Saltspring IslandBritish Columbia
It grew by 10% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses. 12,429 people live in this town in British Columbia.
Is Saltspring Island a good place to live?
Saltspring Island ranks #6 of 250 in British Columbia, with an A overall. On that grade it does better than 87% of Canadian towns. Health is a strength (A+). Jobs & income is a strength too (A+). Buying in is costly (D).
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.
How Saltspring Island grades
Each subject compares Saltspring Island 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 Saltspring Island stand out
The 3 things Saltspring Island does most differently from other towns.
The data
Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Saltspring Island.
Commuters in Saltspring Island have a short way to work, 16 min on average, less than in British Columbia’s towns and Canadian towns
By car: that was how 84% of commuters travelled at the census.
How working residents got to work · census 2021
| Census 2021 | Saltspring Island | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip | 16 min | 26 min | 26 min |
| Car or van | 84% | 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.
Saltspring Island scores better for health than 96% of Canadian towns
Across the region, life runs to 82.7 years on average: women 84.9, men 80.5, in 2022/2024. Smoking is rarer than in the province: 6% of adults, against 8.9% for British Columbia, and on top of that on average 14% of adults live with arthritis, diabetes or high blood pressure, below British Columbia’s towns (15%) and Canadian towns (17%) alike. Adults here are more upbeat about their health than the province: 55% very good or excellent, against 50% in British Columbia.
Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised
| Health | Saltspring Island | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smokers | 6% | 9% | 12% |
| Chronic conditions (average share) | 14% | 15% | 17% |
| Very good or excellent health | 55% | 50% | 52% |
| Life expectancy at birth | 82.7 | 81.0 | 81.5 |
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 South Vancouver Island Health Service Delivery Area
Measured against local pay, Saltspring Island costs more to live in than 95% of Canadian towns
81% of households own their home, above British Columbia’s towns (76%) and Canadian towns (74%) alike. Shelter took 30% or more of income for 25% of households, above British Columbia’s towns (21%) and Canadian towns (18%) alike.
What homes were worth · The median owner’s estimate at the 2021 census
| Census 2021 | Saltspring Island | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households spending 30%+ on shelter | 25% | 21% | 18% |
| Households owning their home | 81% | 76% | 74% |
| Rent as a share of income | 22% | 24% | 20% |
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.
The police who cover Saltspring Island record less serious crime than British Columbia’s towns or Canadian towns: a Crime Severity Index of 39
Where it is policed, thefts, break-ins and damage came to 13.4 per 1,000 a year, lower than both British Columbia’s towns (31) and Canadian towns (31.2). Its police area records 10.4 violent incidents per 1,000 residents a year. Figures for Crime Severity Index, Violent Crime Severity Index, violent crime and property crime per 1,000 are published for the Saltspring Island detachment area as a whole, not for Saltspring Island alone.
Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year
| 2023–2025 | Saltspring Island | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property crime per 1,000 | 13.4 | 31 | 31.2 |
| Crime Severity Index | 39 | 83 | 67 |
| Violent Crime Severity Index | 40 | 76 | 86 |
| Violent crime | 10.4 | 12.5 | 12 |
Statistics Canada, Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, 2023–2025 average
Winters are mild in Saltspring Island: January nights hold at 1.6°C, above British Columbia’s towns and Canadian towns
The frost-free season runs from 4 April to 4 November, 213 days. Frost comes on 45 days a year, lower than both British Columbia’s towns (60) and Canadian towns (159). Saltspring Island sees July afternoons of 22.7°C on average. Most of the snow comes in December, about 12 cm.
Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Normals, 1991–2020 | Saltspring Island | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days with frost a year | 45 | 60 | 159 |
| January night low | 1.6°C | 0.5°C | −13.5°C |
| July afternoon high | 22.7°C | 23.1°C | 25.5°C |
| Snowfall a year | 39 cm | 51 cm | 141 cm |
Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020 (Victoria (Airport))
Saltspring Island is graded a B+ for schools
Its 3 km reach takes in 2 elementary schools, 1 secondary school and 2 alternative or adult schools, all of Saltspring Island’s schooling.
| School | Level | Students | System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fernwood Elementary Middle fifth in British ColumbiaIn Saltspring IslandElementary | Elementary | – | English public |
| Gulf Islands Secondary Middle fifth in British ColumbiaIn Saltspring IslandSecondary | Secondary | – | English public |
Provincial school lists and results, 2025/26
Older than 96% of Canadian towns: half of Saltspring Island is over 56.4
Visible minorities make up 5.9% of the population, below both British Columbia’s towns (8.6%) and Canadian towns (15%). 3.7% of residents have an Indigenous identity, between 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
52.0% of Saltspring Island’s residents are women
Women numbered 6,055 and men 5,580 in 2021, next to a 50.9% share of women for Canada.
| Saltspring Island | British Columbia | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 15 | 12% | 14% | 16% |
| 15 to 64 | 54% | 64% | 64% |
| 65+ | 35% | 21% | 19% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 7.7% | 13% | 16% |
| Postsecondary qualification | 66% | 56% | 56% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021; British Columbia and Canada: medians of towns of 2,500+
Saltspring Island in November: highs near 10°C, lows near 3°C
Next comes December, with normal highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Expect about 146 mm of rain and snow over November. The year peaks in July (23°C) and bottoms out in February (1°C). The forecast on the Weather page is ECCC’s for Duncan.
