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Merritt, BC
British Columbia
Merritt is a small city in British Columbia with a population of 7,051. Residents earn $70,000 per year, which is 7% below the national average.
Discover Merritt, 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 Merritt Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
C+Housing
BCrime
C+Climate
Education
DCommunity
Is Merritt a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Merritt receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment. Merritt has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Merritt is $70,000, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. At 9.6%, unemployment is notably high. 14.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Merritt is $400,000, 42% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $990 per month, below the national average / a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 5.7x 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
7.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 31.7% have completed high school.
Climate & Weather
Merritt experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. With 254 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 16.5 inches, including 35.9 inches of snow.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Merritt vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Merritt vs U.S. Average
Income: Merritt vs U.S.
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $70,000 |
| 7% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $43,680 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $840 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 9.6% |
| 167% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% |
| 13% above US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 219 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 18.6 min |
| Drive Alone | 81.1% |
| Public Transit | 0.6% |
| Work from Home | 10.7% |
Walkability
Home Value Sources
Ownership Split
Home Values
| Census Median | $400,000 |
| 42% above US avg |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $990 |
| 15% below US avg | |
| Rent Burden | 17.5% |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 73.1% |
| Owner-Occupied | 73.1% |
| Renter-Occupied | 26.7% |
| Housing Units | 2,975 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: Merritt 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 | 46.6°F |
| 14% below US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 254 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,985 ft (605 m) |
| Area | 10.1 sq mi (26.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 701/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 50.1123°N, 120.7942°W |
| Timezone | America/Vancouver |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Tsunami History
2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 38.0 m (125 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 2007 | CHEHALIS LAKE, CHILLIWACK | Meteorological | 38.0 m | — | 113 km |
| 1905 | THOMPSON RIVER | Meteorological | 6.0 m | 15 | 52 km |
Nearby Volcanoes
5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Garibaldi Lake (159 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Garibaldi Lake | Volcanic field | 2,316 m (7,598 ft) | Unknown | 159 km |
| Garibaldi | Stratovolcano | 2,678 m (8,786 ft) | -8060 | 160 km |
| Baker | Stratovolcano(es) | 3,285 m (10,778 ft) | 1880 | 166 km |
| Cayley Volcanic Field | Volcanic field | 2,375 m (7,792 ft) | Unknown | 177 km |
| Bridge River Cones | Volcanic field | 2,500 m (8,202 ft) | Unknown | 200 km |
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.6 in | |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.0 in | |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 0.8 in | |
| April | 42°F (5°C) | 0.7 in | Driest |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 1.3 in | |
| June | 56°F (14°C) | 1.7 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 1.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 62°F (17°C) | 1.1 in | |
| September | 54°F (12°C) | 1.1 in | |
| October | 43°F (6°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 31°F (-1°C) | 1.8 in | Wettest |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.7 in | Coldest |
Merritt has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 23°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.3 inches, with November being the wettest month (1.8") and April the driest (0.7").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 7.8% |
| 77% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 31.7% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 3.9% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 701/sq mi |
| Total Area | 10.1 sq mi |
Services
Commute & Transportation
| Avg Commute | 18.6 min |
| Drive Alone | 81.1% |
| Public Transit | 0.6% |
| Work from Home | 10.7% |
Colleges & Universities in Merritt
| Institution | Type | Enrollment | Acceptance | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicola Valley Institute of Technology | — | — | — | — | — |
Schools in Merritt
6 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
| Diamond Vale Elementary | — | — | — | — |
| Collettville Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
| Merritt Secondary School | — | — | — | — |
| Merritt Bench Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
| South Central Interior Distance Education School | — | — | — | — |
Radio Stations near Merritt
1 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CKMQ-FM 101.1 "Q101" Merritt, BC | adult contemporary, corus radio network | AAC+ 48 kbps |
Museums in Merritt
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame | ||||
| Nicola Valley Museum & Archives |
Libraries in Merritt
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TNRL: Merritt Library | 0.0 |
Hotels in Merritt
4 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Cafes in Merritt
6 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Theatres in Merritt
1 theatres within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Clinics in Merritt
3 clinics within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Merritt
7 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Banks in Merritt
3 banks within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Shopping Malls in Merritt
1 shopping malls within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Gyms in Merritt
3 gyms within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Golf Courses in Merritt
1 golf courses within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Breweries in Merritt
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empty Keg Brew House | ||||
| Left Field Cider Co. |
Ski Resorts Near Merritt
5 ski resorts within range.
| Resort | Slopes (km) | Lifts | Peak (m) | Price | Season | Night | Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China Ridge Trails | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
| Kane Valley Cross Country Ski Trails | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
| Stake Lake Trails | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
| Logan Lake Trails | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
| Harper Mountain | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
Airports Near Merritt
9 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Cache Creek-Ashcroft Regional Airport | YZA | Medium Airport |
| Kamloops John Moose Fulton Field Regional Airport | YKA | Medium Airport |
| Douglas Lake Airport | DGF | Small Airport |
| Hope Airport / FVRD Regional Airpark | YHE | Small Airport |
| Kamloops Model Airplane Society Airstrip | — | Small Airport |
| Knutsford Airfield | — | Small Airport |
| Merritt Airport | YMB | Small Airport |
| Princeton Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Tranquille Valley Airfield | — | Small Airport |
Post Offices in Merritt
2 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| Downtown Merritt | |
| Merritt Main |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Merritt
3 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Merritt Sikh Temple | |
| St. Michaels Anglican Church | |
| Trinity United Church |
Explore Near Merritt
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Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Merritt
What is the population of Merritt?
Merritt has a population of 7,051 residents and is located in British Columbia. The population density is 701 people per square mile, spread across 10.1 square miles. The median age of residents is 49.2 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 51.6% female and 48.5% male.
Is Merritt expensive to live in?
The median household income is $70,000, 7% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $400,000 (42% above the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $990 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 5.7x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.
Is Merritt safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Merritt receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Merritt?
Merritt has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winter temperatures average 28°F in January, while summers reach an average of 68°F in July. The area receives 254 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 16.5 inches, with 35.9 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Merritt?
The job market in Merritt faces challenges, with unemployment at 9.6% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $840. There are 219 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 19 minutes, and 10.7% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in Merritt?
The median home value in Merritt is $400,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $990. The homeownership rate is 73.1%.
How are the schools in Merritt?
7.8% of adults in Merritt hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 31.7% have completed high school. 3.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.
What is transportation like in Merritt?
The average commute in Merritt is 19 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 81.1% of workers drive alone to work, and 10.7% work from home.
What are the demographics of Merritt?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Merritt is 90.8% White, 8.2% Asian. 89.7% of residents speak only English at home.