Electoral Area K, Central KootenayBritish Columbia

Its population rose 6% from 2016 to 2021. The town has 1,965 residents and lies in British Columbia.

1 place within 19 kmMap →

Photo: Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center · Public domain

Population

1,965

people, 2025 estimate

Median age

59.6

years · British Columbia’s towns: 48

Postsecondary

44%

of residents 15 and over hold a postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree · Canadian towns: 56%

Walk, cycle, transit

walk, cycle or take transit to work · Canadian towns: 8%

Is Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay a good place to live?

Pupils here do better than most (B+). Work and incomes lag (D). Owners valued their homes at a median $400,000 in 2021, which is 6.5 years of the typical household’s pay. It lags on safety as well (C−).

Figures: home values and income: Statistics Canada, Census 2021. Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay is graded subject by subject, but Canadian towns need 2,500 residents for an overall grade.

This town's rent is the 2021 census rent scaled to 2025 by its province's ratio of surveyed to census rents: no rental survey covers it, so its Cost Grade is less sure. Safety less sure: no police service names this town, so its crime figure is the nearest police detachment's, shared with a wider area. Health is graded on the health region's survey figures and life expectancy, with the distance to hospital giving the town its own spread.

WeakestDJobs & income C⁻Safety

What makes Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay stand out

The 3 things Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay does most differently from other towns.

Picked automatically from the data

Residents 65 and over

Who lives here

36% are 65 or over

Where the typical figure for Canadian towns is 19%

Statistics Canada, Census 2021

Immigrants

Who lives here

14% are immigrants

Half of Canadian towns are above 6%, half below

Statistics Canada, Census 2021

Unemployment rate, Census 2021

Work

18% unemployment

Of the labour force, against 10% for the median of Canadian towns

39% of residents 15 and over were in work, May 2021.

How Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay grades

Each subject compares Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay with Canadian towns of 2,500 or more, ordered by how far it is from the middle. Towns in other countries are graded separately.

How grading works

Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay is graded subject by subject, but Canadian towns need 2,500 residents for an overall grade.

Jobs & incomeIncomes and work are among the weakest comparedDOpen →SafetyBelow the middle of the towns comparedC⁻Open →Cost of livingBased on what homes cost against what households earnC⁻Open →SchoolsSchools do better than mostB⁺Open →WalkabilityBased on walking, cycling and transit to everyday placesCOpen →Hazard riskGraded on earthquake risk and radon, with high wildfire risk able to lower itC⁺Open →HealthResidents are healthier than in most townsBOpen →

How TownRatings grades Canadian towns →

The data

Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay.

Work & commuteJobs & income D

Trips to work from Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay are shorter than from British Columbia’s towns or Canadian towns: 24 min on average

The car carried 93% of commuters at the census.

5%walk, cycle or take transit

How working residents got to work · census 2021

Car or van93%

Walk3%

Bicycle2%

Census 2021	Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay	British Columbia	Canada
Average trip	24 min	26 min	26 min
Car or van	93%	87%	89%

$62,400

median household income, 2020

25%

worked from home, May 2021

28%

of commuters work inside the municipality

Full pageElectoral Area K, Central Kootenay’s work & commute pageOpen the full Work & commute page

Unemployment18% unemployed · Of the labour force · Canadian towns: 9.9%Getting to work5% walk, cycle or take transit Where people commute to190 commuters · The biggest flow out: to Nakusp

Statistics Canada, Census 2021 (labour and commuting) · These are May 2021 figures, gathered while COVID-19 kept many people home or out of work.

Climate

Summer runs warm in Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay: July highs of 27.4°C, above British Columbia’s towns and Canadian towns

The most precipitation falls in June: 55 mm in a normal year. Counting rain and snow alike, 447 mm falls in a year, lower than both British Columbia’s towns (1,152 mm) and Canadian towns (883 mm). Midwinter nights in Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay bottom out at −3.8°C on average.

27.4°CJuly afternoons

Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020

Winter1.4°C

Spring14.1°C

Summer25.8°C

Autumn12.2°C

Normals, 1991–2020	Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay	British Columbia	Canada
Precipitation a year	447 mm	1,152 mm	883 mm
July afternoon high	27.4°C	23.1°C	25.5°C
January night low	−3.8°C	0.5°C	−13.5°C
Days with frost a year	117	60	159

117

days with frost a year

days with precipitation a year

Full pageElectoral Area K, Central Kootenay’s climate pageOpen the full Climate page

The yearJuly highs 27.4°C, January lows −3.8°C Rain and snow447 mm a year · Canadian towns: 883 mm Weather station14 km to the station · Nakusp

Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020 (Nakusp)

SafetySafety C⁻

The police who cover Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay record more serious crime than British Columbia’s towns or Canadian towns: a Crime Severity Index of 95

These figures come from the closest detachment: none reports for Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay itself

For violence alone, its police area’s index was 103, higher than both British Columbia’s towns (76) and Canadian towns (86). The force’s area logs 18.1 violent incidents per 1,000 residents a year.

