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Bella Coola, BC

British Columbia

Bella Coola is a small town in British Columbia with a population of 937. Residents earn $47,200 per year, which is 37% below the national average.

Data updated June 2026

1.5 /5.0
D Poor
937 Population 160/sq mi density
$47,200 Median Income $24,900 per capita
$560,468 Home Value
$1,072 Median Rent 33.0% income on rent
40°F Avg Temperature 222 sunny days/yr
D
Overall
1.5 / 5.0
Poor overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.5 / 5.0
$47,200 median income, 13.1% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$560,468 home value, $1,072/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
F
Education
1.1 / 5.0
1.5% bachelor's degree or higher

Discover Bella Coola, 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.
Use the tabs and dropdown menus below to navigate every data point we track for this city.

Full City Profile
Median Income $47,200
37% lower than US avg
Home Value $560,468
99% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 1.5%
96% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,072
8% lower than US avg
Unemployment 13.1%
264% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 40.0%
223% higher than US avg

How Bella Coola Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population937
Median Age29.6 yrs
Density160/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 100%

Economy

D
Median Income$47,200
Per Capita$24,900
Unemployment13.1%
Poverty40.0%
Commute11 min

Housing

F
Home Value$560,468
Rent$1,072
Ownership37.9%
Housing Units290
Rent Burden33.0%

Crime

C+
Property3,500/100K
Burglary484/100K

Climate

Avg Temp40°F (4°C)
Rain62.6 in/yr
Sunny Days222/yr
Elevation46 ft (14 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+1.5%
High School+36.2%
Graduate+0.0%

Community

Commute11 min

Is Bella Coola a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bella Coola receives an overall livability score of 1.5 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. Bella Coola faces significant challenges across several quality-of-life categories.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bella Coola is $47,200, 37% below the national average of $75,149. At 13.1%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 40.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 11 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bella Coola 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 11.9x, 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

1.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 36.2% have completed high school.

Climate & Weather

Bella Coola has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 55°F in July. The area gets 222 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 62.6 inches, including 34.1 inches of snow.

Bella Coola has a population of 937 with a density of 160 people per square mile, spread across 5.9 square miles. The median age is 29.6 years, 24% younger than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 49.2% female and 51.3% male. The city is predominantly White (100%). English is the primary language spoken at home by 97.3% of residents.

Population

937
Total Population
160
People / sq mi
29.6yrs
Median Age
24% below US avg
5.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.3%
Female 49.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Bella Coola vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only 97.3%
24% above US avg
Spanish 0.5%
96% below US avg
Other Languages 2.1%

Social Characteristics

Bella Coola vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bella Coola is $47,200, which is 37% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $24,900 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $479, 67% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 13.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 40.0% of residents live below the poverty line, higher than the national rate of 12.4%. The area has 29 business establishments. Workers commute an average of 11 minutes (shorter than the 28-minute US average). 8.2% of workers work from home (below the 15.2% national rate).

Income: Bella Coola vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$47,200
37% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,900
Avg Weekly Wage$479

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment13.1%
264% above US avg
Poverty Rate40.0%
223% above US avg
Establishments (County)29

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time11.0 min
Drive Alone69.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home8.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Bella Coola is $560,468, 99% above the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $1,072 (8% below the national average of $1,163). 37.9% of housing units are owner-occupied (below the 65.4% national rate). There are 290 total housing units in the city. 33.0% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. The home price-to-income ratio is 11.9x, making homeownership a significant financial stretch for most families.

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 Burden33.0%

Ownership & Property

Homeownership37.9%
Owner-Occupied37.9%
Renter-Occupied12.1%
Housing Units290

Property Tax

Property crime stands at 3,500 per 100,000, 79% above the U.S. average. This includes larceny/theft at 2,503, burglary at 484, vehicle theft at 505 per 100,000 residents. Overall, Bella Coola receives a safety grade of C+.

