VernonBritish Columbia

Vernon is graded a D− for hazard risk

Measured across the Okanagan health region: radon tests

Health Canada’s survey found radon above the guideline in 17% of homes, above both British Columbia’s towns (1.8%) and Canadian towns (6.6%). With 0.40% of the land around it burning each year, Vernon sits in the high wildfire band (16% within 25 km since 1986). Earthquakes matter little: NRCan’s model puts building losses at $0.014 a year per $1,000 of value, against $0.030 for the typical town. One flood study covers the town, by Okanagan Basin Water Board.

Rent takes more of local pay in Vernon than in British Columbia’s towns or Canadian towns: 26% of household income

Source area for rent as a share of income and monthly rent for a two-bedroom: the Vernon metro area

Owners make up nearly two thirds of households, below both British Columbia’s towns (76%) and Canadian towns (74%). Shelter took 30% or more of income for nearly a quarter of households, above both British Columbia’s towns (21%) and Canadian towns (18%).

Violent crime weighs more on Vernon than on British Columbia’s towns or Canadian towns: a violent severity index of 141

Violent incidents came to 24 per 1,000 residents a year, above British Columbia’s towns (12.5) and Canadian towns (12) alike. Each year brings 72.5 property incidents per 1,000 residents.

Summer runs warm in Vernon: July highs of 28.4°C, above British Columbia’s towns and Canadian towns

For the wettest month, look to June: 55 mm on average. Precipitation totals 447 mm a year, lower than both British Columbia’s towns (1,152 mm) and Canadian towns (883 mm). January nights in Vernon drop to −6.4°C on average. December is the snowiest month, with 31 cm on average.

Results around Vernon split both ways in British Columbia: 7 of 19 schools high, 7 low

The 3 km around Vernon counts 16 elementary schools, 1 secondary school, 1 school for every grade and 3 alternative or adult schools.

Very good or excellent health for 52% of adults in Vernon’s health region

Health survey and life expectancy for the Okanagan Health Service Delivery Area

Closer to home, a hospital sits 3.0 km from the average resident of Vernon, about the norm of 3.7 km. At 12%, the share of adults who smoke tops the 8.9% for British Columbia. Lives in the region last 81.0 years on average (2022/2024): 84.1 for women, 78.2 for men. Chronic conditions run at 16% of adults, age-standardised, above British Columbia’s towns (15%) but below Canadian towns (17%).

Trips to work from Vernon are shorter than from British Columbia’s towns or Canadian towns: 20 min on average

The car took 88% of commuters, about level with both British Columbia’s towns (87%) and Canadian towns (89%).

Older residents shape Vernon: 28% are 65 or over, above British Columbia’s towns and Canadian towns

Children under 15 make up 14%, near British Columbia’s towns (14%) and lower than Canadian towns (16%). 7.3% of residents have an Indigenous identity, above both British Columbia’s towns (5%) and Canadian towns (2.8%).

A normal November in Vernon runs from −2°C to 5°C

ECCC’s forecast for Vernon is on the Weather page, hour by hour. Expect around 18 cm of snow in November. The month after, December, normally sees freezing afternoons and −6°C nights. Rain and snow over a typical November come to 49 mm.

Vernon sends Scott Anderson (Conservative Party of Canada) to the Commons from Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee

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

ORL: Vernon Branch and Vernon Branch are Vernon’s two public libraries

Vernon has no library board of its own in the provincial statistics, so no visit or loan figures appear here.

Vernon has more protected land around it than 8 in 10 Canadian towns

No national park lies within 100 km. Count 17 protected areas within 10 km of town. Within 5 km are 27 beaches; Foster Road Beach is the nearest.

The registers record 2 historic places in Vernon

Its oldest building on the record is Brigadier Murphy Armoury, from 1913. Older housing, built before 1961, accounts for 12% of homes, between British Columbia’s towns (11%) and Canadian towns (18%).