B.C.'s population has surpassed five million people for the first time in its history, growing at a rate of 7.6 per cent between 2016 and 2021, the latest census data from Statistics Canada shows.

The province has four of Canada's five fastest-growing metropolitan areas — all of which are outside the Metro Vancouver region.

The Kelowna, Chilliwack, Kamloops and Nanaimo census metropolitan areas all saw growth of 10 per cent or more in between 2016 and 2021.

The province's largest cities remain unchanged, with Vancouver in the top position followed by Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond and Abbotsford. (Source from CBC News)

The information was released in Statistics Canada's first round of 2021 census data on population and dwelling counts, information that is used by political leaders and planners to shape decision-making around their communities.