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North Cowichan, BC
British Columbia · Victoria Metro
North Cowichan is a mid-size city in British Columbia with a population of 31,990. Residents earn $78,500 per year, which is 4% above the national average.
Discover North 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 North Cowichan Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
B+Housing
CCrime
C+Climate
Education
DCommunity
Is North Cowichan a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, North Cowichan 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. North Cowichan has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in North Cowichan is $78,500, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.0% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 10.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in North Cowichan is $600,000, making it a premium housing market at 113% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,070 per month. With a home price-to-income ratio of 7.6x, 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
11.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 32.4% have completed high school.
Climate & Weather
North Cowichan experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. The area gets 233 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 51.1 inches, including 43.8 inches of snow.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
North Cowichan vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
North Cowichan vs U.S. Average
Income: North Cowichan vs U.S.
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $78,500 |
| 4% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $47,480 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $913 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 7.0% |
| 94% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 10.0% |
| 19% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 992 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 23.6 min |
| Drive Alone | 84.2% |
| Public Transit | 1.1% |
| Work from Home | 18.7% |
Walkability
Home Value Sources
Ownership Split
Home Values
| Census Median | $600,000 |
| 113% above US avg |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $1,070 |
| 8% below US avg | |
| Rent Burden | 18.4% |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 76.9% |
| Owner-Occupied | 76.9% |
| Renter-Occupied | 23.2% |
| Housing Units | 13,760 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: North 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 | 48.8°F |
| 10% below US avg | |
| January Average | 37°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 66°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 233 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 397 ft (121 m) |
| Area | 75.5 sq mi (195.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 424/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.8413°N, 123.6860°W |
| Timezone | America/Vancouver |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Tsunami History
4 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 | — | 140 km |
| 1946 | BRITISH COLUMBIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 9.0 m | 1 | 145 km |
| 1891 | WASHINGTON | Eruption + Earthquake | 2.4 m | — | 95 km |
| 1820 | CAMANO ISLAND, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 131 km |
Nearby Volcanoes
5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Garibaldi (123 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Garibaldi | Stratovolcano | 2,678 m (8,786 ft) | -8060 | 123 km |
| Garibaldi Lake | Volcanic field | 2,316 m (7,598 ft) | Unknown | 131 km |
| Baker | Stratovolcano(es) | 3,285 m (10,778 ft) | 1880 | 137 km |
| Cayley Volcanic Field | Volcanic field | 2,375 m (7,792 ft) | Unknown | 145 km |
| Meager | Complex | 2,680 m (8,793 ft) | -410 | 199 km |
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37°F (3°C) | 9.5 in | Wettest |
| February | 38°F (4°C) | 5.8 in | |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 5.5 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 51°F (11°C) | 2.4 in | |
| June | 56°F (13°C) | 1.9 in | |
| July | 66°F (19°C) | 1.1 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 62°F (16°C) | 1.5 in | |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 1.7 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 5.4 in | |
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 9.2 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 9.2 in | Coldest |
North Cowichan has a seasonal temperature swing of 29°F / from 36°F in December to 66°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 56.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (9.5") and July the driest (1.1").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 11.7% |
| 65% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 32.4% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 5.0% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 424/sq mi |
| Total Area | 75.5 sq mi |
Services
Commute & Transportation
| Avg Commute | 23.6 min |
| Drive Alone | 84.2% |
| Public Transit | 1.1% |
| Work from Home | 18.7% |
Colleges & Universities in North Cowichan
| Institution | Type | Enrollment | Acceptance | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver Island University - Cowichan Campus | — | — | — | — | — |
Radio Stations near North Cowichan
6 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBC Radio One - Victoria, BC (MP3 stream) | features, news | MP3 128 kbps | |
| 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 | |
| CITR - University of British Columbia | campus radio, eclectic | AAC |
Museums in North Cowichan
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BC Forest Discovery Centre | ||||
| Chemainus Valley Museum | ||||
| Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre | ||||
| Cowichan Valley Museum | ||||
| Crofton Old School Museum | ||||
| Hand of Man Museum | ||||
| Harbour Heritage Centre | ||||
| Ladysmith Maritime Society Museum | ||||
| Ladysmith Museum | ||||
| Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Centre | ||||
| Shawnigan Lake Museum |
Libraries in North Cowichan
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Spring Island Public Library | 0.0 | |||||
| VIRL: Chemainus Branch | 0.0 | |||||
| VIRL: Cowichan Branch | 0.0 | |||||
| VIRL: Ladysmith Branch | 0.0 | |||||
| VIRL: South Cowichan Branch | 0.0 |
Farmers Markets in North Cowichan
| Name | Address | Season | Hours | Organic | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemainus Public Market | |||||
| Duncan Farmers’ Market | |||||
| Great Greens Market | |||||
| Grove Hall Farm, Italian Kitchen, Market & Deli | |||||
| North Saanich Farm Market | |||||
| Salt Spring Saturday Market | |||||
| Salt Spring Tuesday Farmers’ Market | |||||
| The Old Farm Market |
Zoos in North Cowichan
1 zoos within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Breweries in North Cowichan
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Arrow Brewery | ||||
| Salt Spring Island Ales | ||||
| Serious Brewing | ||||
| Small Block Brewery |
Ski Resorts Near North Cowichan
3 ski resorts within range.
| Resort | Slopes (km) | Lifts | Peak (m) | Price | Season | Night | Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grouse Mountain | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
| Cypress Mountain | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
| Dakota Ridge Recreation Site | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
Airports Near North Cowichan
36 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Vancouver International Airport | YVR | Large Airport |
| Victoria International Airport | YYJ | Large Airport |
| Boundary Bay Airport | YDT | Medium Airport |
| Friday Harbor Airport | FRD | Medium 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 |
| Blue Heron Field | — | Small Airport |
| Blue Ribbon Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Burden Field-(Rabbit Run) Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Clam Harbor Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Crane Island Airstrip | CKR | Small Airport |
| Crow Valley Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Delta Heritage Air Park | — | Small Airport |
| Duncan Airport | DUQ | Small Airport |
| Friday West Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Grand View International Airport | — | Small Airport |
| King Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Long Harbour Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Lopez Island Airport | LPS | Small Airport |
| Michell Airpark | — | Small Airport |
| Point Roberts Airpark | — | Small Airport |
| Port Angeles Cgas Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Quamichan Lake (Raven Field) Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Rake's Glen Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Roche Harbor Airport | RCE | Small Airport |
| Rucilla's Roost Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Sechelt-Gibsons Airport | YHS | Small Airport |
| Sekiu Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Sequim Valley Airport | SQV | Small Airport |
| Shaw Island AIrport | — | Small Airport |
| Stuart Island Airpark | SSW | Small Airport |
| Stuart Island West Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Waldron Airstrip | WDN | Small Airport |
| Wilding Farm Airport | — | Small Airport |
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Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About North Cowichan
What is the population of North Cowichan?
North Cowichan has a population of 31,990 residents and is located in British Columbia. The population density is 424 people per square mile, spread across 75.5 square miles. The median age of residents is 51.2 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 51.7% female and 48.3% male.
Is North Cowichan expensive to live in?
The median household income is $78,500, 4% above the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $600,000 (113% above the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,070 per month. The home price-to-income ratio is 7.6x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.
Is North Cowichan safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, North Cowichan receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in North Cowichan?
North Cowichan has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winter temperatures average 37°F in January, while summers reach an average of 66°F in July. The area receives 233 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 51.1 inches, with 43.8 inches of snow.
How is the job market in North Cowichan?
The unemployment rate in North Cowichan is 7.0%, somewhat above the national average of 3.6%. Job seekers may face moderate competition. The average weekly wage is $913. There are 992 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 24 minutes, and 18.7% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in North Cowichan?
The median home value in North Cowichan is $600,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,070. The homeownership rate is 76.9%.
How are the schools in North Cowichan?
11.7% of adults in North Cowichan hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 32.4% have completed high school. 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.
What is transportation like in North Cowichan?
The average commute in North Cowichan is 24 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 84.2% of workers drive alone to work, 1.1% use public transit, and 18.7% work from home.
What are the demographics of North Cowichan?
The racial and ethnic makeup of North Cowichan is 91.5% White, 0.9% Black or African American, 6.7% Asian. 89.9% of residents speak only English at home.