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Big Shell, SK

Saskatchewan

Big Shell is a small town in Saskatchewan with a population of 64. Residents earn $77,803 per year, which is 4% above the national average.

Data updated June 2026

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
64 Population 178/sq mi density
$77,803 Median Income $46,146 per capita
$231,833 Home Value
$840 Median Rent 28.4% income on rent
34°F Avg Temperature 304 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$77,803 median income, 5.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$231,833 home value, $840/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
B+
Education
3.6 / 5.0
32.9% bachelor's degree or higher

Discover Big Shell, SK

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 $77,803
4% higher than US avg
Home Value $231,833
18% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 32.9%
2% lower than US avg
Median Rent $840
28% lower than US avg
Unemployment 5.1%
42% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 16.9%
36% higher than US avg

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

People

Population64
Median Age65.0 yrs
Density178/mi²
Male / Female58% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 97%

Economy

B+
Median Income$77,803
Per Capita$46,146
Unemployment5.1%
Poverty16.9%
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$231,833
Rent$840
Ownership66.5%
Housing Units26
Rent Burden28.4%

Crime

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

Climate

Avg Temp34°F (1°C)
Rain17.9 in/yr
Sunny Days304/yr
Elevation1,906 ft (581 m)

Education

B+
Bachelor's+32.9%
High School+87.4%
Graduate+17.0%

Community

Commute24 min

Is Big Shell a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Big Shell receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Big Shell offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Big Shell is $77,803, 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%. 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 Shell 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. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

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

Big Shell has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 34°F. Winters average 0°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. With 304 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 17.9 inches.

Big Shell has a population of 64 with a density of 178 people per square mile, spread across 0.4 square miles. The median age is 65.0 years, 67% older than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 50% female and 58.3% male. The city is predominantly White (96.9%), with 1.5% Asian. English is the primary language spoken at home by 91.7% of residents.

Population

64
Total Population
178
People / sq mi
65.0yrs
Median Age
67% above US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 58.3%
Female 50%

Race & Ethnicity

Big Shell vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only 91.7%
17% above US avg
Spanish 0.0%
100% below US avg
Other Languages 8.3%

Social Characteristics

Big Shell vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Big Shell is $77,803, which is 4% above the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $46,146 (above the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $887, 38% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 5.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 16.9% of residents live below the poverty line, higher than the national rate of 12.4%. The area has 2 business establishments. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes. 37.2% of workers work from home (above the 15.2% national rate).

Income: Big Shell vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$77,803
4% above US avg
Per Capita Income$46,146
Avg Weekly Wage$887

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.1%
42% above US avg
Poverty Rate16.9%
36% above US avg
Establishments (County)2

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 Shell is $231,833, 18% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $840 (28% below the national average of $1,163). 66.5% of housing units are owner-occupied. There are 26 total housing units in the city. 28.4% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. The home price-to-income ratio is 3x, well within the affordable range.

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 Burden28.4%

Ownership & Property

Homeownership66.5%
Owner-Occupied66.5%
Renter-Occupied33.5%
Housing Units26

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, Big Shell receives a safety grade of C+.

Crime Rates: Big Shell 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 →
Big Shell has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 34°F (1°C). Winters average 0°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 62°F. The area gets 304 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 17.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.8 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 1,906 feet.

Temperature

0°F Jan (-18°C) 62°F Jul (17°C)
Annual Average34.0°F
37% below US avg
January Average0°F (-18°C)
July Average62°F (17°C)
Sunny Days304 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,906 ft (581 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density178/sq mi
Coordinates53.2017°N, 107.1328°W
TimezoneAmerica/Regina

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.9"
53% below US avg
Snowfall 3.8"
Wettest Month (Jul) 3.23"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.51"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

1 earthquake (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.1. Most recent: M3.1 on Nov 29, 2001.

