Tumbler RidgeBritish Columbia

TownGrade

C⁻

#2,102 of 2,556

2,663 people live in this town in British Columbia. It is part of Peace River, a census division.

Photo: Urban Walnut · Public domain

Population

2,663

people, 2025 estimate

Median age

39.6

years · British Columbia’s towns: 48

Postsecondary

46%

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

Walk, cycle, transit

25%

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

Is Tumbler Ridge a good place to live?

At C− overall, Tumbler Ridge ranks #185 of 250 in British Columbia. Set against the rest, it does better than 22% of Canadian towns. Schools lag (D−). Health is a weak point (D). Buying a home costs less than in most towns (A). Hazards are a real consideration (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. Wildfire lowers this town's Hazard risk Grade: a high share of the land around it has burned in the last 40 years. Walkability leaves out transit here: in a mining or oil town the census counts the work buses to the sites as public transit.

StrongestACost of living AWalkabilityWeakestD⁻Schools DHazard risk

How Tumbler Ridge grades

Each subject compares Tumbler Ridge 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

SchoolsAmong the weakest of the towns comparedD⁻Open →Hazard riskGraded on earthquake risk and radon, with high wildfire risk able to lower itDOpen →Cost of livingHomes are very affordable for local incomesAOpen →WalkabilityAmong the best of the towns comparedAOpen →HealthBased on how healthy residents are for their agesDOpen →SafetyMore crime than in most townsCOpen →Jobs & incomeAbout average among the towns comparedC⁺Open →

How TownRatings grades Canadian towns →

What makes Tumbler Ridge stand out

The 3 things Tumbler Ridge does most differently from other towns.

Picked automatically from the data

Home value ÷ household income

Housing

1.8 times household income

Against 4.7 for the median of Canadian towns

Median owner’s estimate $180,000, Census 2021; income for 2020.

Schools

Behind 99%

of Canadian towns on schools

Its schools grade: D−.

Population growth, 2016 to 2021

Growth

+21% more people than in 2016

For the middle of Canadian towns, 4%

Statistics Canada, Census 2016 and 2021

The data

Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Tumbler Ridge.

SchoolsSchools D⁻

No high school in or near Tumbler Ridge: the closest is 72 km off

2schools within 3 kmD⁻Schools Grade

School	Level	Students	System
Tumbler Ridge Elementary Bottom fifth in British ColumbiaIn Tumbler RidgeElementary	Elementary	–	English public

See all 2 schools →

Schools within 3 km	Tumbler Ridge	British Columbia	Canada
Nearest secondary school	72 km	1.8 km	1.2 km

72 km

to the nearest secondary school

Full pageTumbler Ridge’s schools pageOpen the full Schools page

Every school2 elementary schools 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 Tumbler Ridge?”

Provincial school lists and results, 2025/26

Natural hazardsHazard risk D

Hazard risk in Tumbler Ridge is higher than in 95% of Canadian towns

Highwildfire bandDHazard risk Grade

Radon tests for the Northeast health region

Wildfire is a real hazard for Tumbler Ridge: 10% of the land within 25 km has burned since 1986, 0.26% a year, in the high band. Radon is higher than usual: 10% of tested homes in the survey area topped the guideline, against 6.6% for the typical town. Averaged over the years, quake damage costs $0.018 per $1,000 of buildings, lower than British Columbia’s towns ($0.36) and near Canadian towns ($0.030).

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

Tumbler Ridge10%

British Columbia’s towns1.8%

Canadian towns6.6%

Hazards	Tumbler Ridge	British Columbia	Canada
Earthquake loss per $1,000 of buildings a year	$0.018	$0.36	$0.030
Radon tests above the guideline	10%	1.8%	6.6%

$0.018

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

High

wildfire band

3.3 km

to the nearest land burned since 1986

Full pageTumbler Ridge’s flood & hazards pageOpen the full Flood & hazards page

WildfireHigh wildfire band · 10% of the land within 25 km burned since 1986 FloodNo flood study on record Earthquakes$0.018 a year per $1,000 · Canadian towns: $0.030 Radon10% of tests above the guideline Be readyAlerts, FireSmart and radon tests

NRCan seismic risk model and burned areas, Health Canada radon survey, the Flood Hazard Map Inventory

HousingCost of living A

Rent takes less of local pay in Tumbler Ridge than in British Columbia’s towns or Canadian towns: 15% of household income

$180,000median home value, 2021ACost of living Grade

Shelter took 30% or more of income for 6% of households, below both British Columbia’s towns (21%) and Canadian towns (18%). Households that own their home make up 69%.

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

Tumbler Ridge$180,000

British Columbia$720,000

Canadian towns$406,000

Census 2021	Tumbler Ridge	British Columbia	Canada
Households spending 30%+ on shelter	6%	21%	18%
Rent as a share of income	15%	24%	20%
Households owning their home	69%	76%	74%

$900

monthly rent for a two-bedroom

$850

median monthly shelter cost for owners, 2021

Full pageTumbler Ridge’s cost of living pageOpen the full Cost of living page

Renting$900 a month · The median rent at the 2021 census Cost of living1.8 times household income · The median owner’s estimate, $180,000, against the median household income Owners and renters69% own their home

Statistics Canada, Census 2021; CMHC Rental Market Survey via Statistics Canada · These are 2021 census values, as owners judged them, set against household income in 2020.

Climate

Winter nights bite in Tumbler Ridge: January lows of −19.4°C, colder than British Columbia’s towns or Canadian towns

22.5°CJuly afternoons

Some 177 cm of snow falls in a typical year, higher than both British Columbia’s towns (51 cm) and Canadian towns (141 cm). The frost-free season runs from 5 June to 29 August, 84 days. Tumbler Ridge sees July afternoons of 22.5°C on average. Most of the snow comes in January, about 34 cm.

Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020

Winter−5.5°C

Spring8.8°C

Summer21.5°C

Autumn8.5°C

Normals, 1991–2020	Tumbler Ridge	British Columbia	Canada
January night low	−19.4°C	0.5°C	−13.5°C
Days with frost a year	204	60	159
Precipitation a year	421 mm	1,152 mm	883 mm
Snowfall a year	177 cm	51 cm	141 cm

177 cm

of snow a year

204

days with frost a year

frost-free days, 5 Jun to 29 Aug

days with precipitation a year

Full pageTumbler Ridge’s climate pageOpen the full Climate page

The yearJuly highs 22.5°C, January lows −19.4°C Rain and snow421 mm a year · Canadian towns: 883 mm Snow177 cm of snow a year Weather station85 km to the station · Dawson Creek

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

HealthHealth D

Life expectancy around Tumbler Ridge is 76.9 years, 4.6 less than for the typical Canadian town

43%very good or excellent healthDHealth Grade

Area-wide: health survey and life expectancy, counted over the Northeast Health Service Delivery Area

13% of adults smoke, daily or now and then, higher than both British Columbia’s towns (9%) and Canadian towns (12%). The survey puts the region’s share in very good or excellent health at 43%, behind the 50% for British Columbia. For Tumbler Ridge itself, the measure is access: 75 km to the nearest hospital on average, with 100% of homes beyond 30 km.

Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised

Tumbler Ridge43%

British Columbia’s towns50%

Canadian towns52%

Health	Tumbler Ridge	British Columbia	Canada
Life expectancy at birth	76.9	81.0	81.5
Very good or excellent health	43%	50%	52%
Smokers	13%	9%	12%
Chronic conditions (average share)	17%	15%	17%

76.9

years of life expectancy, 2022/2024

75 km

from homes to a hospital, on average

13%

of adults smoke, age-standardised

0.8 km

from homes to a pharmacy, on average

Full pageTumbler Ridge’s health pageOpen the full Health page

Health survey43% very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised Getting care75 km to a hospital · A pharmacy 0.8 km away on average The wider areaLife expectancy: women 79.5, men 74.4 Conditions and habits17% 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

Tumbler Ridge earns a C for safety

87Crime Severity Index

Shared with the rest of the Tumbler Ridge detachment area: Crime Severity Index, Violent Crime Severity Index, violent crime and property crime per 1,000

Its police area recorded 16.4 violent incidents per 1,000 residents a year, above both British Columbia’s towns (12.5) and Canadian towns (12). Property crime in the area its police cover: 26 per 1,000 people a year.

Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year

2023122

202479

202561

2023–2025	Tumbler Ridge	British Columbia	Canada
Violent crime	16.4	12.5	12
Crime Severity Index	87	83	67
Property crime per 1,000	26	31	31.2

non-violent Crime Severity Index

29%

of incidents cleared, 2023–25

Full pageTumbler Ridge’s safety reportOpen the full Safety report

Safety87 Crime Severity Index · The index weighs each crime Tumbler Ridge’s police recorded by how serious it is.Questions“Is Tumbler Ridge safe?”

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

Who lives here

More of Tumbler Ridge’s residents have an Indigenous identity than in British Columbia’s towns or Canadian towns: 15%

39.6median age

Children under 15 make up 20%, higher than both British Columbia’s towns (14%) and Canadian towns (16%). Immigrants make up 7.9% of residents, between British Columbia’s towns (12%) and Canadian towns (6.4%).

Tumbler RidgeBritish ColumbiaCanada

British ColumbiaCanada

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

20%

Schooling · Highest qualification, residents 15 and over

No certificate, diploma or degree18%

Postsecondary qualification46%

Women and men · all residents

46.9% of Tumbler Ridge’s residents are women

The 2021 census counted 1,125 women and 1,275 men here, where women make up 50.9% of Canada.

Who lives in Tumbler Ridge
	Tumbler Ridge	British Columbia	Canada
Under 15	20%	14%	16%
15 to 64	65%	64%	64%
65+	15%	21%	19%
No certificate, diploma or degree	18%	13%	16%
Postsecondary qualification	46%	56%	56%

Full pageTumbler Ridge’s Who lives here pageOpen the full Who lives here page

Immigrants8% belong to a visible minority Ages39.6 median age · 15% are 65 or over Households1,095 households · 2.2 people per household English and French4% 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⁺

Fewer commuters in Tumbler Ridge drive than in British Columbia’s towns or across Canadian towns: 74%

25%walk, cycle or take transit

Commutes averaged 30 min, higher than both British Columbia’s towns (26 min) and Canadian towns (26 min).

