Vernon is a city in the south-central region of British Columbia, Canada. Named after Forbes George Vernon, a former MLA of British Columbia who helped grow the famed Coldstream Ranch, the City of Vernon was incorporated on December 30, 1892. The City of Vernon has a population of 35,944 (2006), while its metropolitan region, Greater Vernon, has a population of 55,418 (2006). With this population, Vernon is the largest city in the North Okanagan Regional District. A resident of Vernon is called a "Vernonite". In 2005, on an episode of The Early Show, Vernon was ranked as one of the top six most desirable communities to retire to in North America by Consumer Reports.