Smithers, BC
British Columbia
Smithers is a small city in British Columbia with a population of 5,378. Residents earn $85,000 per year, which is 13% above the national average.
Data updated June 2026
Discover Smithers, 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 Smithers Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
AHousing
ACrime
C+Climate
Education
CCommunity
Is Smithers a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Smithers receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment. Smithers offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Smithers is $85,000, 13% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The unemployment rate of 6.0% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 8.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Smithers 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. A price-to-income ratio of 4.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.
Safety & Crime
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000, 79% above the national average.
Education
15.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 31.5% have completed high school.
Climate & Weather
Smithers has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F. Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. The area gets 234 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 27.3 inches, including 88.1 inches of snow.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Smithers vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Smithers vs U.S. Average
Income: Smithers vs U.S.
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $85,000 |
| 13% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $51,350 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $988 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 6.0% |
| 67% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 8.0% |
| 35% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 167 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 15.2 min |
| Drive Alone | 66.7% |
| Public Transit | 1.0% |
| Work from Home | 15.5% |
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 | $1,000 |
| 14% below US avg | |
| Rent Burden | 12.3% |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 70.8% |
| Owner-Occupied | 70.8% |
| Renter-Occupied | 29.4% |
| Housing Units | 2,310 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: Smithers 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 | 42.8°F |
| 21% below US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 63°F (17°C) |
| Sunny Days | 234 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,621 ft (494 m) |
| Area | 5.9 sq mi (15.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 913/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 54.7804°N, 127.1743°W |
| Timezone | America/Vancouver |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Tsunami History
2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 4.1 m (13 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1975 | KITIMAT INLET, BRITISH COLUMBIA | Meteorological | 4.1 m | — | 132 km |
| 1974 | KITIMAT INLET, BRITISH COLOMBIA | Meteorological | 2.8 m | — | 132 km |
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-3°C) | 3.0 in | |
| February | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.9 in | |
| March | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 35°F (2°C) | 1.2 in | Driest |
| May | 43°F (6°C) | 1.8 in | |
| June | 50°F (10°C) | 2.4 in | |
| July | 63°F (17°C) | 2.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 54°F (12°C) | 2.1 in | |
| September | 47°F (8°C) | 2.7 in | |
| October | 37°F (3°C) | 3.4 in | Wettest |
| November | 26°F (-4°C) | 3.0 in | |
| December | 19°F (-7°C) | 2.8 in | Coldest |
Smithers has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 19°F in December to 63°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 28.1 inches, with October being the wettest month (3.4") and April the driest (1.2").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 15.4% |
| 54% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 31.5% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 5.8% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 913/sq mi |
| Total Area | 5.9 sq mi |
Services
Commute & Transportation
| Avg Commute | 15.2 min |
| Drive Alone | 66.7% |
| Public Transit | 1.0% |
| Work from Home | 15.5% |
Schools in Smithers
6 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muheim Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
| St. Joseph's Catholic School | — | — | — | — |
| Smithers Secondary Highschool | — | — | — | — |
| BV Christian Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
| Walnut Park Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
| Muheim Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
Radio Stations near Smithers
1 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CFBV "The Moose" 870 Smithers, 106.5 Houston, 760 Burns Lake, BC | variety hits | AAC+ 57 kbps |
Museums in Smithers
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulkley Valley Museum | ||||
| Telkwa Museum | ||||
| Widzin Kwah Canyon House Museum (Widzin Kwah Diyik Be Yikh) |
Libraries in Smithers
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smithers Public Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Telkwa Reading Room | 0.0 |
Farmers Markets in Smithers
| Name | Address | Season | Hours | Organic | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulkley Valley Farmers' Market |
Hotels in Smithers
4 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Cafes in Smithers
3 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Cinemas in Smithers
1 cinemas within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Clinics in Smithers
2 clinics within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Dentists in Smithers
1 dentists within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Train Stations in Smithers
1 train stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Smithers
3 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Banks in Smithers
4 banks within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Shopping Malls in Smithers
1 shopping malls within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Golf Courses in Smithers
1 golf courses within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Breweries in Smithers
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smithers Brewing Co. |
Ski Resorts Near Smithers
3 ski resorts within range.
| Resort | Slopes (km) | Lifts | Peak (m) | Price | Season | Night | Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morrice Mountain Nordic Ski Area | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
| Bulkley Valley Nordic Centre | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
| Hudson Bay Mountain | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
Airports Near Smithers
4 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Smithers Airport | YYD | Medium Airport |
| Houston Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Private Airstrip | — | Small Airport |
| Seeley Lake Field | — | Small Airport |
Post Offices in Smithers
2 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| Alpine Village | |
| Smithers Main |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Smithers
3 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Fellowship Baptist Church | |
| Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall | |
| Smithers United Church |
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Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Smithers
What is the population of Smithers?
Smithers has a population of 5,378 residents and is located in British Columbia. The population density is 913 people per square mile, spread across 5.9 square miles. The median age of residents is 39.6 years. The population is 51.7% female and 48.3% male.
Is Smithers expensive to live in?
The median household income is $85,000, 13% 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 4.7x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.
Is Smithers safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Smithers receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Smithers?
Smithers has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winter temperatures average 28°F in January, while summers reach an average of 63°F in July. The area receives 234 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 27.3 inches, with 88.1 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Smithers?
The unemployment rate in Smithers is 6.0%, somewhat above the national average of 3.6%. Job seekers may face moderate competition. The average weekly wage is $988. There are 167 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 15 minutes, and 15.5% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in Smithers?
The median home value in Smithers is $400,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,000. The homeownership rate is 70.8%.
How are the schools in Smithers?
15.4% of adults in Smithers hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 31.5% have completed high school. 5.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.
What is transportation like in Smithers?
The average commute in Smithers is 15 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 66.7% of workers drive alone to work, 1% use public transit, and 15.5% work from home.
What are the demographics of Smithers?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Smithers is 90% White, 1.1% Black or African American, 7.5% Asian. 86.1% of residents speak only English at home.
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