All Countries
Hay River, NT
Northwest Territories
Hay River is a small town in Northwest Territories with a population of 3,169. Residents earn $129,000 per year, which is 72% above the national average.
Data updated June 2026
Discover Hay River, NT
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 Hay River Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
AHousing
A+Crime
C+Climate
Education
DCommunity
Is Hay River a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Hay River receives an overall livability score of 3.4 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 above-average unemployment. Hay River offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Hay River is $129,000, which is significantly higher than the national average / 72% above $75,149. This places Hay River among higher-income communities. The unemployment rate of 6.2% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 6.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Hay River is $290,000, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $930 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
12.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 24.2% have completed high school.
Climate & Weather
Hay River has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 27°F. Winters average -10°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. With 313 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 12.6 inches, including 5.2 inches of snow.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Hay River vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Hay River vs U.S. Average
Income: Hay River vs U.S.
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $129,000 |
| 72% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $69,900 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,344 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 6.2% |
| 72% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 6.7% |
| 46% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 98 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 15.8 min |
| Drive Alone | 75.9% |
| Public Transit | 0.6% |
| Work from Home | 6.4% |
Walkability
Home Value Sources
Ownership Split
Home Values
| Census Median | $290,000 |
| 3% above US avg |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $930 |
| 20% below US avg | |
| Rent Burden | 10.2% |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 69.8% |
| Owner-Occupied | 69.8% |
| Renter-Occupied | 30.2% |
| Housing Units | 1,275 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: Hay River 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 | 26.9°F |
| 50% below US avg | |
| January Average | -10°F (-24°C) |
| July Average | 62°F (16°C) |
| Sunny Days | 313 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 548 ft (167 m) |
| Area | 47.3 sq mi (122.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 67/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 60.8156°N, 115.7999°W |
| Timezone | America/Edmonton |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -10°F (-24°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
| February | -5°F (-20°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 7°F (-14°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
| May | 45°F (7°C) | 1.0 in | |
| June | 56°F (13°C) | 1.3 in | |
| July | 62°F (16°C) | 1.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 58°F (14°C) | 1.9 in | Wettest |
| September | 47°F (8°C) | 1.6 in | |
| October | 32°F (0°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 9°F (-13°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | -6°F (-21°C) | 0.6 in |
Hay River has a seasonal temperature swing of 72°F / from -10°F in January to 62°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.9") and April the driest (0.5").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.5% |
| 63% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 24.2% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 3.1% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 67/sq mi |
| Total Area | 47.3 sq mi |
Services
Commute & Transportation
| Avg Commute | 15.8 min |
| Drive Alone | 75.9% |
| Public Transit | 0.6% |
| Work from Home | 6.4% |
Schools in Hay River
2 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond Jenness Secondary School | — | — | — | — |
| École Boréale | — | — | — | — |
Museums in Hay River
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hay River Museum |
Gas Stations in Hay River
3 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Banks in Hay River
1 banks within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Golf Courses in Hay River
1 golf courses within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Airports Near Hay River
1 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Hay River / Merlyn Carter Airport | YHY | Medium Airport |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Hay River
2 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses | |
| St. Andrew's |
Download Full City Report
Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Hay River.
Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Hay River
What is the population of Hay River?
Hay River has a population of 3,169 residents and is located in Northwest Territories. The population density is 67 people per square mile, spread across 47.3 square miles. The median age of residents is 40.4 years. The population is 49.4% female and 50.5% male.
Is Hay River expensive to live in?
The median household income is $129,000, 72% above the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $290,000 (3% above the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $930 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 Hay River safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Hay River receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Hay River?
Hay River has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 27°F (-3°C). Winter temperatures average -10°F in January, while summers reach an average of 62°F in July. The area receives 313 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 12.6 inches, with 5.2 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Hay River?
The unemployment rate in Hay River is 6.2%, somewhat above the national average of 3.6%. Job seekers may face moderate competition. The average weekly wage is $1,344. There are 98 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 16 minutes, and 6.4% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in Hay River?
The median home value in Hay River is $290,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $930. The homeownership rate is 69.8%.
How are the schools in Hay River?
12.5% of adults in Hay River hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 24.2% have completed high school. 3.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.
What is transportation like in Hay River?
The average commute in Hay River is 16 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 75.9% of workers drive alone to work, and 6.4% work from home.
What are the demographics of Hay River?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Hay River is 90.9% White, 0.8% Black or African American, 7.2% Asian. 84.1% of residents speak only English at home.