NelsonBritish Columbia

TownGrade

#933 of 2,556

It grew by 5% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses. A town of 12,126 in British Columbia.

2 places within 19 kmMap →

Photo: Quinn Desilets · CC BY-SA 4.0

Population

12,126

people, 2025 estimate

Median age

42.4

years · British Columbia’s towns: 48

Postsecondary

66%

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

Walk, cycle, transit

31%

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

Is Nelson a good place to live?

Some subjects shine; others lag. Schools are where it shines (A). What holds it back is cost of living (D−). All told, that adds up to a B overall and a rank of #36 of 250 in British Columbia. It comes out better than 63% of Canadian towns.

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.

StrongestA⁺Walkability ASchools AHealthWeakestD⁻Cost of living C⁻Safety

How Nelson grades

Each subject compares Nelson 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

WalkabilityAmong the easiest places to get around without a carA⁺Open →Cost of livingIn the bottom fifth of the towns comparedD⁻Open →SchoolsGraded on exam and test resultsAOpen →HealthAmong the healthiest places comparedAOpen →SafetyBelow the middle of the towns comparedC⁻Open →Jobs & incomeBased on what households earn, poverty and workB⁺Open →Hazard riskGraded on two hazards, earthquakes and radon, with nearby wildfire counted only against itC⁺Open →

How TownRatings grades Canadian towns →

What makes Nelson stand out

The 3 things Nelson does most differently from other towns.

Picked automatically from the data

Walk, cycle or transit to work

Getting around

31% walk, cycle or take transit

Against 8% in the median of Canadian towns

Statistics Canada, Census 2021

Immigrants

Who lives here

15% are immigrants

Midway across Canadian towns: 6%

Statistics Canada, Census 2021

Walkability

Better than 98%

of Canadian towns on walkability

Its walkability grade: A+.

The data

Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Nelson.

HousingCost of living D⁻

Measured against local pay, Nelson costs more to live in than 97% of Canadian towns

$580,000median home value, 2021D⁻Cost of living Grade

Shelter took 30% or more of income for nearly a quarter of households, higher than both British Columbia’s towns (21%) and Canadian towns (18%). The owner-occupied share of households is 63%.

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

Nelson$580,000

British Columbia$720,000

Canadian towns$406,000

Census 2021	Nelson	British Columbia	Canada
Households owning their home	63%	76%	74%
Rent as a share of income	25%	24%	20%
Households spending 30%+ on shelter	23%	21%	18%
Median home value, 2021	$580,000	$720,000	$406,000

$1,130

monthly rent for a two-bedroom

$1,160

median monthly shelter cost for owners, 2021

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

Cost of livingThe median owner’s estimate, $580,000, against the median household income Renting$1,130 a month · The median rent at the 2021 census Owners and renters63% 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.

SchoolsSchools A

Mixed results around Nelson: 7 high and 1 low of 13 schools in British Columbia

17schools within 3 kmASchools Grade

Counting a 3 km margin, Nelson has 7 elementary schools, 2 secondary schools, 4 schools for every grade and 4 alternative or adult schools. Schooling in French is on offer at one of the 17; in British Columbia, 2% of schools teach in it.

School	Level	Students	System
Hume Elementary School Second fifth in British ColumbiaIn NelsonElementary	Elementary	–	English public
L V Rogers Secondary Second fifth in British ColumbiaIn NelsonSecondary	Secondary	–	English public
Secondaire de Nelson FrenchTeaches in FrenchSecondary	Secondary	–	French public
St Joseph School IndependentResults in the top fifth in British ColumbiaAll grades	All grades	–	Independent

See all 17 schools →

Schools by system · Schools within 3 km

English public12

Independent4

French public1

Schools within 3 km	Nelson	British Columbia	Canada
School boards	2	2	3

0.5 km

to the nearest secondary school

Full pageNelson’s schools pageOpen the full Schools page

Results7 of 13 in the top two fifths · of the schools with results, placed against every school in British Columbia Every school17 schools within 3 km · 7 elementary schools, 2 secondary schools, 4 schools for every grade and 4 alternative or adult schools Language1 of 17 teach in French · 2% of schools in British Columbia The boards2 school boards · SD 8 Kootenay Lake Questions“What schools are there in Nelson?”

