CrestonBritish Columbia
It lies in Central Kootenay. In British Columbia, this town has 5,976 residents.
Is Creston a good place to live?
Buying in is costly (D). Safety lags (C−). Its strongest is walkability (A+). The overall grade comes out at C, #169 of 250 in British Columbia. On that grade it does better than just over a quarter of Canadian towns. Elsewhere it is close to typical: B− for schools, C+ for jobs & income and B− for hazard risk.
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. Health is graded on the health region's survey figures and life expectancy, with the distance to hospital giving the town its own spread.
How Creston grades
Each subject compares Creston 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 →
What makes Creston stand out
The 3 things Creston does most differently from other towns.
The data
Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Creston.
Measured against local pay, Creston costs more to live in than 92% of Canadian towns
Rent took 25% of household income, close to British Columbia’s towns (24%) and above Canadian towns (20%). Owners put the median home at $348,000, below both 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 | Creston | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value, 2021 | $348,000 | $720,000 | $406,000 |
| Rent as a share of income | 25% | 24% | 20% |
| Households spending 30%+ on shelter | 18% | 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.
Creston is graded a C− for safety
For violence alone the index was 103, above both British Columbia’s towns (76) and Canadian towns (86). Violence accounts for 21.1 recorded crimes per 1,000 residents a year. Property crime accounts for 42.5 incidents per 1,000 residents a year.
Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year
| 2023–2025 | Creston | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime | 21.1 | 12.5 | 12 |
| Property crime per 1,000 | 42.5 | 31 | 31.2 |
| Violent Crime Severity Index | 103 | 76 | 86 |
Statistics Canada, Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, 2023–2025 average
More adults feel healthy around Creston: 57% say very good or excellent (52% for the typical Canadian town)
The region has more smokers than British Columbia, 13% of adults to 8.9%. Lives in the region last 80.5 years on average (2022/2024): 82.7 for women, 78.1 for men. Arthritis, diabetes and high blood pressure affect 16% of the region’s adults on average, between British Columbia’s towns (15%) and Canadian towns (17%). What sets Creston apart within its region is a short trip to hospital, 0.9 km for the average resident (3.7 km typical). Nobody publishes health survey and life expectancy for Creston alone, so this card uses the figure for the East Kootenay Health Service Delivery Area.
Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised
| Health | Creston | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very good or excellent health | 57% | 50% | 52% |
| Smokers | 13% | 9% | 12% |
| Chronic conditions (average share) | 16% | 15% | 17% |
| Life expectancy at birth | 80.5 | 81.0 | 81.5 |
Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey 2023/2024 and life expectancy 2022/2024; Open Database of Healthcare Facilities
Creston has warmer summers than British Columbia’s towns or Canadian towns: July afternoons reach 28.6°C
Frost comes on 118 days a year, above British Columbia’s towns (60) but below Canadian towns (159). Creston sees January nights of −4.0°C on average. Between the last spring frost, 22 April, and the first in autumn, 18 October, lie 179 days. A normal December brings 47 cm of snow, the most of any month.
Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Normals, 1991–2020 | Creston | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| July afternoon high | 28.6°C | 23.1°C | 25.5°C |
| Precipitation a year | 689 mm | 1,152 mm | 883 mm |
| January night low | −4.0°C | 0.5°C | −13.5°C |
| Days with frost a year | 118 | 60 | 159 |
Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020 (Creston)
Older than 97% of Canadian towns: half of Creston is over 57.6
4.6% of residents belong to a visible minority, below both British Columbia’s towns (8.6%) and Canadian towns (15%). First Nations, Métis and Inuit people make up 7.9% of residents, above both British Columbia’s towns (5%) and Canadian towns (2.8%).
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 53.3% of Creston
Here the census found 2,605 men and 2,975 women; the figure for women across Canada is 50.9%.
| Creston | British Columbia | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 15 | 12% | 14% | 16% |
| 15 to 64 | 50% | 64% | 64% |
| 65+ | 39% | 21% | 19% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 20% | 13% | 16% |
| Postsecondary qualification | 49% | 56% | 56% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021; British Columbia and Canada: medians of towns of 2,500+
Commuters in Creston have a short way to work, 14 min on average, less than in both British Columbia’s towns and Canadian towns
82% of commuters drove, lower than both British Columbia’s towns (87%) and Canadian towns (89%).
How working residents got to work · census 2021
| Census 2021 | Creston | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip | 14 min | 26 min | 26 min |
| Car or van | 82% | 87% | 89% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021 (labour and commuting) · Census day was in May 2021, mid-pandemic, so commuting and work figures carry the lockdowns’ mark.
