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.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
7,051 Population 701/sq mi density
$70,000 Median Income $43,680 per capita
$400,000 Home Value
$990 Median Rent 17.5% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature 254 sunny days/yr
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$70,000 median income, 9.6% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.4 / 5.0
$400,000 home value, $990/mo rent
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
7.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $70,000
7% lower than US avg
Home Value $400,000
42% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 7.8%
77% lower than US avg
Median Rent $990
15% lower than US avg
Unemployment 9.6%
167% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.0%
13% higher than US avg

How Merritt Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population7,051
Median Age49.2 yrs
Density701/mi²
Male / Female49% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

C+
Median Income$70,000
Per Capita$43,680
Unemployment9.6%
Poverty14.0%
Commute19 min

Housing

B
Home Value$400,000
Rent$990
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units2,975
Rent Burden17.5%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQIN/A
Rain16.5 in/yr
Sunny Days254/yr
Elevation1,985 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+7.8%
High School+31.7%
Graduate+3.9%

Community

Commute19 min

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.

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.

Merritt has a population of 7,051 with a density of 701 people per square mile. The median age is 49.2 years, 26% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.8%), with 8.2% Asian.

Population

7,051
Total Population
2021 Census
701
People / sq mi
49.2yrs
Median Age
26% above US avg
10.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.5%
Female 51.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Merritt vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only89.7%
14% above US avg
Spanish1.0%
93% below US avg
Other Languages9.4%

Social Characteristics

Merritt vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Merritt is $70,000, which is 7% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 9.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 14.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Merritt vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$70,000
7% below US avg
Per Capita Income$43,680

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment9.6%
167% above US avg
Poverty Rate14.0%
13% above US avg

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.6 min
Drive Alone81.1%
Public Transit0.6%
Work from Home10.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Merritt is $400,000, 42% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $990 (15% below US avg).

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 Burden17.5%

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied73.1%
Renter-Occupied26.7%
Housing Units2,975

Property Tax

Health Metrics: Merritt vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Food & Exercise

Crime Rates: Merritt vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Merritt has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 16.5 inches. The area enjoys 254 sunny days per year.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average46.6°F
14% below US avg
January Average28°F (-2°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days254 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall16.5 inches
57% below US avg
Snowfall35.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

Geography

Elevation1,985 ft (605 m)
Area10.1 sq mi (26.0 km²)
Population Density701/sq mi
Coordinates50.1123°N, 120.7942°W
TimezoneAmerica/Vancouver
7.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (77% below US avg).

Education

Bachelor's Degree+7.8%
77% below US avg
High School+31.7%
Graduate Degree+3.9%
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

Population Density701/sq mi
Total Area10.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.6 min
Drive Alone81.1%
Public Transit0.6%
Work from Home10.7%

Nearby Cities

Compare Merritt with another city: