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Port Alberni, BC
British Columbia
Port Alberni is a small city in British Columbia with a population of 18,259. Residents earn $62,800 per year, which is 16% below the national average.
Data updated June 2026
Discover Port Alberni, 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 Port Alberni Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
C+Housing
BCrime
C+Climate
Education
DCommunity
Is Port Alberni a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Port Alberni receives an overall livability score of 2.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment. Port Alberni has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Port Alberni is $62,800, 16% below the national average of $75,149. At 9.9%, unemployment is notably high. 14.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Port Alberni is $400,000, 42% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $950 per month, below the national average / a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 6.4x 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%. 31.9% have completed high school.
Climate & Weather
Port Alberni experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area gets 219 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 74.7 inches, including 55.3 inches of snow.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Port Alberni vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Port Alberni vs U.S. Average
Income: Port Alberni vs U.S.
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $62,800 |
| 16% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $40,400 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $777 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 9.9% |
| 175% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% |
| 18% above US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 566 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 19.7 min |
| Drive Alone | 81.2% |
| Public Transit | 2.2% |
| Work from Home | 10.2% |
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 | $950 |
| 18% below US avg | |
| Rent Burden | 21.5% |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 68.9% |
| Owner-Occupied | 68.9% |
| Renter-Occupied | 31.1% |
| Housing Units | 8,450 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: Port Alberni 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 | 51.4°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 219 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 49 ft (15 m) |
| Area | 7.6 sq mi (19.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,406/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 49.2413°N, 124.8028°W |
| Timezone | America/Vancouver |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Tsunami History
2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 9.0 m (30 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1946 | BRITISH COLUMBIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 9.0 m | 1 | 70 km |
| 1958 | RIPPLE ROCK, BC | Earthquake + Landslide | 0.5 m | — | 100 km |
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Garibaldi (147 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Garibaldi | Stratovolcano | 2,678 m (8,786 ft) | -8060 | 147 km |
| Cayley Volcanic Field | Volcanic field | 2,375 m (7,792 ft) | Unknown | 147 km |
| Garibaldi Lake | Volcanic field | 2,316 m (7,598 ft) | Unknown | 151 km |
| Meager | Complex | 2,680 m (8,793 ft) | -410 | 180 km |
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F (5°C) | 11.7 in | |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 8.7 in | |
| March | 40°F (5°C) | 7.7 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 5.0 in | |
| May | 51°F (10°C) | 3.2 in | |
| June | 56°F (13°C) | 2.5 in | |
| July | 67°F (19°C) | 1.4 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 61°F (16°C) | 1.9 in | |
| September | 56°F (13°C) | 2.3 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 7.8 in | |
| November | 40°F (4°C) | 12.8 in | Wettest |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 11.5 in | Coldest |
Port Alberni has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 35°F in December to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 76.5 inches, with November being the wettest month (12.8") and July the driest (1.4").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 7.8% |
| 77% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 31.9% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 2.5% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 2,406/sq mi |
| Total Area | 7.6 sq mi |
Services
Commute & Transportation
| Avg Commute | 19.7 min |
| Drive Alone | 81.2% |
| Public Transit | 2.2% |
| Work from Home | 10.2% |
Colleges & Universities in Port Alberni
| Institution | Type | Enrollment | Acceptance | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Island College (Port Alberni Campus) | — | — | — | — | — |
| Uucin?Ma?us | — | — | — | — | — |
Schools in Port Alberni
6 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eighth Avenue Learning Centre | — | — | — | — |
| John Paul II Catholic School | — | — | — | — |
| Alberni District Secondary School | — | — | — | — |
| Ecole E.J. Dunn Middle School | — | — | — | — |
| Port Alberni Gymnastics Academy | — | — | — | — |
| Maquinna Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
Radio Stations near Port Alberni
6 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CFCP 98.9 "Jet FM" Courtenay, BC | active rock | AAC+ 57 kbps | |
| CJAV-FM "The Peak 93.3" Port Alberni, BC | adult contemporary | AAC+ 48 kbps | |
| The Lounge CHPQ-FM 99.9 Parksville | — | AAC+ 48 kbps | |