A normal November in Creston runs from −1°C to 5°C
Precipitation in November averages 84 mm. Snow is normal by November, about 23 cm over the month. Also worth knowing: for today and the week ahead, the Weather page carries ECCC’s Creston forecast.
Normal highs, the months ahead · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Season | High | Low | Rain and snow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | 2°C | −4°C | 205 mm |
| Spring | 14°C | 3°C | 174 mm |
| Summer | 27°C | 13°C | 133 mm |
| Autumn | 13°C | 4°C | 178 mm |
ECCC normals, 1991–2020 (Creston); the forecast is on the Weather page
Columbia—Kootenay—Southern Rockies, which takes in Creston, is held by Rob Morrison (Conservative Party of Canada)
In the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Creston belongs to Kootenay Central; who holds it as MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly, the provincial or territorial legislature) isn’t on an open record, so no one is named.
Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada
Creston Valley Public Library is Creston’s public library
It sits 1.1 km from the centre of Creston.
Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada
Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area begins at the edge of Creston
The protected share within 10 km is 5.5%, where a typical Canadian town has 2.3%. The nearest national park is more than 100 km away. The closest provincial park is Kianuko Park, 25 km from the edge of town.
Protected land · of the land within 10 km
| Outdoors | Creston | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public protected areas within 10 km | 2 | 14 | 4 |
| Protected land within 10 km | 5.5% | 6.7% | 2.3% |
Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD), OpenStreetMap routes and beaches
High radon around Creston: 19% of homes tested in the area exceed 200 Bq/m³
The national inventory holds 2 flood maps for it, the newest from Regional District of Central Kootenay. Earthquakes are expected to cost $0.008 a year for every $1,000 of buildings, lower than British Columbia’s towns ($0.36) and near Canadian towns ($0.030). Some 6.1% of the land within 25 km of Creston has burned since 1986; at 0.15% a year that is moderate, not high. Behind radon tests sits data gathered across the East Kootenay health region, with Creston one part of it.
Radon tests above the guideline · share of tested homes, 200 Bq/m³
| Hazards | Creston | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radon tests above the guideline | 19% | 1.8% | 6.6% |
| Earthquake loss per $1,000 of buildings a year | $0.008 | $0.36 | $0.030 |
NRCan seismic risk model and burned areas, Health Canada radon survey, the Flood Hazard Map Inventory
Creston is graded a B− for schools
Within 3 km of Creston are 3 elementary schools, 1 secondary school, 1 school for every grade and 1 alternative or adult school.
Schools by system · Schools within 3 km
| School | Level | Students | System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adam Robertson Elementary Fourth fifth in British ColumbiaIn CrestonElementary | Elementary | – | English public |
| Kootenay River Secondary Middle fifth in British ColumbiaIn CrestonSecondary | Secondary | – | English public |
Provincial school lists and results, 2025/26
Everything we know about Creston
Creston Museum and 4 more in and around Creston
What there is to see in Creston and within a short drive, starting with the places most people have heard of.
Famous people from Creston
8 notable people were born in Creston.
Photo credits
Pascale Hutton: Pascale_Hutton_wearing_Paul_Hardy_2_-_Heart_and_Stroke_Foundation_-_The_Heart_Truth_celebrity_fashion_show_-_Red_Dress_-_Red_Gown_-_Thursday_February_8,_2012_-_Creative_Commons.jpg : Jason Hargrove de, CC BY 2.0 · John Gordon Perrin: Lega Pallavolo Serie A, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jayli Wolf: Lin Edinburgh, CC BY-SA 4.0
About Creston
Town in British Columbia
Statistics Canada treats Creston 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
- 5,976 (people, 2025 estimate)
- Province or territory
- British Columbia
- Census division
- Central Kootenay
- Census subdivision
- 5903004
Creston’s neighbours
The nearest places of 1,000 or more. Statistics Canada
| Town | People | km | Overall | Cost | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creston | 5,976 | — | C | D | C− | B+ |
| Electoral Area B, Central Kootenay | 5,243 | 2.8 | B | C− | A | B |
| Electoral Area C, Central Kootenay | 1,672 | 2.9 | — | D | A | B |
People: Statistics Canada, Census 2021. Distances: centre to centre.
Questions about Creston
Is Creston a young town or an old one?
57.6 is the median age, 45.2 the median among Canadian towns; 39% of residents are 65 or over and 12% under 15.
What kind of homes are in Creston?
Mostly 74% single-detached houses (the median of Canadian towns: 64%), with 0% of homes in buildings of five or more storeys. Households hold 2 people on average, and 37% have just one.
Has Creston grown?
It added people: 5,361 in 2016, 5,583 in 2021, 4.1% more, where the middle of Canadian towns grew 4.1%. Statistics Canada’s 2025 estimate is 5,976.
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).