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Yellowknife, NT

Northwest Territories

Yellowknife is a small city in Northwest Territories with a population of 20,340. Residents earn $148,000 per year, which is 97% above the national average.

Data updated June 2026

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
20,340 Population 510/sq mi density
$148,000 Median Income $78,100 per capita
$448,000 Home Value
$1,820 Median Rent 15.8% income on rent
31°F Avg Temperature 233 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$148,000 median income, 5.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$448,000 home value, $1,820/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.3% bachelor's degree or higher

Discover Yellowknife, NT

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.

Full City Profile
Median Income $148,000
97% higher than US avg
Home Value $448,000
59% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.3%
37% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,820
56% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.7%
58% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.3%
65% lower than US avg

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

People

Population20,340
Median Age35.2 yrs
Density510/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 80%

Economy

A
Median Income$148,000
Per Capita$78,100
Unemployment5.7%
Poverty4.3%
Commute16 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$448,000
Rent$1,820
Ownership56.9%
Housing Units7,520
Rent Burden15.8%

Crime

C+
Property3,500/100K
Burglary484/100K

Climate

Avg Temp31°F (-0°C)
Rain11.1 in/yr
Sunny Days233/yr
Elevation630 ft (192 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.3%
High School+27.0%
Graduate+9.0%

Community

Commute16 min

Is Yellowknife a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Yellowknife receives an overall livability score of 3.6 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. Yellowknife offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Yellowknife is $148,000, which is significantly higher than the national average / 97% above $75,149. This places Yellowknife among higher-income communities. The unemployment rate of 5.7% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 4.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate 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 Yellowknife is $448,000, making it a premium housing market at 59% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,820 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000, 79% above the national average.

Education

21.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 27.0% have completed high school.

Climate & Weather

Yellowknife has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 31°F. Winters average 1°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 233 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 11.1 inches, including 31.4 inches of snow.

Yellowknife has a population of 20,340 with a density of 510 people per square mile, spread across 39.9 square miles. The median age is 35.2 years, 10% younger than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 50.1% female and 50% male. The city is predominantly White (80%), with 4.4% Black, 13.3% Asian. English is the primary language spoken at home by 76.3% of residents.

Population

20,340
Total Population
2021 Census
510
People / sq mi
35.2yrs
Median Age
10% below US avg
39.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50%
Female 50.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Yellowknife vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only 76.3%
3% below US avg
Spanish 4.3%
68% below US avg
Other Languages 19.4%

Social Characteristics

Yellowknife vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Yellowknife is $148,000, which is 97% above the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $78,100 (above the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $1,502. The unemployment rate is 5.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 4.3% of residents live below the poverty line, lower than the national rate of 12.4%. The area has 631 business establishments. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes (shorter than the 28-minute US average). 15.1% of workers work from home.

Income: Yellowknife vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$148,000
97% above US avg
Per Capita Income$78,100
Avg Weekly Wage$1,502

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.7%
58% above US avg
Poverty Rate4.3%
65% below US avg
Establishments (County)631

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.5 min
Drive Alone62.1%
Public Transit1.3%
Work from Home15.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Yellowknife is $448,000, 59% above the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $1,820 (56% above the national average of $1,163). 56.9% of housing units are owner-occupied (below the 65.4% national rate). There are 7,520 total housing units in the city. 15.8% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. The home price-to-income ratio is 3x, well within the affordable range.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$448,000
59% above US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,820
56% above US avg
Rent Burden15.8%

Ownership & Property

Homeownership56.9%
Owner-Occupied56.9%
Renter-Occupied43.2%
Housing Units7,520

Property Tax

Property crime stands at 3,500 per 100,000, 79% above the U.S. average. This includes larceny/theft at 2,503, burglary at 484, vehicle theft at 505 per 100,000 residents. Overall, Yellowknife receives a safety grade of C+.

