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Alert Bay, BC
British Columbia
Alert Bay is a small town in British Columbia with a population of 382. Residents earn $54,800 per year, which is 27% below the national average.
Data updated June 2026
Discover Alert Bay, BC
Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
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How Alert Bay Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
CHousing
FCrime
C+Climate
Education
FCommunity
Is Alert Bay a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Alert Bay receives an overall livability score of 1.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of D. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Alert Bay faces significant challenges across several quality-of-life categories.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Alert Bay is $54,800, 27% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.1% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 30.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Alert Bay is $560,468, making it a premium housing market at 99% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,072 per month. With a home price-to-income ratio of 10.2x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.
Safety & Crime
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000, 79% above the national average.
Education
3.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 30.2% have completed high school.
Climate & Weather
Alert Bay experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 58°F in July. With 199 sunny days, the area sees less sunshine than many U.S. cities. Annual precipitation totals 75.4 inches.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Alert Bay vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Alert Bay vs U.S. Average
Income: Alert Bay vs U.S.
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $54,800 |
| 27% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $29,800 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $573 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 7.1% |
| 97% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 30.0% |
| 142% above US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 12 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 22.5 min |
| Drive Alone | 60.0% |
| Public Transit | 0.0% |
| Work from Home | 0.0% |
Walkability
Home Value Sources
Ownership Split
Home Values
| Census Median | $560,468 |
| 99% above US avg |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $1,072 |
| 8% below US avg | |
| Rent Burden | 11.1% |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 54.6% |
| Owner-Occupied | 54.6% |
| Renter-Occupied | 45.5% |
| Housing Units | 165 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: Alert Bay vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)
Violent Crime
Property Crime
| Total Property | 3,500.0/100K |
| 79% above US avg | |
| Burglary | 483.9/100K |
| Theft | 2,503.4/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 504.8/100K |
Traffic Safety
Safety Score
| Safety Grade | C+ |
| Safety Score | 2.5 / 5.0 |
Temperature
| Annual Average | 47.2°F |
| 13% below US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 58°F (14°C) |
| Sunny Days | 199 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 180 ft (55 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 397/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 50.5838°N, 126.9271°W |
| Timezone | America/Vancouver |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 0.5 m (2 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1958 | RIPPLE ROCK, BC | Earthquake + Landslide | 0.5 m | — | 128 km |
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Silverthrone (104 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Silverthrone | Caldera | 3,160 m (10,367 ft) | Unknown | 104 km |
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 10.2 in | |
| February | 40°F (4°C) | 7.0 in | |
| March | 42°F (5°C) | 5.9 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 4.7 in | |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 3.3 in | |
| June | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 in | |
| July | 58°F (14°C) | 2.4 in | Driest |
| August | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 in | Warmest |
| September | 55°F (13°C) | 4.5 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 9.8 in | |
| November | 42°F (5°C) | 11.1 in | Wettest |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 10.2 in | Coldest |
Alert Bay has a seasonal temperature swing of 21°F / from 38°F in December to 59°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 75.4 inches, with November being the wettest month (11.1") and July the driest (2.4").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 3.2% |
| 91% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 30.2% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 3.2% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 397/sq mi |
| Total Area | 1.0 sq mi |
Services
Commute & Transportation
| Avg Commute | 22.5 min |
| Drive Alone | 60.0% |
| Public Transit | 0.0% |
| Work from Home | 0.0% |
Schools in Alert Bay
1 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alert Bay Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
Museums in Alert Bay
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port McNeill & District Museum | ||||
| Sointula Museum | ||||
| U'mista Cultural Centre |
Libraries in Alert Bay
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alert Bay Public Library & Museum | 0.0 | |||||
| VIRL: Port McNeill Branch | 0.0 | |||||
| VIRL: Sointula Branch | 0.0 |
Farmers Markets in Alert Bay
| Name | Address | Season | Hours | Organic | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port McNeill Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market |
Hotels in Alert Bay
6 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Cafes in Alert Bay
2 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Alert Bay
1 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Banks in Alert Bay
1 banks within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Ski Resorts Near Alert Bay
1 ski resorts within range.
| Resort | Slopes (km) | Lifts | Peak (m) | Price | Season | Night | Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Cain Alpine Park | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
Airports Near Alert Bay
3 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Port Hardy Airport | YZT | Medium Airport |
| Alert Bay Airport | YAL | Small Airport |
| Port McNeill Airport | YMP | Small Airport |
Download Full City Report
Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Alert Bay.
Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Alert Bay
What is the population of Alert Bay?
Alert Bay has a population of 382 residents and is located in British Columbia. The population density is 397 people per square mile, spread across 1.0 square miles. The median age of residents is 49.6 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 51.3% female and 48.7% male.
Is Alert Bay expensive to live in?
The median household income is $54,800, 27% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $560,468 (99% above the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,072 per month. The home price-to-income ratio is 10.2x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.
Is Alert Bay safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Alert Bay receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Alert Bay?
Alert Bay has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winter temperatures average 38°F in January, while summers reach an average of 58°F in July. The area receives 199 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 75.4 inches.
How is the job market in Alert Bay?
The unemployment rate in Alert Bay is 7.1%, somewhat above the national average of 3.6%. Job seekers may face moderate competition. The average weekly wage is $573. There are 12 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 23 minutes, and 0.0% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in Alert Bay?
The median home value in Alert Bay is $560,468. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,072. The homeownership rate is 54.6%.
How are the schools in Alert Bay?
3.2% of adults in Alert Bay hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 30.2% have completed high school. 3.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.
What is transportation like in Alert Bay?
The average commute in Alert Bay is 23 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 60% of workers drive alone to work, and 0.0% work from home.
What are the demographics of Alert Bay?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Alert Bay is 100% White. 92.1% of residents speak only English at home.