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Castlegar, BC
British Columbia
Castlegar is a small city in British Columbia with a population of 8,338. Residents earn $81,000 per year, which is 8% above the national average.
Discover Castlegar, 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 Castlegar Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
BHousing
B+Crime
C+Climate
Education
DCommunity
Is Castlegar a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Castlegar receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment. Castlegar has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Castlegar is $81,000, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. At 10.8%, unemployment is notably high. 10.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Castlegar is $400,000, 42% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $950 per month, below the national average / a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.9x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.
Safety & Crime
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000, 79% above the national average.
Education
11.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 30.2% have completed high school.
Climate & Weather
Castlegar experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. With 253 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 28.8 inches, including 80.6 inches of snow.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Castlegar vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Castlegar vs U.S. Average
Income: Castlegar vs U.S.
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $81,000 |
| 8% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $50,320 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $968 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 10.8% |
| 200% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% |
| 17% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 258 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 21.0 min |
| Drive Alone | 85.2% |
| Public Transit | 1.8% |
| Work from Home | 17.1% |
Walkability
Home Value Sources
Ownership Split
Home Values
| Census Median | $400,000 |
| 42% above US avg |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $950 |
| 18% below US avg | |
| Rent Burden | 13.7% |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 76.2% |
| Owner-Occupied | 76.2% |
| Renter-Occupied | 23.9% |
| Housing Units | 3,550 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: Castlegar 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 | 50.4°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 253 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,624 ft (495 m) |
| Area | 7.7 sq mi (19.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,087/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 49.3232°N, 117.6583°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 | — | 91 km |
| 2024 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 14.3 m | — | 91 km |
| 1944 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.1 m | — | 91 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 4.8 m | — | 91 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 91 km |
| 1952 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 91 km |
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (-0°C) | 3.9 in | |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 2.5 in | |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 2.8 in | |
| April | 42°F (5°C) | 2.4 in | |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 2.8 in | |
| June | 57°F (14°C) | 3.0 in | |
| July | 74°F (24°C) | 1.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 62°F (17°C) | 1.8 in | |
| September | 53°F (12°C) | 1.7 in | Driest |
| October | 42°F (6°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 32°F (-0°C) | 4.1 in | Wettest |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 4.1 in | Coldest |
Castlegar has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 25°F in December to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 33.3 inches, with November being the wettest month (4.1") and September the driest (1.7").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 11.2% |
| 67% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 30.2% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 3.7% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 1,087/sq mi |
| Total Area | 7.7 sq mi |
Services
Commute & Transportation
| Avg Commute | 21.0 min |
| Drive Alone | 85.2% |
| Public Transit | 1.8% |
| Work from Home | 17.1% |
Colleges & Universities in Castlegar
| Institution | Type | Enrollment | Acceptance | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selkirk College (Castlegar Campus) | — | — | — | — | — |
| Selkirk Technology Access Centre | — | — | — | — | — |
Schools in Castlegar
4 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twin Rivers Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
| Twin Rivers Elementary: Castlegar Primary Campus | — | — | — | — |
| Stanley Humphries Secondary School | — | — | — | — |
| Kinnaird Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
Radio Stations near Castlegar
3 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CJLY Kootenay Co-op Radio | co-op, community | MP3 | |
| CKQR "99.3 FM The Goat" Castlegar, BC | classic rock | AAC+ 57 kbps | |
| CHNV-FM 103.5 "The Bridge" Nelson, BC | alternative rock | AAC+ 57 kbps |
Museums in Castlegar
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castlegar Museum | ||||
| Doukhobor Discovery Centre | ||||
| Mir Centre for Peace | ||||
| Rossland Mining Museum & Discovery Center | ||||
| The Trail Museum & Archives | ||||
| Zuckerberg Island |
Libraries in Castlegar
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver Valley Public Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Castlegar & District Public Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Rossland Public Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Trail & District Public Library | 0.0 |
Farmers Markets in Castlegar
| Name | Address | Season | Hours | Organic | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruitvale’s Incredible Farmers Market |
Hotels in Castlegar
3 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Cafes in Castlegar
5 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Cinemas in Castlegar
1 cinemas within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Theatres in Castlegar
1 theatres within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Clinics in Castlegar
2 clinics within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Dentists in Castlegar
1 dentists within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Castlegar
7 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Banks in Castlegar
4 banks within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Gyms in Castlegar
3 gyms within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Golf Courses in Castlegar
2 golf courses within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Ski Resorts Near Castlegar
3 ski resorts within range.
| Resort | Slopes (km) | Lifts | Peak (m) | Price | Season | Night | Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Mountain Resort | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
| Paulson Cross-Country Recreation Site | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
| Whitewater Ski Resort | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
Airports Near Castlegar
13 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Castlegar/West Kootenay Regional Airport | YCG | Medium Airport |
| Avey Field State/Laurier Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Crown Creek Ranch Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Flat Creek Field | — | Small Airport |
| Ione Municipal Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Johnson Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Kaslo Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Nelson Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Priest Lake Usfs Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Schmidt Ranch Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Sullivan Lake State Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Trail Regional Airport | YZZ | Small Airport |
| Zema Private Airport | — | Small Airport |
Post Offices in Castlegar
3 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| Castlegar Main | |
| Clark Freightways | |
| South Castlegar |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Castlegar
4 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Brilliant Cultural Center | |
| Castlegar Baptist Church | |
| Kinnaird Park Community Church | |
| St. Rita's Catholic Church |
Explore Near Castlegar
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Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Castlegar
What is the population of Castlegar?
Castlegar has a population of 8,338 residents and is located in British Columbia. The population density is 1,087 people per square mile, spread across 7.7 square miles. The median age of residents is 45.6 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 51.3% female and 48.7% male.
Is Castlegar expensive to live in?
The median household income is $81,000, 8% 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 $950 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 4.9x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.
Is Castlegar safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Castlegar receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Castlegar?
Castlegar has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winter temperatures average 32°F in January, while summers reach an average of 74°F in July. The area receives 253 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 28.8 inches, with 80.6 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Castlegar?
The job market in Castlegar faces challenges, with unemployment at 10.8% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $968. There are 258 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 21 minutes, and 17.1% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in Castlegar?
The median home value in Castlegar is $400,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $950. The homeownership rate is 76.2%.
How are the schools in Castlegar?
11.2% of adults in Castlegar hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 30.2% have completed high school. 3.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.
What is transportation like in Castlegar?
The average commute in Castlegar is 21 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 85.2% of workers drive alone to work, 1.8% use public transit, and 17.1% work from home.
What are the demographics of Castlegar?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Castlegar is 92.7% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 6.4% Asian. 85% of residents speak only English at home.