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Fort Simpson, NT

Northwest Territories

Fort Simpson is a small town in Northwest Territories with a population of 1,100. Residents earn $111,000 per year, which is 48% above the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
1,100 Population 37/sq mi density
$111,000 Median Income $58,800 per capita
$260,000 Home Value
$1,110 Median Rent 9.9% income on rent
27°F Avg Temperature 307 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$111,000 median income, 10.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$260,000 home value, $1,110/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $111,000
48% higher than US avg
Home Value $260,000
8% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.2%
76% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,110
5% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 26.2%
18% lower than US avg
Unemployment 10.7%
197% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.6%
55% lower than US avg

How Fort Simpson Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population1,100
Median Age40.0 yrs
Density37/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 97%

Economy

B+
Median Income$111,000
Per Capita$58,800
Unemployment10.7%
Poverty5.6%
Commute14 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$260,000
Rent$1,110
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units450
Rent Burden9.9%

Health

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

Climate

Avg Temp27°F (-3°C)
AQI27 (Good)
Rain15.8 in/yr
Sunny Days307/yr
Elevation420 ft (128 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.2%
High School+26.1%
Graduate+3.8%

Community

Commute14 min
Broadband94.0%

Is Fort Simpson a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fort Simpson receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment. Fort Simpson offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fort Simpson is $111,000, which is significantly higher than the national average — 48% above $75,149. This places Fort Simpson among higher-income communities. At 10.7%, unemployment is notably high. Only 5.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Fort Simpson is $260,000, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,110 per month. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

8.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 26.1% have completed high school.

Climate & Weather

Fort Simpson has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 27°F. Winters average -11°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. With 307 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 15.8 inches, including 5.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 27.

Fort Simpson has a population of 1,100 with a density of 37 people per square mile, spread across 30.1 square miles. The median age is 40.0 years, 3% older than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 48.6% female and 51.4% male. The city is predominantly White (97.2%). English is the primary language spoken at home by 76.8% of residents. 18.5% of residents have a disability (above the 13.0% national average). 89.0% have health insurance coverage.

Population

1,100
Total Population
2021 Census
37
People / sq mi
40.0yrs
Median Age
3% above US avg
30.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.4%
Female 48.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Fort Simpson vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only76.8%
2% below US avg
Spanish1.4%
90% below US avg
Other Languages21.8%

Social Characteristics

Fort Simpson vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fort Simpson is $111,000, which is 48% above the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $58,800 (above the $39,052 national figure). The unemployment rate is 10.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 5.6% of residents live below the poverty line, lower than the national rate of 12.4%. The cost of living index is 84.1, below the national baseline of 100 — offering relatively affordable living. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes (shorter than the 28-minute US average). 9.2% of workers work from home (below the 15.2% national rate).

Income: Fort Simpson vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$111,000
48% above US avg
Per Capita Income$58,800

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment10.7%
197% above US avg
Poverty Rate5.6%
55% below US avg

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Cost of Living84.10 (100=avg)

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time13.6 min
Drive Alone66.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home9.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Fort Simpson is $260,000, 8% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $1,110 (5% below the national average of $1,163). There are 450 total housing units in the city. 9.9% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.3x, well within the affordable range.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$260,000
8% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,110
5% below US avg
Rent Burden9.9%

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied51.1%
Renter-Occupied48.9%
Housing Units450

Property Tax

In Fort Simpson, 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: Fort Simpson 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

Fort Simpson has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 27°F (-3°C). Winters average -11°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July — a wide seasonal temperature swing of 73°F. The area gets 307 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 15.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 5.7 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 420 feet.

Temperature

-11°F Jan (-24°C) 62°F Jul (17°C)
Annual Average27.1°F
50% below US avg
January Average-11°F (-24°C)
July Average62°F (17°C)
Sunny Days307 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall15.8 inches
59% below US avg
Snowfall5.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median27.0
RatingGood
Good Days %89.5%

Geography

Elevation420 ft (128 m)
Area30.1 sq mi (77.9 km²)
Population Density37/sq mi
Coordinates61.8627°N, 121.3516°W
TimezoneAmerica/Edmonton

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January -11°F (-24°C) 0.8 in Coldest
February -3°F (-20°C) 0.6 in
March 10°F (-13°C) 0.6 in Driest
April 31°F (-1°C) 0.7 in
May 47°F (8°C) 1.5 in
June 59°F (15°C) 2.2 in
July 62°F (17°C) 2.7 in Warmest, Wettest
August 58°F (14°C) 2.4 in
September 46°F (8°C) 1.3 in
October 30°F (-1°C) 1.4 in
November 6°F (-14°C) 0.9 in
December -8°F (-22°C) 0.8 in

Fort Simpson has a seasonal temperature swing of 74°F — from -11°F in January to 62°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.8 inches, with July being the wettest month (2.7") and March the driest (0.6").

8.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 76% below the national average of 33.7%. 26.1% have completed high school. 3.8% hold a graduate or professional degree (below the 13.1% national rate). 94.0% of households have broadband internet access. 66.3% of workers drive alone to work.

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.2%
76% below US avg
High School+26.1%
Graduate Degree+3.8%
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

Population Density37/sq mi
Total Area30.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access94.0%

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute13.6 min
Drive Alone66.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home9.2%

Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Simpson

What is the population of Fort Simpson?

Fort Simpson has a population of 1,100 residents and is located in Northwest Territories. The population density is 37 people per square mile, spread across 30.1 square miles. The median age of residents is 40.0 years. The population is 48.6% female and 51.4% male.

Is Fort Simpson expensive to live in?

Fort Simpson 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 $111,000, 48% above the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $260,000 (8% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,110 per month. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.3x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.

What is the weather like in Fort Simpson?

Fort Simpson has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 27°F (-3°C). Winter temperatures average -11°F in January, while summers reach an average of 62°F in July. The area receives 307 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 15.8 inches, with 5.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 27.

How is the job market in Fort Simpson?

The job market in Fort Simpson faces challenges, with unemployment at 10.7% — significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average commute time is 14 minutes, and 9.2% of workers work from home.

How much does housing cost in Fort Simpson?

The median home value in Fort Simpson is $260,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,110.

How are the schools in Fort Simpson?

8.2% of adults in Fort Simpson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 26.1% have completed high school. 3.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.

How healthy is Fort Simpson?

The obesity rate in Fort Simpson 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 Fort Simpson?

The average commute in Fort Simpson is 14 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 66.3% of workers drive alone to work, and 9.2% work from home.

What are the demographics of Fort Simpson?

The racial and ethnic makeup of Fort Simpson is 97.2% White, 0.9% Black or African American, 0.9% Asian. 76.8% of residents speak only English at home. 18.5% of residents have a disability. 89.0% have health insurance coverage.

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