NakuspBritish Columbia

1,740 people call this town in British Columbia home. Its census division is Central Kootenay.

1 place within 19 kmMap →

Photo: Kevstan · CC BY-SA 3.0

Population

1,740

people, 2025 estimate

Median age

53.2

years · British Columbia’s towns: 48

Postsecondary

50%

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

Walk, cycle, transit

19%

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

Is Nakusp a good place to live?

Nakusp does especially well on health (A). Housing is expensive (D). Safety is weaker too (C−). Hazard risk is weaker too (C+).

Nakusp 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 is the police detachment's figure, shared with the towns and countryside around it. Health is graded on the health region's survey figures and life expectancy, with the distance to hospital giving the town its own spread.

StrongestAWalkability AHealthWeakestDCost of living C⁻Safety

How Nakusp grades

Each subject compares Nakusp 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

Nakusp is graded subject by subject, but Canadian towns need 2,500 residents for an overall grade.

WalkabilityGraded on how easily people get around without a carAOpen →Cost of livingHomes are among the least affordable for local incomesDOpen →HealthNear the top of the towns comparedAOpen →SafetyGraded on crime per residentC⁻Open →SchoolsSchools do better than mostB⁺Open →Hazard riskBelow the middle of the towns comparedC⁺Open →Jobs & incomeGraded on incomes, poverty and employmentC⁺Open →

How TownRatings grades Canadian towns →

What makes Nakusp stand out

The 3 things Nakusp does most differently from other towns.

Picked automatically from the data

Residents 65 and over

Who lives here

32% are 65 or over

Half of Canadian towns are above 19%, half below

Statistics Canada, Census 2021

Walk, cycle or transit to work

Getting around

19% walk, cycle or take transit

The midpoint across Canadian towns is 8%

Statistics Canada, Census 2021

Walkability

Better than 93%

of Canadian towns on walkability

Its walkability grade: A.

The data

Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Nakusp.

HousingCost of living D

Measured against local pay, Nakusp costs more to live in than 88% of Canadian towns

$348,000median home value, 2021DCost of living Grade

Rent took 23% of household income, lower than British Columbia’s towns (24%) yet higher than Canadian towns (20%). Households that own their home make up 77%.

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

Nakusp$348,000

British Columbia$720,000

Canadian towns$406,000

Census 2021	Nakusp	British Columbia	Canada
Median home value, 2021	$348,000	$720,000	$406,000
Rent as a share of income	23%	24%	20%
Households spending 30%+ on shelter	18%	21%	18%

$950

monthly rent for a two-bedroom

$700

median monthly shelter cost for owners, 2021

Full pageNakusp’s cost of living pageOpen the full Cost of living page

Cost of living5.2 times household income · The median owner’s estimate, $348,000, against the median household income Renting$950 a month · The median rent at the 2021 census Owners and renters77% own their home

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.

HealthHealth A

Nakusp scores better for health than 88% of Canadian towns

55%very good or excellent healthAHealth Grade

Lives in the region last 79.5 years on average (2022/2024): 82.8 for women, 76.5 for men. Adults who call their own health very good or excellent: 55%, above both British Columbia’s towns (50%) and Canadian towns (52%). Measured from where Nakusp’s residents live, the nearest hospital is 0.8 km away, under the typical 3.7 km. Nakusp doesn’t get its own health survey and life expectancy figures; the ones here come from the Kootenay-Boundary Health Service Delivery Area.

Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised

Nakusp55%

British Columbia’s towns50%

Canadian towns52%

Health	Nakusp	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

0.8 km

from homes to a hospital, on average

9.9%

of adults smoke, age-standardised

89 km

from homes to a pharmacy, on average

Full pageNakusp’s health pageOpen the full Health page

Health survey55% very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised Getting care0.8 km to a hospital · A pharmacy 89 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

Climate

Summer runs warm in Nakusp: July highs of 27.4°C, above British Columbia’s towns and Canadian towns

27.4°CJuly afternoons

Midwinter nights in Nakusp bottom out at −3.8°C on average. 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). A normal June brings 55 mm of precipitation, more than any other month.

Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020

Winter1.4°C

Spring14.1°C

Summer25.8°C

Autumn12.2°C

Normals, 1991–2020	Nakusp	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 pageNakusp’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 station3.4 km to the station · Nakusp

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

SafetySafety C⁻

Crime runs heavier where Nakusp is policed than in British Columbia’s towns or Canadian towns, at an index of 95

95Crime Severity Index

Area-wide: Crime Severity Index, Violent Crime Severity Index, violent crime and property crime per 1,000, counted over the Nakusp detachment area

The violent index for its police area came to 103, higher than both British Columbia’s towns (76) and Canadian towns (86). Where it is policed, 18.1 violent incidents per 1,000 residents are recorded each year.

Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year

2023111

202495

202580

2023–2025	Nakusp	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 pageNakusp’s safety reportOpen the full Safety report

Safety95 Crime Severity Index · The index weighs each crime Nakusp’s police recorded by how serious it is.Questions“Is Nakusp safe?”

Statistics Canada, Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, 2023–2025 average

SchoolsSchools B⁺

2 schools serve Nakusp, 1 elementary school and 1 secondary school

2schools within 3 kmB⁺Schools Grade

School	Level	Students	System
Nakusp Elementary Middle fifth in British ColumbiaIn NakuspElementary	Elementary	–	English public
Nakusp Secondary Middle fifth in British ColumbiaIn NakuspSecondary	Secondary	–	English public

0.5 km

to the nearest secondary school

Full pageNakusp’s schools pageOpen the full Schools page

Every school2 schools within 3 km · 1 elementary school 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 2 teach in French · 2% of schools in British Columbia Questions“What schools are there in Nakusp?”

Provincial school lists and results, 2025/26

Natural hazardsHazard risk C⁺

Radon is Nakusp’s main hazard: 29% of tested homes in its area top Health Canada’s guideline

Moderatewildfire bandC⁺Hazard risk Grade

Measured across the Kootenay/Boundary health region: radon tests

Seismic risk runs low: $0.010 of expected damage per $1,000 of buildings a year, the typical town $0.030. Flood mapping exists: a study by Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. Wildfire is a moderate presence around Nakusp: 3.6% of the land within 25 km has burned since 1986, 0.09% a year, short of the band that counts against Risk.

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

Nakusp29%

British Columbia’s towns1.8%

Canadian towns6.6%

Hazards	Nakusp	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

5.3 km

to the nearest land burned since 1986

flood study on the national inventory

Full pageNakusp’s flood & hazards pageOpen the full Flood & hazards page

Radon29% of tests above the guideline WildfireModerate wildfire band · 3.6% of the land within 25 km burned since 1986 FloodOne flood study 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

Who lives here

More of Nakusp’s residents have an Indigenous identity than in British Columbia’s towns or Canadian towns: 8.4%

53.2median age

Visible minorities make up 1.6% of the population, below both British Columbia’s towns (8.6%) and Canadian towns (15%). 9.1% of residents came to Canada as immigrants, below British Columbia’s towns (12%) but above Canadian towns (6.4%).

NakuspBritish ColumbiaCanada

British ColumbiaCanada

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

32%

Schooling · Highest qualification, residents 15 and over

No certificate, diploma or degree15%

Postsecondary qualification50%

Women and men · all residents

52.5% of Nakusp’s residents are women

Women numbered 835 and men 755 in 2021, next to a 50.9% share of women for Canada.

Who lives in Nakusp
	Nakusp	British Columbia	Canada
Under 15	12%	14%	16%
15 to 64	56%	64%	64%
65+	32%	21%	19%
No certificate, diploma or degree	15%	13%	16%
Postsecondary qualification	50%	56%	56%

Full pageNakusp’s Who lives here pageOpen the full Who lives here page

Immigrants9% are immigrants · 2% belong to a visible minority Ages53.2 median age · 32% are 65 or over Households760 households · 2 people per household English and French5% speak both · 0% speak French but not English

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

Work & commuteJobs & income C⁺

Commuters in Nakusp have a short way to work, 21 min on average, less than in both British Columbia’s towns and Canadian towns

19%walk, cycle or take transit

How working residents got to work · census 2021

Car or van79%

Walk15%

Bicycle4%

Census 2021	Nakusp	British Columbia	Canada
Average trip	21 min	26 min	26 min

$64,500

median household income, 2020

worked from home, May 2021

91%

of commuters work inside the municipality

Full pageNakusp’s work & commute pageOpen the full Work & commute page

Unemployment15% unemployed · Of the labour force · Canadian towns: 9.9%Getting to work19% walk, cycle or take transit Where people commute to10 commuters · The biggest flow out: to New Denver

Statistics Canada, Census 2021 (labour and commuting) · Census day was in May 2021, mid-pandemic, so commuting and work figures carry the lockdowns’ mark.

Weather

A normal November in Nakusp runs from freezing to 5°C

5°Ca normal November afternoon

Next comes December, with normal highs of 1°C and lows of −4°C. Rain and snow over a typical November come to 49 mm. At the extremes, July afternoons reach 27°C and January nights −4°C. The forecast on the Weather page is ECCC’s for Nakusp.

