Qualicum Beach is a town located in the Regional District of Nanaimo, British Columbia. As of the 2001 census, the town had a total population of 6,921.

Located on the Strait of Georgia on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, the community has been a popular tourist destination for residents of Victoria and Vancouver, as well as a retirement community, served by both the Island Highway (the main North-South highway on the Island) and by a daily train. The community is dotted with rental cottages along the coastline. It has the oldest average population in Canada.

History

Qualicum Beach was officially incorporated as a Village on May 5, 1942 and was changed to Town status on January 7, 1983. The name "Qualicum" comes from a Coast Salish term that means "where the dog salmon run."

Geography

Qualicum Beach is located at (49.349384, -124.44442). Major highways that run through the city are British Columbia provincial highways 4, 19, and 19A.

According to Statistics Canada, the town has a total area of 12.45 km².

Demographics

As of the Canada 2001 Census, there are 6,921 people, and 3,509 households living in the town. The population density is 556.0/km².