Central Okanagan WestBritish Columbia
Population 3,298: a town in British Columbia. It is part of the Kelowna metro area.
Is Central Okanagan West a good place to live?
A town with more to fix than most. Its lowest grade is for cost of living (D−). At D overall, Central Okanagan West ranks #231 of 250 in British Columbia. On that grade it does better than 6% of Canadian towns. Work and incomes lag (D). It also trails on hazard risk (D−). Where it does best is schools (A). Few people walk, cycle or take the bus to work (D).
Rents here are the metro area's average, shared by every town and neighbourhood in it. Safety less sure: no police service names this town, so its crime figure is the nearest police detachment's, shared with a wider area. Crime here is counted against the people who live here, but many visitors or second-home owners add to it, so the rate per resident runs higher than residents' own risk. Health is graded on the health region's survey figures and life expectancy, with the distance to hospital giving the town its own spread. Wildfire lowers this town's Hazard risk Grade: a high share of the land around it has burned in the last 40 years.
What makes Central Okanagan West stand out
The 3 things Central Okanagan West does most differently from other towns.
How Central Okanagan West grades
Each subject compares Central Okanagan West 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 TownRatings grades Canadian towns →
Silver Lake Forestry Centre/Logging Museum and 10 more in and around Central Okanagan West
A first look at Central Okanagan West’s museums, historic sites and days out, and a few just outside town.
CathedralSt. Michael and All Angels Cathedral4.4 km outside town, to the southwestMuseumMuseumOkanagan Heritage Museum3.5 km outside town, to the southwestSki hillSki hillTelemark Cross-Country Ski Trails Recreation Site100 m outside town, to the southwestMuseumMuseumWestbank Museum4.4 km outside town, to the southwestMuseumMuseumPeachland Museum300 m outside town, to the southwestPhotos: each place’s Wikidata image, from Wikimedia Commons under the licence below (our copy, resized).
Photo credits (1)
- St. Michael and All Angels Cathedral: Rob, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
The data
Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Central Okanagan West.
Central Okanagan West is graded a D− for hazard risk
Source area for radon tests: the Okanagan health region
Fire is a regular visitor: nearly a quarter of the land within 25 km of Central Okanagan West has burned since 1986 (0.62% a year). In Health Canada’s survey, 17% of homes tested in the area exceeded 200 Bq/m³ (6.6% typical). NRCan’s model puts the yearly earthquake loss at $0.014 per $1,000 of building value, below British Columbia’s towns ($0.36) and close to Canadian towns ($0.030). One flood study covers the town, by Okanagan Basin Water Board.
Radon tests above the guideline · share of tested homes, 200 Bq/m³
| Hazards | Central Okanagan West | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radon tests above the guideline | 17% | 1.8% | 6.6% |
| Earthquake loss per $1,000 of buildings a year | $0.014 | $0.36 | $0.030 |
NRCan seismic risk model and burned areas, Health Canada radon survey, the Flood Hazard Map Inventory
Renting in Central Okanagan West eats 30% of household income, more than in British Columbia’s towns and across Canadian towns
The rent as a share of income and monthly rent for a two-bedroom numbers here cover the Kelowna metro area
Nearly nine in ten households own their home, above British Columbia’s towns (76%) and Canadian towns (74%) alike. The median home value was $645,000, between British Columbia’s towns ($720,000) and Canadian towns ($406,000).
What homes were worth · The median owner’s estimate at the 2021 census
| Census 2021 | Central Okanagan West | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent as a share of income | 30% | 24% | 20% |
| Households owning their home | 89% | 76% | 74% |
| Median home value, 2021 | $645,000 | $720,000 | $406,000 |
| Households spending 30%+ on shelter | 20% | 21% | 18% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021; CMHC Rental Market Survey via Statistics Canada · Home values are owners’ own estimates at the May 2021 census, and incomes are for 2020.
