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Rural Saanich, BC
British Columbia · Victoria Metro
Rural Saanich is a small city in British Columbia with a population of 5,025. Residents earn $76,768 per year, which is 2% above the national average.
Discover Rural Saanich, 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 Rural Saanich Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
B+Housing
C+Crime
C+Climate
Education
B+Community
Is Rural Saanich a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Rural Saanich receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment. Rural Saanich offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Rural Saanich is $76,768, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.1% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 14.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Rural Saanich is $560,468, making it a premium housing market at 99% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,072 per month. With a home price-to-income ratio of 7.3x, 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
32.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.4% have completed high school.
Climate & Weather
Rural Saanich experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. The area gets 248 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 32.0 inches, including 10.4 inches of snow.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Rural Saanich vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Rural Saanich vs U.S. Average
Income: Rural Saanich vs U.S.
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $76,768 |
| 2% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $46,858 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $901 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 5.1% |
| 42% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 14.1% |
| 14% above US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 156 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 24.6 min |
| Drive Alone | 79.5% |
| Public Transit | 2.3% |
| Work from Home | 22.1% |
Walkability
Home Value Sources
Ownership Split
Home Values
| Census Median | $560,468 |
| 99% above US avg |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $1,072 |
| 8% below US avg | |
| Rent Burden | 27.8% |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 66.5% |
| Owner-Occupied | 66.5% |
| Renter-Occupied | 33.5% |
| Housing Units | 2,010 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: Rural Saanich 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 | 51.6°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 66°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 248 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 249 ft (76 m) |
| Area | 55.8 sq mi (144.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 90/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.4973°N, 123.4288°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 | — | 150 km |
| 1891 | WASHINGTON | Eruption + Earthquake | 2.4 m | — | 56 km |
| 1949 | PUGET SOUND, WA | Meteorological | 2.4 m | — | 149 km |
| 1820 | CAMANO ISLAND, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 93 km |
Nearby Volcanoes
5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Baker (123 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Baker | Stratovolcano(es) | 3,285 m (10,778 ft) | 1880 | 123 km |
| Garibaldi | Stratovolcano | 2,678 m (8,786 ft) | -8060 | 154 km |
| Garibaldi Lake | Volcanic field | 2,316 m (7,598 ft) | Unknown | 163 km |
| Glacier Peak | Stratovolcano | 3,213 m (10,541 ft) | 1700 | 177 km |
| Cayley Volcanic Field | Volcanic field | 2,375 m (7,792 ft) | Unknown | 181 km |
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (5°C) | 5.0 in | |
| February | 42°F (5°C) | 3.6 in | |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 2.8 in | |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 1.8 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 1.3 in | |
| June | 59°F (15°C) | 1.1 in | |
| July | 66°F (19°C) | 0.7 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 63°F (17°C) | 0.9 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 1.2 in | |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 2.8 in | |
| November | 44°F (6°C) | 5.4 in | Wettest |
| December | 40°F (4°C) | 5.3 in | Coldest |
Rural Saanich has a seasonal temperature swing of 27°F / from 40°F in December to 66°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.9 inches, with November being the wettest month (5.4") and July the driest (0.7").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% |
| 2% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 87.4% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 17.0% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 90/sq mi |
| Total Area | 55.8 sq mi |
Services
Commute & Transportation
| Avg Commute | 24.6 min |
| Drive Alone | 79.5% |
| Public Transit | 2.3% |
| Work from Home | 22.1% |
Schools in Rural Saanich
2 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prospect Lake Elementary | — | — | — | — |
| South Island Distance Education School - Beaver Lake Campus | — | — | — | — |
Radio Stations near Rural Saanich
3 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBC Radio One - Victoria, BC (MP3 stream) | features, news | MP3 128 kbps | |
| KSQM (US) | — | AAC+ 128 kbps | |
| CJSU-FM 89.7 "Sun FM" Duncan, BC | adult hits | AAC+ 57 kbps |
Museums in Rural Saanich
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art Gallery of Greater Victoria | ||||
| British Columbia Aviation Museum | ||||
| Central Saanich Fire Museum | ||||
| Centre of the Universe | ||||
| CFB Esquimalt Naval & Military Museum - NAD20 | ||||
| CFB Esquimalt Naval & Military Museum - NAD29 | ||||
| Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre | ||||
| Craigdarroch Castle | ||||
| Craigflower Manor | ||||
| Craigflower Schoolhouse | ||||
| Emily Carr House | ||||
| Gorge Waterway Nature House | ||||
| Helmcken House | ||||
| Henderson Hangar | ||||
| Heritage Acres | ||||
| Main Hangar | ||||
| Maritime Museum of British Columbia | ||||
| Metchosin Pioneer Museum | ||||
| Metchosin School Museum | ||||
| Miniature World | ||||
| Pemberton Memorial Operating Room | ||||
| Point Ellice House | ||||
| Restoration Hangar | ||||
| Royal BC Museum | ||||
| Saint Ann's Schoolhouse | ||||
| Shawnigan Lake Museum | ||||
| Sidney Museum and Archives | ||||
| Thunderbird Park | ||||
| Victoria Chinatown Museum | ||||
| Wentworth Villa |
Libraries in Rural Saanich
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alan Batey Library & Learning Commons | 0.0 | |||||
| BC Archives | 0.0 | |||||
| Greater Victoria Public Library - Bruce Hutchison Branch | 0.0 | |||||
