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Big River, SK

Saskatchewan

Big River is a small town in Saskatchewan with a population of 1,535. Residents earn $62,000 per year, which is 17% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,535 Population 38/sq mi density
$62,000 Median Income $46,146 per capita
$231,833 Home Value
$840 Median Rent 7.3% income on rent
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$62,000 median income, 18.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$231,833 home value, $840/mo rent
F
Education
1.4 / 5.0
5.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $62,000
17% lower than US avg
Home Value $231,833
18% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 5.6%
83% lower than US avg
Median Rent $840
28% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 26.2%
18% lower than US avg
Unemployment 18.3%
408% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 16.9%
36% higher than US avg

How Big River Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population1,535
Median Age41.8 yrs
Density38/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 97%

Economy

C+
Median Income$62,000
Per Capita$46,146
Unemployment18.3%
Poverty16.9%
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$231,833
Rent$840
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units340
Rent Burden7.3%

Health

Obesity26.2%
UninsuredN/A
Smoking8.9%
Depression4.1%
Heart Disease9.5%

Climate

Avg TempN/A
AQI27 (Good)
Elevation1,693 ft (516 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+5.6%
High School+28.6%
Graduate+1.0%

Community

Commute24 min
Broadband94.0%

Is Big River a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Big River receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Big River has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Big River is $62,000, 17% below the national average of $75,149. At 18.3%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 16.9% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Big River is $231,833, 18% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $840 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

5.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 28.6% have completed high school.

Climate & Weather

Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 27.

Big River has a population of 1,535 with a density of 38 people per square mile. The median age is 41.8 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.9%), with 1.5% Asian.

Population

1,535
Total Population
2021 Census
38
People / sq mi
41.8yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
40.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.8%
Female 48.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Big River vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only64.2%
18% below US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg
Other Languages35.8%

Social Characteristics

Big River vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Big River is $62,000, which is 17% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 18.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 16.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Big River vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$62,000
17% below US avg
Per Capita Income$46,146

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment18.3%
408% above US avg
Poverty Rate16.9%
36% above US avg

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.8 min
Drive Alone84.8%
Public Transit0.3%
Work from Home37.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Big River is $231,833, 18% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $840 (28% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$231,833
18% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$840
28% below US avg
Rent Burden7.3%

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied5.9%
Renter-Occupied2.9%
Housing Units340

Property Tax

In Big River, 26.2% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 8.9% are current smokers. 4.1% report depression. 76.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Big River vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity26.2%
18% below US avg
Diabetes5.5%
Heart Disease9.5%
High Blood Pressure22.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking8.9%
36% below US avg
Binge Drinking10.0%
Physical Inactivity76.3%
Depression4.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.0%

Food & Exercise

5.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (83% below US avg). 94.0% of households have broadband internet.

Education

Bachelor's Degree+5.6%
83% below US avg
High School+28.6%
Graduate Degree+1.0%
F Education Grade (1.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

Population Density38/sq mi
Total Area40.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access94.0%

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.8 min
Drive Alone84.8%
Public Transit0.3%
Work from Home37.2%

Nearby Cities

Ahtahkakoop 104, SK 1,402 pop · 31.0 mi Canwood No. 494, SK 1,351 pop · 37.0 mi Spiritwood No. 496, SK 1,245 pop · 38.3 mi Lakeland No. 521, SK 1,300 pop · 45.8 mi Montreal Lake 106B, SK 1,015 pop · 46.5 mi Shellbrook No. 493, SK 1,581 pop · 49.5 mi Shellbrook, SK 1,510 pop · 49.6 mi Sturgeon Lake 101, SK 1,224 pop · 50.0 mi Beaver River No. 622, SK 1,277 pop · 59.8 mi Buckland No. 491, SK 3,277 pop · 63.5 mi Paddockwood No. 520, SK 1,071 pop · 63.6 mi Prince Albert, SK 37,756 pop · 67.5 mi Prince Albert No. 461, SK 3,438 pop · 67.5 mi Candle Lake, SK 1,160 pop · 72.2 mi
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