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As discussed earlier, British Columbia’s 79 electoral districts are supposed to be ‘equal’ in terms of population, but significant differences nonetheless exist between individual districts, and between regions.

The most populous region is Vancouver Eastside, where the average population per riding is 56,000. Next is Fraser North, at nearly 55,200.

The electoral districts with the lowest populations are found in the North, at an average of 33,600.

Again, these population inequalities serve to distort the results of province-wide, and even regional public opinion surveys in determining seat totals.

The table below shows the average population of electoral districts in each of Battleground BC’s 13 sub-regions, ranked highest to lowest.

TABLE — Population in Battleground BC’s 13 sub-regions

• Vancouver Eastside (6 seats) — 56,035
• Fraser North (10 seats) — 55,187
• Richmond (3 seats) — 54,782
• Okanagan (5 seats) — 54,478
• Vancouver Westside (4 seats) — 53,206
• North-Central Surrey (6 seats) — 52,763
• Vancouver Island North-Coast (7 seats) — 51,924
• North Shore (4 seats) — 51,223
• Vancouver Island South (7 seats) — 49,484
• Thompson-Coquihalla (4 seats) — 45,970
• Fraser Valley South (9 seats) — 45,229
• Kootenays (4 seats) — 40,108
• North (10 seats) — 33,662

Check in daily for Battleground BC, Will McMartin’s voting predictions and analysis, exclusive to The Tyee. You can reach him at [email protected]