About Kelowna

Here is a little information on the city of Kelowna for people who have just moved here or are thinking about relocatiing to our beautiful city in the Okanagan Valley.

A BRIEF HISTORY

Kelowna was incorporated in May 1905 when our population consisted of 600 people and farming was the economic mainstay of the region. Today more than 122,000 people call Kelowna home and we’re considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in Canada. Visit the City of Kelowna's Heritage webpage for more information on how Kelowna is preserving its' Historical buildings and culture.

QUICK FACTS & LINKS

  • Kelowna has a population of over 122,000 people.
  • The Central Okanagan Regional District has a population of 184,000.
  • Kelowna encompasses 214 km2 of land and 48 km2 of water area.
  • The beautiful Okanagan Lake is 110 km long.
  • Kelowna is 344 metres (1,129 feet) above sea level.
  • Summer Climate: The average daytime high during July and August is 27.4 C.
  • Winter Climate: The average daytime high during December and January is -0.3 C. The average low is -7.7 C.
  • Kelowna receives over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually and 28 cm of rain. Kelowna is sunny...
  • Total annual precipitation is 366.4 mm. (280.7 mm. of rain and 105.5 cm. of snow).
  • Kelowna is home to several local theatre groups, a symphony orchestra, museums and numerous art galleries.
  • Kelowna General Hospital is the largest and most comprehensive in the southern interior of BC with a full treatment cancer clinic.
  • UBC Okanagan opened in September 2005. 
  • The W.R. Bennett Bridge opened in May 2008, and has replaced the old Okanagan Lake Bridge (built in 1958) as the only vehicular crossing over Okanagan Lake. Named after former Premier William R. Bennett, the bridge is five lanes in width and almost 1063 meters in length. It remains the only floating bridge in Canada.

HELPFUL LINKS WHEN MOVING

INTERESTING LINKS ABOUT KELOWNA