Normal highs, the months ahead · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Season | High | Low | Rain and snow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | 8°C | 2°C | 386 mm |
| Spring | 14°C | 5°C | 165 mm |
| Summer | 22°C | 11°C | 73 mm |
| Autumn | 15°C | 6°C | 278 mm |
ECCC normals, 1991–2020 (Victoria (Airport)); the forecast is on the Weather page
Elizabeth May (Green Party of Canada) holds Saanich—Gulf Islands, the riding that includes Saltspring Island
Across British Columbia, 20 of the 43 MPs sit with the Liberal Party of Canada.
Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada
Saltspring Island’s public library is Salt Spring Island Public Library
It stands 1 km from the centre of Saltspring Island.
Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve reaches Saltspring Island
The 10 km around town hold 109 protected areas. The protected share within 10 km is 6.7%, where a typical Canadian town has 2.3%. Protected areas take in 17% of the town itself. 3 mapped walking routes pass within 2 km, among them the Armand Trail and Blue Trail.
Protected land · of the land within 10 km
| Outdoors | Saltspring Island | 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
Earthquake risk in Saltspring Island runs 14 times the typical Canadian town’s: $0.42 per $1,000 a year
Burn scars are few around Saltspring Island, with 0.1% of the land within 25 km touched by fire since 1986 (0.002% a year). Fewer homes than usual carry radon here, 1.8% over the guideline where the typical town has 6.6%. Flood mapping exists: a study by Capital Regional District.
Radon tests above the guideline · share of tested homes, 200 Bq/m³
| Hazards | Saltspring Island | British Columbia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earthquake loss per $1,000 of buildings a year | $0.42 | $0.36 | $0.030 |
| Radon tests above the guideline | 1.8% | 1.8% | 6.6% |
NRCan seismic risk model and burned areas, Health Canada radon survey, the Flood Hazard Map Inventory · Radon tests: the South Vancouver Island health region
Everything we know about Saltspring Island
Salt Spring Island Museum and 9 more in and around Saltspring Island
Sights in Saltspring Island and close by, ordered by how widely each is known.
National park · Parks CanadaGulf Islands National Park Reserve3.2 km outside town, to the southArt galleryArt gallerySteffich Fine Artin townArt galleryArt galleryThe Glass Foundryin townHistoric siteHistoric siteFulford Harbour Petroglyphin townMuseumMuseumHand of Man Museum3.4 km outside town, to the westPhotos: each place’s Wikidata image, from Wikimedia Commons under the licence below (our copy, resized).
Photo credits (1)
- Gulf Islands National Park Reserve: Paul Gierszewski, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Famous people from around Saltspring Island
2 notable people were born in Saltspring Island; with them, the best known born in the towns around it.
Photo credits
Kyler Jukes: Natandky, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Mac DeMarco: Paul Carless from St Albans, UK, CC BY 2.0 · Matt Ellison: This photo is a work by Artem Korzhimanov . You can find more of my works in my gallery and in the category Photos by Artem Korzhimanov . Even more of my works can be found in my galleries at Pic, CC BY 3.0 · Russ Courtnall: Horge, CC BY 3.0
About Saltspring Island
Town in British Columbia
Statistics Canada treats Saltspring Island 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
- 12,429 (people, 2025 estimate)
- Province or territory
- British Columbia
- Census division
- Capital
- Census subdivision
- 5917027
Saltspring Island’s neighbours
The nearest places of 1,000 or more. Statistics Canada
| Town | People | km | Overall | Cost | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saltspring Island | 12,429 | — | A | D | A | A+ |
| North Cowichan | 34,525 | 14 | D | D− | C− | B− |
| Cowichan Bay | 3,713 | 16 | D | D | D | B− |
| Cowichan | 2,509 | 17 | — | — | — | B− |
| Duncan | 5,745 | 17 | D− | D− | D− | B |
| Southern Gulf Islands | 6,691 | 17 | A− | D | A | A |
| Electoral Area E, Cowichan Valley | 4,482 | 18 | D | D | D | B− |
People: Statistics Canada, Census 2021. Distances: centre to centre.
Questions about Saltspring Island
Is Saltspring Island growing?
Yes: the census counted 10,557 in 2016 and 11,635 in 2021, a rise of 10.2%, against 4.1% for the median of Canadian towns. The 2025 estimate is 12,429.
Is Saltspring Island a young town or an old one?
The median resident is 56.4 years old, against 45.2 for the median of Canadian towns. 12% are under 15 and 35% are 65 or over.
What kind of homes are in Saltspring Island?
Households hold 2.2 people on average, and 31% have just one.
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).