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Cambridge Bay, NU

Nunavut

Cambridge Bay is a small town in Nunavut with a population of 1,760. Residents earn $128,000 per year, which is 70% above the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
1,760 Population 23/sq mi density
$128,000 Median Income $60,400 per capita
$400,000 Home Value
$452 Median Rent 3.5% income on rent
7°F Avg Temperature 326 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$128,000 median income, 13.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$400,000 home value, $452/mo rent
D
Education
1.5 / 5.0
6.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $128,000
70% higher than US avg
Home Value $400,000
42% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.4%
81% lower than US avg
Median Rent $452
61% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 26.2%
18% lower than US avg
Unemployment 13.3%
269% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.8%
3% higher than US avg

How Cambridge Bay Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population1,760
Median Age30.4 yrs
Density23/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

B
Median Income$128,000
Per Capita$60,400
Unemployment13.3%
Poverty12.8%
Commute12 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$400,000
Rent$452
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units575
Rent Burden3.5%

Health

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

Climate

Avg Temp7°F (-14°C)
AQI27 (Good)
Rain5.4 in/yr
Sunny Days326/yr
Elevation33 ft (10 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+6.4%
High School+17.7%
Graduate+3.0%

Community

Commute12 min
Broadband94.0%

Is Cambridge Bay a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Cambridge Bay receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, abundant sunshine, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment. Cambridge Bay offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Cambridge Bay is $128,000, which is significantly higher than the national average — 70% above $75,149. This places Cambridge Bay among higher-income communities. At 13.3%, unemployment is notably high. 12.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Cambridge Bay is $400,000, 42% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $452 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.1x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

6.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 17.7% have completed high school.

Climate & Weather

Cambridge Bay has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 7°F. Winters average -27°F in January while summers reach 48°F in July. With 326 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 5.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 27.

Cambridge Bay has a population of 1,760 with a density of 23 people per square mile, spread across 75.6 square miles. The median age is 30.4 years, 22% younger than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 50% female and 50% male. The city is predominantly White (95.4%), with 2% Black, 2% Asian. English is the primary language spoken at home by 79.8% of residents. 18.5% of residents have a disability (above the 13.0% national average). 89.0% have health insurance coverage.

Population

1,760
Total Population
2021 Census
23
People / sq mi
30.4yrs
Median Age
22% below US avg
75.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50%
Female 50%

Race & Ethnicity

Cambridge Bay vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only79.8%
2% above US avg
Spanish0.9%
94% below US avg
Other Languages19.3%

Social Characteristics

Cambridge Bay vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Cambridge Bay is $128,000, which is 70% above the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $60,400 (above the $39,052 national figure). The unemployment rate is 13.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 12.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The cost of living index is 84.1, below the national baseline of 100 — offering relatively affordable living. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes (shorter than the 28-minute US average). 3.5% of workers work from home (below the 15.2% national rate).

Income: Cambridge Bay vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$128,000
70% above US avg
Per Capita Income$60,400

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment13.3%
269% above US avg
Poverty Rate12.8%
3% above US avg

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Cost of Living84.10 (100=avg)

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time12.3 min
Drive Alone35.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Cambridge Bay is $400,000, 42% above the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $452 (61% below the national average of $1,163). There are 575 total housing units in the city. 3.5% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. The home price-to-income ratio is 3.1x.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$400,000
42% above US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$452
61% below US avg
Rent Burden3.5%

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied22.6%
Renter-Occupied76.5%
Housing Units575

Property Tax

In Cambridge Bay, 26.2% of adults are obese, below the national rate of 32.1%. 5.5% have diabetes (below the 10.5% national rate). Heart disease affects 9.5% of residents, above the national average. 22.1% have high blood pressure. 8.9% are current smokers (below the 14.0% national rate). 10.0% report binge drinking. 76.3% are physically inactive, above the national average. 4.1% report depression (below the 20.0% national average).

