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.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
1,386 Population 153/sq mi density
$91,000 Median Income $56,000 per capita
$200,000 Home Value
$850 Median Rent 12.7% income on rent
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$91,000 median income, 9.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$200,000 home value, $850/mo rent
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
9.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $91,000
21% higher than US avg
Home Value $200,000
29% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.5%
72% lower than US avg
Median Rent $850
27% lower than US avg
Unemployment 9.6%
167% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.4%
32% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,386
Median Age38.8 yrs
Density153/mi²
Male / Female51% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

B+
Median Income$91,000
Per Capita$56,000
Unemployment9.6%
Poverty8.4%
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$200,000
Rent$850
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units585
Rent Burden12.7%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg TempN/A
AQIN/A
Elevation2,297 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.5%
High School+38.4%
Graduate+4.7%

Community

Commute21 min

Is Fort St. James a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fort St. James receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, affordable housing, 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.

Education

9.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 38.4% have completed high school.

Fort St. James has a population of 1,386 with a density of 153 people per square mile. The median age is 38.8 years, 0% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.1%), with 4.1% Asian.

Population

1,386
Total Population
2021 Census
153
People / sq mi
38.8yrs
Median Age
0% below US avg
9.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.5%
Female 49.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Fort St. James vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only88.5%
13% above US avg
Spanish0.7%
95% below US avg
Other Languages10.8%

Social Characteristics

Fort St. James vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fort St. James is $91,000, which is 21% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 9.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 8.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Fort St. James vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$91,000
21% above US avg
Per Capita Income$56,000

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment9.6%
167% above US avg
Poverty Rate8.4%
32% below US avg

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.0 min
Drive Alone72.3%
Public Transit4.5%
Work from Home10.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Fort St. James is $200,000, 29% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $850 (27% below US avg).

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 Burden12.7%

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied68.4%
Renter-Occupied31.6%
Housing Units585

Property Tax

Health Metrics: Fort St. James vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Food & Exercise

Crime Rates: Fort St. James vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Temperature

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

Geography

Elevation2,297 ft (700 m)
Area9.1 sq mi (23.4 km²)
Population Density153/sq mi
Coordinates54.4560°N, 124.2628°W
TimezoneAmerica/Vancouver
9.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (72% below US avg).

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.5%
72% below US avg
High School+38.4%
Graduate Degree+4.7%
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

Population Density153/sq mi
Total Area9.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.0 min
Drive Alone72.3%
Public Transit4.5%
Work from Home10.7%

Nearby Cities

Compare Fort St. James with another city: