">{{cite web
|url= http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?hlyRange=%7C&dlyRange=1917-07-01%7C1960-10-31&mlyRange=1917-01-01%7C1960-12-01&StationID=263&Prov=BC&urlExtension=_e.html&searchType=stnName&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&selRowPerPage=25&Line=0&searchMethod=contains&txtStationName=port+alberni&timeframe=2&Year=1950&Month=1
|title=Daily Data Report for January 1950
|date=31 October 2011
|publisher= [[Environment Canada]]
|access-date=30 August 2016}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = [[Port Alberni (Alberni Valley Regional) Airport|Port Alberni Airport]], 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1917–present{{efn|Climate data was recorded at Port Alberni from July 1917 to December 1971 and at [[Port Alberni (Alberni Valley Regional) Airport|Port Alberni Airport]] from November 1969 to present.}}
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan record high C = 15.6
|Feb record high C = 19.4
|Mar record high C = 24.2
|Apr record high C = 30.6
|May record high C = 34.1
|Jun record high C = 42.7
|Jul record high C = 41.1
|Aug record high C = 39.4
|Sep record high C = 35.6
|Oct record high C = 29.3
|Nov record high C = 20.6
|Dec record high C = 16.7
|year record high C = 42.7
|Jan high C = 5.4
|Feb high C = 7.4
|Mar high C = 11.5
|Apr high C = 14.2
|May high C = 18.0
|Jun high C = 20.7
|Jul high C = 24.2
|Aug high C = 25.5
|Sep high C = 22.3
|Oct high C = 14.9
|Nov high C = 8.1
|Dec high C = 4.5
|year high C = 14.7
|Jan mean C = 3.0
|Feb mean C = 3.8
|Mar mean C = 6.4
|Apr mean C = 8.7
|May mean C = 12.0
|Jun mean C = 14.9
|Jul mean C = 17.4
|Aug mean C = 18.0
|Sep mean C = 14.9
|Oct mean C = 10.0
|Nov mean C = 5.3
|Dec mean C = 2.4
|year mean C = 9.7
|Jan low C = 0.5
|Feb low C = 0.1
|Mar low C = 1.3
|Apr low C = 3.2
|May low C = 6.1
|Jun low C = 8.9
|Jul low C = 10.6
|Aug low C = 10.5
|Sep low C = 7.5
|Oct low C = 5.1
|Nov low C = 2.5
|Dec low C = 0.4
|year low C = 4.7
|Jan record low C = -21.7
|Feb record low C = -15.6
|Mar record low C = -13.9
|Apr record low C = -7.8
|May record low C = -5.6
|Jun record low C = 0.0
|Jul record low C = 2.2
|Aug record low C = 1.1
|Sep record low C = -3.9
|Oct record low C = -8.5
|Nov record low C = -16.8
|Dec record low C = -17.4
|year record low C = -21.7
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 290.9
|Feb precipitation mm = 255.3
|Mar precipitation mm = 190.1
|Apr precipitation mm = 126.6
|May precipitation mm = 78.5
|Jun precipitation mm = 55.3
|Jul precipitation mm = 26.1
|Aug precipitation mm = 38.5
|Sep precipitation mm = 49.1
|Oct precipitation mm = 204.4
|Nov precipitation mm = 316.6
|Dec precipitation mm = 276.0
|year precipitation mm = 1907.3
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 275.7
|Feb rain mm = 234.6
|Mar rain mm = 180.6
|Apr rain mm = 125.6
|May rain mm = 78.5
|Jun rain mm = 55.3
|Jul rain mm = 26.1
|Aug rain mm = 38.5
|Sep rain mm = 49.1
|Oct rain mm = 203.3
|Nov rain mm = 305.9
|Dec rain mm = 255.9
|year rain mm = 1829.0
|Jan snow cm = 15.4
|Feb snow cm = 22.2
|Mar snow cm = 10.1
|Apr snow cm = 1.0
|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 = 1.1
|Nov snow cm = 9.6
|Dec snow cm = 20.7
|year snow cm = 80.0
|time day = 15:00 LST
|Jan humidity = 88.3
|Feb humidity = 77.5
|Mar humidity = 65.8
|Apr humidity = 58.6
|May humidity = 59.4
|Jun humidity = 57.7
|Jul humidity = 52.7
|Aug humidity = 47.7
|Sep humidity = 52.5
|Oct humidity = 70.8
|Nov humidity = 83.6
|Dec humidity = 87.5
|year humidity = 66.8
|unit precipitation days = 0.2 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 20.0
|Feb precipitation days = 17.3
|Mar precipitation days = 17.7
