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Rankin Inlet, NU

Nunavut

Rankin Inlet is a small town in Nunavut with a population of 2,975. Residents earn $140,000 per year, which is 86% above the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
2,975 Population 385/sq mi density
$140,000 Median Income $63,400 per capita
$400,000 Home Value
$1,000 Median Rent 5.5% income on rent
14°F Avg Temperature 313 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$140,000 median income, 15.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$400,000 home value, $1,000/mo rent
F
Education
1.5 / 5.0
5.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $140,000
86% higher than US avg
Home Value $400,000
42% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 5.9%
82% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,000
14% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 26.2%
18% lower than US avg
Unemployment 15.1%
319% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.0%
27% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,975
Median Age26.8 yrs
Density385/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 96%

Economy

B+
Median Income$140,000
Per Capita$63,400
Unemployment15.1%
Poverty9.0%
Commute12 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$400,000
Rent$1,000
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units825
Rent Burden5.5%

Health

Obesity26.2%
UninsuredN/A
Smoking8.9%
Depression4.1%
Heart Disease9.5%

Climate

Avg Temp14°F (-10°C)
AQI27 (Good)
Rain12.6 in/yr
Sunny Days313/yr
Elevation82 ft (25 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+5.9%
High School+21.9%
Graduate+3.2%

Community

Commute12 min
Broadband94.0%

Is Rankin Inlet a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Rankin Inlet receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, abundant sunshine, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment. Rankin Inlet offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Rankin Inlet is $140,000, which is significantly higher than the national average — 86% above $75,149. This places Rankin Inlet among higher-income communities. At 15.1%, unemployment is notably high. 9.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Rankin Inlet is $400,000, 42% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,000 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

5.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 21.9% have completed high school.

Climate & Weather

Rankin Inlet has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 14°F. Winters average -20°F in January while summers reach 49°F in July. With 313 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 12.6 inches, including 5.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 27.

Rankin Inlet has a population of 2,975 with a density of 385 people per square mile, spread across 7.7 square miles. The median age is 26.8 years, 31% younger than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 50.6% female and 49.2% male. The city is predominantly White (95.6%), with 1.2% Black, 2.9% Asian. English is the primary language spoken at home by 40.3% of residents. 18.5% of residents have a disability (above the 13.0% national average). 89.0% have health insurance coverage.

Population

2,975
Total Population
2021 Census
385
People / sq mi
26.8yrs
Median Age
31% below US avg
7.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.2%
Female 50.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Rankin Inlet vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only40.3%
49% below US avg
Spanish0.5%
96% below US avg
Other Languages59.2%

Social Characteristics

Rankin Inlet vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Rankin Inlet is $140,000, which is 86% above the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $63,400 (above the $39,052 national figure). The unemployment rate is 15.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 9.0% of residents live below the poverty line, lower than the national rate of 12.4%. The cost of living index is 84.1, below the national baseline of 100 — offering relatively affordable living. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes (shorter than the 28-minute US average). 2.6% of workers work from home (below the 15.2% national rate).

Income: Rankin Inlet vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$140,000
86% above US avg
Per Capita Income$63,400

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment15.1%
319% above US avg
Poverty Rate9.0%
27% below US avg

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Cost of Living84.10 (100=avg)

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time12.1 min
Drive Alone47.2%
Public Transit2.1%
Work from Home2.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Rankin Inlet is $400,000, 42% above the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $1,000 (14% below the national average of $1,163). There are 825 total housing units in the city. 5.5% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.9x, well within the affordable range.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$400,000
42% above US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,000
14% below US avg
Rent Burden5.5%

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied27.9%
Renter-Occupied72.1%
Housing Units825

Property Tax

In Rankin Inlet, 26.2% of adults are obese, below the national rate of 32.1%. 5.5% have diabetes (below the 10.5% national rate). Heart disease affects 9.5% of residents, above the national average. 22.1% have high blood pressure. 8.9% are current smokers (below the 14.0% national rate). 10.0% report binge drinking. 76.3% are physically inactive, above the national average. 4.1% report depression (below the 20.0% national average).

