Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Field Notes • Canada Places

Surrey, British Columbia

Surrey is a city in British Columbia, Canada, located south of the Fraser River and bordering the United States.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Surrey is a city in British Columbia, Canada, located south of the Fraser River and bordering the United States. It is part of Metro Vancouver and is the province’s second-most populous municipality after Vancouver.

What it is

Surrey is a member municipality of Metro Vancouver and the largest city in the region by land area. It was incorporated in 1879 and became a city in 1993. The city includes a mix of urban neighbourhoods, agricultural land, and rural areas.

Key details

As of the 2021 census, Surrey’s population was 568,322, making it the second-most populous municipality in British Columbia. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in the region and a major centre for population growth south of the Fraser River.

Why it matters

Surrey is highly relevant to Canadian discussions on urban planning, housing, and transportation. Its rapid growth and large land area shape Metro Vancouver’s development patterns and infrastructure needs.

In short

  • Second-most populous municipality in British Columbia
  • Largest city in Metro Vancouver by land area
  • Located south of the Fraser River and bordering the United States
  • Incorporated in 1879; became a city in 1993
Canadian angle

Surrey is one of the largest and fastest-growing cities in Metro Vancouver, making it highly relevant to Canadian urban planning, housing, transportation, and population growth discussions.

Quick questions

Where is Surrey, British Columbia located?
Surrey is in southwestern British Columbia, south of the Fraser River and on the Canada–United States border.
Is Surrey part of Metro Vancouver?
Yes. Surrey is one of the municipalities in Metro Vancouver.
How many people live in Surrey?
Surrey’s population was 568,322 in the 2021 census.

Sources

  1. City of Surrey — https://www.surrey.ca/about-surrey
    Supports: Location, Metro Vancouver membership, land area, population ranking, and Indigenous territory statement
  2. The Canadian Encyclopedia — https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/surrey
    Supports: Incorporation date, 2021 and 2016 census population, and regional location
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrey,_British_Columbia
    Supports: General geographic description, population ranking, and area ranking