Back in the day (as in the 1700s), it was known as as a little town named Cote St. Antoine. Then, in 1895, it was renamed Westmount. Chartered to become a city at the turn of the nineteenth century, it is around this time that Westmount expanded and gradually built into the independent municipality that we know today.
Counting about 19 930 residents, Westmount’s population is 77% bilingual, while 20% can speak only English. A surprising 2% minority can speak French only. A bit less than one third of its population are composed of immigrants, with an equal spread of people being first, second, and third generation immigrants that tend to come from the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. With a large visible minority of Middle Eastern and Asian-Americans, Westmount is an interesting, diverse city on the Island.
Places such as the Westmount Public Library, its city hall, and Victoria Hall are all interesting for what they house and for their architectural aspects. The municipality also is the home to Villa Maria and Selwyn House, two private high schools intended for girls and boys respectively, as well as Marianopolis College, a private CEGEP. Dawson College, a public CEGEP located on Sherbrooke street near Atwater metro station, is also located in Westmount. Places such as Alexis Nihon and Greene Avenue are also an interesting stop for shopping, as well as Monkland Avenue, technically located in Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, is a short walk or ride away as well.
Westmount’s neighbours include Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce to the west, Le Sud-Ouest to the east, and Ville-Marie to the north. Its federal electoral riding is Westmount—Ville-Marie while its provincial one is Westmount–Saint-Louis.
