--- title: "Explore Prince George: history, geography and neighbourhoods" description: "The story of Prince George: Lheidli T’enneh territory, the fur trade and railway boom, the old glacial lake, the two rivers and every neighbourhood." url: https://princegeorgepulse.ca/explore/ markdown: https://princegeorgepulse.ca/explore.md site: PG Pulse (https://princegeorgepulse.ca), The pulse of Prince George, British Columbia generated: 2026-10-16T15:49:11.889Z --- # Explore Prince George: history, geography and neighbourhoods The story of Prince George: Lheidli T’enneh territory, the fur trade and railway boom, the old glacial lake, the two rivers and every neighbourhood. [Lheidli T’enneh territory and Indigenous Prince George Whose land this is, a timeline, Dakelh words, a land acknowledgement guide and local organizations.](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/indigenous/) ## Prince George in brief How many people live here depends on the boundary: the city itself, the built-up area, the commuting area or the whole regional district. Every figure says which one, and when. - Population estimate [Statistics Canada, table 17-10-0155](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1710015501) 85,944 people City of Prince George July 1, 2025 - Population estimate (BC Stats) [BC Stats, P.E.O.P.L.E.](https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/bc-sub-provincial-population-estimates-and-projections) 85,950 people City of Prince George July 1, 2025 - 2021 Census count [Statistics Canada, Census Profile](https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&DGUIDlist=2021A00055953023,2021S0504970,2021S05100679,2021A00035953,2021A000259&GENDERlist=1&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0) 76,708 people City of Prince George May 11, 2021 - 2021 Census count [Statistics Canada, Census Profile](https://api.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/profile/sdmx/rest/data/STC_CP,DF_CMACA/A5.2021S0504970.1..1?format=csv) 89,490 people Prince George census agglomeration May 11, 2021 - 2021 Census count [Statistics Canada, Census Profile](https://api.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/profile/sdmx/rest/data/STC_CP,DF_POPCNTR/A5.2021S05100679.1..1?format=csv) 67,339 people Prince George population centre May 11, 2021 - 2021 Census count [Statistics Canada, Census Profile](https://api.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/profile/sdmx/rest/data/STC_CP,DF_CD/A5.2021A00035953.1..1?format=csv) 96,979 people Regional District of Fraser-Fort George May 11, 2021 - Population estimate (BC Stats) [BC Stats, P.E.O.P.L.E.](https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/bc-sub-provincial-population-estimates-and-projections) 107,639 people Regional District of Fraser-Fort George July 1, 2025 - Projected population, 2046 Projection · [BC Stats, P.E.O.P.L.E. projection](https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/bc-sub-provincial-population-estimates-and-projections) 89,089 people City of Prince George July 1, 2046 - **Median age**: 38.8 - City of Prince George, 2021 Census - **Land area**: 316.7 km² - City of Prince George, 2021 Census - **Indigenous identity**: 15.3% - City of Prince George, 2021 Census - **Immigrants (born outside Canada)**: 10.3% - City of Prince George, 2021 Census - **Visible minority**: 11.6% - City of Prince George, 2021 Census - **No religion**: 59.5% - City of Prince George, 2021 Census [Population, origins, faith and languages](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/dashboard/people/) - ### [History of Prince George, BC](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/explore/history/) ![Black and white photograph of the young city of Prince George in May 1919, with low wooden buildings and cleared land](https://princegeorgepulse-media.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/prince-george/guides/black-white-photograph-young-city-prince-george-may-e18c31-640.webp) A timeline of Prince George history, from the Lheidli T’enneh homeland at the confluence to a fur post, a railway boomtown and a northern capital. - ### [Lheidli T’enneh First Nation: people of the confluence](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/explore/lheidli-tenneh/) ![Lawns, trees and pathways in Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park beside the Fraser River in Prince George](https://princegeorgepulse-media.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/prince-george/guides/lawns-trees-pathways-lheidli-tenneh-memorial-park-beside-29b50d-640.webp) The Lheidli T’enneh, on whose traditional territory Prince George stands: their name, history, the 1913 removal and Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park. - ### [Fort George and the railway boom: how Prince George began](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/explore/fort-george-and-the-railway-boom/) ![Historic black and white photograph of George Street in early Prince George, with wooden storefronts and a dirt road](https://princegeorgepulse-media.