Health Metrics: Cambridge Bay 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

Cambridge Bay has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 7°F (-14°C). Winters average -27°F in January while summers reach 48°F in July — a wide seasonal temperature swing of 75°F. The area gets 326 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 5.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 27 — among the cleanest air in the country. 90% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 33 feet, near sea level.

Temperature

-27°F Jan (-33°C) 48°F Jul (9°C)
Annual Average6.8°F
87% below US avg
January Average-27°F (-33°C)
July Average48°F (9°C)
Sunny Days326 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall5.4 inches
86% below US avg
Snowfall3.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median27.0
RatingGood
Good Days %89.5%

Geography

Elevation33 ft (10 m)
Area75.6 sq mi (195.8 km²)
Population Density23/sq mi
Coordinates69.1149°N, 105.0548°W
TimezoneAmerica/Cambridge_Bay

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January -27°F (-33°C) 0.2 in Driest
February -27°F (-33°C) 0.2 in Coldest
March -21°F (-29°C) 0.2 in
April -5°F (-21°C) 0.3 in
May 17°F (-8°C) 0.4 in
June 37°F (3°C) 0.5 in
July 48°F (9°C) 0.8 in Warmest
August 45°F (7°C) 1.1 in Wettest
September 32°F (0°C) 0.8 in
October 12°F (-11°C) 0.6 in
November -9°F (-23°C) 0.3 in
December -21°F (-30°C) 0.2 in

Cambridge Bay has a seasonal temperature swing of 76°F — from -27°F in February to 48°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 5.4 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.1") and January the driest (0.2").

6.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 81% below the national average of 33.7%. 17.7% have completed high school. 3.0% hold a graduate or professional degree (below the 13.1% national rate). 94.0% of households have broadband internet access. 35.4% of workers drive alone to work.

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.4%
81% below US avg
High School+17.7%
Graduate Degree+3.0%
D Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

Population Density23/sq mi
Total Area75.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access94.0%

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute12.3 min
Drive Alone35.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.5%

Frequently Asked Questions About Cambridge Bay

What is the population of Cambridge Bay?

Cambridge Bay has a population of 1,760 residents and is located in Nunavut. The population density is 23 people per square mile, spread across 75.6 square miles. The median age of residents is 30.4 years, which is younger than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 50% female and 50% male.

Is Cambridge Bay expensive to live in?

Cambridge Bay is more affordable than the national average, with a cost of living index of 84.1 — below the baseline of 100. The median household income is $128,000, 70% above the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $400,000 (42% above the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $452 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 3.1x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.

What is the weather like in Cambridge Bay?

Cambridge Bay has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 7°F (-14°C). Winter temperatures average -27°F in January, while summers reach an average of 48°F in July. The area receives 326 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 5.4 inches, with 3.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 27.

How is the job market in Cambridge Bay?

The job market in Cambridge Bay faces challenges, with unemployment at 13.3% — significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average commute time is 12 minutes, and 3.5% of workers work from home.

How much does housing cost in Cambridge Bay?

The median home value in Cambridge Bay is $400,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $452.

How are the schools in Cambridge Bay?

6.4% of adults in Cambridge Bay hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 17.7% have completed high school. 3.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.

How healthy is Cambridge Bay?

The obesity rate in Cambridge Bay is 26.2% (below the national rate of 32.1%). 8.9% of adults are smokers. 76.3% are physically inactive. 4.1% of residents report depression.

What is transportation like in Cambridge Bay?

The average commute in Cambridge Bay is 12 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 35.4% of workers drive alone to work, and 3.5% work from home.

What are the demographics of Cambridge Bay?

The racial and ethnic makeup of Cambridge Bay is 95.4% White, 2% Black or African American, 0.6% Hispanic or Latino, 2% Asian. 79.8% of residents speak only English at home. 18.5% of residents have a disability. 89.0% have health insurance coverage.

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