95Crime Severity Index

Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year

2023111

202495

202580

2023–2025	Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay	British Columbia	Canada
Violent crime	18.1	12.5	12
Crime Severity Index	95	83	67
Violent Crime Severity Index	103	76	86

non-violent Crime Severity Index

33%

of incidents cleared, 2023–25

Full pageElectoral Area K, Central Kootenay’s safety reportOpen the full Safety report

Safety95 Crime Severity Index · The index weighs each crime Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay’s police recorded by how serious it is.Questions“Is Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay safe?”

Statistics Canada, Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, 2023–2025 average · Area behind the Crime Severity Index, Violent Crime Severity Index, violent crime and property crime per 1,000 figures: the Nakusp detachment area

HousingCost of living C⁻

Rent takes less of local pay in Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay than in British Columbia’s towns or Canadian towns: 18% of household income

Nine in ten households own their home, higher than both British Columbia’s towns (76%) and Canadian towns (74%). Shelter took 30% or more of income for one in ten households, lower than both British Columbia’s towns (21%) and Canadian towns (18%).

$400,000median home value, 2021C⁻Cost of living Grade

What homes were worth · The median owner’s estimate at the 2021 census

Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay$400,000

British Columbia$720,000

Canadian towns$406,000

Census 2021	Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay	British Columbia	Canada
Households spending 30%+ on shelter	10%	21%	18%
Households owning their home	90%	76%	74%
Rent as a share of income	18%	24%	20%
Median home value, 2021	$400,000	$720,000	$406,000

$665

monthly rent for a two-bedroom

$472

median monthly shelter cost for owners, 2021

Full pageElectoral Area K, Central Kootenay’s cost of living pageOpen the full Cost of living page

Renting$665 a month · The median rent at the 2021 census Cost of living6.5 times household income · The median owner’s estimate, $400,000, against the median household income Owners and renters90% own their home

Statistics Canada, Census 2021; CMHC Rental Market Survey via Statistics Canada · These are 2021 census values, as owners judged them, set against household income in 2020.

SchoolsSchools B⁺

Around Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay, 3 elementary schools and 1 secondary school: 4 schools in all

From the middle of town, the first elementary school is 11 km off, higher than both British Columbia’s towns (0.6 km) and Canadian towns (0.5 km).

4schools within 3 kmB⁺Schools Grade

School	Level	Students	System
Burton ElementaryIn Electoral Area K, Central KootenayElementary	Elementary	–	English public
Nakusp Secondary Middle fifth in British ColumbiaNearest secondary school, 0.4 kmSecondary	Secondary	–	English public

See all 4 schools →

Schools within 3 km	Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay	British Columbia	Canada
Nearest elementary school	11 km	0.6 km	0.5 km
Nearest secondary school	11 km	1.8 km	1.2 km

11 km

to the nearest secondary school

11 km

to the nearest elementary school

Full pageElectoral Area K, Central Kootenay’s schools pageOpen the full Schools page

Every school4 schools within 3 km · 3 elementary schools and 1 secondary school Results0 of 2 in the top two fifths · of the schools with results, placed against every school in British Columbia Language0 of 4 teach in French · 2% of schools in British Columbia Questions“What schools are there in Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay?”

Provincial school lists and results, 2025/26

Who lives here

Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay is older than 99% of Canadian towns: a median age of 59.6

3.1% of residents belong to a visible minority, lower than both British Columbia’s towns (8.6%) and Canadian towns (15%). First Nations, Métis and Inuit people make up 6.2% of residents, above both British Columbia’s towns (5%) and Canadian towns (2.8%).

59.6median age

Electoral Area K, Central KootenayBritish ColumbiaCanada

British ColumbiaCanada

Ages · Share of residents in each age group, Census 2021

36%

Schooling · Highest qualification, residents 15 and over

No certificate, diploma or degree20%

Postsecondary qualification44%

Women and men · all residents

49.0% of Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay’s residents are women

In 2021 there were 875 women to 910 men; Canada as a whole is 50.9% women.

