All Countries
Fernie, BC
British Columbia
Fernie is a small city in British Columbia with a population of 6,320. Residents earn $107,000 per year, which is 42% above the national average.
Discover Fernie, 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.
How Fernie Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
B+Housing
BCrime
C+Climate
Education
C+Community
Is Fernie a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Fernie receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment. Fernie offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Fernie is $107,000, which is significantly higher than the national average / 42% above $75,149. This places Fernie among higher-income communities. At 9.4%, unemployment is notably high. Only 6.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Fernie is $645,000, making it a premium housing market at 129% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,100 per month. The price-to-income ratio of 6x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.
Safety & Crime
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000, 79% above the national average.
Education
23.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 26.9% have completed high school.
Climate & Weather
Fernie has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. With 270 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 28.9 inches, including 90.5 inches of snow.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Fernie vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Fernie vs U.S. Average
Income: Fernie vs U.S.
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $107,000 |
| 42% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $62,350 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,199 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 9.4% |
| 161% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 6.1% |
| 51% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 196 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 22.8 min |
| Drive Alone | 69.2% |
| Public Transit | 2.2% |
| Work from Home | 18.8% |
Walkability
Home Value Sources
Ownership Split
Home Values
| Census Median | $645,000 |
| 129% above US avg |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $1,100 |
| 5% below US avg | |
| Rent Burden | 12.5% |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 72.5% |
| Owner-Occupied | 72.5% |
| Renter-Occupied | 27.6% |
| Housing Units | 2,595 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: Fernie 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 | 43.8°F |
| 19% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 270 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,274 ft (998 m) |
| Area | 5.8 sq mi (15.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,083/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 49.5000°N, 115.0687°W |
| Timezone | America/Edmonton |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-3°C) | 3.2 in | |
| February | 22°F (-6°C) | 2.4 in | |
| March | 29°F (-2°C) | 2.5 in | |
| April | 36°F (2°C) | 2.3 in | |
| May | 45°F (7°C) | 2.9 in | |
| June | 52°F (11°C) | 3.3 in | |
| July | 67°F (20°C) | 2.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 58°F (15°C) | 1.7 in | Driest |
| September | 50°F (10°C) | 2.1 in | |
| October | 40°F (4°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 27°F (-3°C) | 4.1 in | Wettest |
| December | 19°F (-7°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest |
Fernie has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 19°F in December to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.6 inches, with November being the wettest month (4.1") and August the driest (1.7").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% |
| 32% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 26.9% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 7.0% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 1,083/sq mi |
| Total Area | 5.8 sq mi |
Services
Commute & Transportation
| Avg Commute | 22.8 min |
| Drive Alone | 69.2% |
| Public Transit | 2.2% |
| Work from Home | 18.8% |
Museums in Fernie
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fernie Museum |
Libraries in Fernie
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fernie Heritage Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Sparwood Public Library | 0.0 |
Farmers Markets in Fernie
| Name | Address | Season | Hours | Organic | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fernie Mountain Market |
Hotels in Fernie
9 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Fernie
1 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Breweries in Fernie
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fernie Brewing Company |
Ski Resorts Near Fernie
4 ski resorts within range.
| Resort | Slopes (km) | Lifts | Peak (m) | Price | Season | Night | Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castle Mountain Resort | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
| Fernie Alpine Resort | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
| Island Lake Cat Skiing | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
| Wapiti | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
Airports Near Fernie
9 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Cranbrook/Canadian Rockies International Airport | YXC | Medium Airport |
| Crystal Lakes Resort Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Eureka Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Langton Airstrip | — | Small Airport |
| Lionel P. Demers Memorial Airpark | — | Small Airport |
| Moose City Airport | — | Small Airport |
| North Fork Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Searight Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Sparwood Elk Valley Airport | — | Small Airport |
Explore Near Fernie
Frequently Asked Questions About Fernie
What is the population of Fernie?
Fernie has a population of 6,320 residents and is located in British Columbia. The population density is 1,083 people per square mile, spread across 5.8 square miles. The median age of residents is 38.0 years. The population is 50.4% female and 49.6% male.
Is Fernie expensive to live in?
The median household income is $107,000, 42% above the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $645,000 (129% above the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,100 per month. The home price-to-income ratio is 6x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.
Is Fernie safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Fernie receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Fernie?
Fernie has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winter temperatures average 26°F in January, while summers reach an average of 67°F in July. The area receives 270 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 28.9 inches, with 90.5 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Fernie?
The job market in Fernie faces challenges, with unemployment at 9.4% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $1,199. There are 196 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 23 minutes, and 18.8% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in Fernie?
The median home value in Fernie is $645,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,100. The homeownership rate is 72.5%.
How are the schools in Fernie?
23.1% of adults in Fernie hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 26.9% have completed high school. 7.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.
What is transportation like in Fernie?
The average commute in Fernie is 23 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 69.2% of workers drive alone to work, 2.2% use public transit, and 18.8% work from home.
What are the demographics of Fernie?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Fernie is 92.8% White, 6.2% Asian. 88.6% of residents speak only English at home, while 3.3% speak Spanish.