| CIBH 88.5 "The Beach" Parksville, BC | adult contemporary | AAC+ 48 kbps | |
| CHPQ-FM "The Lounge 99.9" Parksville, BC | adult standards, classic hits | AAC+ 48 kbps | |
| CKLR-FM 97.3 "The Eagle" Courtenay, BC | hot adult contemporary | AAC+ 48 kbps |
Museums in Port Alberni
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberni Valley Museum | ||||
| Industrial Heritage Centre | ||||
| McLean Mill National Historic Site | ||||
| Port Alberni Maritime Discovery Centre |
Libraries in Port Alberni
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIRL: Bowser Branch | 0.0 | |||||
| VIRL: Port Alberni Branch | 0.0 |
Farmers Markets in Port Alberni
| Name | Address | Season | Hours | Organic | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naesgaard's Farm & Market | |||||
| Spirit Square Farmers’ Market |
Hotels in Port Alberni
4 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Cafes in Port Alberni
6 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Cinemas in Port Alberni
1 cinemas within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Theatres in Port Alberni
1 theatres within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Clinics in Port Alberni
3 clinics within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Dentists in Port Alberni
4 dentists within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Veterinaries in Port Alberni
1 veterinaries within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Train Stations in Port Alberni
1 train stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Port Alberni
6 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Banks in Port Alberni
4 banks within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Gyms in Port Alberni
3 gyms within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Breweries in Port Alberni
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberni Brewing Co. | ||||
| Antidote Distilling Company | ||||
| Twin City Brewery |
Stadiums & Teams in Port Alberni
| Team | League | Division |
|---|---|---|
Ski Resorts Near Port Alberni
1 ski resorts within range.
| Resort | Slopes (km) | Lifts | Peak (m) | Price | Season | Night | Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Washington Alpine Resort | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
Airports Near Port Alberni
9 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Campbell River Airport | YBL | Medium Airport |
| Comox Valley International Airport / CFB Comox | YQQ | Medium Airport |
| Powell River Airport | YPW | Medium Airport |
| Qualicum Beach Airport | XQU | Medium Airport |
| Alberni Valley Regional Airport | YPB | Small Airport |
| Bamfield Airstrip | — | Small Airport |
| Courtenay Airpark | YCA | Small Airport |
| Smit Field | — | Small Airport |
| Texada Gillies Bay Airport | YGB | Small Airport |
Post Offices in Port Alberni
1 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| Canada Post |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Port Alberni
11 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Alberni Valley United Church | |
| Elim Tabernacle | |
| Gateway Community Church | |
| Grace Lutheran Church, LC-C | |
| Guru Nanak Sikh Society | |
| Khalsa Diwan Society | |
| Salvation Army Church | |
| Seventh Day Adventist Church | |
| Shri Sanatan Dhramam Hindu Society | |
| Southside Community Church | |
| Trinity Church- Anglican & Lutheran ELCIC |
Explore Near Port Alberni
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Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Port Alberni
What is the population of Port Alberni?
Port Alberni has a population of 18,259 residents and is located in British Columbia. The population density is 2,406 people per square mile, spread across 7.6 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 51.1% female and 48.9% male.
Is Port Alberni expensive to live in?
The median household income is $62,800, 16% 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 $950 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 6.4x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.
Is Port Alberni safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Port Alberni receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Port Alberni?
Port Alberni has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winter temperatures average 41°F in January, while summers reach an average of 67°F in July. The area receives 219 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 74.7 inches, with 55.3 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Port Alberni?
The job market in Port Alberni faces challenges, with unemployment at 9.9% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $777. There are 566 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and 10.2% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in Port Alberni?
The median home value in Port Alberni is $400,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $950. The homeownership rate is 68.9%.
How are the schools in Port Alberni?
7.8% of adults in Port Alberni hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 31.9% have completed high school. 2.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.
What is transportation like in Port Alberni?
The average commute in Port Alberni is 20 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 81.2% of workers drive alone to work, 2.2% use public transit, and 10.2% work from home.
What are the demographics of Port Alberni?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Port Alberni is 93.7% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 4.7% Asian. 90% of residents speak only English at home.