|Apr precipitation days = 17.9
|May precipitation days = 14.5
|Jun precipitation days = 12.4
|Jul precipitation days = 6.7
|Aug precipitation days = 6.9
|Sep precipitation days = 8.6
|Oct precipitation days = 15.6
|Nov precipitation days = 21.6
|Dec precipitation days = 19.6
|year precipitation days = 178.5
|unit rain days = 0.2 mm
|Jan rain days = 18.4
|Feb rain days = 15.2
|Mar rain days = 17.2
|Apr rain days = 17.9
|May rain days = 14.5
|Jun rain days = 12.4
|Jul rain days = 6.7
|Aug rain days = 6.9
|Sep rain days = 8.6
|Oct rain days = 15.5
|Nov rain days = 21.0
|Dec rain days = 17.1
|year rain days= 171.3
|unit snow days = 0.2 cm
|Jan snow days = 3.4
|Feb snow days = 3.6
|Mar snow days = 2.6
|Apr snow days = 0.5
|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 = 0.1
|Nov snow days = 1.9
|Dec snow days = 5.1
|year snow days = 17.2
|Jan sun = 24.3
|Feb sun = 58.1
|Mar sun = 111.8
|Apr sun = 150.5
|May sun = 191.4
|Jun sun = 193.8
|Jul sun = 262.8
|Aug sun = 262.6
|Sep sun = 195.8
|Oct sun = 103.1
|Nov sun = 35.0
|Dec sun = 22.1
|year sun = 1611.2
|Jan percentsun = 9.0
|Feb percentsun = 20.4
|Mar percentsun = 30.4
|Apr percentsun = 36.6
|May percentsun = 40.3
|Jun percentsun = 40.0
|Jul percentsun = 53.7
|Aug percentsun = 58.8
|Sep percentsun = 51.6
|Oct percentsun = 30.7
|Nov percentsun = 12.7
|Dec percentsun = 8.6
|year percentsun = 32.8
|source 1 = [[Environment Canada]]<ref name=metadata >{{cite web |url= http://www.climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/climate_normals/station_metadata_e.html?StnId=264|title=Calculation Information for 1981 to 2010 Canadian Normals Data |publisher= Environment Canada |access-date=July 9, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="Port Alberni">{{cite web
|url= http://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_stations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=port+alberni&searchMethod=contains&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&optLimit=specDate&Year=1917&Month=7&Day=30&selRowPerPage=25
|title=Port Alberni
|date=31 October 2011
|publisher= [[Environment Canada]]
|access-date=30 August 2016}}</ref><ref name="Port Alberni Redford">{{cite web
|url= http://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_stations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=port+alberni+redford&searchMethod=contains&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&Year=2016&Month=8&Day=30&selRowPerPage=25
|title=Port Alberni Redford
|date=31 October 2011
|publisher= [[Environment Canada]]
|access-date=30 August 2016}}</ref><ref name="Port Alberni (Aut)">{{cite web
|url= http://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_stations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=port+alberni+%28aut%29&searchMethod=contains&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&Year=2016&Month=8&Day=30&selRowPerPage=25
|title=Port Alberni (Aut)
|date=31 October 2011
|publisher= [[Environment Canada]]
|access-date=30 August 2016}}</ref><ref name="Daily Data Report for October 2022">{{cite web
| url = https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?timeframe=2&Year=2022&Month=10&Day=2&hlyRange=1994-02-01%7C2022-10-02&dlyRange=1992-12-11%7C2022-10-02&mlyRange=2002-03-01%7C2007-02-01&StationID=8045&Prov=BC&urlExtension=_e.html&searchType=stnName&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2022&selRowPerPage=25&Line=1&searchMethod=contains&txtStationName=port+alberni
| title = Daily Data Report for October 2022
| work = Canadian Climate Data
| date = 31 October 2011
| publisher = Environment and Climate Change Canada
| access-date = October 3, 2022
}}</ref>}}

==Demographics==
In the [[2021 Canadian census|2021 Census of Population]] conducted by [[Statistics Canada]], Port Alberni had a population of 18,259 living in 8,451 of its 8,919 total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:18259-17678}}|17678|1}} from its 2016 population of 17,678. With a land area of {{cvt|19.66|km2}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|18259|19.66|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=February 9, 2022 | accessdate=February 20, 2022}}</ref>

The median total household income in 2020 for Port Alberni was $67,000.<ref name=2021canadiancensus>{{cite web | url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=Port%20Alberni&DGUIDlist=2021S0504940&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0| title=Profile table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Port Alberni | publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] | date=August 2, 2024 | accessdate=February 22, 2025}}</ref>

One major characteristic known is the twin city demographic, where previously there were the distinct Port Alberni and Alberni municipalities, the remnants remain with two distinct city centres.

=== Ethnicity ===
{| class="wikitable collapsible sortable"
|+ [[Panethnicity|Panethnic]] groups in the City of Port Alberni (1986−2021)
! rowspan="2" |[[Panethnicity|Panethnic]]<br />group
! colspan="2" |2021<ref name="2021censusB"/>
! colspan="2" |2016<ref name="2016census">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2021-10-27 |title= Census Profile, 2016 Census |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5923008&Geo2=CD&Code2=5923&SearchText=Port%20Alberni&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&TABID=1&type=0 |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |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=5923008&Data=Count&SearchText=Port%20Alberni&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&A1=All&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2006<ref name="2006census">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2019-08-20 |title= 2006 Community Profiles |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5923008&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=Port%20Alberni&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |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=5923008&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=Port%20Alberni&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |1996<ref name="1996census">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2019-07-02 |title= Profile of Census Divisions and Subdivisions, 1996 Census |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/English/census96/data/profiles/Rp-eng.cfm?LANG=E&APATH=3&DETAIL=1&DIM=0&FL=A&FREE=1&GC=0&GID=0&GK=0&GRP=1&PID=35782&PRID=0&PTYPE=89103&S=0&SHOWALL=No&SUB=0&Temporal=2006&THEME=34&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF= |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |1991<ref name="1991censusA">{{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?LANG=E&APATH=3&DETAIL=1&DIM=0&FL=A&FREE=1&GC=0&GID=0&GK=0&GRP=1&PID=30&PRID=0&PTYPE=3&S=0&SHOWALL=No&SUB=0&Temporal=1991&THEME=113&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF= |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref><ref name="1991censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2019-03-29
|title= Data tables, 1991 Census Population by Ethnic Origin (24), Showing Single and Multiple Origins (2) - Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/English/census91/data/tables/Rp-eng.cfm?LANG=E&APATH=3&DETAIL=1&DIM=0&FL=A&FREE=1&GC=0&GID=0&GK=0&GRP=1&PID=61&PRID=0&PTYPE=4&S=0&SHOWALL=No&SUB=0&Temporal=1991&THEME=104&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF= |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |1986<ref name="1986censusA">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2019-06-27
|title= Data tables, 1986 Census Census Profile for Canada, Provinces and Territories, Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 1986 Census - Part A |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/English/census86/data/tables/Rp-eng.cfm?LANG=E&APATH=3&DETAIL=1&DIM=0&FL=A&FREE=1&GC=0&GID=0&GK=0&GRP=1&PID=113684&PRID=0&PTYPE=113679&S=0&SHOWALL=No&SUB=0&Temporal=1986&THEME=133&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF= |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref><ref name="1986censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2019-06-27
|title= Data tables, 1986 Census Census Profile for Canada, Provinces and Territories, Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 1986 Census - Part B |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/English/census86/data/tables/Rp-eng.cfm?LANG=E&APATH=3&DETAIL=1&DIM=0&FL=A&FREE=1&GC=0&GID=0&GK=0&GRP=1&PID=113685&PRID=0&PTYPE=113679&S=0&SHOWALL=No&SUB=0&Temporal=1986&THEME=133&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF= |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref><ref name="indigenous1986">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2013-04-03
