Fort SimpsonNorthwest Territories

1,330 people call this town in the Northwest Territories home. Its population fell 8% from 2016 to 2021.

Photo: sfbnurse https://www.flickr.com/people/sfbnurse/ · CC BY 2.0

Population

1,330

people, 2025 estimate

Median age

years · Canadian towns: 45.2

Postsecondary

43%

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

Walk, cycle, transit

22%

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

Is Fort Simpson a good place to live?

Work and incomes are strong (A). The weak point is safety (D−). Health outcomes fall short of most towns (D−). Hazard risk is higher than most (D−).

An overall grade comes at 2,500 residents for Canadian towns; Fort Simpson has its subject grades alone.

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. No School Grade: this province doesn't publish comparable results school by school. 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.

StrongestAJobs & income ACost of living A⁻WalkabilityWeakestD⁻Safety D⁻Health

How Fort Simpson grades

Each subject compares Fort Simpson 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

An overall grade comes at 2,500 residents for Canadian towns; Fort Simpson has its subject grades alone.

SafetyCrime runs among the highest comparedD⁻Open →HealthAmong the weakest of the towns comparedD⁻Open →Hazard riskGraded on earthquake risk and radon, with high wildfire risk able to lower itD⁻Open →Jobs & incomeIncomes and work are among the strongest comparedAOpen →Cost of livingNear the top of the towns comparedAOpen →WalkabilityBased on walking, cycling and transit to everyday placesA⁻Open →

SchoolsWe don’t grade schools in the Northwest Territories. The reason: the province publishes no results school by school.–

How TownRatings grades Canadian towns →

What makes Fort Simpson stand out

The 3 things Fort Simpson does most differently from other towns.

Picked automatically from the data

Home value ÷ household income

Housing

2.3 times household income

The middle of Canadian towns: 4.7 times

Median owner’s estimate $260,000, Census 2021; income for 2020.

Safety

Behind 99%

of Canadian towns on safety

Its safety grade: D−.

Walk, cycle or transit to work

Getting around

22% walk, cycle or take transit

For the middle of Canadian towns, 8%

Statistics Canada, Census 2021

The data

Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Fort Simpson.

SafetySafety D⁻

The police who cover Fort Simpson record more serious crime than Canadian towns: a Crime Severity Index of 498

498Crime Severity Index

Its police area recorded 136.6 violent incidents per 1,000 residents a year, above Canadian towns (12). Property crime in the area its police cover: 254.5 per 1,000 people a year. For Crime Severity Index, Violent Crime Severity Index, violent crime and property crime per 1,000, the only official count covers all of the Fort Simpson detachment area, Fort Simpson included.

Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year

2023611

2024488

2025394

2023–2025	Fort Simpson	Northwest Territories	Canada
Crime Severity Index	498	–	67
Violent Crime Severity Index	525	–	86
Violent crime	136.6	–	12
Property crime per 1,000	254.5	–	31.2

491

non-violent Crime Severity Index

28%

of incidents cleared, 2023–25

Full pageFort Simpson’s safety reportOpen the full Safety report

Safety498 Crime Severity Index · The index weighs each crime Fort Simpson’s police recorded by how serious it is.Questions“Is Fort Simpson safe?”

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

HealthHealth D⁻

Fort Simpson scores below 97% of Canadian towns for health

43%very good or excellent healthD⁻Health Grade

The survey counts a quarter of adults as smokers, higher than Canadian towns (12%). Across the region, 43% of adults say their health is very good or excellent, much as in the Northwest Territories (43%). In addition, for 2022/2024, the region’s figure is 76.4 years at birth, 79.4 for women and 73.9 for men. The town’s own part is the trip to care: residents of Fort Simpson live 315 km from a hospital on average, and 100% of them more than 30 km.

Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised

Fort Simpson43%

Canadian towns52%

Health	Fort Simpson	Northwest Territories	Canada
Smokers	25%	–	12%
Life expectancy at birth	76.4	–	81.5
Very good or excellent health	43%	–	52%
Chronic conditions (average share)	17%	–	17%

76.4

years of life expectancy, 2022/2024

315 km

from homes to a hospital, on average

25%

of adults smoke, age-standardised

344 km

from homes to a pharmacy, on average

Full pageFort Simpson’s health pageOpen the full Health page

Health survey43% very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised Getting care315 km to a hospital · A pharmacy 344 km away on average The wider areaLife expectancy: women 79.4, men 73.9 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 · Area behind the health survey and life expectancy figures: the Northwest Territories health region

Natural hazardsHazard risk D⁻

Fort Simpson faces more hazards than 96% of Canadian towns

Highwildfire bandD⁻Hazard risk Grade

Shaking is less of a worry than in most places, at $0.010 a year per $1,000 of building value ($0.030 typical). Fire is a regular visitor: just over a tenth of the land within 25 km of Fort Simpson has burned since 1986 (0.30% a year). Radon around Fort Simpson is ordinary for Canada: 5.4% of tested homes over the guideline (6.6% typical). Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Environment and Climate Change has mapped the flood hazard here: one study on the national inventory.

