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Fort St. James, BC
British Columbia
Fort St. James is a small town in British Columbia with a population of 1,386. Residents earn $91,000 per year, which is 21% above the national average.
Data updated June 2026
Discover Fort St. James, 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 St. James Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
B+Housing
A+Crime
C+Climate
Education
DCommunity
Is Fort St. James a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Fort St. James receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment. Fort St. James offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Fort St. James is $91,000, 21% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. At 9.6%, unemployment is notably high. 8.4% 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 Fort St. James is $200,000, 29% below the national median / offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $850 per month, below the national average / a plus for affordability. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Safety & Crime
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000, 79% above the national average.
Education
9.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 38.4% have completed high school.
Climate & Weather
Fort St. James has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 37°F. Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 58°F in July. With 298 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 20.8 inches, including 8.1 inches of snow.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Fort St. James vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Fort St. James vs U.S. Average
Income: Fort St. James vs U.S.
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $91,000 |
| 21% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $56,000 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,077 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 9.6% |
| 167% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% |
| 32% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 43 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 21.0 min |
| Drive Alone | 72.3% |
| Public Transit | 4.5% |
| Work from Home | 10.7% |
Walkability
Home Value Sources
Ownership Split
Home Values
| Census Median | $200,000 |
| 29% below US avg |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $850 |
| 27% below US avg | |
| Rent Burden | 12.7% |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 68.4% |
| Owner-Occupied | 68.4% |
| Renter-Occupied | 31.6% |
| Housing Units | 585 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: Fort St. James 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 | 36.7°F |
| 32% below US avg | |
| January Average | 11°F (-12°C) |
| July Average | 58°F (15°C) |
| Sunny Days | 298 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,297 ft (700 m) |
| Area | 9.1 sq mi (23.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 153/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 54.4560°N, 124.2628°W |
| Timezone | America/Vancouver |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11°F (-12°C) | 2.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.2 in | |
| March | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 38°F (3°C) | 0.9 in | Driest |
| May | 47°F (9°C) | 1.5 in | |
| June | 54°F (12°C) | 2.3 in | Wettest |
| July | 58°F (15°C) | 2.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 58°F (14°C) | 1.9 in | |
| September | 49°F (10°C) | 1.8 in | |
| October | 39°F (4°C) | 2.0 in | |
| November | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 in | |
| December | 15°F (-10°C) | 1.9 in |
Fort St. James has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 11°F in January to 58°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.3") and April the driest (0.9").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 9.5% |
| 72% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 38.4% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 4.7% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 153/sq mi |
| Total Area | 9.1 sq mi |
Services
Commute & Transportation
| Avg Commute | 21.0 min |
| Drive Alone | 72.3% |
| Public Transit | 4.5% |
| Work from Home | 10.7% |
Colleges & Universities in Fort St. James
| Institution | Type | Enrollment | Acceptance | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of New Caledonia (Fort St. James) | — | — | — | — | — |
Schools in Fort St. James
2 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nak'al Bun Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
| David Hoy Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
Radio Stations near Fort St. James
1 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIVH "95.9 FM The Goat" Vanderhoof, BC | active rock | AAC+ 32 kbps |
Libraries in Fort St. James
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort St. James Public Library | 0.0 |
Gas Stations in Fort St. James
1 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Golf Courses in Fort St. James
1 golf courses within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Ski Resorts Near Fort St. James
2 ski resorts within range.
| Resort | Slopes (km) | Lifts | Peak (m) | Price | Season | Night | Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nechako Valley Sporting Association Trail System | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
| Waterlily Lake Trails | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
Airports Near Fort St. James
3 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Fort St James Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Fraser Lake Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Vanderhoof Airport | — | Small Airport |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Fort St. James
3 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Evangelical Free Church | |
| Kingdom Hall of Jehova's Witnesses | |
| Lady of Good Hope Church |
Download Full City Report
Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Fort St. James.
Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Fort St. James
What is the population of Fort St. James?
Fort St. James has a population of 1,386 residents and is located in British Columbia. The population density is 153 people per square mile, spread across 9.1 square miles. The median age of residents is 38.8 years. The population is 49.8% female and 50.5% male.
Is Fort St. James expensive to live in?
The median household income is $91,000, 21% above the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $200,000 (29% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $850 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.2x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.
Is Fort St. James safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Fort St. James receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Fort St. James?
Fort St. James has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 37°F (3°C). Winter temperatures average 11°F in January, while summers reach an average of 58°F in July. The area receives 298 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 20.8 inches, with 8.1 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Fort St. James?
The job market in Fort St. James faces challenges, with unemployment at 9.6% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $1,077. There are 43 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 21 minutes, and 10.7% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in Fort St. James?
The median home value in Fort St. James is $200,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $850. The homeownership rate is 68.4%.
How are the schools in Fort St. James?
9.5% of adults in Fort St. James hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 38.4% have completed high school. 4.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.
What is transportation like in Fort St. James?
The average commute in Fort St. James is 21 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 72.3% of workers drive alone to work, 4.5% use public transit, and 10.7% work from home.
What are the demographics of Fort St. James?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Fort St. James is 92.1% White, 0.8% Hispanic or Latino, 4.1% Asian. 88.5% of residents speak only English at home.