How working residents got to work · census 2021

Car or van74%

Public transit14%

Walk10%

Bicycle1%

Census 2021	Tumbler Ridge	British Columbia	Canada
Car or van	74%	87%	89%
Average trip	30 min	26 min	26 min

$101,000

median household income, 2020

worked from home, May 2021

82%

of commuters work inside the municipality

Full pageTumbler Ridge’s work & commute pageOpen the full Work & commute page

Getting to work25% walk, cycle or take transit Unemployment7.7% unemployed · Of the labour force · Canadian towns: 9.9%Where people commute to60 commuters · The biggest flow out: to Chetwynd

Statistics Canada, Census 2021 (labour and commuting) · These are May 2021 figures, gathered while COVID-19 kept many people home or out of work.

Weather

Expect November days around freezing in Tumbler Ridge, nights around −11°C

0°Ca normal November afternoon

A normal December brings highs of −5°C, lows of −16°C. Precipitation in November averages 29 mm. At the extremes, July afternoons reach 23°C and January nights −19°C. The forecast on the Weather page is ECCC’s for Chetwynd.

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

November0°C

December−5°C

January−8°C

February−4°C

Season	High	Low	Rain and snow
Winter	−5°C	−17°C	69 mm
Spring	9°C	−4°C	73 mm
Summer	22°C	8°C	186 mm
Autumn	9°C	−3°C	94 mm

−11°C

a normal November night

29 mm

of rain and snow in a normal November

Full pageTumbler Ridge’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 (Dawson Creek); the forecast is on the Weather page

Town hall

Bob Zimmer (Conservative Party of Canada) holds Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, the riding that includes Tumbler Ridge

Tumbler Ridge is a district municipality by Statistics Canada’s count of municipalities.

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

Provincial legislaturePeace River South

Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada

Library & civic lifeCivic life grade A⁻

More visits per person served than nine in ten British Columbia’s town libraries: Tumbler Ridge Public Library counts 9.1

Tumbler Ridge Public Library has one location for the 2,663 people it serves.

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

The libraries1 Libraries Places to belong1.9 charities per 1,000 residents

Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada

Outdoors

Few places match Tumbler Ridge for protected land nearby: more than nearly 9 in 10 Canadian towns

12%of the land within 10 km protected

OpenStreetMap shows 51 unnamed beaches within 5 km. A provincial park, Monkman Park, lies 5.2 km away. Within 100 km there is no national park.

Protected land · of the land within 10 km

Tumbler Ridge12%

British Columbia’s towns6.7%

Canadian towns2.3%

Outdoors	Tumbler Ridge	British Columbia	Canada
Protected land within 10 km	12%	6.7%	2.3%
Public protected areas within 10 km	5	14	4

5.2 km

to Monkman Park

beaches within 5 km

public protected areas within 10 km

Full pageTumbler Ridge’s outdoors pageOpen the full Outdoors page

Protected landof the land within 10 km Protected areas5 protected areas within 10 km · Monkman Park National & provincial parks5.2 km to a provincial park · Monkman Park

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

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Tumbler Ridge

15pages on Tumbler Ridge

The big questions

SafetyCCrime Severity Index 87 Housing & costAHomes 1.8 × income Property pricesSchoolsD⁻2 schools within 3 km HealthDLife expectancy 76.9 in its region Work & commuteC⁺60% of adults in work Natural hazardsDWildfire band: high

Out and about

Outdoors12% of the land within 10 km protected AttractionsClimateJuly afternoons around 23°C WeatherECCC’s forecast, beside the normals

The story

Who lives hereMedian age 39.6 HistoryTown hallFamous people

Nearby attractions

Wolverine Ski Trails and 2 more in and around Tumbler Ridge

The best-known places to visit in and around Tumbler Ridge come first; the full list is on the Attractions page.

All attractions →

Ski hillSki hillWolverine Ski Trailsin town Historic siteHistoric siteCabin Pools Dinosaur Tracksin town MuseumMuseumPeace Region Palaeontology Research Centrein town

About Tumbler Ridge

Town in British Columbia

TownRatings counts Tumbler Ridge as Statistics Canada does, as one municipality in British Columbia; the census, crime and housing figures all follow that boundary.

Statistics Canada: population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155), Census of Population 2021, 2021 census boundaries.

Population: 2,663 (people, 2025 estimate)
Province or territory: British Columbia
Census division: Peace River
Census subdivision: 5955003

Questions about Tumbler Ridge

Is Tumbler Ridge growing?

It added people: 1,987 in 2016, 2,399 in 2021, 20.7% more, where the middle of Canadian towns grew 4.1%. Statistics Canada’s 2025 estimate is 2,663.

Who are the people of Tumbler Ridge?

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

What kind of homes are in Tumbler Ridge?

A household averages 2.2 people; 36% are one person living alone.

How old are the people of Tumbler Ridge?

Its median age is 39.6, where Canadian towns sit at 45.2.

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).