Crime Rates: Yellowknife vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Total Property3,500.0/100K
79% above US avg
Burglary483.9/100K
Theft2,503.4/100K
Vehicle Theft504.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
View full crime details →
Yellowknife has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 31°F (-0°C). Winters average 1°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 67°F. The area gets 233 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 11.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 31.4 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 630 feet.

Temperature

1°F Jan (-17°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average31.2°F
42% below US avg
January Average1°F (-17°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days233 days/yr

Geography

Elevation630 ft (192 m)
Area39.9 sq mi (103.4 km²)
Population Density510/sq mi
Coordinates62.4541°N, 114.3725°W
TimezoneAmerica/Edmonton

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 11.1"
71% below US avg
Snowfall 31.4"
Wettest Month (Aug) 1.65"
Driest Month (Apr) 0.28"

Air Quality

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 1°F (-17°C) 0.6 in
February -9°F (-23°C) 0.5 in Coldest
March 1°F (-17°C) 0.5 in
April 22°F (-6°C) 0.3 in Driest
May 39°F (4°C) 0.7 in
June 53°F (12°C) 1.0 in
July 68°F (20°C) 1.4 in Warmest
August 56°F (14°C) 1.7 in Wettest
September 45°F (7°C) 1.2 in
October 30°F (-1°C) 1.3 in
November 9°F (-13°C) 0.9 in
December -9°F (-23°C) 0.7 in

Yellowknife has a seasonal temperature swing of 77°F / from -9°F in February to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 10.8 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.7") and April the driest (0.3").

View full weather details →
21.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 37% below the national average of 33.7%. 27.0% have completed high school. 9.0% hold a graduate or professional degree (below the 13.1% national rate). 62.1% of workers drive alone to work.

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.3%
37% below US avg
High School+27.0%
Graduate Degree+9.0%
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Area & Infrastructure

Population Density510/sq mi
Total Area39.9 sq mi

Services

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.5 min
Drive Alone62.1%
Public Transit1.3%
Work from Home15.1%

Colleges & Universities in Yellowknife

Institution Type Enrollment Acceptance In-State Tuition Out-of-State
Aurora College North Slave Campus

Schools in Yellowknife

14 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Route 51 Learning Institute
N J Macpherson School
Montessori School
K'àlemì Dene School
St. Patrick's Catholic High School
Weledeh Catholic School
École Sir John Franklin High School
École Allain St-Cyr
École William McDonald Middle School
École St Joseph School
Mildred Hall Elementary School
École Įtłʼǫ̀
Akaitcho Trades and Technical Centre
Range Lake North School
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Yellowknife

4 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
CBC Radio One - Yellowknife, NT (MP3) features, news MP3 128 kbps
Cabin Radio.ca - Yellowknife, NT community radio MP3 128 kbps
CJCD-FM 100.1 "True North FM" Yellowknife, NT classic hits, classic rock AAC+ 57 kbps
CKLB-FM 101.9 Yellowknife, NT community radio, indigenous AAC 96 kbps

Museums in Yellowknife

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Yellowknife Historical Museum

Libraries in Yellowknife

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Yellowknife Public Library0.0

Hotels in Yellowknife

9 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Blue Raven Bed & Breakfast
Capital Suites
Chateau Nova Yellowknife
Discovery Inn
Nova Inn
Stanton Suites Hotel
The Coast Fraser Tower
The Explorer Hotel
Yellowknife Inn

Cafes in Yellowknife

11 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Birchwood
Javaroma
Kamp Coffee
Museum Cafe
Starbucks
Sundog Trading Post
Tabletop Games & Eats
Te Adoro Cafe & Bar
Tim Hortons
Tim Hortons
Wildcat Cafe

Cinemas in Yellowknife

1 cinemas within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Capitol Threatre

Theatres in Yellowknife

2 theatres within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

NACC Theatre
waterfront amphitheatre

Monuments in Yellowknife

2 monuments within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Pilots Moument
yellowknife cultural crossroads

