Langford has been recognized as British Columbia’s Most Resilient City and Best Place for Work for the second year in a row.
The ranking by B.C. Business Magazine considers several factors, including economic diversity, population growth, household financial vulnerability, resident sense of belonging, residential gas emissions, rental vacancy rate, residential sales, housing starts, change in jobs and annual unemployment rate.
The report also factored in social and environmental resilience.
Carrying forward last year’s theme of resilience, the eighth annual ranking reported on 50 of the province’s largest communities based on a set of 10 indicators provided to B.C. Business Magazine from research partner Environics Analytics.
One of the new indicators examined rental vacancy rates as a barometer for housing availability, and an economic diversity indicator showing how well represented different industries are among the city’s employed residents.
“Although the last couple of years continues to be challenging for both residents, business owners and employees, this ranking is a strong signal that we continue to move in the right direction,” Langford Mayor Stew Young said in a statement.
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the city has continued its work to spur investment and new development in Langford’s core commercial areas. As a community we collectively continue to support each other as a resilient, diverse, and strong community. Everyone should be very proud of this accomplishment and recognition.”
This latest award follows a list of other awards for Langford during the pandemic including No. 1 ranking as Best Community in B.C., and No. 18 Best Community in Canada by Maclean’s magazine; Most Livable City in Canada, by RATESDOTCA; and Economic Resiliency and Recovery Award, population over 20,000 by the B.C. Economic Development Association for the I AM Langford campaign.