Crime Rates: Bella Coola vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Total Property3,500.0/100K
79% above US avg
Burglary483.9/100K
Theft2,503.4/100K
Vehicle Theft504.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
View full crime details →
Bella Coola has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F (4°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 55°F in July. The area gets 222 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 62.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 34.1 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 46 feet, near sea level.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 55°F Jul (13°C)
Annual Average39.6°F
27% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average55°F (13°C)
Sunny Days222 days/yr

Geography

Elevation46 ft (14 m)
Area5.9 sq mi (15.2 km²)
Population Density160/sq mi
Coordinates52.3718°N, 126.7539°W
TimezoneAmerica/Vancouver

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 62.6"
65% above US avg
Snowfall 34.1"
Wettest Month (Nov) 8.70"
Driest Month (Jul) 2.48"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

1 earthquake (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.5. Most recent: M3.5 on Jul 29, 2010.

Jul 29, 2010 199 km N of Port McNeill, Canada M3.5 8 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Silverthrone (109 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Silverthrone Caldera 3,160 m (10,367 ft) Unknown 109 km
Milbanke Sound Group Pyroclastic cone(s) 335 m (1,099 ft) Unknown 135 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 25°F (-4°C) 7.6 in Coldest
February 29°F (-2°C) 5.5 in
March 32°F (0°C) 4.5 in
April 38°F (3°C) 3.6 in
May 44°F (7°C) 3.1 in
June 50°F (10°C) 3.0 in
July 55°F (13°C) 2.5 in Driest
August 55°F (13°C) 2.9 in Warmest
September 50°F (10°C) 4.9 in
October 41°F (5°C) 8.6 in
November 31°F (-1°C) 8.7 in Wettest
December 26°F (-3°C) 7.8 in

Bella Coola has a seasonal temperature swing of 30°F / from 25°F in January to 55°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 62.6 inches, with November being the wettest month (8.7") and July the driest (2.5").

View full weather details →
1.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 96% below the national average of 33.7%. 36.2% have completed high school. 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree (below the 13.1% national rate). 69.4% of workers drive alone to work.

Education

Bachelor's Degree+1.5%
96% below US avg
High School+36.2%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
F Education Grade (1.1/5.0)

Area & Infrastructure

Population Density160/sq mi
Total Area5.9 sq mi

Services

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute11.0 min
Drive Alone69.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home8.2%

Colleges & Universities in Bella Coola

Institution Type Enrollment Acceptance In-State Tuition Out-of-State
Lip'alhayc

Schools in Bella Coola

1 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Acwsalcta School
View full schools details →

Museums in Bella Coola

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Bella Coola Museum
Norwegian Heritage House

Libraries in Bella Coola

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
VIRL: Bella Coola Branch0.0

Hotels in Bella Coola

1 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Bella Coola Valley Inn

Gas Stations in Bella Coola

2 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

CA #6720067352
Esso

Airports Near Bella Coola

3 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Bella Coola AirportQBCMedium Airport
Dean River AirportYRDSmall Airport
Rivers Inlet AirportSmall Airport

Churches & Religious Organizations in Bella Coola

1 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Bella Coola Pentecostal Church

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Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Bella Coola.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Bella Coola

What is the population of Bella Coola?

Bella Coola has a population of 937 residents and is located in British Columbia. The population density is 160 people per square mile, spread across 5.9 square miles. The median age of residents is 29.6 years, which is younger than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 49.2% female and 51.3% male.

Is Bella Coola expensive to live in?

The median household income is $47,200, 37% 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 11.9x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.

Is Bella Coola safe?

Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Bella Coola receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.

What is the weather like in Bella Coola?

Bella Coola has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F (4°C). Winter temperatures average 25°F in January, while summers reach an average of 55°F in July. The area receives 222 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 62.6 inches, with 34.1 inches of snow.

How is the job market in Bella Coola?

The job market in Bella Coola faces challenges, with unemployment at 13.1% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $479. There are 29 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 11 minutes, and 8.2% of workers work from home.

How much does housing cost in Bella Coola?

The median home value in Bella Coola is $560,468. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,072. The homeownership rate is 37.9%.

How are the schools in Bella Coola?

1.5% of adults in Bella Coola hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 36.2% have completed high school. 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.

What is transportation like in Bella Coola?

The average commute in Bella Coola is 11 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 69.4% of workers drive alone to work, and 8.2% work from home.

What are the demographics of Bella Coola?

The racial and ethnic makeup of Bella Coola is 100% White. 97.3% of residents speak only English at home.

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