|title= Canada's aboriginal population by census subdivisions from the 1986 Census of Canada |url=https://publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.697442/publication.html |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>{{rp|105}}
|-
![[Population|{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
| [[European Canadians|European]]{{efn|Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.|name=euro}}
| 13,975
| {{Percentage | 13975 | 17960 | 2 }}
| 13,290
| {{Percentage | 13290 | 17320 | 2 }}
| 14,400
| {{Percentage | 14400 | 17390 | 2 }}
| 14,295
| {{Percentage | 14295 | 17325 | 2 }}
| 14,320
| {{Percentage | 14320 | 17535 | 2 }}
| 15,235
| {{Percentage | 15235 | 18250 | 2 }}
| 14,875
| {{Percentage | 14875 | 18270 | 2 }}
| 15,175
| {{Percentage | 15175 | 18125 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Indigenous peoples in Canada|Indigenous]]
| 2,860
| {{Percentage | 2860 | 17960 | 2 }}
| 3,030
| {{Percentage | 3030 | 17320 | 2 }}
| 2,205
| {{Percentage | 2205 | 17390 | 2 }}
| 2,050
| {{Percentage | 2050 | 17325 | 2 }}
| 2,320
| {{Percentage | 2320 | 17535 | 2 }}
| 1,410
| {{Percentage | 1410 | 18250 | 2 }}
| 1,920
| {{Percentage | 1920 | 18270 | 2 }}
| 1,465
| {{Percentage | 1465 | 18125 | 2 }}
|-
| [[South Asian Canadians|South Asian]]
| 465
| {{Percentage | 465 | 17960 | 2 }}
| 495
| {{Percentage | 495 | 17320 | 2 }}
| 385
| {{Percentage | 385 | 17390 | 2 }}
| 665
| {{Percentage | 665 | 17325 | 2 }}
| 590
| {{Percentage | 590 | 17535 | 2 }}
| 1,165
| {{Percentage | 1165 | 18250 | 2 }}
| 1,025
| {{Percentage | 1025 | 18270 | 2 }}
| 1,170
| {{Percentage | 1170 | 18125 | 2 }}
|-
| [[East Asian Canadians|East Asian]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.|name=EastAsian}}
| 230
| {{Percentage | 230 | 17960 | 2 }}
| 285
| {{Percentage | 285 | 17320 | 2 }}
| 205
| {{Percentage | 205 | 17390 | 2 }}
| 155
| {{Percentage | 155 | 17325 | 2 }}
| 190
| {{Percentage | 190 | 17535 | 2 }}
| 275
| {{Percentage | 275 | 18250 | 2 }}
| 295
| {{Percentage | 295 | 18270 | 2 }}
| 280
| {{Percentage | 280 | 18125 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Southeast Asia]]n{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.|name=SoutheastAsian}}
| 140
| {{Percentage | 140 | 17960 | 2 }}
| 90
| {{Percentage | 90 | 17320 | 2 }}
| 70
| {{Percentage | 70 | 17390 | 2 }}
| 30
| {{Percentage | 30 | 17325 | 2 }}
| 35
| {{Percentage | 35 | 17535 | 2 }}
| 45
| {{Percentage | 45 | 18250 | 2 }}
| 45
| {{Percentage | 45 | 18270 | 2 }}
| 15
| {{Percentage | 15 | 18125 | 2 }}
|-
| [[African-Canadian|African]]
| 115
| {{Percentage | 115 | 17960 | 2 }}
| 55
| {{Percentage | 55 | 17320 | 2 }}
| 60
| {{Percentage | 60 | 17390 | 2 }}
| 45
| {{Percentage | 45 | 17325 | 2 }}
| 50
| {{Percentage | 50 | 17535 | 2 }}
| 65
| {{Percentage | 65 | 18250 | 2 }}
| 40
| {{Percentage | 40 | 18270 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 18125 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Latin American Canadians|Latin American]]
| 75
| {{Percentage | 75 | 17960 | 2 }}
| 20
| {{Percentage | 20 | 17320 | 2 }}
| 30
| {{Percentage | 30 | 17390 | 2 }}
| 50
| {{Percentage | 50 | 17325 | 2 }}
| 20
| {{Percentage | 20 | 17535 | 2 }}
| 30
| {{Percentage | 30 | 18250 | 2 }}
| 60
| {{Percentage | 60 | 18270 | 2 }}
| 20
| {{Percentage | 20 | 18125 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Middle Eastern Canadians|Middle Eastern]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.|name=MiddleEastern}}
| 20
| {{Percentage | 20 | 17960 | 2 }}
| 25
| {{Percentage | 25 | 17320 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 17390 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 17325 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 17535 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 18250 | 2 }}
| 10
| {{Percentage | 10 | 18270 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 18125 | 2 }}
|-
| Other/[[Multiracial people|Multiracial]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority, {{abbr|n.i.e.|not included elsewhere}}" and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.|name=Other}}
| 80
| {{Percentage | 80 | 17960 | 2 }}
| 35
| {{Percentage | 35 | 17320 | 2 }}
| 30
| {{Percentage | 30 | 17390 | 2 }}
| 35
| {{Percentage | 35 | 17325 | 2 }}
| 10
| {{Percentage | 10 | 17535 | 2 }}
| 25
| {{Percentage | 25 | 18250 | 2 }}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
|-
! Total responses
! 17,960
! {{Percentage | 17960 | 18259 | 2 }}
! 17,320
! {{Percentage | 17320 | 17678 | 2 }}
! 17,390
! {{Percentage | 17390 | 17743 | 2 }}
! 17,325
! {{Percentage | 17325 | 17548 | 2 }}
! 17,535
! {{Percentage | 17535 | 17748 | 2 }}
! 18,250
! {{Percentage | 18250 | 18782 | 2 }}
! 18,270
! {{Percentage | 18270 | 18523 | 2 }}
! 18,125
! {{Percentage | 18125 | 18241 | 2 }}
|-
! Total population
! 18,259
! {{Percentage | 18259 | 18259 | 2 }}
! 17,678
! {{Percentage | 17678 | 17678 | 2 }}
! 17,743
! {{Percentage | 17743 | 17743 | 2 }}
! 17,548
! {{Percentage | 17548 | 17548 | 2 }}
! 17,748
! {{Percentage | 17748 | 17748 | 2 }}
! 18,782
! {{Percentage | 18782 | 18782 | 2 }}
! 18,523
! {{Percentage | 18523 | 18523 | 2 }}
! 18,241
! {{Percentage | 18241 | 18241 | 2 }}
|- class="sortbottom"
| colspan="20" | {{small|Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses}}
|}

