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About James Bay
James Bay is the oldest neighborhood in Victoria, BC dating back to 1843. It is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, bordering the downtown core. The area was originally inhabited by the Songhees First Nation, who established a village in the region.
As Victoria grew, James Bay developed into a residential and commercial district. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many large Victorian-style homes, apartments, and businesses were constructed in the neighborhood. This established James Bay’s characteristic heritage architecture.
Demographics
| Population | 12,640 |
| Median age | 53.0 |
| Male/Female ratio | 1.2:1 |
| Married couples | 61% |
| Families w/ kids at home | 19% |
| Speak English only | 86.7% |
Living & Lifestyle
During the early 20th century, James Bay saw significant development, with the construction of landmarks like the Parliament Buildings, the Empress Hotel, and the Canadian Pacific Railway’s docks and warehouses. This cemented the area’s role as an important part of Victoria’s civic and commercial center. Today, James Bay remains a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood of heritage homes, apartments, small businesses, government offices, and tourist attractions. The neighborhood has managed to preserve much of its historic character while evolving to meet the needs of modern Victoria.
Attractions
- Royal BC Museum
- The Legislature
- Fisherman’s Wharf
- Black Ball Ferries
- Thunderbird Park
- Emily Carr House
- Beacon Hill Park
- David Foster Parkway
- Mile Zero & Terry Fox Statue
- Imax Theater
- Steamship Terminal
- The Netherlands Centennial Carillon
- Kelp Reef Adventures
- Victoria Carriage Tours
- Island Time Tours
- Helijet
- Ogden Point Dive Center