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/prince-george/guides/historic-black-white-photograph-george-street-early-prince-148f82-640.webp) Simon Fraser’s 1807 fur post, the South Fort George and Fort George rivalry, the Grand Trunk Pacific’s 1914 arrival and 1915 incorporation. - ### [Glacial Lake Prince George: why the city sits in a bowl](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/explore/glacial-lake-prince-george/) ![Tall pale silt cliffs, the Nechako cutbanks, rising above the Nechako River in Prince George](https://princegeorgepulse-media.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/prince-george/guides/tall-pale-silt-cliffs-nechako-cutbanks-rising-above-81824c-640.webp) How ice sheets, a vanished glacial lake and two rivers carved the Prince George bowl, its silt cutbanks and the benches the city is built on. - ### [Geography of Prince George: rivers, plateau and forest](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/explore/geography-and-rivers/) ![Aerial view of Prince George showing the city spread across the river valley](https://princegeorgepulse-media.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/prince-george/guides/aerial-view-over-prince-georges-neighbourhoods-fraser-river-526ff9-640.webp) Where Prince George sits: the Fraser–Nechako confluence, the Interior Plateau, sub-boreal spruce forest, Tabor Mountain, lakes and the Arctic divide. - ### [Prince George climate: weather by month, records and normals](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/explore/climate/) ![Sun dogs, bright spots of light on either side of the sun, over snowy Prince George on a very cold day](https://princegeorgepulse-media.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/prince-george/guides/sun-dogs-bright-spots-light-either-side-sun-f15107-526.webp) Prince George climate normals for 1991–2020: monthly highs and lows, snowfall, rain, sunshine and record temperatures, plus tips for every season. - ### [Prince George neighbourhoods: a guide to the city’s areas](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/explore/neighbourhoods/) ![View of downtown Prince George from University Way, with low-rise buildings, trees and hills beyond](https://princegeorgepulse-media.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/prince-george/guides/downtown-prince-george-seen-university-way-low-rise-c304f5-640.webp) A guide to Prince George neighbourhoods: Downtown, the Crescents, the VLA, College Heights, the Hart, South Fort George, Miworth and Blackburn. - ### [Prince George economy: forestry, rail, health and education](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/explore/economy-and-industry/) ![Aerial view of a large pulp mill with steam plumes on the edge of Prince George](https://princegeorgepulse-media.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/prince-george/guides/aerial-view-large-pulp-mill-steam-plumes-edge-226695-640.webp) How Prince George makes a living: forestry and pulp, the CN rail hub, YXS airport, health care, UNBC and CNC, mining services and northern supply. - ### [Sports and notable people in Prince George, BC](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/explore/notable-people-and-sports/) ![A curler delivering a stone at the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George](https://princegeorgepulse-media.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/prince-george/guides/curler-delivering-stone-2015-canada-winter-games-prince-4ec30a-640.webp) Cougars and Spruce Kings hockey, the 2015 Canada Winter Games, the CN Centre, Nordic skiing and notable people with roots in Prince George. - ### [Arts and culture in Prince George, BC](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/explore/arts-and-culture/) ![Musician Celeigh Cardinal performing on stage at the Coldsnap Music Festival in Prince George](https://princegeorgepulse-media.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/prince-george/guides/musician-celeigh-cardinal-performing-stage-coldsnap-music-608684-640.webp) Prince George galleries, museums, theatre, music and festivals: Two Rivers Gallery, The Exploration Place, Theatre NorthWest, the symphony, Coldsnap. ## A short timeline 1. Time immemorial The Lheidli T’enneh, “the people from where the two rivers flow together”, live at the confluence of the Nechako and Fraser. 2. 1807 Simon Fraser of the North West Company builds Fort George, a fur trade post, near the confluence. 3. 1913 The Lheidli T’enneh are removed from the Fort George reserve as the railway townsite is laid out. 4. 