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Lake Cowichan, BC
British Columbia
Lake Cowichan is a small town in British Columbia with a population of 3,325. Residents earn $68,000 per year, which is 10% below the national average.
Data updated June 2026
Discover Lake Cowichan, 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 Lake Cowichan Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
BHousing
C+Crime
C+Climate
Education
DCommunity
Is Lake Cowichan a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Lake Cowichan receives an overall livability score of 2.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment. Lake Cowichan has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Lake Cowichan is $68,000, 10% below the national average of $75,149. At 9.0%, unemployment is notably high. 11.9% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Lake Cowichan is $472,000, making it a premium housing market at 67% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $980 per month, below the national average / a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 6.9x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.
Safety & Crime
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000, 79% above the national average.
Education
6.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 34.0% have completed high school.
Climate & Weather
Lake Cowichan experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 59°F in July. With 185 sunny days, the area sees less sunshine than many U.S. cities. Annual precipitation totals 87.1 inches, including 27.4 inches of snow.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Lake Cowichan vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Lake Cowichan vs U.S. Average
Income: Lake Cowichan vs U.S.
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $68,000 |
| 10% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $42,880 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $825 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 9.0% |
| 150% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% |
| 4% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 103 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 30.8 min |
| Drive Alone | 75.6% |
| Public Transit | 0.9% |
| Work from Home | 12.8% |
Walkability
Home Value Sources
Ownership Split
Home Values
| Census Median | $472,000 |
| 67% above US avg |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $980 |
| 16% below US avg | |
| Rent Burden | 16.8% |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 84.9% |
| Owner-Occupied | 84.9% |
| Renter-Occupied | 15.1% |
| Housing Units | 1,490 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: Lake Cowichan 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 | 45.8°F |
| 15% below US avg | |
| January Average | 35°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 59°F (15°C) |
| Sunny Days | 185 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 548 ft (167 m) |
| Area | 3.2 sq mi (8.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,045/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.8250°N, 124.0546°W |
| Timezone | America/Vancouver |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Tsunami History
2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 9.0 m (30 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1946 | BRITISH COLUMBIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 9.0 m | 1 | 132 km |
| 1891 | WASHINGTON | Eruption + Earthquake | 2.4 m | — | 100 km |
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Garibaldi (137 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Garibaldi | Stratovolcano | 2,678 m (8,786 ft) | -8060 | 137 km |
| Garibaldi Lake | Volcanic field | 2,316 m (7,598 ft) | Unknown | 145 km |
| Cayley Volcanic Field | Volcanic field | 2,375 m (7,792 ft) | Unknown | 155 km |
| Baker | Stratovolcano(es) | 3,285 m (10,778 ft) | 1880 | 164 km |
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35°F (1°C) | 13.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 9.9 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 8.7 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 5.8 in | |
| May | 49°F (9°C) | 3.5 in | |
| June | 54°F (12°C) | 2.6 in | |
| July | 59°F (15°C) | 1.6 in | Driest |
| August | 60°F (15°C) | 2.2 in | Warmest |
| September | 55°F (13°C) | 2.5 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 8.6 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 14.3 in | Wettest |
| December | 35°F (1°C) | 13.6 in |
Lake Cowichan has a seasonal temperature swing of 25°F / from 35°F in January to 60°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 87.1 inches, with November being the wettest month (14.3") and July the driest (1.6").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 6.8% |
| 80% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 34.0% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 2.6% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 1,045/sq mi |
| Total Area | 3.2 sq mi |
Services
Commute & Transportation
| Avg Commute | 30.8 min |
| Drive Alone | 75.6% |
| Public Transit | 0.9% |
| Work from Home | 12.8% |
Schools in Lake Cowichan
2 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Cowichan Secondary School | — | — | — | — |
| Palsson Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
Radio Stations near Lake Cowichan
7 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CKAY 91.7 "Coast FM" Nanaimo, BC | hits, nanaimo | AAC+ 57 kbps | |
| CJSU-FM 89.7 "Sun FM" Duncan, BC | adult hits | AAC+ 57 kbps | |
| CHWF-FM "The Wolf 106.9" Nanaimo, BC | active rock | AAC+ 48 kbps | |
| CKWV-FM 102.3 "The Wave" Nanaimo, BC | hot adult contemporary | AAC+ 48 kbps | |
| The Lounge CHPQ-FM 99.9 Parksville | — | AAC+ 48 kbps | |
| CIBH 88.5 "The Beach" Parksville, BC | adult contemporary | AAC+ 48 kbps | |
| CHPQ-FM "The Lounge 99.9" Parksville, BC | adult standards, classic hits | AAC+ 48 kbps |
Museums in Lake Cowichan
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harbour Heritage Centre | ||||
| Kaatza Station Museum & Archives | ||||
| Ladysmith Maritime Society Museum | ||||
| Ladysmith Museum |
Libraries in Lake Cowichan
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIRL: Cowichan Lake Branch | 0.0 | |||||
| VIRL: Ladysmith Branch | 0.0 |
Hotels in Lake Cowichan
2 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Cafes in Lake Cowichan
3 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Veterinaries in Lake Cowichan
1 veterinaries within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Lake Cowichan
3 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Airports Near Lake Cowichan
13 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria International Airport | YYJ | Large Airport |
| Nanaimo Airport | YCD | Medium Airport |
| Qualicum Beach Airport | XQU | Medium Airport |
| William R Fairchild International Airport | CLM | Medium Airport |
| Big Andy Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Duncan Airport | DUQ | Small Airport |
| Lawson Airpark | — | Small Airport |
| Long Harbour Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Michell Airpark | — | Small Airport |
| Port Angeles Cgas Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Quamichan Lake (Raven Field) Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Sechelt-Gibsons Airport | YHS | Small Airport |
| Sekiu Airport | — | Small Airport |
Post Offices in Lake Cowichan
1 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| Lake Cowichan |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Lake Cowichan
3 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Lake Cowichan Christian Fellowship | |
| Lake Cowichan United Church | |
| St. Christopher's and St. Aidan's Anglican Church |
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Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Lake Cowichan
What is the population of Lake Cowichan?
Lake Cowichan has a population of 3,325 residents and is located in British Columbia. The population density is 1,045 people per square mile, spread across 3.2 square miles. The median age of residents is 52.0 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 50.8% female and 49% male.
Is Lake Cowichan expensive to live in?
The median household income is $68,000, 10% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $472,000 (67% above the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $980 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 6.9x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.
Is Lake Cowichan safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Lake Cowichan receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Lake Cowichan?
Lake Cowichan has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winter temperatures average 35°F in January, while summers reach an average of 59°F in July. The area receives 185 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 87.1 inches, with 27.4 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Lake Cowichan?
The job market in Lake Cowichan faces challenges, with unemployment at 9.0% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $825. There are 103 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 31 minutes, and 12.8% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in Lake Cowichan?
The median home value in Lake Cowichan is $472,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $980. The homeownership rate is 84.9%.
How are the schools in Lake Cowichan?
6.8% of adults in Lake Cowichan hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 34.0% have completed high school. 2.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.
What is transportation like in Lake Cowichan?
The average commute in Lake Cowichan is 31 minutes, longer than the national average of 28 minutes. 75.6% of workers drive alone to work, and 12.8% work from home.
What are the demographics of Lake Cowichan?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Lake Cowichan is 96.2% White, 0.9% Black or African American, 2.1% Asian. 93.5% of residents speak only English at home.