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Fort Nelson, BC
British Columbia
Fort Nelson is a small town in British Columbia with a population of 419. Residents earn $62,400 per year, which is 17% below the national average.
Data updated June 2026
Discover Fort Nelson, 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 Fort Nelson Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
CHousing
DCrime
C+Climate
Education
FCommunity
Is Fort Nelson a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Fort Nelson receives an overall livability score of 1.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of D. Key strengths include abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Fort Nelson faces significant challenges across several quality-of-life categories.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Fort Nelson is $62,400, 17% below the national average of $75,149. At 24.3%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 24.4% 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 Fort Nelson is $560,468, making it a premium housing market at 99% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,072 per month. With a home price-to-income ratio of 9x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.
Safety & Crime
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000, 79% above the national average.
Education
3.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 23.9% have completed high school.
Climate & Weather
Fort Nelson has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 32°F. Winters average -4°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. With 302 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 19.0 inches, including 5.1 inches of snow.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Fort Nelson vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Fort Nelson vs U.S. Average
Income: Fort Nelson vs U.S.
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $62,400 |
| 17% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $36,800 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $708 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 24.3% |
| 575% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 24.4% |
| 97% above US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 13 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 23.5 min |
| Drive Alone | 88.5% |
| Public Transit | 0.0% |
| Work from Home | 11.5% |
Walkability
Home Value Sources
Ownership Split
Home Values
| Census Median | $560,468 |
| 99% above US avg |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $1,072 |
| 8% below US avg | |
| Rent Burden | 29.9% |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 50.0% |
| Owner-Occupied | 50.0% |
| Renter-Occupied | 8.3% |
| Housing Units | 180 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: Fort Nelson 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 | 31.6°F |
| 41% below US avg | |
| January Average | -4°F (-20°C) |
| July Average | 62°F (16°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,345 ft (410 m) |
| Area | 36.9 sq mi (95.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 11/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 58.8053°N, 122.7002°W |
| Timezone | America/Fort_Nelson |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -4°F (-20°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 6°F (-15°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.8 in | |
| April | 36°F (2°C) | 0.8 in | |
| May | 49°F (9°C) | 2.1 in | |
| June | 58°F (14°C) | 3.0 in | |
| July | 62°F (16°C) | 3.9 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 58°F (15°C) | 2.6 in | |
| September | 49°F (9°C) | 1.6 in | |
| October | 35°F (2°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 1°F (-17°C) | 0.7 in | Driest |
Fort Nelson has a seasonal temperature swing of 66°F / from -4°F in January to 62°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.9") and December the driest (0.7").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 3.0% |
| 91% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 23.9% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 0.0% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 11/sq mi |
| Total Area | 36.9 sq mi |
Services
Commute & Transportation
| Avg Commute | 23.5 min |
| Drive Alone | 88.5% |
| Public Transit | 0.0% |
| Work from Home | 11.5% |
Schools in Fort Nelson
5 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chalo School | — | — | — | — |
| R.L. Angus Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
| Fort Nelson Secondary School | — | — | — | — |
| J.S. Clark Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
| G.W. Carlson Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
Radio Stations near Fort Nelson
0 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality |
|---|
Museums in Fort Nelson
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Nelson Heritage Museum |
Libraries in Fort Nelson
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Nelson Public Library | 0.0 |
Farmers Markets in Fort Nelson
| Name | Address | Season | Hours | Organic | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Nelson Farmers’ Market |
Hotels in Fort Nelson
3 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Cafes in Fort Nelson
2 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Theatres in Fort Nelson
1 theatres within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Dentists in Fort Nelson
1 dentists within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Train Stations in Fort Nelson
1 train stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Fort Nelson
5 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Banks in Fort Nelson
2 banks within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Ski Resorts Near Fort Nelson
1 ski resorts within range.
| Resort | Slopes (km) | Lifts | Peak (m) | Price | Season | Night | Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Nelson Demonstration Forest Recreation Site | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
Airports Near Fort Nelson
2 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Nelson Airport | YYE | Medium Airport |
| Gordon Field | — | Small Airport |
Post Offices in Fort Nelson
1 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| Canada Post |
Explore Near Fort Nelson
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Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Fort Nelson
What is the population of Fort Nelson?
Fort Nelson has a population of 419 residents and is located in British Columbia. The population density is 11 people per square mile, spread across 36.9 square miles. The median age of residents is 40.8 years. The population is 48.8% female and 50% male.
Is Fort Nelson expensive to live in?
The median household income is $62,400, 17% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $560,468 (99% above the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,072 per month. The home price-to-income ratio is 9x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.
Is Fort Nelson safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Fort Nelson receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Fort Nelson?
Fort Nelson has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 32°F (-0°C). Winter temperatures average -4°F in January, while summers reach an average of 62°F in July. The area receives 302 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 19.0 inches, with 5.1 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Fort Nelson?
The job market in Fort Nelson faces challenges, with unemployment at 24.3% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $708. There are 13 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 24 minutes, and 11.5% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in Fort Nelson?
The median home value in Fort Nelson is $560,468. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,072. The homeownership rate is 50.0%.
How are the schools in Fort Nelson?
3.0% of adults in Fort Nelson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 23.9% have completed high school. 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.
What is transportation like in Fort Nelson?
The average commute in Fort Nelson is 24 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 88.5% of workers drive alone to work, and 11.5% work from home.
What are the demographics of Fort Nelson?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Fort Nelson is 100% White. 77.1% of residents speak only English at home.