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

Fort Simpson5.4%

Canadian towns6.6%

Hazards	Fort Simpson	Northwest Territories	Canada
Radon tests above the guideline	5.4%	–	6.6%
Earthquake loss per $1,000 of buildings a year	$0.010	–	$0.030

$0.010

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

High

wildfire band

11 km

to the nearest land burned since 1986

flood study on the national inventory

Full pageFort Simpson’s flood & hazards pageOpen the full Flood & hazards page

WildfireHigh wildfire band · 11% 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 Radon5.4% 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

Work & commuteJobs & income A

Trips to work from Fort Simpson are shorter than from Canadian towns: 11 min on average

22%walk, cycle or take transit

How working residents got to work · census 2021

Car or van76%

Walk22%

Census 2021	Fort Simpson	Northwest Territories	Canada
Average trip	11 min	–	26 min

$111,000

median household income, 2020

worked from home, May 2021

87%

of commuters work inside the municipality

Full pageFort Simpson’s work & commute pageOpen the full Work & commute page

Unemployment11% unemployed · Of the labour force · Canadian towns: 9.9%Getting to work22% walk, cycle or take transit Where people commute to10 commuters · The biggest flow out: to Déline

Statistics Canada, Census 2021 (labour and commuting) · The 2021 census was taken in May 2021, during COVID-19 restrictions: more people than usual worked from home or were off work.

Schools

2 schools serve Fort Simpson, 1 elementary school and 1 secondary school

2schools within 3 km

Measured from the centre, the closest high school lies 307 km off, higher than Canadian towns (1.2 km).

School	Level	Students	System
Bompas Elementary SchoolIn Fort SimpsonElementary	Elementary	–	English public
Thomas Simpson Secondary SchoolIn Fort SimpsonSecondary	Secondary	–	English public

Schools within 3 km	Fort Simpson	Northwest Territories	Canada
Nearest secondary school	307 km	–	1.2 km
Nearest elementary school	307 km	–	0.5 km

307 km

to the nearest secondary school

307 km

to the nearest elementary school

Full pageFort Simpson’s schools pageOpen the full Schools page

Every school2 schools within 3 km · 1 elementary school and 1 secondary school Language0 of 2 teach in French · 4% of schools in the Northwest Territories Questions“What schools are there in Fort Simpson?”

Statistics Canada’s Open Database of Educational Facilities · Ungraded on schools in the Northwest Territories, because the province publishes no results school by school.

HousingCost of living A

Home ownership in Fort Simpson, 52%, runs below Canadian towns

$260,000median home value, 2021ACost of living Grade

Shelter took 30% or more of income for nearly one in ten households, below Canadian towns (18%). Rent took 16% of household income, lower than Canadian towns (20%).

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

Fort Simpson$260,000

Canadian towns$406,000

Census 2021	Fort Simpson	Northwest Territories	Canada
Households owning their home	52%	–	74%
Households spending 30%+ on shelter	9%	–	18%
Rent as a share of income	16%	–	20%

$1,110

monthly rent for a two-bedroom

$1,010

median monthly shelter cost for owners, 2021

Full pageFort Simpson’s cost of living pageOpen the full Cost of living page

Owners and renters52% own their home Cost of living2.3 times household income · The median owner’s estimate, $260,000, against the median household income Renting$1,110 a month · The median rent at the 2021 census

Statistics Canada, Census 2021; CMHC Rental Market Survey via Statistics Canada · The 2021 census asked owners what their home was worth; those values, and 2020 incomes, are what this compares.

Climate

Fort Simpson has colder winters than Canadian towns: January lows of −27.8°C

23.8°CJuly afternoons

Snowfall adds up to 195 cm a year, higher than Canadian towns (141 cm). Expect July highs of around 23.8°C in Fort Simpson. Snow peaks in November: 36 cm in a normal year. August is the wettest month, with 60 mm of rain and snow on average.

Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020

Winter−17.0°C

Spring5.2°C

Summer22.3°C

Autumn2.0°C

Normals, 1991–2020	Fort Simpson	Northwest Territories	Canada
January night low	−27.8°C	–	−13.5°C
Precipitation a year	371 mm	–	883 mm
Days with frost a year	221	–	159
July afternoon high	23.8°C	–	25.5°C

195 cm

of snow a year

221

days with frost a year

days with precipitation a year

Full pageFort Simpson’s climate pageOpen the full Climate page

The yearJuly highs 23.8°C, January lows −27.8°C Rain and snow371 mm a year · Canadian towns: 883 mm Snow195 cm of snow a year Weather station6.2 km to the station · Fort Simpson

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

Who lives here

More of Fort Simpson’s residents have an Indigenous identity than in Canadian towns: 76%

40median age

Visible minorities make up 2.8% of the population, below Canadian towns (15%). 14% of residents have reached 65.

Fort SimpsonNorthwest TerritoriesCanada

Northwest TerritoriesCanada

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

15%

Schooling · Highest qualification, residents 15 and over

No certificate, diploma or degree32%

Postsecondary qualification43%

Women and men · all residents

48.6% of Fort Simpson’s residents are women

In 2021 there were 535 women to 565 men; Canada as a whole is 50.9% women.

