White Rock, BC, City, pop 18 250 (2001c), 17 210 (1996c), 16 314 (1991c), area 5.28 km2, inc 1957, when it separated from municipality of SURREY, is 48 km by road southeast of Vancouver and is bounded on the north, east and west by Surrey. It began as a recreational resort on the shores of Semiahmoo Bay. The bay's fine beach is famous for its swimming, fishing and boating. A large white boulder on the beach is the subject of a First Nations legend; it provides the city's namesake and acted as a navigation mark for early sailors. Cottages were built along the waterfront in the early 1900s and slowly a community developed, with a post office and general store, schools, waterworks and a hospital being established.
Retail trade and services are now its leading sources of employment, but it is primarily a residential, retirement and cultural community. White Rock has 2 newspapers and active theatre companies.