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Business Advantage

Testimonial from the Executive Vice President of Cactus Club Restaurants.

Langley City is unmatched as a place of business and investment. A central location, integrated transportation connections, a thriving economy, low cost of doing business, an affluent population, a supportive business community, and a fantastic lifestyle all continue to attract businesses to move here, stay here, and flourish.

Community Profile
For an overview of Langley City from an investment perspective, read our Community Profile. It includes information on the city's role within Metro Vancouver, land development, demographics, lifestyle, education, labour, transportation, utilities, costs, government relations, and resources.

Trade Market

Despite our relatively small area and population, Langley City serves as a major destination and commercial centre for a much larger market in the eastern Metro Vancouver area. This is supported by its designation as a Regional City Centre within regional plans, which positions Langley City to only grow in its role as a service centre for the surrounding area. Its $3.84 billion trade market includes a population of over 275,000 people and an average household income of $95,000 throughout the Township of Langley, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Cloverdale, and South Surrey.

Retail Trade Area Analysis and Retail Demand Brief
A Retail Trade Area Analysis report was prepared for the City in 2012 and provides additional information on Langley City's business potential that can contribute to your market research. This report includes an overview of relevant retail market statistical trends, detailed demographic analysis comparing Langley City and its primary and secondary trade areas to provincial averages, and anticipated demand potential for the retail and food and beverage sectors.

Costs

Langley City maintains some of the lowest costs of living and doing business in the region, including development fees, commercial-to-residential property tax ratios, and property taxes. We also have some of the fastest business licence and development approval processes in the region, allowing you to start earning from your investment sooner.

NAIOP Industrial Survey
NAIOP, a commercial real estate development association, releases annual cost of business surveys for land development in Metro Vancouver. It includes information and comparisons between different municipalities in the region on municipal fees, development approval timing, building permits issued, and commercial-to-residential property tax ratios. The 2019 report shows Langley City as having below average total municipal fees along with the fifth lowest commercial-to-residential property tax ratio and one of the fastest permit approving processes in the Lower Mainland.

Development Cost Charges & Amenity Contributions
Langley City's Development Cost Charges, or DCCs, and Amenity Contributions (CACs) are some of the lowest in the Lower Mainland. See the amounts that would be applied to residential, commercial, and industrial construction, and how those revenues are distributed. These funds allow the City to fund key amenities which improve the livability of the community and make Langley City a more attractive place to live and invest in.

Housing Prices
Median housing prices in the Langley City and Township market combined as of October 2020 (FVREB):

  • Single-detached house: $1,049,999
  • Townhouse: $614,025
  • Apartment: $399,900
Education

Langley City is home to a variety of educational institutions serving its population and creating opportunities for business partnerships in research and internships.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University is a public undergraduate polytechnic university with multiple campuses throughout Metro Vancouver, including one within Langley City limits. With an approximate enrollment of 3,500 students, Kwantlen offers bachelors' degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, and citations in over 135 programs. The 45-acre, $30 million Langley City campus includes specialized amenities such as a horticulture field lab, a turf training facility, a Brewing Instructional Laboratory, a 250-seat auditorium, and sophisticated nursing, science, and botany labs.

Trinity Western University is a private Christian university with an enrollment of approximately 4,000 students, located just outside Langley City's borders in the Township of Langley. It offers undergraduate and masters' programs in the sciences, communications, business, and the humanities. Special programs include English as a Second Language, nursing, co-op education, and continuing studies.

Langley City public schools are part of School District No. 35, which is shared with the Township of Langley. Langley City students are served by six elementary schools and one middle school within Langley City, and by a secondary school located just outside its boundary in the Township of Langley.

Awards & Recognition

Langley City is a consistently award-winning community as a result of its forward-looking plans, efficient operation, and business-welcoming practices. Recent accolades are listed below:

  • 2019 Community Recognition Award, Wood Works/Canadian Wood Council: Timms Community Centre
  • 2015 Green Champion Award, Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)
  • 2015 Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) Open for Business Award: BC Small Business
  • 2015 Sustainable Communities Award, FCM
  • 2014 UBCM Open for Business Award: BC Small Business
  • 2014 BC Economic Development Association (BCEDA) Community Excellence Award: Brownfield Redevelopment Strategy
  • 2013 Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) Brownie Award: Brownfield Redevelopment Strategy
  • 2013 UBCM Opem for Business Award: BS Small Business
  • 2013 NAIOP Municipal Excellence Award
  • 2010 Planning Institute of BC (PIBC) Award of Excellence: Downtown Master Plan
  • 2009 Economic Development Association of BC (EDABC) Award: Downtown Master Plan
  • 2008 EDABC Award: Place to Be "Branding Strategy & Marketing Materials"