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Williams Lake, BC
British Columbia
Williams Lake is a small town in British Columbia with a population of 248. Residents earn $76,500 per year, which is 2% above the national average.
Data updated June 2026
Discover Williams Lake, 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 Williams Lake Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
C+Housing
C+Crime
C+Climate
Education
FCommunity
Is Williams Lake a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Williams Lake receives an overall livability score of 2.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment. Williams Lake has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Williams Lake is $76,500, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. At 15.0%, unemployment is notably high. 14.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Williams Lake 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
5.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 32.5% have completed high school.
Climate & Weather
Williams Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F. Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 61°F in July. With 306 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 16.3 inches, including 5.5 inches of snow.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Williams Lake vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Williams Lake vs U.S. Average
Income: Williams Lake vs U.S.
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $76,500 |
| 2% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $46,858 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $901 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 15.0% |
| 317% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 14.1% |
| 14% above US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 8 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 16.1 min |
| Drive Alone | 80.0% |
| Public Transit | 0.0% |
| Work from Home | 13.3% |
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 | 13.7% |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 25.0% |
| Owner-Occupied | 25.0% |
| Renter-Occupied | 10.0% |
| Housing Units | 100 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: Williams Lake 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 | 40.9°F |
| 24% below US avg | |
| January Average | 18°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 61°F (16°C) |
| Sunny Days | 306 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,215 ft (675 m) |
| Area | 6.4 sq mi (16.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 39/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 52.1415°N, 122.1445°W |
| Timezone | America/Vancouver |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Nearby Volcanoes
3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Wells Gray-Clearwater (109 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Wells Gray-Clearwater | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 2,576 m (8,451 ft) | 1550 | 109 km |
| Bridge River Cones | Volcanic field | 2,500 m (8,202 ft) | Unknown | 173 km |
| Meager | Complex | 2,680 m (8,793 ft) | -410 | 193 km |
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 33°F (1°C) | 0.7 in | Driest |
| April | 42°F (5°C) | 0.8 in | |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 1.5 in | |
| June | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 in | Wettest |
| July | 61°F (16°C) | 2.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 61°F (16°C) | 1.8 in | |
| September | 52°F (11°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 42°F (6°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.4 in | |
| December | 21°F (-6°C) | 1.4 in |
Williams Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 18°F in January to 61°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.2") and March the driest (0.7").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 5.0% |
| 85% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 32.5% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 0.0% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 39/sq mi |
| Total Area | 6.4 sq mi |
Services
Commute & Transportation
| Avg Commute | 16.1 min |
| Drive Alone | 80.0% |
| Public Transit | 0.0% |
| Work from Home | 13.3% |
Schools in Williams Lake
9 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evangelical Free Church | — | — | — | — |
| Lake City Secondary - Columneetza Campus | — | — | — | — |
| Sacred Heart Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
| Lake City Secondary - Williams Lake Campus | — | — | — | — |
| Cataline Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
| Chilcotin Road Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
| Marie Sharpe Elementary | — | — | — | — |
| Lake City Secondary - Columneetza Campus | — | — | — | — |
| Nesika Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
Radio Stations near Williams Lake
1 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CFFM "The Goat" 97.5 Williams Lake, 99.7 100 Mile House, 94.9 Quesnel, BC | active rock | AAC+ 57 kbps |
Museums in Williams Lake
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Museum of the Cariboo-Chilcotin |
Libraries in Williams Lake
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRDL: Williams Lake Library | 0.0 |
Farmers Markets in Williams Lake
| Name | Address | Season | Hours | Organic | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williams Lake Farmers’ Market |
Hotels in Williams Lake
3 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Cafes in Williams Lake
3 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Cinemas in Williams Lake
1 cinemas within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Clinics in Williams Lake
3 clinics within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Train Stations in Williams Lake
1 train stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Williams Lake
9 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Banks in Williams Lake
6 banks within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Shopping Malls in Williams Lake
1 shopping malls within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Golf Courses in Williams Lake
1 golf courses within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Breweries in Williams Lake
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox Mountain Brewing Co. |
Ski Resorts Near Williams Lake
1 ski resorts within range.
| Resort | Slopes (km) | Lifts | Peak (m) | Price | Season | Night | Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bull Mountain Ski Trail Recreation Site | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
Airports Near Williams Lake
6 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Williams Lake Airport | YWL | Medium Airport |
| Castle Rock Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Dugan Lake Air Strip | — | Small Airport |
| Likely Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Springhouse Airpark | — | Small Airport |
| Twin Lakes Airport | — | Small Airport |
Post Offices in Williams Lake
2 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| Canada Post | |
| Williams Lake North |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Williams Lake
4 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Cariboo Bethel Church | |
| Gurdwara Western Singh Sabha Association | |
| Sacred Heart | |
| St Andrew’s United Church |
Explore Near Williams Lake
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Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Williams Lake
What is the population of Williams Lake?
Williams Lake has a population of 248 residents and is located in British Columbia. The population density is 39 people per square mile, spread across 6.4 square miles. The median age of residents is 41.2 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 52% female and 46% male.
Is Williams Lake expensive to live in?
The median household income is $76,500, 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 Williams Lake safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Williams Lake receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Williams Lake?
Williams Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winter temperatures average 18°F in January, while summers reach an average of 61°F in July. The area receives 306 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 16.3 inches, with 5.5 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Williams Lake?
The job market in Williams Lake faces challenges, with unemployment at 15.0% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $901. There are 8 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 16 minutes, and 13.3% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in Williams Lake?
The median home value in Williams Lake is $560,468. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,072. The homeownership rate is 25.0%.
How are the schools in Williams Lake?
5.0% of adults in Williams Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 32.5% have completed high school. 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.
What is transportation like in Williams Lake?
The average commute in Williams Lake is 16 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 80% of workers drive alone to work, and 13.3% work from home.
What are the demographics of Williams Lake?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Williams Lake is 98% White. 78% of residents speak only English at home.