=== Religion ===
According to the [[2021 Canadian census|2021 census]], religious groups in Port Alberni 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=Port%20Alberni&DGUIDlist=2021A00055923008&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0 |access-date=2022-11-09 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
*[[Irreligion in Canada|Irreligion]] (11,365 persons or 63.3%)
*[[Christianity in Canada|Christianity]] (5,785 persons or 32.2%)
*[[Sikhism in Canada|Sikhism]] (215 persons or 1.2%)
*[[Hinduism in Canada|Hinduism]] (125 persons or 0.7%)
*[[Buddhism in Canada|Buddhism]] (110 persons or 0.6%)
*[[Mythologies of the indigenous peoples of the Americas|Indigenous Spirituality]] (85 persons or 0.5%)
*[[Islam in Canada|Islam]] (70 persons or 0.4%)
*[[Judaism in Canada|Judaism]] (30 persons or 0.2%)

{| class="wikitable collapsible sortable"
|+ Religious groups in Port Alberni (1991−2021)
! rowspan="2" |Religious group
! colspan="2" |[[2021 Canadian census|2021]]<ref name="2021censusB" />
! colspan="2" |[[2011 Canadian census|2011]]<ref name="2011census"/>
! colspan="2" |[[2001 Canadian census|2001]]<ref name="2001census" />
! colspan="2" |[[1991 Canadian census|1991]]{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}
|-
![[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]]
|    5,785
| {{Percentage |    5,785|    17,960| 2 }}
|    7,650 
| {{Percentage |    7,650 |    17,395 | 2 }}

| 9,300
| {{Percentage | 9,300|      17,535 | 2 }}
| 12,000
| {{Percentage | 12,000|     18,270 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Sikhism in Canada|Sikh]]
|   215
| {{Percentage |   215|    17,960| 2 }}
|  265
| {{Percentage |  265|    17,395 | 2 }}

|   	425
| {{Percentage |   	425|      17,535 | 2 }}
|   725
| {{Percentage |   725|     18,270 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Hinduism in Canada|Hindu]]
|   125
| {{Percentage |   125|    17,960| 2 }}
|  20
| {{Percentage |  20|    17,395 | 2 }}

|   145
| {{Percentage |   145|      17,535 | 2 }}
|   225
| {{Percentage |   225|     18,270 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Buddhism in Canada|Buddhist]]
|  110
| {{Percentage |   110|    17,960| 2 }}
|  120
| {{Percentage |  120|    17,395 | 2 }}

|   45
| {{Percentage |   45|      17,535 | 2 }}
|   50
| {{Percentage |   50|     18,270 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Mythologies of the indigenous peoples of the Americas|Indigenous spirituality]]
|    85
| {{Percentage |   85|    17,960| 2 }}
|  35
| {{Percentage |  35|    17,395 | 2 }}
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
|-

| [[Islam in Canada|Muslim]]
|  70
| {{Percentage |  70|    17,960| 2 }}
|  0
| {{Percentage |  0|    17,395 | 2 }}

|   0
| {{Percentage |   0|      17,535 | 2 }}
|   0
| {{Percentage |   0|     18,270 | 2 }}
|-

| [[Judaism in Canada|Jewish]]
|    30
| {{Percentage |   30|    17,960| 2 }}
|  0
| {{Percentage |  0|    17,395 | 2 }}

|   0
| {{Percentage |   0|      17,535 | 2 }}
|   15
| {{Percentage |   15|     18,270 | 2 }}
|-
| Other religion
|    180
| {{Percentage |    180|    17,960| 2 }}
|  105
| {{Percentage |  105|    17,395 | 2 }}

| 140
| {{Percentage | 140|      17,535 | 2 }}
|   30
| {{Percentage |   30|     18,270 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Irreligion in Canada|Irreligious]]
|    11,365
| {{Percentage |    11,365|    17,960| 2 }}
|    9,195 
| {{Percentage |    9,195  |    17,395 | 2 }}
|      7,475 
| {{Percentage |      7,475 |      17,535 | 2 }}
|      5,225 
| {{Percentage |      5,225 |     18,270 | 2 }}
|- class="sortbottom"
! Total responses
!   17,960
! {{Percentage |   17,960|   18,259| 2 }}
!   17,395 
! {{Percentage |   17,395 | 17,743  | 2 }}
!   17,535 
! {{Percentage |   17,535 |   17,743 | 2 }}
!   18,270 
! {{Percentage |   18,270 |   18,403 | 2 }}
|-
|}

==Health and education==
Public education is offered by [[School District 70 Alberni]], which operates 11 schools in Port Alberni. A new multimillion-dollar state of the art high school opened in 2012–2013.

The ''[[Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique]]'' operates one Francophone primary school: ''école des Grands-cèdres''.<ref>"[http://www.csf.bc.ca/ecoles/en-colombie-britannique/carte-des-ecoles/ Carte des écoles]." ''[[Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britanique]]''. Retrieved on 22 January 2015.</ref> It also provides a French-English school.

Health services are provided in town by West Coast General Hospital, operated by the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA).<ref>[http://www.viha.ca/finding_care/facilities/central_island.htm VIHA Central Island Facilities]. Retrieved 2011-10-24</ref>

