Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Field Notes • Canada Places

Westmount, Quebec

Westmount is a city on the Island of Montreal in southwestern Quebec, Canada, enclosed by the city of Montreal.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Westmount is an autonomous city on the Island of Montreal, Quebec, enclosed by Montreal. Known for its historic homes, parks, and tree-lined streets, it is a primarily residential community on the slopes of Mount Royal.

What it is

Westmount is a small autonomous municipality completely surrounded by Montreal. It lies on the western and southwestern slopes of Mount Royal, covering 4.02 km². It was first incorporated in 1874 as Notre-Dame-de-Grâce and renamed Westmount in 1895.

Key details

As of the 2021 census, Westmount had a population of 19,658. It is a bilingual community and historically associated with a prosperous English-speaking elite, though now more diverse. The city is primarily residential, known for its well-forested streets, parks, and historic architecture.

Why it matters

Westmount is a notable example of an affluent Victorian suburb in urban Canada. Part of the city is designated the Westmount District National Historic Site of Canada, reflecting its heritage streetscapes, civic buildings, and parks. Its independent city government also distinguishes it within Montreal.

In short

  • Enclave within Montreal
  • Population of 19,658 (2021)
  • Historic district designation
  • Known for affluent residential character
Canadian angle

Westmount is a notable Canadian city in Quebec that illustrates the development of affluent Victorian suburbs in urban Canada and is recognized for its historic district designation.

Quick questions

Where is Westmount located?
Westmount is on the Island of Montreal in Quebec, on the western and southwestern slopes of Mount Royal.
Is Westmount part of Montreal?
Westmount is enclosed by Montreal but is an autonomous municipality with its own city government.
What is Westmount known for?
It is known for its historic residential character, parks, tree-lined streets, and heritage architecture.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westmount
    Supports: Location, enclave status, 2021 population, incorporation history
  2. City of Westmount — https://westmount.org/en/city/discover-westmount/about-the-city
    Supports: Area, geography, residential character, city description
  3. The Canadian Encyclopedia — https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/westmount
    Supports: History, incorporation, rename date, community character
  4. Parks Canada — https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_nhs_eng.aspx?id=13040
    Supports: Westmount District National Historic Site of Canada, heritage significance, location within Westmount
  5. Queen's University Strathy Language Unit — https://www.queensu.ca/strathy/westmount
    Supports: Independent municipality and city council
  6. Tourisme Montréal — https://www.mtl.org/en/experience/tale-two-mountains
    Supports: Geographic location, residential character, boundaries, historical development