Who lives in Fort Simpson
	Fort Simpson	Northwest Territories	Canada
Under 15	15%	–	16%
15 to 64	72%	–	64%
65+	14%	–	19%
No certificate, diploma or degree	32%	–	16%
Postsecondary qualification	43%	–	56%

Full pageFort Simpson’s Who lives here pageOpen the full Who lives here page

Immigrants4% are immigrants · 3% belong to a visible minority Ages40 median age · 14% are 65 or over Households455 households · 2.4 people per household English and French3% speak both · 0% speak French but not English

Statistics Canada, Census 2021; Northwest Territories and Canada: medians of towns of 2,500+

Weather

Fort Simpson in November: highs near −11°C, lows near −18°C

−11°Ca normal November afternoon

Then December: −18°C by day, −26°C at night. In November, the normal is 22 mm of rain and snow. Over the year, July is warmest at 24°C by day and January coldest at −28°C by night. For today and the week ahead, the Weather page carries ECCC’s Fort Simpson forecast.

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

November−11°C

December−18°C

January−19°C

February−14°C

Season	High	Low	Rain and snow
Winter	−17°C	−26°C	52 mm
Spring	5°C	−8°C	61 mm
Summer	22°C	10°C	172 mm
Autumn	2°C	−7°C	87 mm

−18°C

a normal November night

22 mm

of rain and snow in a normal November

Full pageFort Simpson’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 (Fort Simpson); the forecast is on the Weather page

Town hall

Rebecca Alty (Liberal Party of Canada) holds Northwest Territories, the riding that includes Fort Simpson

In the census’s list of municipalities, Fort Simpson is a village.

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

Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada

Library & civic life

John Tsetso Memorial Library is Fort Simpson’s public library

It stands 6.6 km from the centre of Fort Simpson.

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

The libraries1 Libraries Places to belong1.5 charities per 1,000 residents

Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada

Outdoors

No protected area lies within 10 km of Fort Simpson

0%of the land within 10 km protected

There is no national park within 100 km of the town. One unnamed beach is mapped within 5 km.

Protected land · of the land within 10 km

Fort Simpson0%

Canadian towns2.3%

Outdoors	Fort Simpson	Northwest Territories	Canada
Protected land within 10 km	0%	–	2.3%
Public protected areas within 10 km	0	–	4

beach within 5 km

Full pageFort Simpson’s outdoors pageOpen the full Outdoors page

Protected landof the land within 10 km Protected areas0 protected areas within 10 km

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

History

All of Fort Simpson’s 2 historic places are top designations

2historic places

Ehdaa, begun in 1984, is the oldest by its record. At the 2021 census, 4.4% of homes dated from before 1961, below Canadian towns (18%).

Historic places by designation · inside the town

Highest designations2

Other federal designations0

Provincial and local listings0

Among them

Ehdaa 1984
Fort Simpson

1984

oldest construction date on the record

4.4%

of homes built before 1961 · Canadian towns 18%

Heritage	Fort Simpson	Northwest Territories	Canada
Homes built before 1961	4.4%	–	18%

Full pageFort Simpson’s history pageOpen the full History page

On the registers2 historic places inside the town Highest designations2 top designations · Ehdaa Older homes4.4% built before 1961 · Canadian towns: 18%Questions“How many historic places does Fort Simpson 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 Fort Simpson

15pages on Fort Simpson

The big questions

SafetyD⁻Crime Severity Index 498 Housing & costAHomes 2.3 × income Property pricesSchools2 schools within 3 km HealthD⁻Life expectancy 76.4 in its region Work & commuteA58% of adults in work Natural hazardsD⁻Wildfire band: high

Out and about

OutdoorsAttractionsClimateJuly afternoons around 24°C WeatherECCC’s forecast, beside the normals

The story

Who lives hereMedian age 40 History2 places on the heritage registers Town hallFamous people

Famous people from Fort Simpson

3 notable people were born in Fort Simpson.

See all 3 →

Nick SibbestonCanadian politician · born 1943

Jim AntoineCanadian politician · born 1949

Melaw Nakehk'oFilmmaker, actress, activist

About Fort Simpson

Town in Northwest Territories

TownRatings follows Statistics Canada’s map: Fort Simpson is one municipality in the Northwest Territories, figures and all.

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

Population: 1,330 (people, 2025 estimate)
Province or territory: Northwest Territories
Census division: Region 4
Metro area: Territories (outside CAs, N.W.T.) / Territoires (à l'extérieur des AR, T.N.-O.)
Census subdivision: 6104038

Questions about Fort Simpson

Has Fort Simpson grown?

No: the census counted 1,202 in 2016 and 1,100 in 2021, 8.5% fewer, against growth of 4.1% for the median of Canadian towns. The 2025 estimate is 1,330.

What kind of homes are in Fort Simpson?

68% 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 2.4 people; 29% are one person living alone.

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).