==Economy==
{{more citations needed section|date=November 2014}}
The chief source of industry in Port Alberni is forestry, commercial fishing, and tourism.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-03-25 |title=Community Profile |url=https://portalberni.ca/community-profile |access-date=2022-05-24 |website=City of Port Alberni |language=en}}</ref>  In the 1950s, 60's and 70's the forestry labour force in Port Alberni was one of the highest paid in the country.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.portalberni.ca/community-profile|title=Community Profile|date=2014-03-25|website=City of Port Alberni|language=en|access-date=2020-02-04}}</ref> However, over the last fifteen years there has been a decline in the forestry industry and a consequent relative decline in the economy of the city and of its residents.<ref name="auto"/> The Alberni Valley's forests consist primarily of [[Douglas fir]], [[tsuga|hemlock]], [[Cupressus nootkatensis|yellow cedar]] and [[western red cedar]]. Most of the [[old growth forests]] have been logged with current logging coming from [[Secondary forest|second growth forests]]. [[Port Alberni Mill]], owned by [[Catalyst Paper]], sits on the edge of the Alberni Inlet. It produces 340,000 tonnes of [[directory paper]] and [[coated paper|lightweight coated paper]] each year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.catalystpaper.com/fact-sheets/port-alberni |title=Our Mills: Port Alberni, BC |publisher=[[Catalyst Paper]] |date=May 2014 |format=PDF |access-date=9 July 2015 |archive-date=9 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109153148/http://www.catalystpaper.com/fact-sheets/port-alberni |url-status=live}}</ref> There is also a lumber mill, Alberni Pacific Division, that also sits on the inlet. Several smaller sawmills exist throughout the valley. Farming is also practised in the valley.

Port Alberni also serves as a hub for those travelling to the West Coast of Vancouver Island, including [[Ucluelet]], [[Tofino]] and [[Pacific Rim National Park]]. As commodities tend to be much pricier in these remote areas, campers and travellers often do their shopping in Port Alberni before continuing their journey. This has resulted in development along the Johnston Road (Highway 4) corridor, including several [[Big-box store|big box]] retailers, grocery stores and strip mall developments. Previously, [[eco-tourism]] companies have set up shop in the Alberni Valley, taking advantage of the city's location on the fringe of wilderness yet proximate location to [[Vancouver]] and [[Victoria, British Columbia|Victoria]]. For example, there's a kayaking, ATV touring, a windsurfing and a glider company.

== Sports ==
Port Alberni has a rich sporting history and is home to several major facilities, including the multi-purpose Alberni Valley Multiplex (home of the [[Alberni Valley Bulldogs]] of the [[BCHL]]), Bob Dailey Stadium, and the Alberni Athletic Hall.

In 1955, the city's basketball team, the Alberni Athletics, won the Canadian Senior Basketball Championship on their home court, a victory considered a major event in the city's history, leading to the team's induction into the [[BC Sports Hall of Fame]] in 2001.<ref>{{cite web |title=1955 Alberni Athletics |publisher=BC Sports Hall of Fame |url=https://bcsportshall.com/honoured_member/1955-alberni-athletics/ |access-date=October 15, 2025}}</ref>

Bob Dailey Stadium, which features a natural-grass field, has been proposed by local organizing groups as a potential pre-tournament training base for a national team participating in the [[2026 FIFA World Cup]].<ref name="PAr_TC">{{cite news |last1=Dheensaw |first1=Cleve |title=Langford, Alberni Valley groups bidding to host 2026 World Cup training camps |work=[[Times Colonist]] |date=May 14, 2025 |url=https://www.timescolonist.com/sports/langford-alberni-groups-bidding-to-host-2026-world-cup-training-camps-10657679 |access-date=October 15, 2025}}</ref>

==Salmon==
A team of salmon enhancement volunteers and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans have worked to improve salmon habitats throughout the Alberni Valley, adding a Coho hatchery at the McLean Mill National Historic Site, in addition to the successful [[Robertson Creek Hatchery]] on the Stamp River. Port Alberni was awarded the World Fishing Network's “Ultimate Fishing Town” designation in 2010.

==Attractions==
{{more citations needed section|date=November 2014}}
[[File:Mars Water Bomber.jpg|thumb|[[Martin JRM Mars|Martin Mars Water Bomber]]]]

Port Alberni sits beneath [[Mount Arrowsmith]] and is almost completely surrounded by mountains. These mountains provide hiking, walking, and mountain biking trails. It also provides an opportunity to view wildlife, including deer and black bears.

The city is also known for its [[fishing]]. Its waters contain five different species of [[salmon]] and yearly runs of [[rainbow trout|steelhead]]. [[Halibut]] can also be found in the saltwater inlets near the city.

The state-of-the-art Robertson Creek Fish Hatchery is the most successful hatchery on Vancouver Island, producing chinook salmon, coho salmon, and steelhead smolts. It is located a short drive west of Port Alberni.<ref>[http://www-heb.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/facilities/robertson/background_e.htm Robertson Creek Fish Hatchery]</ref> and is open to the public.

Port Alberni is home to the [[McLean Mill National Historic Site]] which incorporates a [[Alberni Pacific Railway|steam railway]] from the downtown harbour to the saw mill up the valley.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120717015543/http://www.alberniheritage.com/ Alberni heritage]</ref>{{better source needed|date=February 2024}} The historic mill offers demonstrations, including operating the old mill. The Alberni Valley has a museum<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.playinpa.ca|title=Website of Port Alberni Parks & Recreation}}</ref> and many ancillary attractions, including [[Sproat Lake]], which is located just outside Port Alberni.

