New data suggests there has been a recent spike in people from Alberta relocating to Penticton, with more than half of those newcomers citing favourable weather as the primary reason for their move.
Twenty-five per cent of people who moved to the South Okanagan community in 2024 came from Alberta, according to the City of Penticton's latest "Welcome Home" survey.
That's up from the 13 per cent of Albertans who chose Penticton as their new home in 2022.
Metro Vancouver still reigned atop the list of places where Penticton's newest residents originated from (30 per cent).
The city last year also welcomed people from the B.C. Interior and northern B.C. (25 per cent each), and Ontario (seven per cent).
City officials added that international arrivals cracked the list, with newcomers to Penticton coming from the U.S., Australia and India, among other countries.
鈥淥ur 鈥榃elcome Home鈥� program shines a light on some fascinating migration trends we have been seeing in Penticton in recent years,鈥� said Blake Laven, the city's director of development services.
鈥淭he pandemic saw a growth in remote workers moving here from the Lower Mainland and now we鈥檙e seeing an increase in newcomers arriving from Alberta, who are choosing Penticton for its climate and outdoor recreational opportunities."
Data was collected throughout 2024 as newcomers filled out a survey upon arriving in Penticton.
Of the people who came from Alberta, 55 per cent said "great weather" led to their Okanagan move. Forty-five per cent of all newcomers from "Wild Rose Country" are retired, according to the city.
Seventy-three per cent of recent arrivals from Metro Vancouver have purchased a home in Penticton. Of that group, 40 per cent are retired, 27 per cent moved for a job and 27 per cent are remote workers.
Eighty per cent of all newcomers from Metro Vancouver noted they moved to Penticton for a "more affordable lifestyle," the city said.
Data also indicated that the age group of Penticton's newest residents has shifted in recent years.
The majority of new arrivals in 2022 (56 per cent) were between the ages of 31 and 65. In 2024, the largest group of new arrivals in 2024 was children up to the age of 18 (29 per cent) and those ages 45 to 65 representing the second-largest group (21 per cent).
Thirty-two per cent of all arrivals moved to the South Okanagan community for a job, city officials said.
Penticton was on the receiving end of a BC Economic Development Award last year for its "Welcome Home" program.
People who are new to the city can find their "Welcome Home" kits here.