| GVPL: Central Branch | 0.0 | |||||
| GVPL: Central Saanich Branch | 0.0 | |||||
| GVPL: Emily Carr Branch | 0.0 | |||||
| GVPL: Esquimalt Branch | 0.0 | |||||
| GVPL: Goudy Branch | 0.0 | |||||
| GVPL: Juan de Fuca Branch | 0.0 | |||||
| GVPL: Langford Heritage Branch | 0.0 | |||||
| GVPL: Nellie McClung Branch | 0.0 | |||||
| GVPL: Oak Bay Branch | 0.0 | |||||
| GVPL: Saanich Centennial Library Branch | 0.0 | |||||
| GVPL: sxʷeŋxʷəŋ təŋəxʷ James Bay Branch | 0.0 | |||||
| Library Lounge | 0.0 | |||||
| McPherson Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Piers Island Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Sidney Archives | 0.0 | |||||
| VIRL: Sidney / North Saanich Branch | 0.0 | |||||
| VIRL: South Cowichan Branch | 0.0 |
Farmers Markets in Rural Saanich
| Name | Address | Season | Hours | Organic | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Esquimalt Farmers Market | |||||
| Esquimalt Farmers Market | |||||
| Food Truck Festival | |||||
| Gorge Farmers Market | |||||
| Great Greens Market | |||||
| James Bay Market | |||||
| Metchosin Farmers Market | |||||
| Moss Street Farmers Market | |||||
| North Saanich Farm Market | |||||
| Oaklands Sunset Market | |||||
| Peninsula Country Market |
Cafes in Rural Saanich
2 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Rural Saanich
1 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Breweries in Rural Saanich
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brass Monkey Taproom | ||||
| Category 12 | ||||
| Hoyne Brewing Company | ||||
| Île Sauvage Brewing Company | ||||
| Lighthouse Brewing Company | ||||
| Phillips Tasting Room | ||||
| Spinnakers | ||||
| V2V Black Hops Brewing |
Stadiums & Teams in Rural Saanich
| Team | League | Division |
|---|---|---|
Amtrak Stations in Rural Saanich
2 Amtrak stations.
| Station | Address | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria, BC | 721 Douglas St. | BUS |
| Victoria, BC | 254 Belleville Street | BUS |
Airports Near Rural Saanich
50 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 |
| Orcas Island Airport | ESD | Medium Airport |
| Pitt Meadows Regional Airport | — | Medium Airport |
| William R Fairchild International Airport | CLM | Medium Airport |
| Allan Island Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Big Andy Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Blakely Island Airport | BYW | Small Airport |
| Blue Heron Field | — | Small Airport |
| Blue Ribbon Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Burden Field-(Rabbit Run) Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Center Island Airport | CWS | Small Airport |
| Clam Harbor Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Crane Island Airstrip | CKR | Small Airport |
| Crow Valley Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Cypress Island Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Decatur /Jones/ Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Decatur Shores Airport | DTR | Small Airport |
| Delta Heritage Air Park | — | Small Airport |
| Diamond Point Airstrip | — | Small Airport |
| Duncan Airport | DUQ | Small Airport |
| Friday West Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Grand View International Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Intergalactic Aerodrome | — | Small Airport |
| Jefferson County International Airport | TWD | Small Airport |
| Kimshan Ranch Airport | — | Small Airport |
| King Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Lawson Airpark | — | Small Airport |
| Long Harbour Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Lopez Island Airport | LPS | Small Airport |
| Michell Airpark | — | Small Airport |
| Olympic Field | — | 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 |
| Sequim Valley Airport | SQV | Small Airport |
| Shaw Island AIrport | — | Small Airport |
| Sky Valley Airstrip | — | Small Airport |
| Stacey's 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 |
| Windsock Airport | — | Small Airport |
Treatment Centers in Rural Saanich
3 treatment centers.
| Center | Type | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Maven Pelvic Health | ||
| Sobering & Assessment Centre | ||
| Victoria Mental Health & Substance Use |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Rural Saanich
1 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| St. Michael & All Angels Anglican Church |
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Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Rural Saanich
What is the population of Rural Saanich?
Rural Saanich has a population of 5,025 residents and is located in British Columbia. The population density is 90 people per square mile, spread across 55.8 square miles. The median age of residents is 41.8 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 50.3% female and 49.7% male.
Is Rural Saanich expensive to live in?
The median household income is $76,768, 2% above the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $560,468 (99% above the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,072 per month. The home price-to-income ratio is 7.3x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.
Is Rural Saanich safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Rural Saanich receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Rural Saanich?
Rural Saanich has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winter temperatures average 42°F in January, while summers reach an average of 66°F in July. The area receives 248 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 32.0 inches, with 10.4 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Rural Saanich?
The unemployment rate in Rural Saanich is 5.1%, somewhat above the national average of 3.6%. Job seekers may face moderate competition. The average weekly wage is $901. There are 156 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 25 minutes, and 22.1% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in Rural Saanich?
The median home value in Rural Saanich is $560,468. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,072. The homeownership rate is 66.5%.
How are the schools in Rural Saanich?
32.9% of adults in Rural Saanich hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.4% have completed high school. 17.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.
What is transportation like in Rural Saanich?
The average commute in Rural Saanich is 25 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 79.5% of workers drive alone to work, 2.3% use public transit, and 22.1% work from home.
What are the demographics of Rural Saanich?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Rural Saanich is 93.4% White, 4.5% Asian. 87.8% of residents speak only English at home.