Nov 29, 2001 24 km SSW of Langham, Canada M3.1 115 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 0°F (-18°C) 0.8 in Coldest
February 8°F (-13°C) 0.5 in Driest
March 18°F (-8°C) 0.8 in
April 37°F (3°C) 1.2 in
May 50°F (10°C) 1.7 in
June 58°F (15°C) 2.9 in
July 62°F (17°C) 3.2 in Warmest, Wettest
August 61°F (16°C) 2.5 in
September 50°F (10°C) 1.7 in
October 39°F (4°C) 1.0 in
November 20°F (-7°C) 0.8 in
December 6°F (-15°C) 0.8 in

Big Shell has a seasonal temperature swing of 62°F / from 0°F in January to 62°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.2") and February the driest (0.5").

View full weather details →
32.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 2% below the national average of 33.7%. 87.4% have completed high school. 17.0% hold a graduate or professional degree (above the 13.1% national rate). 84.8% of workers drive alone to work.

Education

Bachelor's Degree+32.9%
2% below US avg
High School+87.4%
Graduate Degree+17.0%
B+ Education Grade (3.6/5.0)

Area & Infrastructure

Population Density178/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Services

Commute & Transportation

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

Ski Resorts Near Big Shell

1 ski resorts within range.

Resort Slopes (km) Lifts Peak (m) Price Season Night Park
Ski Timber Ridge 0.0 — — $0 — — —

Airports Near Big Shell

9 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Big River Airport—Small Airport
Clayton Air 1 Airport—Small Airport
Debden Airport—Small Airport
Hafford Airport—Small Airport
Leask Airport—Small Airport
Leoville Airport—Small Airport
Radisson Airport—Small Airport
Spiritwood / H & M Fast Farms—Small Airport
Spiritwood Airport—Small Airport

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Frequently Asked Questions About Big Shell

What is the population of Big Shell?

Big Shell has a population of 64 residents and is located in Saskatchewan. The population density is 178 people per square mile, spread across 0.4 square miles. The median age of residents is 65.0 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 50% female and 58.3% male.

Is Big Shell expensive to live in?

The median household income is $77,803, 4% above the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $231,833 (18% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $840 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 3x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.

Is Big Shell safe?

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

What is the weather like in Big Shell?

Big Shell has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 34°F (1°C). Winter temperatures average 0°F in January, while summers reach an average of 62°F in July. The area receives 304 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 17.9 inches, with 3.8 inches of snow.

How is the job market in Big Shell?

The unemployment rate in Big Shell is 5.1%, somewhat above the national average of 3.6%. Job seekers may face moderate competition. The average weekly wage is $887. There are 2 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 24 minutes, and 37.2% of workers work from home.

How much does housing cost in Big Shell?

The median home value in Big Shell is $231,833. For renters, the median monthly rent is $840. The homeownership rate is 66.5%.

How are the schools in Big Shell?

32.9% of adults in Big Shell 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 Big Shell?

The average commute in Big Shell is 24 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 84.8% of workers drive alone to work, and 37.2% work from home.

What are the demographics of Big Shell?

The racial and ethnic makeup of Big Shell is 96.9% White, 1.5% Asian. 91.7% of residents speak only English at home.

Nearby Cities

Ahtahkakoop 104, SK 1,402 pop · 16.6 mi Spiritwood No. 496, SK 1,245 pop · 19.5 mi Canwood No. 494, SK 1,351 pop · 24.5 mi Shellbrook, SK 1,510 pop · 30.3 mi Shellbrook No. 493, SK 1,581 pop · 30.9 mi Laird No. 404, SK 1,304 pop · 40.8 mi Beardy's 97 and Okemasis 96, SK 1,249 pop · 41.6 mi Big River, SK 1,535 pop · 43.9 mi Waldheim, SK 1,237 pop · 44.8 mi Duck Lake No. 463, SK 1,010 pop · 46.2 mi Sturgeon Lake 101, SK 1,224 pop · 47.4 mi Rosthern, SK 1,602 pop · 49.7 mi Rosthern No. 403, SK 2,473 pop · 49.7 mi Montreal Lake 106B, SK 1,015 pop · 52.0 mi
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