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Sooke, BC
British Columbia · Victoria Metro
Sooke is a small city in British Columbia with a population of 15,086. Residents earn $90,000 per year, which is 20% above the national average.
Discover Sooke, 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 Sooke Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
B+Housing
C+Crime
C+Climate
Education
DCommunity
Is Sooke a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Sooke receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. 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, long commute times. Sooke has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Sooke is $90,000, 20% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The unemployment rate of 6.7% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 8.2% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 36 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Sooke is $650,000, making it a premium housing market at 131% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,400 per month. With a home price-to-income ratio of 7.2x, 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
11.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 31.2% have completed high school.
Climate & Weather
Sooke experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area gets 248 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 42.2 inches, including 20.4 inches of snow.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Sooke vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Sooke vs U.S. Average
Income: Sooke vs U.S.
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $90,000 |
| 20% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $48,280 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $928 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 6.7% |
| 86% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% |
| 34% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 468 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 35.8 min |
| Drive Alone | 82.8% |
| Public Transit | 3.7% |
| Work from Home | 26.8% |
Walkability
Home Value Sources
Ownership Split
Home Values
| Census Median | $650,000 |
| 131% above US avg |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $1,400 |
| 20% above US avg | |
| Rent Burden | 21.7% |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 80.3% |
| Owner-Occupied | 80.3% |
| Renter-Occupied | 19.6% |
| Housing Units | 6,130 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: Sooke 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 | 42°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 248 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 115 ft (35 m) |
| Area | 21.9 sq mi (56.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 691/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.3746°N, 123.7276°W |
| Timezone | America/Vancouver |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Tsunami History
3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 2.4 m (8 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1891 | WASHINGTON | Eruption + Earthquake | 2.4 m | — | 45 km |
| 1949 | PUGET SOUND, WA | Meteorological | 2.4 m | — | 149 km |
| 1820 | CAMANO ISLAND, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 107 km |
Nearby Volcanoes
5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Baker (148 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Baker | Stratovolcano(es) | 3,285 m (10,778 ft) | 1880 | 148 km |
| Garibaldi | Stratovolcano | 2,678 m (8,786 ft) | -8060 | 172 km |
| Garibaldi Lake | Volcanic field | 2,316 m (7,598 ft) | Unknown | 181 km |
| Glacier Peak | Stratovolcano | 3,213 m (10,541 ft) | 1700 | 196 km |
| Cayley Volcanic Field | Volcanic field | 2,375 m (7,792 ft) | Unknown | 197 km |
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (6°C) | 9.8 in | |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 6.8 in | |
| March | 42°F (5°C) | 5.9 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 3.9 in | |
| May | 51°F (10°C) | 2.4 in | |
| June | 55°F (13°C) | 1.7 in | |
| July | 65°F (18°C) | 1.1 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 60°F (16°C) | 1.6 in | |
| September | 56°F (14°C) | 2.1 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 5.9 in | |
| November | 42°F (5°C) | 10.2 in | Wettest |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 9.8 in | Coldest |
Sooke has a seasonal temperature swing of 28°F / from 37°F in December to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 61.3 inches, with November being the wettest month (10.2") and July the driest (1.1").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 11.4% |
| 66% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 31.2% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 5.3% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 691/sq mi |
| Total Area | 21.9 sq mi |
Services
Commute & Transportation
| Avg Commute | 35.8 min |
| Drive Alone | 82.8% |
| Public Transit | 3.7% |
| Work from Home | 26.8% |
Schools in Sooke
3 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sooke Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
| Journey Middle School | — | — | — | — |
| Poirier Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
Radio Stations near Sooke
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 Sooke
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOYCE MUSEUM SOCIETY | HISTORIC PRESERVATION | 50883 HIGHWAY 112 | 3604575390 | |
| Metchosin Pioneer Museum | ||||
| Metchosin School Museum | ||||
| Sooke Region Museum |
Libraries in Sooke
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GVPL: Goudy Branch | 0.0 | |||||
| GVPL: Langford Heritage Branch | 0.0 | |||||
| VIRL: Sooke Branch | 0.0 |
Farmers Markets in Sooke
| Name | Address | Season | Hours | Organic | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metchosin Farmers Market | |||||
| Sooke Country Market | |||||
| Sooke Night Market |
Hotels in Sooke
2 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Cafes in Sooke
3 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Clinics in Sooke
1 clinics within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Dentists in Sooke
1 dentists within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Sooke
2 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Banks in Sooke
4 banks within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Gyms in Sooke
2 gyms within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Golf Courses in Sooke
1 golf courses within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Breweries in Sooke
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bad Dog Brewing Company | ||||
| V2V Black Hops Brewing |
Stadiums & Teams in Sooke
| Team | League | Division |
|---|---|---|
Airports Near Sooke
29 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria International Airport | YYJ | Large Airport |
| Boundary Bay Airport | YDT | Medium Airport |
| Friday Harbor Airport | FRD | Medium Airport |
| Nanaimo Airport | YCD | Medium Airport |
| William R Fairchild International Airport | CLM | Medium Airport |
| Big Andy Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Blue Heron Field | — | Small Airport |
| Blue Ribbon Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Burden Field-(Rabbit Run) Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Crane Island Airstrip | CKR | Small Airport |
| Duncan Airport | DUQ | Small Airport |
| Forks Airport | — | Small 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 |
| Michell Airpark | — | 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 |
| Sekiu Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Sequim Valley Airport | SQV | Small Airport |
| Stuart Island Airpark | SSW | Small Airport |
| Stuart Island West Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Waldron Airstrip | WDN | Small Airport |
Post Offices in Sooke
2 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| Sooke Centre | |
| Sooke Main |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Sooke
6 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Holy Trinity Church | |
| Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses | |
| Knox Presbyterian Church | |
| Sooke Pentecostal Church | |
| St. Rose of Lima Catholic Parish | |
| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
Explore Near Sooke
Frequently Asked Questions About Sooke
What is the population of Sooke?
Sooke has a population of 15,086 residents and is located in British Columbia. The population density is 691 people per square mile, spread across 21.9 square miles. The median age of residents is 44.8 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 50.9% female and 49.1% male.
Is Sooke expensive to live in?
The median household income is $90,000, 20% above the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $650,000 (131% above the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,400 per month, above the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 7.2x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.
Is Sooke safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Sooke receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Sooke?
Sooke has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winter temperatures average 42°F in January, while summers reach an average of 65°F in July. The area receives 248 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 42.2 inches, with 20.4 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Sooke?
The unemployment rate in Sooke is 6.7%, somewhat above the national average of 3.6%. Job seekers may face moderate competition. The average weekly wage is $928. There are 468 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 36 minutes, and 26.8% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in Sooke?
The median home value in Sooke is $650,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,400. The homeownership rate is 80.3%.
How are the schools in Sooke?
11.4% of adults in Sooke hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 31.2% have completed high school. 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.
What is transportation like in Sooke?
The average commute in Sooke is 36 minutes, longer than the national average of 28 minutes. 82.8% of workers drive alone to work, 3.7% use public transit, and 26.8% work from home.
What are the demographics of Sooke?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Sooke is 94.8% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.6% Hispanic or Latino, 3.3% Asian. 91.6% of residents speak only English at home.