The world's largest [[aerial firefighting]] flying boats, the [[Martin Mars]] Water Bombers, once made their home on nearby [[Sproat Lake]]. This lake is also a summer destination for local residents and cottagers from surrounding areas. The sole remaining Water Bomber is now owned by The Coulson Group, and has been renamed from the Martin Mars Water Bombers to the Coulson Flying Tankers. The provincial lake also provided petroglyphs carved First Nations many years ago.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/sproat_lk/|title=Sproat Lake Provincial Park - BC Parks|last=Environment|first=Ministry of|website=www.env.gov.bc.ca|access-date=2020-02-04}}</ref>

Besides the offers from nature, the city has two quays, Harbour Quay and Victoria Quay, which have shops, restaurants, and art galleries along the inlet. On some autumn evenings, when the inlet's tide is low, black bears can be spotted looking for fish on the other side of Victoria Quay.

The [[Weyerhaeuser Arena|Alberni Valley Multiplex]] in Port Alberni is home to the [[Alberni Valley Bulldogs]], a Junior-A hockey team in the [[BCHL]].

[[Della Falls]], the 16th tallest waterfall in Canada ({{cvt|442|m}}), is accessible by boat from [[Great Central Lake]] or by helicopter.<ref>Della Falls. (2019). In Britannica Online Academic Edition. Retrieved from http://academic.eb.com/levels/collegiate/article/29837</ref> Helicopters are not allowed to land in Strathcona Provincial Park.

==Transportation==
[[Port Alberni (Alberni Valley Regional) Airport|Port Alberni Airport]] (CBS8) is located {{cvt|11|km}} north west of the city.  The airport has a {{cvt|4,000|ft}} runway with another additional {{cvt|2,500|feet}} of taxiways and apron. The airport is home to a number of key tenants, including Coulson Aircrane, Canadian Aero Technologies, Alberni Valley Flying Club and Vancouver Island Helicopters.

The main highway to Port Alberni is [[British Columbia Highway 4|Highway 4]], known locally as the Alberni Highway and the Pacific Rim Highway.  It is the longest east–west main vehicle route on [[Vancouver Island]], with a total length of {{convert|163|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}. The highway to Port Alberni was completed in 1942, and has been designated as Highway 4 since 1953. The highway starts at [[Qualicum Beach, British Columbia|Qualicum Beach]], then reaches Port Alberni from which it continues on to [[Tofino, British Columbia|Tofino]] and [[Ucluelet]].

Port Alberni is served by the [[Island Rail Corridor]] branch line from Parksville known as the Port Alberni Subdivision.

===Port operations===
The Port of Port Alberni regularly receives large oceangoing cargo vessels, such as the Hong Kong-based [http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:462638/mmsi:477636900/vessel:OYSTER%20BAY OYSTER BAY] and the [[Bergen]]-based [http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:310086/imo:9593878/mmsi:258014000/vessel:STAR%20LINDESNES STAR LINDESNES], as well as [[Tugboat|tugs]], [[Fishing vessel|fishing boats]], and search and rescue vessels.<ref>{{cite web|title=Port of PORT ALBERNI (CA PAB) details – Departures, Expected Arrivals and Port Calls &#124; AIS Marine Traffic|url=http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ports/777/Canada_port:PORT%20ALBERNI|website=MarineTraffic|publisher=MarineTraffic.com|access-date=25 November 2017}}</ref>

