Nelson, BC

Full City Profile · British Columbia

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
11,106 Population 2,410/sq mi density
$72,500 Median Income $46,040 per capita
$580,000 Home Value
$1,130 Median Rent 22.9% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$72,500 median income, 9.5% unemployment
C
Affordability
2.1 / 5.0
$580,000 home value, $1,130/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Nelson experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 29.8 inches. The area receives 98.0 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average50.0°F
7% below US avg
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Geography

Elevation1,772 ft (540 m)
Area4.6 sq mi (11.9 km²)
Population Density2,410/sq mi
Coordinates49.4999°N, 117.2855°W
TimezoneAmerica/Vancouver

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 29.8"
22% below US avg
Snowfall 98.0"
Wettest Month (Nov) 5.12"
Driest Month (Sep) 2.09"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

31 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.9. Most recent: M2.7 on Sep 30, 2024.

Feb 5, 2023 British Columbia, Canada M3.9 79 km
Sep 10, 2016 23 km E of Oliver, Canada M3.9 145 km
Mar 3, 1998 16 km NNE of Grand Forks, Canada M3.8 86 km
Oct 27, 1991 21 km N of Castlegar, Canada M3.3 24 km
Aug 20, 1990 23 km NW of Nelson, Canada M3.3 24 km
Mar 3, 1998 15 km NNE of Grand Forks, Canada M3.2 85 km
Feb 15, 2020 37 km ESE of Nelson, Canada M3.2 37 km
Aug 29, 1997 12 km N of Troy, Montana M3.1 145 km
Mar 19, 1998 31 km SSW of Nakusp, Canada M3.0 69 km
Oct 23, 1991 21 km N of Castlegar, Canada M3.0 24 km
Feb 3, 1994 31 km ENE of Osoyoos, Canada M2.9 135 km
Apr 10, 2011 16 km SE of Invermere, Canada M2.9 146 km
Jan 23, 2015 31 km N of Nelson, Canada M2.8 32 km
Feb 10, 2016 29 km NNW of Kimberley, Canada M2.8 98 km
Sep 26, 2004 32 km ENE of Nelson, Canada M2.8 33 km
May 1, 2003 14 km NE of Kootenai, Idaho M2.8 140 km
Feb 24, 2016 26 km NNW of Kimberley, Canada M2.8 94 km
May 15, 2004 4 km NNW of Grand Forks, Canada M2.7 98 km
May 6, 1995 35 km NNW of Creston, Canada M2.7 42 km
Sep 4, 1999 10 km N of Castlegar, Canada M2.7 28 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

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
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Wildfire History

13 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: RUSSELL MOUNTAIN (26,130 ac, 2022).

Year Name Acres Distance
2022 RUSSELL MOUNTAIN 26,130 94 km
2018 HORNS MOUNTAIN 6,890 80 km
2003 TOGO MOUNTAIN 5,495 100 km
2017 NOISY CREEK 5,452 77 km
2015 PARKER RIDGE 4,773 85 km
2017 NORTH FORK HUGHES 4,628 70 km
2006 HUGHES 32 COMPLEX 4,536 74 km
2003 BLACK CANYON 2,403 74 km
2022 THOR 2,099 76 km
1988 UNNAMED 1,909 71 km
2022 DIAMOND WATCH 1,431 98 km
2022 SLATE CREEK 1,263 62 km
2018 SMITH CREEK 1,114 88 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

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").

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