Abbotsford is set for major population growth, with projections showing the city may surpass 200,000 people within the next 10 years and nearly 250,000 by 2050. Yet, this growth brings serious concerns about housing availability and infrastructure readiness.
The latest Fraser Valley Regional Growth Strategy reveals a steady inflow of new residents, even though the city still struggles to meet provincial housing targets. Abbotsford was one of the first communities flagged in 2023 for needing a large housing boost. It received the second-highest housing target—7,240 new units by the end of 2028. This represents 12% of all new units ordered among the top ten high-priority cities.
From October 2023 to September 2024, the city managed to add 602 net new housing units. However, the province expected at least 1,022 units in that period to stay on track for the five-year goal. That means Abbotsford achieved only 59% of its yearly target.
Despite falling short, local officials stress that progress is being made. The mayor says the city has taken major steps to speed up the approval process and reduce construction delays.
Efforts include digitizing inspections and launching an online permit system. These steps have helped cut down waiting times and made it easier for developers to begin building. In 2024 alone, more than 2,000 residential units were approved, and an additional 2,600 units received initial approval.
City leaders are confident that this groundwork will support future housing demands and give residents more options to stay in Abbotsford long-term. But Abbotsford is not the only city facing such challenges. In fact, only three out of the ten designated communities met their housing benchmarks in the first year. Most cities reached at least half of their targets, with Oak Bay and West Vancouver falling below that mark.
Abbotsford’s population increase, while significant, is not the largest in the region. The Fraser Valley Regional District expects Abbotsford to grow by 47% from 2021 to 2050. This places it behind cities like Chilliwack, which is projected to grow by 57%. Across the region, the overall population is estimated to grow by 48% during the same time frame.
According to BC Stats, the Fraser Valley is on track to reach 446,000 residents by 2046, making it one of the fastest-growing areas in British Columbia. Only Metro Vancouver and the Central Okanagan are growing faster.
Shifting population trends are shaping the type of housing Abbotsford needs most. According to the 2021 Housing Needs Report, the share of residents over 65 is rising, while the number of children under 15 is expected to fall by 2026.
As a result, the city needs a mix of smaller and larger homes. Between 2020 and 2026, Abbotsford is projected to require 1,051 new studio or one-bedroom homes and 1,654 two-bedroom units. But the highest demand is for larger homes, with 2,685 three-bedroom or more homes needed in the same period.
An updated Interim Housing Needs Report from November 2024 estimates that Abbotsford will require 11,066 new housing units by 2026. By 2041, that number rises to 37,185.
The report also notes that rental housing is not a top priority for Abbotsford. Since older adults are more likely to own than rent, only 261 new rental units are needed by 2041 to maintain a stable vacancy rate of 3%.
City planning efforts extend beyond just housing. The mayor says Abbotsford is also working on new recreation strategies. These include updates to sports fields, courts, pools, and arenas. In addition, the city works closely with local partners such as the school board and health agencies to plan for future needs.
As Abbotsford continues to grow, housing, recreation, education, and health services will all play key roles in making the city livable and future-ready.