1914 The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway reaches the new townsite, settling the rivalry between the three “Georges”. 5. 1915 The City of Prince George is incorporated. 6. 1952 The John Hart Highway opens north to Dawson Creek, making Prince George the crossroads of the north. 7. 1960s Three pulp mills open and the city becomes the capital of BC’s northern forest industry. 8. 1994 The University of Northern British Columbia opens its Prince George campus. 9. 2015 Prince George hosts the Canada Winter Games. [Read the full history](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/explore/history/) ## More in Explore [See all in Explore](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/browse/#explore) - [Things to do Parks, trails, indoor fun](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/visit/) - [Outdoors Parks, lakes, trails and campgrounds nearby](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/outdoors/) - [Indoor fun Things to do on rainy and cold days](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/visit/indoor-activities/) - [Where to stay Hotels, motels, B&Bs and campgrounds](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/visit/where-to-stay/) - [Lheidli T’enneh Whose land this is](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/indigenous/) - [Land and resources Forests, mines, geography](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/dashboard/resources/) ## Data Machine-readable data behind this page, from the free PG Pulse API (https://princegeorgepulse.ca/developers/). ### Prince George in brief Source: [Statistics Canada, Census Profile](https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/index-eng.cfm). Licence: Statistics Canada Open Licence (https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/terms-conditions/open-licence). Updated 2026-10-02T03:39:42.819Z. JSON: https://princegeorgepulse.ca/api/v1/people/brief | id | label | value | display | geography | asOf | source | sourceUrl | kind | asOfLabel | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | population-estimate | Population estimate | 85944 | 85,944 | City of Prince George | 2025-07-01 | Statistics Canada, table 17-10-0155 | https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1710015501 | estimate | July 1, 2025 | | population-estimate-bcstats | Population estimate (BC Stats) | 85950 | 85,950 | City of Prince George | 2025-07-01 | BC Stats, P.E.O.P.L.E. | https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/bc-sub-provincial-population-estimates-and-projections | estimate | July 1, 2025 | | census-city | 2021 Census count | 76708 | 76,708 | City of Prince George | 2021-05-11 | Statistics Canada, Census Profile | https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&DGUIDlist=2021A00055953023,2021S0504970,2021S05100679,2021A00035953,2021… | count | May 11, 2021 | | census-ca | 2021 Census count | 89490 | 89,490 | Prince George census agglomeration | 2021-05-11 | Statistics Canada, Census Profile | https://api.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/profile/sdmx/rest/data/STC_CP,DF_CMACA/A5.2021S0504970.1..1?format=csv | count | May 11, 2021 | | census-popCentre | 2021 Census count | 67339 | 67,339 | Prince George population centre | 2021-05-11 | Statistics Canada, Census Profile | https://api.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/profile/sdmx/rest/data/STC_CP,DF_POPCNTR/A5.2021S05100679.1..1?format=csv | count | May 11, 2021 | | census-cd | 2021 Census count | 96979 | 96,979 | Regional District of Fraser-Fort George | 2021-05-11 | Statistics Canada, Census Profile | https://api.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/profile/sdmx/rest/data/STC_CP,DF_CD/A5.2021A00035953.1..1?format=csv | count | May 11, 2021 | | population-estimate-rd | Population estimate (BC Stats) | 107639 | 107,639 | Regional District of Fraser-Fort George | 2025-07-01 | BC Stats, P.E.O.P.L.E. | https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/bc-sub-provincial-population-estimates-and-projections | estimate | July 1, 2025 | | population-projection | Projected population, 2046 | 89089 | 89,089 | City of Prince George | 2046-07-01 | BC Stats, P.E.O.P.L.E. projection | https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/bc-sub-provincial-population-estimates-and-projections | projection | July 1, 2046 | | median-age | Median age | 38.8 | 38.8 | City of Prince George | 2021-05-11 | Statistics Canada, 2021 Census Profile | https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&DGUIDlist=2021A00055953023,2021A000259&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&… | measure | May 11, 2021 | | land-area | Land area | 316.74 | 316.7 km² | City of Prince George | 2021-05-11 | Statistics Canada, 2021 Census Profile | https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&DGUIDlist=2021A00055953023,2021A000259&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&… | measure | May 11, 2021 | | indigenous-share | Indigenous identity | 15.3 | 15.3% | City of Prince George | 2021-05-11 | Statistics Canada, 2021 Census Profile | https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&DGUIDlist=2021A00055953023,2021A000259,2021A000011124&GENDERlist=1&STATI… | share | May 11, 2021 | | immigrant-share | Immigrants (born outside Canada) | 10.3 | 10.3% | City of Prince George | 2021-05-11 | Statistics Canada, 2021 Census Profile | https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&DGUIDlist=2021A00055953023,2021A000259,2021A000011124&GENDERlist=1&STATI… | share | May 11, 2021 | | visible-minority-share | Visible minority | 11.6 | 11.6% | City of Prince George | 2021-05-11 | Statistics Canada, 2021 Census Profile | https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&DGUIDlist=2021A00055953023,2021A000259,2021A000011124&GENDERlist=1&STATI… | share | May 11, 2021 | | no-religion-share | No religion | 59.5 | 59.5% | City of Prince George | 2021-05-11 | Statistics Canada, 2021 Census Profile | https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&DGUIDlist=2021A00055953023,2021A000259,2021A000011124&GENDERlist=1&STATI… | share | May 11, 2021 | ### Guides in this section Source: [PG Pulse guides (plain-language guides with links to official sources)](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/). Licence: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). JSON: https://princegeorgepulse.ca/api/v1/guides?section=explore&fields=title,description,updated,url | title | description | updated | url | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | History of Prince George, BC | A timeline of Prince George history, from the Lheidli T’enneh homeland at the confluence to a fur post, a railway boomtown and a northern capital. | 2026-09-30T00:00:00.000Z | https://princegeorgepulse.ca/explore/history/ | | Lheidli T’enneh First Nation: people of the confluence | The Lheidli T’enneh, on whose traditional territory Prince George stands: their name, history, the 1913 removal and Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park. | 2026-09-30T00:00:00.000Z | https://princegeorgepulse.ca/explore/lheidli-tenneh/ | | Fort George and the railway boom: how Prince George began | Simon Fraser’s 1807 fur post, the South Fort George and Fort George rivalry, the Grand Trunk Pacific’s 1914 arrival and 1915 incorporation. | 2026-09-30T00:00:00.000Z | https://princegeorgepulse.ca/explore/fort-george-and-the-railway-boom/ | | Glacial Lake Prince George: why the city sits in a bowl | How ice sheets, a vanished glacial lake and two rivers carved the Prince George bowl, its silt cutbanks and the benches the city is built on. | 2026-09-30T00:00:00.000Z | https://princegeorgepulse.ca/explore/glacial-lake-prince-george/ | | Geography of Prince George: rivers, plateau and forest | Where Prince George sits: the Fraser–Nechako confluence, the Interior Plateau, sub-boreal spruce forest, Tabor Mountain, lakes and the Arctic divide. | 2026-09-30T00:00:00.000Z | https://princegeorgepulse.ca/explore/geography-and-rivers/ | | Prince George climate: weather by month, records and normals | Prince George climate normals for 1991–2020: monthly highs and lows, snowfall, rain, sunshine and record temperatures, plus tips for every season. | 2026-09-30T00:00:00.000Z | https://princegeorgepulse.ca/explore/climate/ | | Prince George neighbourhoods: a guide to the city’s areas | A guide to Prince George neighbourhoods: Downtown, the Crescents, the VLA, College Heights, the Hart, South Fort George, Miworth and Blackburn. | 2026-09-30T00:00:00.000Z | https://princegeorgepulse.ca/explore/neighbourhoods/ | | Prince George economy: forestry, rail, health and education | How Prince George makes a living: forestry and pulp, the CN rail hub, YXS airport, health care, UNBC and CNC, mining services and northern supply. | 2026-09-30T00:00:00.000Z | https://princegeorgepulse.ca/explore/economy-and-industry/ | | Sports and notable people in Prince George, BC | Cougars and Spruce Kings hockey, the 2015 Canada Winter Games, the CN Centre, Nordic skiing and notable people with roots in Prince George. | 2026-09-30T00:00:00.000Z | https://princegeorgepulse.ca/explore/notable-people-and-sports/ | | Arts and culture in Prince George, BC | Prince George galleries, museums, theatre, music and festivals: Two Rivers Gallery, The Exploration Place, Theatre NorthWest, the symphony, Coldsnap. | 2026-09-30T00:00:00.000Z | https://princegeorgepulse.ca/explore/arts-and-culture/ | --- Markdown version of https://princegeorgepulse.ca/explore/. Guide for AI agents: https://princegeorgepulse.ca/llms.txt. Free API: https://princegeorgepulse.ca/developers/