Who lives in Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay
	Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay	British Columbia	Canada
Under 15	9%	14%	16%
15 to 64	55%	64%	64%
65+	36%	21%	19%
No certificate, diploma or degree	20%	13%	16%
Postsecondary qualification	44%	56%	56%

Full pageElectoral Area K, Central Kootenay’s Who lives here pageOpen the full Who lives here page

Ages59.6 median age · 36% are 65 or over Households865 households · 2 people per household Immigrants14% are immigrants · 3% belong to a visible minority English and French4% speak both · 0% speak French but not English

Statistics Canada, Census 2021; British Columbia and Canada: medians of towns of 2,500+

Natural hazardsHazard risk C⁺

Radon is Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay’s main hazard: 29% of tested homes in its area top Health Canada’s guideline

Flood mapping exists: 2 studies, most recently by Regional District of Central Kootenay. NRCan’s model puts the yearly earthquake loss at $0.010 per $1,000 of building value, below British Columbia’s towns ($0.36) and close to Canadian towns ($0.030). Some 5.8% of the land within 25 km of Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay has burned since 1986; at 0.15% a year that is moderate, not high. Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay doesn’t get its own radon tests figures; the ones here come from the Kootenay/Boundary health region.

Moderatewildfire bandC⁺Hazard risk Grade

Radon tests above the guideline · share of tested homes, 200 Bq/m³

Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay29%

British Columbia’s towns1.8%

Canadian towns6.6%

Hazards	Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay	British Columbia	Canada
Radon tests above the guideline	29%	1.8%	6.6%
Earthquake loss per $1,000 of buildings a year	$0.010	$0.36	$0.030

$0.010

expected earthquake loss a year per $1,000 of buildings

Moderate

wildfire band

4.0 km

to the nearest land burned since 1986

flood studies on the national inventory

Full pageElectoral Area K, Central Kootenay’s flood & hazards pageOpen the full Flood & hazards page

Radon29% of tests above the guideline WildfireModerate wildfire band · 5.8% of the land within 25 km burned since 1986 Flood2 flood studies on record Earthquakes$0.010 a year per $1,000 · Canadian towns: $0.030 Be readyAlerts, FireSmart and radon tests

NRCan seismic risk model and burned areas, Health Canada radon survey, the Flood Hazard Map Inventory

HealthHealth B

Expect 79.5 years of life in the region around Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay, 2.0 under the typical Canadian town

On average 14% of adults live with arthritis, diabetes or high blood pressure, lower than both British Columbia’s towns (15%) and Canadian towns (17%). Across the region, 55% of adults say their health is very good or excellent; British Columbia as a whole manages 50%. What sets Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay apart within its region is distance: 24 km to a hospital on average, over 30 km for 45% of residents.

55%very good or excellent healthBHealth Grade

Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised

Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay55%

British Columbia’s towns50%

Canadian towns52%

Health	Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay	British Columbia	Canada
Chronic conditions (average share)	14%	15%	17%
Very good or excellent health	55%	50%	52%
Life expectancy at birth	79.5	81.0	81.5
Smokers	9.9%	9%	12%

79.5

years of life expectancy, 2022/2024

24 km

from homes to a hospital, on average

9.9%

of adults smoke, age-standardised

78 km

from homes to a pharmacy, on average

Full pageElectoral Area K, Central Kootenay’s health pageOpen the full Health page

Health survey55% very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised Getting care24 km to a hospital · A pharmacy 78 km away on average The wider areaLife expectancy: women 82.8, men 76.5 Conditions and habits14% with chronic conditions · adults, age-standardised

Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey 2023/2024 and life expectancy 2022/2024; Open Database of Healthcare Facilities · Health survey and life expectancy: one figure for all of the Kootenay-Boundary Health Service Delivery Area

Outdoors

More of the land around Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay is protected than around 9 in 10 Canadian towns

For a national park, Mount Revelstoke National Park is 35 km away. The 10 km around town hold 20 protected areas. Swimmers have 4 beaches within 5 km, Whatshan Lake Public Beach the nearest.

16%of the land within 10 km protected

Protected land · of the land within 10 km

Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay16%

British Columbia’s towns6.7%

Canadian towns2.3%

Outdoors	Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay	British Columbia	Canada
Protected land within 10 km	16%	6.7%	2.3%
Public protected areas within 10 km	17	14	4

35 km

to Mount Revelstoke National Park

At the edge

to Inonoaklin Park

beaches within 5 km

public protected areas within 10 km

Full pageElectoral Area K, Central Kootenay’s outdoors pageOpen the full Outdoors page

Protected landof the land within 10 km Protected areas20 protected areas within 10 km · Goat Range Park National & provincial parks35 km to a national park · Mount Revelstoke National Park

Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD), OpenStreetMap routes and beaches

Weather

Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay in November: highs near 5°C, lows near freezing

At the extremes, July afternoons reach 27°C and January nights −4°C. A normal December brings highs of 1°C, lows of −4°C. In November, the normal is 49 mm of rain and snow. Also worth knowing: the forecast on the Weather page is ECCC’s for Nakusp.

