Thornhill, British Columbia, is an unincorporated settlement nestled on the east side of the Skeena River. With a population of over 5,000, it sits directly across from the City of Terrace, connected by the Old Skeena Bridge and the Dudley Little Bridge, also known as the "New Bridge." As the fastest-growing community in northwestern British Columbia between Prince George and Prince Rupert, Thornhill is a bustling hub of activity and growth.
Thornhill boasts an independent volunteer firefighting detachment and a robust educational system. The community is home to Thornhill Primary, Thornhill Elementary, and the former Thornhill Junior Secondary School, which now serves as a trades building. These institutions cater to approximately 700 students from kindergarten to Grade 10.
In addition to its educational facilities, Thornhill provides a range of amenities for its residents. These include three hotels and lodges, several motels, six gas stations, numerous restaurants, a golf course, community grounds, a rifle range, and a stock car track. Thornhill also funds its own policing and utilizes the regional northwest medical facilities.
Despite its proximity to Terrace along the Highway 16 corridor, Thornhill is a distinct community. While visitors and newcomers often consider Thornhill a part of Terrace, signage now identifies Thornhill as a vibrant, standalone community with more than 5,000 residents.
Thornhill's government includes an electoral director's seat on the Kitimat–Stikine Regional District board. Discussions are ongoing about developing a more independent local government system in Thornhill, such as incorporation, or amalgamating with the larger City of Terrace.
Thornhill shares the V8G postal code FSA, 250 area code, and most phone number prefixes with Terrace. High-speed cable internet also provides home phone services with the prefix 778 used in various locations throughout British Columbia. However, mail should be correctly addressed to Thornhill, B.C., as indicated by their postal code.
The community is well-equipped with a fire hall, community grounds and hall, tennis courts, schools, a trades training centre, hotels, motels, restaurants, gas stations, a golf course, a rifle range, and many more amenities. With its growing population and wealth of services, Thornhill, British Columbia, is a thriving community worth exploring.