No high school in or near Central Okanagan West: the closest is 13 km off
On the tests, 1 of 3 schools land above the middle in British Columbia, 1 under it. From the middle of town, the first elementary school is 9.6 km off, higher than both British Columbia’s towns (0.6 km) and Canadian towns (0.5 km).
| School | Level | Students | System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peachland Elementary Second fifth in British ColumbiaNearest elementary school, 0.7 kmElementary | Elementary | – | English public |
| Schools within 3 km | Central Okanagan West | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest secondary school | 13 km | 1.8 km | 1.2 km |
| Nearest elementary school | 9.6 km | 0.6 km | 0.5 km |
Provincial school lists and results, 2025/26
Trips to work from Central Okanagan West take longer than from British Columbia’s towns or Canadian towns: 38 min on average
How working residents got to work · census 2021
| Census 2021 | Central Okanagan West | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip | 38 min | 26 min | 26 min |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021 (labour and commuting) · Census day was in May 2021, mid-pandemic, so commuting and work figures carry the lockdowns’ mark.
Summer runs warm in Central Okanagan West: July highs of 28.4°C, above British Columbia’s towns and Canadian towns
A normal June brings 55 mm of precipitation, more than any other month. Precipitation totals 447 mm a year, below both British Columbia’s towns (1,152 mm) and Canadian towns (883 mm). Expect January lows of around −6.4°C in Central Okanagan West. December is the snowiest month, with 31 cm on average.
Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Normals, 1991–2020 | Central Okanagan West | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| July afternoon high | 28.4°C | 23.1°C | 25.5°C |
| Precipitation a year | 447 mm | 1,152 mm | 883 mm |
| January night low | −6.4°C | 0.5°C | −13.5°C |
| Days with frost a year | 135 | 60 | 159 |
Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020 (Vernon)
Crime runs heavier where Central Okanagan West is policed than in British Columbia’s towns or Canadian towns, at an index of 107
These figures come from the closest detachment: none reports for Central Okanagan West itself
Where it is policed, thefts, break-ins and damage came to 64.3 per 1,000 a year, higher than both British Columbia’s towns (31) and Canadian towns (31.2). Violent crime in the area its police cover: 18.4 per 1,000 people a year. For Crime Severity Index, Violent Crime Severity Index, violent crime and property crime per 1,000, the only official count covers all of the Kelowna detachment area, Central Okanagan West included.
Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year
| 2023–2025 | Central Okanagan West | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property crime per 1,000 | 64.3 | 31 | 31.2 |
| Crime Severity Index | 107 | 83 | 67 |
| Violent crime | 18.4 | 12.5 | 12 |
| Violent Crime Severity Index | 102 | 76 | 86 |
Statistics Canada, Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, 2023–2025 average
Fewer children live in Central Okanagan West than in British Columbia’s towns or Canadian towns: 11% are under 15
Visible minorities make up 2.4% of the population, below British Columbia’s towns (8.6%) and Canadian towns (15%) alike. Retirement age and beyond: 25% of residents are 65 or older.
Ages · Share of residents in each age group, Census 2021
Schooling · Highest qualification, residents 15 and over
Women and men · all residents
Women make up 47.6% of Central Okanagan West
Women numbered 1,380 and men 1,520 in 2021, next to a 50.9% share of women for Canada.
| Central Okanagan West | British Columbia | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 15 | 11% | 14% | 16% |
| 15 to 64 | 64% | 64% | 64% |
| 65+ | 25% | 21% | 19% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 12% | 13% | 16% |
| Postsecondary qualification | 57% | 56% | 56% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021; British Columbia and Canada: medians of towns of 2,500+
What November brings in Central Okanagan West: −2°C at night, 5°C by day
November usually brings some 18 cm of snow. A normal December brings highs of freezing, lows of −6°C. Precipitation in November averages 49 mm. The year peaks in July (28°C) and bottoms out in January (−6°C).
