Lumby, British Columbia, is a quaint community nestled near the edge of the Monashee Mountains. With a population of 2,063, this village is a hub of logging, manufacturing, and agriculture. Lumby's rich history, vibrant community life, and diverse outdoor activities make it a must-visit destination.
Lumby, originally known as White Valley, was renamed in honor of Moses Lumby (1842–93) a year after his death. Lumby had a varied career, including serving as Government Agent in Vernon, British Columbia, and vice-president of the Shuswap and Okanagan Railway.
On 8 October 2014, forestry workers discovered a WWII-era Japanese balloon bomb in the mountains near Lumby. The RCMP disposed of it on site using explosives, marking a significant event in Lumby's history.
School District 22 Vernon administers several schools in Lumby, including Charles Bloom Secondary School, Crossroads Alternate School, and J W Inglis Elementary School. These institutions contribute to the vibrant community life in Lumby.
Lumby is home to the Salmon Trail, a network of trails along the creek beds, offering ample opportunities for hiking and nature walks. Hang gliding and paragliding are popular activities, with many national and international events taking place at nearby Cooper Mountain.
The village also hosts a unique winter outhouse race featuring creative entries of three-sided outhouses mounted on skis.
Every summer, Lumby hosts the "Lumby Days" family fair, attracting many people from around the valley. This annual event showcases the strong community spirit and vibrant culture of Lumby.
Lumby's economy is supported by several prominent employers, including Tolko Industries, Rouck Brothers Sawmill, Valley Pallet Plus, Super A Grocery, Irly Building Centres, Mac's Convenience Stores, Fields, Lumby Hotel, and Blue Ox Pub.
Lumby has a humid continental climate with hot summer days and cool nights. The village experiences one of the highest diurnal temperature variations in Canada during the summer months. Lumby is at a transition point between the semi-arid dry belt to the west and the interior rainforest to the east, resulting in a mix of wet and dry vegetation.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Lumby had a population of 2,063 living in 836 of its 861 total private dwellings. This marked a 12.5% increase from its 2016 population of 1,833. With a land area of 5.93 km2 (2.29 sq mi), Lumby had a population density of 347.9/km2 (901.0/sq mi) in 2021.
