Shawnigan Lake, BC

British Columbia · Victoria Metro

Shawnigan Lake is a small town in British Columbia with a population of 3,908.

Population source: Wikidata (dated census and official estimates), GeoNames. Climate: WorldClim 2.1 normals (1970-2000), NASA POWER. Updated August 2026

3,908 Population 437/sq mi density
48°F Avg Temperature

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Full City Profile

How Shawnigan Lake Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population3,908
Density437/mi²

Climate

Avg Temp48°F (9°C)
Rain51.8 in/yr
Elevation476 ft (145 m)
Shawnigan Lake experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 51.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 476 feet.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 60°F Jul (16°C)
Annual Average47.7°F
12% below US avg
January Average37°F (3°C)
July Average60°F (16°C)

Geography

Elevation476 ft (145 m)
Area8.9 sq mi (23.2 km²)
Population Density437/sq mi
Coordinates48.6506°N, 123.6449°W
TimezoneAmerica/Vancouver

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 51.8"
36% above US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Nov) 8.62"
Driest Month (Jul) 1.02"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

482 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M5.0. Most recent: M2.9 on Aug 21, 2025.

Apr 14, 1990 4 km ENE of Deming, Washington M5.0 111 km
Jun 23, 1997 2 km NE of Enetai, Washington M4.9 142 km
Apr 25, 2003 26 km W of Brinnon, Washington M4.8 113 km
Feb 21, 2025 28 km W of Squamish, Canada M4.8 116 km
Jan 30, 2009 6 km ESE of Lofall, Washington M4.7 124 km
Jul 12, 2019 2 km S of Roosevelt, Washington M4.6 148 km
Mar 3, 2025 2025 Orcas Island, Washington M4.5 62 km
Jan 24, 2020 46 km WNW of Neah Bay, Washington M4.5 114 km
Jun 24, 1997 19 km SSW of Gibsons, Canada M4.4 65 km
Feb 19, 1991 31 km E of Squamish, Canada M4.3 134 km
Apr 2, 1990 2 km ENE of Deming, Washington M4.3 109 km
Jan 23, 2001 9 km NNW of Ucluelet, Canada M4.3 147 km
Feb 22, 1996 31 km NNE of South Pender Harbour, Canada M4.1 140 km
Sep 21, 2002 9 km SW of Friday Harbor, Washington M4.1 42 km
Feb 23, 2017 11 km NE of Hoodsport, Washington M4.1 138 km
Apr 3, 1990 3 km ENE of Deming, Washington M4.0 110 km
Apr 14, 1990 2 km ESE of Deming, Washington M4.0 109 km
Jun 15, 1994 1 km WNW of Hoodsport, Washington M4.0 143 km
Sep 26, 2024 12 km E of Saanichton, Canada M4.0 30 km
Dec 27, 2012 12 km E of North Saanich, Canada M4.0 29 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tsunami History

3 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 - 73 km
1820 CAMANO ISLAND, WA Meteorological - - 115 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Nearby Volcanoes

5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Baker (135 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Baker Stratovolcano(es) 3,285 m (10,778 ft) 1880 135 km
Garibaldi Stratovolcano 2,678 m (8,786 ft) -8060 141 km
Garibaldi Lake Volcanic field 2,316 m (7,598 ft) Unknown 150 km
Cayley Volcanic Field Volcanic field 2,375 m (7,792 ft) Unknown 166 km
Glacier Peak Stratovolcano 3,213 m (10,541 ft) 1700 196 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Wildfire History

2 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: DELABARRE (4,176 ac, 2023).

Year Name Acres Distance
2023 DELABARRE 4,176 99 km
2016 HAYES TWO 2,679 96 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 37°F (3°C) 8.5 in Coldest
February 39°F (4°C) 5.6 in
March 41°F (5°C) 4.8 in
April 45°F (7°C) 3.2 in
May 51°F (11°C) 2.1 in
June 56°F (13°C) 1.7 in
July 60°F (16°C) 1.0 in Driest
August 61°F (16°C) 1.4 in Warmest
September 57°F (14°C) 1.6 in
October 49°F (9°C) 4.8 in
November 41°F (5°C) 8.6 in Wettest
December 37°F (3°C) 8.5 in

Shawnigan Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 25°F / from 37°F in January to 61°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 51.8 inches, with November being the wettest month (8.6") and July the driest (1.0").