Provincial school lists and results, 2025/26

HealthHealth A

Nelson scores better for health than 86% of Canadian towns

55%very good or excellent healthAHealth Grade

9.9% of adults smoke, daily or now and then, above British Columbia’s towns (9%) but below Canadian towns (12%). The survey puts the region’s share in very good or excellent health at 55%, ahead of the 50% for British Columbia. Statistics Canada puts the region’s life expectancy at 79.5, women 82.8 and men 76.5 (2022/2024). Closer to home, a hospital is just 1.3 km from the average resident of Nelson, nearer than the usual 3.7 km. Behind health survey and life expectancy sits data gathered across the Kootenay-Boundary Health Service Delivery Area, with Nelson one part of it.

Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised

Nelson55%

British Columbia’s towns50%

Canadian towns52%

Health	Nelson	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

1.3 km

from homes to a hospital, on average

9.9%

of adults smoke, age-standardised

1.0 km

from homes to a pharmacy, on average

Full pageNelson’s health pageOpen the full Health page

Health survey55% very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised Getting care1.3 km to a hospital · A pharmacy 1.0 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

SafetySafety C⁻

Nelson earns a C− for safety

100Crime Severity Index

Violent incidents came to 18.7 per 1,000 residents a year, above both British Columbia’s towns (12.5) and Canadian towns (12). Each year brings 61 property incidents per 1,000 residents.

Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year

2023107

2024112

202583

2023–2025	Nelson	British Columbia	Canada
Property crime per 1,000	61	31	31.2
Violent crime	18.7	12.5	12
Violent Crime Severity Index	98	76	86

102

non-violent Crime Severity Index

28%

of incidents cleared, 2023–25

Full pageNelson’s safety reportOpen the full Safety report

Safety100 Crime Severity Index · The index weighs each crime Nelson’s police recorded by how serious it is.Questions“Is Nelson safe?”

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

Work & commuteJobs & income B⁺

Trips to work from Nelson are shorter than from British Columbia’s towns or Canadian towns: 18 min on average

31%walk, cycle or take transit

How working residents got to work · census 2021

Car or van65%

Walk24%

Bicycle6%

Public transit2%

Census 2021	Nelson	British Columbia	Canada
Average trip	18 min	26 min	26 min

$72,500

median household income, 2020

22%

worked from home, May 2021

83%

of commuters work inside the municipality

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

Unemployment9.5% unemployed · Of the labour force · Canadian towns: 9.9%Getting to work31% walk, cycle or take transit Where people commute to125 commuters · The biggest flow out: to Central Kootenay E

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

Climate

Summer runs warm in Nelson: July highs of 28.5°C, above British Columbia’s towns and Canadian towns

28.5°CJuly afternoons

A normal December brings 47 cm of snow, the most of any month. Winter lows average −2.9°C in January, lower than British Columbia’s towns (0.5°C) yet higher than Canadian towns (−13.5°C). The most precipitation falls in December: 98 mm in a normal year.

Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020

Winter2.2°C

Spring14.5°C

Summer26.5°C

Autumn13.5°C

Normals, 1991–2020	Nelson	British Columbia	Canada
July afternoon high	28.5°C	23.1°C	25.5°C
January night low	−2.9°C	0.5°C	−13.5°C
Days with frost a year	100	60	159
Precipitation a year	759 mm	1,152 mm	883 mm

151 cm

of snow a year

100

days with frost a year

122

days with precipitation a year

Full pageNelson’s climate pageOpen the full Climate page

The yearJuly highs 28.5°C, January lows −2.9°C Rain and snow759 mm a year · Canadian towns: 883 mm Snow151 cm of snow a year Weather station1.7 km to the station · Nelson

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

Natural hazardsHazard risk C⁺

Around Nelson, 29% of tested homes have radon above the guideline

Moderatewildfire bandC⁺Hazard risk Grade

The radon tests numbers here cover the Kootenay/Boundary health region

The burn rate around Nelson is 0.21% a year (8.3% of the land within 25 km since 1986), a moderate band. Averaged over the years, quake damage costs $0.007 per $1,000 of buildings, below British Columbia’s towns ($0.36) and close to Canadian towns ($0.030). The national flood inventory has no study of the town.

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

Nelson29%

British Columbia’s towns1.8%

Canadian towns6.6%

Hazards	Nelson	British Columbia	Canada
Radon tests above the guideline	29%	1.8%	6.6%
Earthquake loss per $1,000 of buildings a year	$0.007	$0.36	$0.030

$0.007

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

Moderate

wildfire band

2.4 km

to the nearest land burned since 1986

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

Radon29% of tests above the guideline WildfireModerate wildfire band · 8.3% of the land within 25 km burned since 1986 FloodNo flood study on record Earthquakes$0.007 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

Weather

What November brings in Nelson: freezing at night, 6°C by day

6°Ca normal November afternoon

The year peaks in July (29°C) and bottoms out in December (−3°C). Next comes December, with normal highs of 1°C and lows of −3°C. A normal November brings 86 mm of rain and snow. Snowfall in a normal November: 23 cm.

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

November6°C

December1°C

January1°C

February4°C

Season	High	Low	Rain and snow
Winter	2°C	−3°C	253 mm
Spring	15°C	3°C	186 mm
Summer	27°C	12°C	140 mm
Autumn	14°C	4°C	180 mm

0°C

a normal November night

86 mm

of rain and snow in a normal November

Full pageNelson’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 December

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

Town hall

Rob Morrison (Conservative Party of Canada) represents Nelson in Ottawa as MP for Columbia—Kootenay—Southern Rockies

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

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

Who runs itCity Provincial legislatureKootenay Central

Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada

Library & civic lifeCivic life grade A

Nelson Public Library is Nelson’s public library

Nelson Public Library serves 22,110 people from a single building.

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

A year at the library6.1 visits per person served The libraries1 Libraries Places to belong5.1 charities per 1,000 residents

Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada

Who lives here

4,950 households and a median age of 42.4: who lives in Nelson

42.4median age

Children are 14% of the town. 5.5% of residents have an Indigenous identity, above both British Columbia’s towns (5%) and Canadian towns (2.8%). The 65-and-over age group makes up just over a fifth of residents.

NelsonBritish ColumbiaCanada

British ColumbiaCanada

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

21%

Schooling · Highest qualification, residents 15 and over

No certificate, diploma or degree10%

Postsecondary qualification66%

Women and men · all residents

51.9% of Nelson’s residents are women

Here the census found 5,760 women and 5,345 men; across Canada the share of women is 50.9%.

Who lives in Nelson
	Nelson	British Columbia	Canada
Under 15	14%	14%	16%
15 to 64	66%	64%	64%
65+	21%	21%	19%
No certificate, diploma or degree	9.9%	13%	16%
Postsecondary qualification	66%	56%	56%

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

Ages42.4 median age · 21% are 65 or over Households4,950 households · 2.2 people per household Immigrants15% are immigrants · 9% belong to a visible minority English and French13% speak both · 0% speak French but not English

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

Outdoors

Protected land around Nelson beats 9 in 10 Canadian towns

14%of the land within 10 km protected

Within 100 km there is no national park. Swimmers have 8 beaches within 5 km, Lakeside Beach the nearest. For walks, 2 named routes run within 2 km, such as the Slocan Valley Rail Trail and Great Northern Trail.

