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Nelson, BC
British Columbia
Nelson is a small city in British Columbia with a population of 11,106. Residents earn $72,500 per year, which is 4% below the national average.
Data updated June 2026
Discover Nelson, 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.
Use the tabs and dropdown menus below to navigate every data point we track for this city.
How Nelson Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
BHousing
CCrime
C+Climate
Education
C+Community
Is Nelson a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Nelson 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. Nelson has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Nelson is $72,500, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. At 9.5%, unemployment is notably high. 11.6% 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 Nelson is $580,000, making it a premium housing market at 106% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,130 per month. With a home price-to-income ratio of 8x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.
Safety & Crime
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000, 79% above the national average.
Education
22.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 23.8% have completed high school.
Climate & Weather
Nelson experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 257 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 29.8 inches, including 98.0 inches of snow.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Nelson vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Nelson vs U.S. Average
Income: Nelson vs U.S.
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $72,500 |
| 4% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $46,040 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $885 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 9.5% |
| 164% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% |
| 6% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 344 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 18.9 min |
| Drive Alone | 58.7% |
| Public Transit | 1.9% |
| Work from Home | 27.5% |
Walkability
Home Value Sources
Ownership Split
Home Values
| Census Median | $580,000 |
| 106% above US avg |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $1,130 |
| 3% below US avg | |
| Rent Burden | 22.9% |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 63.2% |
| Owner-Occupied | 63.2% |
| Renter-Occupied | 36.9% |
| Housing Units | 4,945 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: Nelson 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 | 50.0°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 257 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,772 ft (540 m) |
| Area | 4.6 sq mi (11.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,410/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 49.4999°N, 117.2855°W |
| Timezone | America/Vancouver |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Tsunami History
6 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 19.8 m (65 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1952 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 19.8 m | - | 121 km |
| 2024 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 14.3 m | - | 121 km |
| 1944 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.1 m | - | 121 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 4.8 m | - | 121 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | - | - | 121 km |
| 1952 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | - | - | 121 km |
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 4.9 in | |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 3.2 in | |
| March | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.4 in | |
| April | 37°F (3°C) | 2.9 in | |
| May | 45°F (7°C) | 3.1 in | |
| June | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 58°F (14°C) | 2.1 in | |
| September | 50°F (10°C) | 2.1 in | Driest |
| October | 39°F (4°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 28°F (-2°C) | 5.1 in | Wettest |
| December | 21°F (-6°C) | 4.9 in | Coldest |
Nelson has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 21°F in December to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 40.3 inches, with November being the wettest month (5.1") and September the driest (2.1").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% |
| 33% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 23.8% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 9.5% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 2,410/sq mi |
| Total Area | 4.6 sq mi |
Services
Commute & Transportation
| Avg Commute | 18.9 min |
| Drive Alone | 58.7% |
| Public Transit | 1.9% |
| Work from Home | 27.5% |
Colleges & Universities in Nelson
| Institution | Type | Enrollment | Acceptance | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selkirk College, 10th Street Campus | - | - | - | - | - |
| Selkirk College, Kootenay School of the Arts | - | - | - | - | - |
| Selkirk College, Silverking Campus | - | - | - | - | - |
Schools in Nelson
4 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L. V. Rogers Secondary School | - | - | - | - |
| Hume Elementary | - | - | - | - |
| South Nelson Elementary | - | - | - | - |
| Trafalgar Middle School | - | - | - | - |
Radio Stations near Nelson
3 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CJLY Kootenay Co-op Radio | co-op, community | MP3 | |
| CKQR "99.3 FM The Goat" Castlegar, BC | classic rock | AAC+ 57 kbps | |
| CHNV-FM 103.5 "The Bridge" Nelson, BC | alternative rock | AAC+ 57 kbps |
Museums in Nelson
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nelson Museum Archives & Gallery |
Libraries in Nelson
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nelson Public Library | 0.0 |
Hotels in Nelson
7 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Cafes in Nelson
10 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Cinemas in Nelson
1 cinemas within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Theatres in Nelson
3 theatres within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Clinics in Nelson
1 clinics within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Nelson
5 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Banks in Nelson
4 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Golf Courses in Nelson
2 golf courses within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Breweries in Nelson
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backroads Brewery | ||||
| Torchlight Brewing | ||||
| Torchlight Brewing Co. |
Ski Resorts Near Nelson
3 ski resorts within range.
| Resort | Slopes (km) | Lifts | Peak (m) | Price | Season | Night | Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Mountain Resort | 0.0 | - | - | $0 | - | - | - |
| Whitewater Ski Resort | 0.0 | - | - | $0 | - | - | - |
| Summit Lake Ski & Snowboard Area | 0.0 | - | - | $0 | - | - | - |
Airports Near Nelson
8 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Castlegar/West Kootenay Regional Airport | YCG | Medium Airport |
| Crown Creek Ranch Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Johnson Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Kaslo Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Nelson Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Schmidt Ranch Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Sullivan Lake State Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Trail Regional Airport | YZZ | Small Airport |
Post Offices in Nelson
2 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| Chahko Mika | |
| Nelson Main |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Nelson
5 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Ascension Lutheran Church | |
| Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses | |
| Kootenay Shambhala Meditation Centre | |
| Salvation Army | |
| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
Explore Near Nelson
Frequently Asked Questions About Nelson
What is the population of Nelson?
Nelson has a population of 11,106 residents and is located in British Columbia. The population density is 2,410 people per square mile, spread across 4.6 square miles. The median age of residents is 42.4 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 51.9% female and 48.1% male.
Is Nelson expensive to live in?
The median household income is $72,500, 4% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $580,000 (106% above the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,130 per month. The home price-to-income ratio is 8x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.
Is Nelson safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Nelson receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Nelson?
Nelson has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winter temperatures average 32°F in January, while summers reach an average of 73°F in July. The area receives 257 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 29.8 inches, with 98.0 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Nelson?
The job market in Nelson faces challenges, with unemployment at 9.5% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $885. There are 344 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 19 minutes, and 27.5% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in Nelson?
The median home value in Nelson is $580,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,130. The homeownership rate is 63.2%.
How are the schools in Nelson?
22.6% of adults in Nelson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 23.8% have completed high school. 9.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.
What is transportation like in Nelson?
The average commute in Nelson is 19 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 58.7% of workers drive alone to work, 1.9% use public transit, and 27.5% work from home.
What are the demographics of Nelson?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Nelson is 90.6% White, 0.8% Black or African American, 0.8% Hispanic or Latino, 6.9% Asian. 85.9% of residents speak only English at home.