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Trail, BC
British Columbia
Trail is a small city in British Columbia with a population of 7,920. Residents earn $68,000 per year, which is 10% below the national average.
Discover Trail, 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.
Use the tabs and dropdown menus below to navigate every data point we track for this city.
How Trail Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
BHousing
ACrime
C+Climate
Education
DCommunity
Is Trail a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Trail receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment. Trail has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Trail is $68,000, 10% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.9% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 11.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Trail is $310,000, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $870 per month, below the national average / a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.6x 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
8.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 33.5% have completed high school.
Climate & Weather
Trail experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. With 256 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 24.4 inches, including 52.6 inches of snow.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Trail vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Trail vs U.S. Average
Income: Trail vs U.S.
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $68,000 |
| 10% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $46,000 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $885 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 7.9% |
| 119% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% |
| 9% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 246 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 16.7 min |
| Drive Alone | 78.1% |
| Public Transit | 2.2% |
| Work from Home | 9.9% |
Walkability
Home Value Sources
Ownership Split
Home Values
| Census Median | $310,000 |
| 10% above US avg |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $870 |
| 25% below US avg | |
| Rent Burden | 15.3% |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 68.8% |
| Owner-Occupied | 68.8% |
| Renter-Occupied | 31.2% |
| Housing Units | 3,735 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: Trail 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 | 50.1°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 256 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,427 ft (435 m) |
| Area | 13.5 sq mi (34.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 588/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 49.0998°N, 117.7022°W |
| Timezone | America/Vancouver |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Tsunami History
8 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 19.8 m (65 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1952 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 19.8 m | — | 67 km |
| 2024 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 14.3 m | — | 67 km |
| 1944 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.1 m | — | 67 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 9.0 m | — | 146 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 4.8 m | — | 67 km |
| 2009 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | 3.6 m | — | 138 km |
| 1953 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 67 km |
| 1952 | COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA | Meteorological | — | — | 67 km |
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.2 in | |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 2.2 in | |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 2.4 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 2.2 in | |
| May | 51°F (11°C) | 2.6 in | |
| June | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 1.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 63°F (17°C) | 1.6 in | |
| September | 54°F (12°C) | 1.5 in | Driest |
| October | 43°F (6°C) | 1.9 in | |
| November | 32°F (-0°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Trail has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 25°F in December to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 29.1 inches, with December being the wettest month (3.5") and September the driest (1.5").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 8.4% |
| 75% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 33.5% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 2.9% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 588/sq mi |
| Total Area | 13.5 sq mi |
Services
Commute & Transportation
| Avg Commute | 16.7 min |
| Drive Alone | 78.1% |
| Public Transit | 2.2% |
| Work from Home | 9.9% |
Schools in Trail
3 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenmerry Elementary | — | — | — | — |
| J.L. Crowe Secondary School | — | — | — | — |
| St. Michael's Catholic Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
Radio Stations near Trail
3 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CJLY Kootenay Co-op Radio | co-op, community | MP3 | |
| CKQR "99.3 FM The Goat" Castlegar, BC | classic rock | AAC+ 57 kbps | |
| CHNV-FM 103.5 "The Bridge" Nelson, BC | alternative rock | AAC+ 57 kbps |
Museums in Trail
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NORTHPORT HISTORICAL SOCIETY | HISTORIC PRESERVATION | 311 COLUMBIA AVENUE | 5097326675 | |
| Castlegar Museum | ||||
| Doukhobor Discovery Centre | ||||
| Mir Centre for Peace | ||||
| Rossland Mining Museum & Discovery Center | ||||
| The Trail Museum & Archives | ||||
| Zuckerberg Island |
Libraries in Trail
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver Valley Public Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Castlegar & District Public Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Rossland Public Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Trail & District Public Library | 0.0 |
Farmers Markets in Trail
| Name | Address | Season | Hours | Organic | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruitvale’s Incredible Farmers Market |
Clinics in Trail
1 clinics within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Trail
1 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Ski Resorts Near Trail
3 ski resorts within range.
| Resort | Slopes (km) | Lifts | Peak (m) | Price | Season | Night | Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Mountain Resort | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
| Paulson Cross-Country Recreation Site | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
| Whitewater Ski Resort | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
Cell Towers in Trail
| Address | Structure Type | Height (ft) |
|---|---|---|
| (Flagstaff Mtn) Flagstaff Mtn / USFWS Road | LTOWER | 46 |
| (Flagstaff Mtn) Flagstaff Mtn / USFWS Road | LTOWER | 46 |
| 4 mi West of Northport (102567) | LTOWER | 23 |
| 4 mi West of Northport (102567) | LTOWER | 23 |
Airports Near Trail
17 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Castlegar/West Kootenay Regional Airport | YCG | Medium Airport |
| Grand Forks Airport | ZGF | Medium Airport |
| Avey Field State/Laurier Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Colville Municipal Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Crown Creek Ranch Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Flat Creek Field | — | Small Airport |
| Ione Municipal Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Johnson Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Magee Creek Aerodrome | — | Small Airport |
| Nelson Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Priest Lake Usfs Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Rickey Creek Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Schmidt Ranch Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Smith Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Sullivan Lake State Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Trail Regional Airport | YZZ | Small Airport |
| Zema Private Airport | — | Small Airport |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Trail
2 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Alliance Church | |
| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
Frequently Asked Questions About Trail
What is the population of Trail?
Trail has a population of 7,920 residents and is located in British Columbia. The population density is 588 people per square mile, spread across 13.5 square miles. The median age of residents is 49.6 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 51.8% female and 48.2% male.
Is Trail expensive to live in?
The median household income is $68,000, 10% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $310,000 (10% above the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $870 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 4.6x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.
Is Trail safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Trail receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Trail?
Trail has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winter temperatures average 30°F in January, while summers reach an average of 75°F in July. The area receives 256 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 24.4 inches, with 52.6 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Trail?
The unemployment rate in Trail is 7.9%, somewhat above the national average of 3.6%. Job seekers may face moderate competition. The average weekly wage is $885. There are 246 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 17 minutes, and 9.9% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in Trail?
The median home value in Trail is $310,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $870. The homeownership rate is 68.8%.
How are the schools in Trail?
8.4% of adults in Trail hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 33.5% have completed high school. 2.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.
What is transportation like in Trail?
The average commute in Trail is 17 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 78.1% of workers drive alone to work, 2.2% use public transit, and 9.9% work from home.
What are the demographics of Trail?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Trail is 93.4% White, 5.4% Asian. 90.6% of residents speak only English at home.