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 pageNakusp’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

Scott Anderson (Conservative Party of Canada) holds Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee, the riding that includes Nakusp

The Liberal Party of Canada has 20 of the 43 MPs elected in British Columbia.

Full pageNakusp’s town hall & politics pageOpen the full Town hall & politics page

Who runs itVillage Provincial legislatureKootenay Central

Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada

Library & civic lifeCivic life grade A

3 public library branches serve Nakusp

The figures are those of kaslo & district public library, which serves 2,634 people in and around Nakusp.

Full pageNakusp’s library & civic life pageOpen the full Library & civic life page

A year at the library5 visits per person served Places to belong10.9 charities per 1,000 residents

Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada

Outdoors

Protected land around Nakusp beats nearly 9 in 10 Canadian towns

11%of the land within 10 km protected

Biggest among them: Hamling Lakes Wildlife Management Area, 30,572 ha, 2.7 km off. 7.7 km from town is Mcdonald Creek Park, the nearest provincial park. The closest of Canada’s national parks is Mount Revelstoke National Park, at 84 km. Nakusp_Municipal_Beach is the one beach within 5 km.

Protected land · of the land within 10 km

Nakusp11%

British Columbia’s towns6.7%

Canadian towns2.3%

Outdoors	Nakusp	British Columbia	Canada
Protected land within 10 km	11%	6.7%	2.3%
Public protected areas within 10 km	5	14	4

84 km

to Mount Revelstoke National Park

7.7 km

to Mcdonald Creek Park

beach within 5 km

public protected areas within 10 km

Full pageNakusp’s outdoors pageOpen the full Outdoors page

Protected landof the land within 10 km Protected areas5 protected areas within 10 km · Hamling Lakes Wildlife Management Area National & provincial parks84 km to a national park · Mount Revelstoke National Park

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

History

Nakusp keeps its older homes: 34% from before 1961

34%built before 1961

34%

of homes built before 1961 · Canadian towns 18%

Heritage	Nakusp	British Columbia	Canada
Homes built before 1961	34%	11%	18%

Full pageNakusp’s history pageOpen the full History page

Older homes34% built before 1961 · Canadian towns: 18%Questions“How many historic places does Nakusp have?”

Canadian Register of Historic Places, Directory of Federal Heritage Designations, Québec’s Répertoire du patrimoine culturel, Wikidata; Census 2021 homes by period

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Nakusp

15pages on Nakusp

The big questions

SafetyC⁻Crime Severity Index 95 Housing & costDHomes 5.2 × income Property pricesSchoolsB⁺2 schools within 3 km HealthALife expectancy 79.5 in its region Work & commuteC⁺49% of adults in work Natural hazardsC⁺Wildfire band: moderate

Out and about

Outdoors11% of the land within 10 km protected AttractionsClimateJuly afternoons around 27°C WeatherECCC’s forecast, beside the normals

The story

Who lives hereMedian age 53.2 HistoryTown hallFamous people

Nearby attractions

Studio Connection Art Gallery and 2 more in and around Nakusp

Museums, historic sites, parks, gardens and days out in and near Nakusp, the best known first.

All attractions →

Art galleryArt galleryStudio Connection Art Galleryin town Heritage railwayHeritage railwayCP Rail Memorialin town MuseumMuseumNakusp And District Museumin town

Famous people from Nakusp

4 notable people were born in Nakusp.

See all 4 →

Brad LarsenCanadian ice hockey player and coach · born 1977

Graham Richard LeaCanadian politician · 1934–2013

Parzival CopesCanadian economist · 1924–2017

Sunny BuickFrench-American painter · born 1970

About Nakusp

Town in British Columbia

Statistics Canada treats Nakusp 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: 1,740 (people, 2025 estimate)
Province or territory: British Columbia
Census division: Central Kootenay
Census subdivision: 5903050

Nakusp’s neighbours

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

Electoral Area K, Central KootenayNakusp

How the neighbours grade

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

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

Questions about Nakusp

Who are the people of Nakusp?

At the 2021 census, 9% were immigrants and 2% belonged to a visible minority (Canadian towns’ median: 15%). 8% identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit.

How old are the people of Nakusp?

The median resident is 53.2 years old, against 45.2 for the median of Canadian towns. 12% are under 15 and 32% are 65 or over.

What kind of homes are in Nakusp?

81% of homes are single-detached houses, against 64% for the median of Canadian towns, and 0% are in apartment buildings of five storeys or more. A household averages 2 people; 37% are one person living alone.

Is Nakusp growing?

It lost people: 1,605 in 2016, 1,589 in 2021, 1% fewer, while the middle of Canadian towns grew 4.1%. Statistics Canada’s 2025 estimate is 1,740.

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).