Normal highs, the months ahead · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Season | High | Low | Rain and snow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | 1°C | −6°C | 106 mm |
| Spring | 15°C | 3°C | 95 mm |
| Summer | 27°C | 12°C | 122 mm |
| Autumn | 13°C | 3°C | 124 mm |
ECCC normals, 1991–2020 (Vernon); the forecast is on the Weather page
2 MPs share Central Okanagan West, which straddles Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee and Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna
Residents of Central Okanagan West divide between Scott Anderson (73%) and Dan Albas in the Commons.
Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada
Central Okanagan West has no public library of its own; the nearest is Oyama Branch, 9.2 km away
After it comes ORL: Lake Country Branch (Lake Country), 13 km away.
Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada
A provincial park at Central Okanagan West’s edge: Darke Lake Park
The protected share of the 10 km around the town is 6.7%, close to British Columbia’s towns (6.7%) and above Canadian towns (2.3%). National parks are all over 100 km off. The 10 km around town hold 49 protected areas. Swimmers have 35 beaches within 5 km, Swim Bay Beach the nearest.
Protected land · of the land within 10 km
| Outdoors | Central Okanagan West | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public protected areas within 10 km | 30 | 14 | 4 |
| Protected land within 10 km | 6.7% | 6.7% | 2.3% |
Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD), OpenStreetMap routes and beaches
Around Central Okanagan West, 52% of adults call their health very good or excellent
On average 16% of adults live with arthritis, diabetes or high blood pressure, above British Columbia’s towns (15%) but below Canadian towns (17%). Smoking is commoner than in the province: 12% of adults, against 8.9% for British Columbia. The region’s 2022/2024 life expectancy is 81.0, with women at 84.1 and men at 78.2. The town’s own part is the trip to care, and Central Okanagan West’s is long: 22 km to a hospital on average, against 3.7 km typical. Behind health survey and life expectancy sits data gathered across the Okanagan Health Service Delivery Area, with Central Okanagan West one part of it.
Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised
| Health | Central Okanagan West | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smokers | 12% | 9% | 12% |
| Chronic conditions (average share) | 16% | 15% | 17% |
| Very good or excellent health | 52% | 50% | 52% |
Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey 2023/2024 and life expectancy 2022/2024; Open Database of Healthcare Facilities
Everything we know about Central Okanagan West
Central Okanagan West’s neighbours
The nearest places of 1,000 or more. Statistics Canada
| Town | People | km | Overall | Cost | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Okanagan West | 3,298 | — | D | D− | C− | B− |
| Lake Country | 17,637 | 11 | C+ | D− | B− | B− |
| Duck Lake 7 | 2,091 | 15 | — | — | — | B− |
| Okanagan (Part) 1 | 3,482 | 19 | — | — | — | B |
People: Statistics Canada, Census 2021. Distances: centre to centre.
Questions about Central Okanagan West
Who are the people of Central Okanagan West?
Visible minorities are 2% of the population, where the middle of Canadian towns is 15%. Immigrants make up 13%, and Indigenous people 9%.
Is Central Okanagan West growing?
Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses it went from 1,991 to 2,897 residents (up 45.5%; Canadian towns’ median: 4.1%), and Statistics Canada now estimates 3,298.
What kind of homes are in Central Okanagan West?
Single-detached houses make up 96% of the homes here, where Canadian towns sit at 64%; 0% are in high-rise apartments. 27% of households are one person, and the average is 2.2.
Is Central Okanagan West a young town or an old one?
At 54.8, its median age compares with 45.2 across Canadian towns. Children make up 11% of the population and seniors 25%.
About Central Okanagan West
Town in British Columbia
Statistics Canada treats Central Okanagan West as a single census subdivision in British Columbia, and TownRatings keeps to that line.
Statistics Canada: population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155), Census of Population 2021, 2021 census boundaries.
- Population
- 3,298 (people, 2025 estimate)
- Province or territory
- British Columbia
- Census division
- Central Okanagan
- Metro area
- Kelowna
- Census subdivision
- 5935020
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).