The Port Alberni Port Authority was created in 1999. Under the Canada Marine Act, the Port Alberni Port Authority is responsible for the Alberni Inlet from the [[Somass River]]<ref>[http://www.britishcolumbia.com/LakesAndRivers/Rivers/details/?ID=78 Somass River]</ref> to [[Tzartus Island]].<ref>[http://www.portalberniportauthority.ca/ Portalberni Portauthority]</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Paul Boyd (journalist)|Paul Boyd]], Canadian and American television journalist (''[[Inside Edition]]'')
* [[Kim Campbell]], 19th Prime Minister of Canada from 25 June to 4 November 1993; the first woman to hold this office.
* [[George Clutesi]] (1905–1988) became a  [[Tseshaht First Nation|Tseshaht]] artist, actor and writer as well as an expert on and spokesman for First Nations cultures. In 1959, he received the British Columbia Centennial Award and the Canada Centennial Medal in 1967.<ref>[http://www.ipl.org/div/natam/bin/browse.pl/A397 Native American Authors: George Clutesi profile], October 9, 2007.</ref> He was commissioned to paint a mural for [[Expo 67]]. [[Emily Carr]] was so impressed with his work that in her will she left him her brushes, oils and unused canvases. He died in [[Victoria, British Columbia|Victoria]] in 1988.
* [[Travis Cross]], Olympic wrestler
* [[Bill Alexander (painter)|Wilhelm Alexander]], German born painter, art instructor, and television host.
*[[Paul Cyr]], drafted into the [[National Hockey League|NHL]] by the [[Buffalo Sabres]] in the first round (9th overall) in 1982.
* [[David Dziurzynski]], Ottawa/ Binghamton Senators NHL/ AHL forward.
* [[Leo, Gerry and Myles Fitzgerald]] (born August 26, 1993[1]) are Canadian former child actors and current ice hockey players best known for their joint roles as Sylvester (Sly) and Whit in the 1999 film, Baby Geniuses.[2] They also appeared in the sequel, Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2, in 2004.
* [[Leonard Frank (photographer)|Leonard Frank]], photographer
* [[Laurent Brossoit]], NHL goaltender with the [[Chicago Blackhawks]].
* [[Rick Hansen]], Canadian paraplegic athlete and activist for people with spinal cord injuries who is most famous for his Man in Motion world tour to raise money for the cause and show the physical capabilities of such people.
* [[Jim Hiller]], current head coach of the [[National Hockey League]]'s [[Los Angeles Kings]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-add-three-assistant-coaches-to-staff/|title = Maple Leafs add three assistant coaches to staff - Sportsnet.ca}}</ref>
* [[Eric Jespersen]], bronze medalist at the [[1992 Summer Olympics|1992 Olympics]]
* [[Jamie Lowery]], former soccer player and member of Canada's national team at the [[1986 World Cup]].
* [[Dakota Morton]], youngest Canadian radio host; created the record and set it on January 16, 1999, at the age of 10 years 218 days. Record was awarded while Dakota was hosting his radio show at CJAV radio in Port Alberni.
* [[Kenneth Oppel]], Canadian writer of the Silverwing & Matt Cruse series.<ref>''Guinness World Records 2005 Special 50th Anniversary Edition''; {{ISBN|0-9735514-0-2}}<!-- date needed --></ref>
* [[Davis Payne]], ice hockey player and coach
* [[Rob Shick]], has been with the [[NHL]] as an official since September 1, 1984
* [[Alec Thomas]], fisherman, trapper, longshoreman, logger, “anthropologist”, interpreter, and Tseshaht politician.<ref>[http://www.tseshaht.com/tradition_history/figures/alec_thomas.php Alec Thomas profile] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061122183538/http://www.tseshaht.com/tradition_history/figures/alec_thomas.php |date=2006-11-22 }}, tseshaht.com; accessed March 1, 2014.</ref>
* [[Harry Zolnierczyk]], Nashville Predators forward
* [[Jim Robson]], the iconic voice of the Vancouver Canucks, started his legendary broadcasting career in Port Alberni
* Bryer Schmegelsky and Kam McLeod, primary suspects of the [[2019 Northern British Columbia murders]] of a tourist couple and [[UBC]] professor, and were subjects of a nationwide manhunt.
* [[Lauren Spencer-Smith]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.laurenspencersmith.com/follow/|title=Follow ⋆ Lauren Spencer-Smith|work=Lauren Spencer-Smith }}</ref> is a singer who appeared on season 18 of ''[[American Idol (season 18)|American Idol]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vancouverislandfreedaily.com/entertainment/vancouver-island-singers-new-song-becomes-tiktok-sensation-2/|title = Vancouver Island singer's new song becomes TikTok sensation|date = 4 August 2021}}</ref> and became popular on TikTok in 2021 with songs like "Back to Friends"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/vancouver-island-s-american-idol-releases-her-first-original-song-1.5531399|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801222315/https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/vancouver-island-s-american-idol-releases-her-first-original-song-1.5531399|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 1, 2021|title = Vancouver Island's American Idol releases her first original song|date = August 2021}}</ref> and "Fingers Crossed".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=329765&title+"FINGERS-CROSSED"-FOR-INDIE-BREAKOUTS|title = "Fingers Crossed" for Indie Breakouts (Update)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blackboybulletin.com/2022/01/05/track-review-lauren-spencer-smith-fingers-crossed/|title=Track Review: Lauren Spencer-Smith, "Fingers Crossed"|work=black boy bulletin |date=6 January 2022}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Alberni Valley Heritage Network]]
* [[Bainbridge Lake]]
* [[CJAV-FM]] 93.3 (known on-air as "The Peak")
* [[Cox Lake (British Columbia)]]
* [http://myalberni.ca MyAlberni]<ref>{{cite web |title=Alberni businesses in BC award finals |url=https://www.albernivalleynews.com/business/alberni-businesses-in-bc-award-finals/ |website=Port Alberni Valley News |date=7 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Alemany |first1=Chris |title=Port Alberni? There's an App for that! And… Signing off for a couple weeks. |url=https://www.alberniweather.ca/port-alberni-theres-an-app-for-that-and-signing-off-for-a-couple-weeks/ |website=Alberniweather |date=24 June 2014}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Port Alberni}}
*{{Official website}}
*{{Wikivoyage inline}}

{{VancouverIslandCommunities}}
{{Subdivisions of British Columbia|city=yes}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Port Alberni| ]]
[[Category:Cities in British Columbia]]
[[Category:Populated places on the British Columbia Coast]]