Protected land · of the land within 10 km

Nelson14%

British Columbia’s towns6.7%

Canadian towns2.3%

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

At the edge

to West Arm Park

beaches within 5 km

public protected areas within 10 km

Full pageNelson’s outdoors pageOpen the full Outdoors page

Protected landof the land within 10 km Protected areas10 protected areas within 10 km · West Arm Park National & provincial parksAt the edge to a provincial park · West Arm Park Footpaths & routes2 named routes · Slocan Valley Rail Trail

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

History

Before 1961: 46% of the homes in Nelson

1historic place

Inside the town the registers count 1 historic place.

Historic places by designation · inside the town

Highest designations0

Other federal designations1

Provincial and local listings0

Among them

Canadian Pacific Railway Station, Nelson, British Columbia 1900

1900

oldest construction date on the record

46%

of homes built before 1961 · Canadian towns 18%

Heritage	Nelson	British Columbia	Canada
Homes built before 1961	46%	11%	18%

Full pageNelson’s history pageOpen the full History page

Older homes46% built before 1961 · Canadian towns: 18%On the registersOne historic place inside the town Questions“How many historic places does Nelson 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 Nelson

15pages on Nelson

The big questions

SafetyC⁻Crime Severity Index 100 Housing & costD⁻Homes 8 × income Property pricesSchoolsA17 schools within 3 km HealthALife expectancy 79.5 in its region Work & commuteB⁺61% of adults in work Natural hazardsC⁺Wildfire band: moderate

Out and about

Outdoors14% of the land within 10 km protected AttractionsClimateJuly afternoons around 29°C WeatherECCC’s forecast, beside the normals

The story

Who lives hereMedian age 42.4 HistoryOne place on the heritage registers Town hallFamous people

Nearby attractions

Mary Immaculate Cathedral, Nelson and 3 more in and around Nelson

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

All attractions →

CathedralCathedralMary Immaculate Cathedral, Nelsonin town PierPierNelson Pierin town MuseumMuseumNelson Museum Archives & Galleryin town MuseumMuseumTouchstones Nelson Museum of Art and Historyin town

Famous people from Nelson

35 notable people were born in Nelson.

See all 35 →

Thomas MiddleditchCanadian actor · born 1982

Sarah AllenCanadian actress · born 1980

John GreysonCanadian filmmaker · born 1960

Geoff KinradeCanadian ice hockey player · born 1985

Justin KellerCanadian ice hockey player · born 1986

Greg AdamsCanadian ice hockey player · born 1963

Photo credits

Thomas Middleditch: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Sarah Allen: Canadian Film Centre, CC BY 2.0 · John Greyson: TheDuty Myth, CC BY 3.0 · Geoff Kinrade: Fabien Perissinotto, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Justin Keller: Alex Micheu Photography from VILLACH, Austria, CC BY-SA 2.0

About Nelson

Town in British Columbia

For Nelson, 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: 12,126 (people, 2025 estimate)
Province or territory: British Columbia
Census division: Central Kootenay
Census subdivision: 5903015

Nelson’s neighbours

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

Electoral Area E, Central KootenayElectoral Area F, Central KootenayNelson

How the neighbours grade

Town	People	km	Overall	Cost	Safety	Health
Nelson	12,126	—	B	D⁻	C⁻	A
Electoral Area E, Central Kootenay	4,309	3.2	B⁺	D	A	B⁺
Electoral Area F, Central Kootenay	4,209	4.8	A⁻	D	A	A⁻

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

Questions about Nelson

What kind of homes are in Nelson?

51% 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 2.2 people; 35% are one person living alone.

Has Nelson grown?

Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses it went from 10,572 to 11,106 residents (up 5.1%; Canadian towns’ median: 4.1%), and Statistics Canada now estimates 12,126.

Is Nelson a young town or an old one?

At 42.4, its median age compares with 45.2 across Canadian towns.

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).