View full weather details →

Schools in Shawnigan Lake

3 public schools (OpenStreetMap data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Discovery Elementary School - - - -
St. John's Academy Shawnigan Lake - - - -
Shawnigan Lake School - - - -
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Shawnigan Lake

2 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
CBC Radio One - Victoria, BC (MP3 stream) features, news MP3 128 kbps
CJSU-FM 89.7 "Sun FM" Duncan, BC adult hits AAC+ 57 kbps

Museums in Shawnigan Lake

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
BC Forest Discovery Centre
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
Cowichan Valley Museum
Craigflower Manor
Craigflower Schoolhouse
Crofton Old School Museum
Gorge Waterway Nature House
Hand of Man Museum
Henderson Hangar
Heritage Acres
Main Hangar
Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Centre
Restoration Hangar
Shawnigan Lake Museum
Sidney Museum and Archives

Libraries in Shawnigan Lake

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
GVPL: Central Saanich Branch0.0
GVPL: Esquimalt Branch0.0
GVPL: Goudy Branch0.0
GVPL: Juan de Fuca Branch0.0
GVPL: Langford Heritage Branch0.0
GVPL: Saanich Centennial Library Branch0.0
Piers Island Library0.0
Salt Spring Island Public Library0.0
Sidney Archives0.0
VIRL: Cowichan Branch0.0
VIRL: Sidney / North Saanich Branch0.0
VIRL: South Cowichan Branch0.0

Farmers Markets in Shawnigan Lake

NameAddressSeasonHoursOrganicWebsite
Duncan Farmers’ Market
Esquimalt Farmers Market
Esquimalt Farmers Market
Gorge Farmers Market
Great Greens Market
Grove Hall Farm, Italian Kitchen, Market & Deli
North Saanich Farm Market
Peninsula Country Market
Salt Spring Saturday Market
Salt Spring Tuesday Farmers’ Market
The Old Farm Market

Cafes in Shawnigan Lake

1 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Shawnigan House

Gas Stations in Shawnigan Lake

1 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Shawnigan Garage

Gyms in Shawnigan Lake

1 gyms within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

KaliYoga Studio

Breweries in Shawnigan Lake

NameTypeAddressPhoneWebsite
Bad Dog Brewing Company
Category 12
Lighthouse Brewing Company
Red Arrow Brewery
Salt Spring Island Ales
Small Block Brewery
V2V Black Hops Brewing

Stadiums & Teams in Shawnigan Lake

TeamLeagueDivision

Airports Near Shawnigan Lake

39 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Vancouver International AirportYVRLarge Airport
Victoria International AirportYYJLarge Airport
Boundary Bay AirportYDTMedium Airport
Friday Harbor AirportFRDMedium Airport
Nanaimo AirportYCDMedium Airport
Orcas Island AirportESDMedium Airport
Qualicum Beach AirportXQUMedium Airport
William R Fairchild International AirportCLMMedium 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 AirstripCKRSmall Airport
Crow Valley Airport-Small Airport
Delta Heritage Air Park-Small Airport
Diamond Point Airstrip-Small Airport
Duncan AirportDUQSmall Airport
Friday West Airport-Small Airport
Grand View International Airport-Small Airport
King Airport-Small Airport
Lawson Airpark-Small Airport
Long Harbour Airport-Small Airport
Lopez Island AirportLPSSmall 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 AirportRCESmall Airport
Rucilla's Roost Airport-Small Airport
Sekiu Airport-Small Airport
Sequim Valley AirportSQVSmall Airport
Shaw Island AIrport-Small Airport
Stuart Island AirparkSSWSmall Airport
Stuart Island West Airport-Small Airport
Waldron AirstripWDNSmall Airport
Wilding Farm Airport-Small Airport

Post Offices in Shawnigan Lake

1 post offices.

Post OfficeAddress
Shawnigan Lake

Treatment Centers in Shawnigan Lake

1 treatment centers.

CenterTypePhone
Maven Pelvic Health

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Frequently Asked Questions About Shawnigan Lake

What is the population of Shawnigan Lake?

Shawnigan Lake has a population of 3,908 residents and is located in British Columbia. The population density is 437 people per square mile, spread across 8.9 square miles.

What is the weather like in Shawnigan Lake?

Shawnigan Lake has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winter temperatures average 37°F in January, while summers reach an average of 60°F in July. Annual rainfall totals 51.8 inches.

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