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Balfour, BC
British Columbia
Balfour is a small town in British Columbia with a population of 493. Residents earn $76,768 per year, which is 2% above the national average.
Data updated June 2026
Discover Balfour, 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 Balfour Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
B+Housing
C+Crime
C+Climate
Education
B+Community
Is Balfour a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Balfour receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment. Balfour offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Balfour is $76,768, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.1% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 14.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Balfour 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 7.3x, 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
32.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.4% have completed high school.
Climate & Weather
Balfour has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 59°F in July. With 270 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 36.4 inches, including 19.5 inches of snow.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Balfour vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Balfour vs U.S. Average
Income: Balfour vs U.S.
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $76,768 |
| 2% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $46,858 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $901 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 5.1% |
| 42% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 14.1% |
| 14% above US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 15 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 24.6 min |
| Drive Alone | 79.5% |
| Public Transit | 2.3% |
| Work from Home | 22.1% |
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 | 27.8% |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 66.5% |
| Owner-Occupied | 66.5% |
| Renter-Occupied | 33.5% |
| Housing Units | 197 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: Balfour 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 | 40.3°F |
| 25% below US avg | |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 59°F (15°C) |
| Sunny Days | 270 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,742 ft (531 m) |
| Area | 623.6 sq mi (1,615.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 1/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 49.6166°N, 116.9689°W |
| Timezone | America/Vancouver |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Tsunami History
6 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 19.8 m (65 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1952 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 19.8 m | — | 145 km |
| 2024 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 14.3 m | — | 144 km |
| 1944 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.1 m | — | 145 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 4.8 m | — | 145 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 145 km |
| 1952 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 145 km |
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°F (-5°C) | 4.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 3.0 in | |
| March | 32°F (-0°C) | 3.0 in | |
| April | 39°F (4°C) | 2.4 in | |
| May | 47°F (8°C) | 2.6 in | |
| June | 53°F (12°C) | 3.0 in | |
| July | 59°F (15°C) | 2.1 in | |
| August | 60°F (15°C) | 2.0 in | Warmest, Driest |
| September | 51°F (11°C) | 2.0 in | |
| October | 41°F (5°C) | 2.8 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 4.5 in |
Balfour has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 23°F in January to 60°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 36.4 inches, with November being the wettest month (4.7") and August the driest (2.0").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% |
| 2% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 87.4% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 17.0% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 1/sq mi |
| Total Area | 623.6 sq mi |
Services
Commute & Transportation
| Avg Commute | 24.6 min |
| Drive Alone | 79.5% |
| Public Transit | 2.3% |
| Work from Home | 22.1% |
Schools in Balfour
1 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redfish Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
Radio Stations near Balfour
2 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CJLY Kootenay Co-op Radio | co-op, community | MP3 | |
| CHNV-FM 103.5 "The Bridge" Nelson, BC | alternative rock | AAC+ 57 kbps |
Hotels in Balfour
3 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Cafes in Balfour
2 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Balfour
4 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Golf Courses in Balfour
2 golf courses within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Ski Resorts Near Balfour
2 ski resorts within range.
| Resort | Slopes (km) | Lifts | Peak (m) | Price | Season | Night | Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitewater Ski Resort | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
| Summit Lake Ski & Snowboard Area | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
Airports Near Balfour
8 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Castlegar/West Kootenay Regional Airport | YCG | Medium Airport |
| Creston Valley Regional Airport - Art Sutcliffe Field | CFQ | Small Airport |
| Eckhart International Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Johnson Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Kaslo Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Kootenai Valley Flying Service Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Nelson Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Trail Regional Airport | YZZ | Small Airport |
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Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Balfour.
Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Balfour
What is the population of Balfour?
Balfour has a population of 493 residents and is located in British Columbia. The population density is 1 people per square mile, spread across 623.6 square miles. The median age of residents is 41.8 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 50.3% female and 49.7% male.
Is Balfour expensive to live in?
The median household income is $76,768, 2% above 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 7.3x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.
Is Balfour safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Balfour receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Balfour?
Balfour has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F (5°C). Winter temperatures average 23°F in January, while summers reach an average of 59°F in July. The area receives 270 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 36.4 inches, with 19.5 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Balfour?
The unemployment rate in Balfour is 5.1%, somewhat above the national average of 3.6%. Job seekers may face moderate competition. The average weekly wage is $901. There are 15 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 25 minutes, and 22.1% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in Balfour?
The median home value in Balfour is $560,468. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,072. The homeownership rate is 66.5%.
How are the schools in Balfour?
32.9% of adults in Balfour hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.4% have completed high school. 17.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.
What is transportation like in Balfour?
The average commute in Balfour is 25 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 79.5% of workers drive alone to work, 2.3% use public transit, and 22.1% work from home.
What are the demographics of Balfour?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Balfour is 93.4% White, 4.5% Asian. 87.8% of residents speak only English at home.