Theme Parks in Yellowknife

1 theme parks within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Snowking's Winter Festival

Clinics in Yellowknife

3 clinics within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Eye Clinic
Juniper Health
Range Lake Walk-in Clinic

Dentists in Yellowknife

2 dentists within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Frame Lake Dental Clinic
Great Slave Dental Clinic

Veterinaries in Yellowknife

2 veterinaries within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Aurora Veterinary Hospital
Yellowknife Veterinary Clinic

Gas Stations in Yellowknife

8 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Circle K
Co-op
Esso
Gastown
Matonabee
Monkey Tree Gas Bar Car Wash
Petro Pass
Shell

Banks in Yellowknife

7 banks within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

BMO
CIBC
First Nations Bank of Canada
Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation
RBC
Scotiabank
TD

Shopping Malls in Yellowknife

3 shopping malls within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Centre 50 Mini Mall
Centre Square Mall
YK Centre Shopping Centre

Gyms in Yellowknife

3 gyms within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Anytime Fitness
Stanley Boxing & Fitness
The Yellowknife Racquet Club

Golf Courses in Yellowknife

1 golf courses within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Yellowknife Golf Club

Airports Near Yellowknife

1 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Yellowknife International AirportYZFMedium Airport

Post Offices in Yellowknife

3 post offices.

Post OfficeAddress
Purolator
Yellowknife Centre
Yellowknife Main

Treatment Centers in Yellowknife

1 treatment centers.

CenterTypePhone
Yellowknife Wellness and Recovery Centre

Churches & Religious Organizations in Yellowknife

15 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Calvery Community Church
Central Arctic Baptist Church
Church of Christ
Co-Cathedral of Saint Patrick
Cornerstone Pentecostal Church
Holy Trinity Yellowknife
Islamic Centre in Yellowknife
Kingdom Hall of Jehova's Witnesses
Seventh Day Adventist Church
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Salvation Army Citadel
Yellowknife Alliance Church
Yellowknife First Assembly
Yellowknife United Church
Yellowknife Vineyard Christian Fellowship

Explore Near Yellowknife

UFO Sightings
6
Reported UFO sightings from the National UFO Reporting Center database
View all →
Waterfalls
3
Natural waterfalls documented by USGS and OpenStreetMap contributors
View all →

Download Full City Report

Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Yellowknife.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Yellowknife

What is the population of Yellowknife?

Yellowknife has a population of 20,340 residents and is located in Northwest Territories. The population density is 510 people per square mile, spread across 39.9 square miles. The median age of residents is 35.2 years, which is younger than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 50.1% female and 50% male.

Is Yellowknife expensive to live in?

The median household income is $148,000, 97% above the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $448,000 (59% above the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,820 per month, above the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 3x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.

Is Yellowknife safe?

Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Yellowknife receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.

What is the weather like in Yellowknife?

Yellowknife has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 31°F (-0°C). Winter temperatures average 1°F in January, while summers reach an average of 68°F in July. The area receives 233 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 11.1 inches, with 31.4 inches of snow.

How is the job market in Yellowknife?

The unemployment rate in Yellowknife is 5.7%, somewhat above the national average of 3.6%. Job seekers may face moderate competition. The average weekly wage is $1,502. There are 631 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 16 minutes, and 15.1% of workers work from home.

How much does housing cost in Yellowknife?

The median home value in Yellowknife is $448,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,820. The homeownership rate is 56.9%.

How are the schools in Yellowknife?

21.3% of adults in Yellowknife hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 27.0% have completed high school. 9.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.

What is transportation like in Yellowknife?

The average commute in Yellowknife is 16 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 62.1% of workers drive alone to work, 1.3% use public transit, and 15.1% work from home.

What are the demographics of Yellowknife?

The racial and ethnic makeup of Yellowknife is 80% White, 4.4% Black or African American, 13.3% Asian. 76.3% of residents speak only English at home, while 4.3% speak Spanish.

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