Health Metrics: Rankin Inlet vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity26.2%
18% below US avg
Diabetes5.5%
Heart Disease9.5%
High Blood Pressure22.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking8.9%
36% below US avg
Binge Drinking10.0%
Physical Inactivity76.3%
Depression4.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.0%

Food & Exercise

Rankin Inlet has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 14°F (-10°C). Winters average -20°F in January while summers reach 49°F in July — a wide seasonal temperature swing of 69°F. The area gets 313 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 — making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 12.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 5.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 27 — among the cleanest air in the country. 90% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 82 feet.

Temperature

-20°F Jan (-29°C) 49°F Jul (10°C)
Annual Average14.3°F
74% below US avg
January Average-20°F (-29°C)
July Average49°F (10°C)
Sunny Days313 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall12.6 inches
67% below US avg
Snowfall5.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median27.0
RatingGood
Good Days %89.5%

Geography

Elevation82 ft (25 m)
Area7.7 sq mi (20.0 km²)
Population Density385/sq mi
Coordinates62.8091°N, 92.0853°W
TimezoneAmerica/Rankin_Inlet

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January -20°F (-29°C) 0.5 in Coldest
February -18°F (-28°C) 0.4 in Driest
March -10°F (-23°C) 0.6 in
April 6°F (-14°C) 0.8 in
May 23°F (-5°C) 0.7 in
June 39°F (4°C) 1.1 in
July 49°F (10°C) 1.6 in Warmest
August 48°F (9°C) 2.2 in Wettest
September 38°F (3°C) 1.9 in
October 24°F (-5°C) 1.2 in
November 3°F (-16°C) 0.9 in
December -11°F (-24°C) 0.7 in

Rankin Inlet has a seasonal temperature swing of 69°F — from -20°F in January to 49°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.2") and February the driest (0.4").

5.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 82% below the national average of 33.7%. 21.9% have completed high school. 3.2% hold a graduate or professional degree (below the 13.1% national rate). 94.0% of households have broadband internet access. 47.2% of workers drive alone to work, while 2.1% use public transit.

Education

Bachelor's Degree+5.9%
82% below US avg
High School+21.9%
Graduate Degree+3.2%
F Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

Population Density385/sq mi
Total Area7.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access94.0%

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute12.1 min
Drive Alone47.2%
Public Transit2.1%
Work from Home2.6%

Frequently Asked Questions About Rankin Inlet

What is the population of Rankin Inlet?

Rankin Inlet has a population of 2,975 residents and is located in Nunavut. The population density is 385 people per square mile, spread across 7.7 square miles. The median age of residents is 26.8 years, which is younger than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 50.6% female and 49.2% male.

Is Rankin Inlet expensive to live in?

Rankin Inlet is more affordable than the national average, with a cost of living index of 84.1 — below the baseline of 100. The median household income is $140,000, 86% above the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $400,000 (42% above the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,000 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.9x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.

What is the weather like in Rankin Inlet?

Rankin Inlet has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 14°F (-10°C). Winter temperatures average -20°F in January, while summers reach an average of 49°F in July. The area receives 313 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 12.6 inches, with 5.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 27.

How is the job market in Rankin Inlet?

The job market in Rankin Inlet faces challenges, with unemployment at 15.1% — significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average commute time is 12 minutes, and 2.6% of workers work from home.

How much does housing cost in Rankin Inlet?

The median home value in Rankin Inlet is $400,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,000.

How are the schools in Rankin Inlet?

5.9% of adults in Rankin Inlet hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 21.9% have completed high school. 3.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.

How healthy is Rankin Inlet?

The obesity rate in Rankin Inlet is 26.2% (below the national rate of 32.1%). 8.9% of adults are smokers. 76.3% are physically inactive. 4.1% of residents report depression.

What is transportation like in Rankin Inlet?

The average commute in Rankin Inlet is 12 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 47.2% of workers drive alone to work, 2.1% use public transit, and 2.6% work from home.

What are the demographics of Rankin Inlet?

The racial and ethnic makeup of Rankin Inlet is 95.6% White, 1.2% Black or African American, 2.9% Asian. 40.3% of residents speak only English at home. 18.5% of residents have a disability. 89.0% have health insurance coverage.

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