History of Duncan

The community is named after William Chalmers Duncan (born 1836 in Sarnia, Ontario). He arrived in Victoria in May 1862, and then in August of that year he was one of the party of a hundred settlers which Governor Douglas took to Cowichan Bay. After going off on several gold rushes, Duncan settled close to the present city of Duncan. He married in 1876, and his son Kenneth became the first mayor of Duncan. A street bears his name today.

Contemporary Information

Duncan is the heart of the Cowichan Region. It is just off the Trans Canada Highway, about half-way between Victoria and Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.

The Cowichan region is located in Canada’s only Maritime Mediterranean climatic zone, resulting in the warmest mean year round temperature anywhere in Canada. 

Originally named The Warm Land by the First Nations peoples, the Cowichan offers one of Canada’s finest climates. A truly unique combination of warmth and moisture throughout the year has resulted in lush plant growth and spectacular vistas. This environment became a desirable location for early farmers. Today the Cowichan, due mainly to its climate, continues to attract tourists, residents and business.

Downtown Duncan features a number of heritage and vintage buildings, and a large array of small, exquisite shops and restaurants catering to all tastes. There are a variety of cultural comings and goings in the busy new City Square – as a component of Duncan’s exciting revitalization plan –visitors are encouraged to tour Duncan’s collection of 80 totems. 

Duncan is a very walkable, people-friendly community.

Population Census

There are approximately 5,000 persons within the area.  The Region has a high number of seniors over the age of 65.