5°Ca normal November afternoon

Normal highs, the months ahead · ECCC normals, 1991–2020

November5°C

December1°C

January1°C

February3°C

Season	High	Low	Rain and snow
Winter	1°C	−4°C	106 mm
Spring	14°C	2°C	95 mm
Summer	26°C	11°C	122 mm
Autumn	12°C	4°C	124 mm

0°C

a normal November night

49 mm

of rain and snow in a normal November

Full pageElectoral Area K, Central Kootenay’s weather pageOpen the full Weather page

Next 24 hoursTemperature and chance of rain, hour by hour The week aheadECCC’s days ahead, beside the normals The yearWarmest July, coldest January

ECCC normals, 1991–2020 (Nakusp); the forecast is on the Weather page

Town hall

Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay sends Scott Anderson (Conservative Party of Canada) to the Commons from Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee

Across British Columbia, 20 of the 43 MPs sit with the Liberal Party of Canada.

Full pageElectoral Area K, Central Kootenay’s town hall & politics pageOpen the full Town hall & politics page

Who runs itRegional District Electoral Area Provincial legislatureKootenay-Monashee

Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada

Library & civic lifeCivic life grade A

No public library stands in Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay: the closest, Nakusp Public Library, is 10 km away

Full pageElectoral Area K, Central Kootenay’s library & civic life pageOpen the full Library & civic life page

Places to belong0 charities per 1,000 residents

Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada

Nearby attractions

Studio Connection Art Gallery and 3 more in and around Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay

Sights in Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay and close by, ordered by how widely each is known.

All attractions →

Art galleryArt galleryStudio Connection Art Gallery600 m outside town, to the northeast Ski hillSki hillSummit Lake Ski & Snowboard Area2.7 km outside town, to the southeast Heritage railwayHeritage railwayCP Rail Memorial200 m outside town, to the northeast MuseumMuseumNakusp And District Museum600 m outside town, to the northeast

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay

15pages on Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay

The big questions

SafetyC⁻Crime Severity Index 95 Housing & costC⁻Homes 6.5 × income Property pricesSchoolsB⁺4 schools within 3 km HealthBLife expectancy 79.5 in its region Work & commuteD39% of adults in work Natural hazardsC⁺Wildfire band: moderate

Out and about

Outdoors16% of the land within 10 km protected AttractionsClimateJuly afternoons around 27°C WeatherECCC’s forecast, beside the normals

The story

Who lives hereMedian age 59.6 HistoryTown hallFamous people

Famous people from around Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay

No notable person born in Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay is on our list; these were born in the towns around it.

How we find them →

Brad LarsenCanadian ice hockey player and coach · born in Nakusp · born 1977

Graham Richard LeaCanadian politician · born in Nakusp · 1934–2013

Parzival CopesCanadian economist · born in Nakusp · 1924–2017

Sunny BuickFrench-American painter · born in Nakusp · born 1970

Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay’s neighbours

The nearest places of 1,000 or more. Statistics Canada

NakuspElectoral Area K, Central Kootenay

How the neighbours grade

Town	People	km	Overall	Cost	Safety	Health
Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay	1,965	—	—	C⁻	C⁻	B
Nakusp	1,740	11	—	D	C⁻	A

People: Statistics Canada, Census 2021. Distances: centre to centre.

Questions about Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay

What kind of homes are in Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay?

Mostly 89% single-detached houses (the median of Canadian towns: 64%), with 0% of homes in buildings of five or more storeys.

How old are the people of Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay?

Its median age is 59.6, where Canadian towns sit at 45.2. Under-15s are 9% of residents; over-65s, 36%.

Has Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay grown?

It added people: 1,681 in 2016, 1,784 in 2021, 6.1% more, where the middle of Canadian towns grew 4.1%. Statistics Canada’s 2025 estimate is 1,965.

About Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay

Town in British Columbia

For Electoral Area K, Central Kootenay, TownRatings uses Statistics Canada’s census-subdivision boundary in British Columbia, and every figure on its pages covers that whole area.

Statistics Canada: population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155), Census of Population 2021, 2021 census boundaries.

Population: 1,965 (people, 2025 estimate)
Province or territory: British Columbia
Census division: Central Kootenay
Census subdivision: 5903060

Sources: Statistics Canada, Census of Population 2021 · population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155) and 2021 census boundaries · Uniform Crime Reporting Survey 2023–25 (35-10-0026, 35-10-0183 to 35-10-0190) · CMHC rents as published by Statistics Canada (34-10-0133) · grades by TownRatings. Under the Statistics Canada Open Licence.

Adapted from Statistics Canada (Census of Population 2021, population estimates 2025, 2021 census boundaries) under the Statistics Canada Open Licence; this does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada. Neighbourhood names in some cities © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).