The population of Vancouver is made up of many ethnic groups. While the majority of residents are of European descent, there is a significant Asian presence. Ethnic Chinese, in particular, make up the largest minority group. They originally came to Canada during the gold rush in 1858 and worked on the construction of Canada's transcontinental railway. Other ethnic groups include South Asians (primarily Punjabi), Indians (mainly Bengali and Marathi), Koreans (including Vietnamese), and Cambodians.
The city is very densely populated. Its urban planning emphasizes high-rise residential buildings and mixed-use development in urban centers to combat sprawl. One example of this is the Robson Square, a civic centre and public square designed by Arthur Erickson. In 1907, there were over 60,000 residents living in Vancouver.
Vancouver is home to eleven members of the Legislative Assembly in the province of British Columbia. There are two members from the BC Liberal Party and nine from the New Democratic Party. Combined, they represent the interests of a diverse population. While most residents of Vancouver City identify as white, the demographics are slowly shifting. The city is now a welcoming place for LGBTQ+ residents and is slowly becoming a more diverse community.
The city's downtown core is home to a vibrant nightlife scene. The Granville Entertainment District contains the highest concentration of bars and clubs. Many of the bars stay open until the early morning, and several after-hours clubs are open until late on weekends. This area also has a vibrant LGBT community.