InuvikNorthwest Territories

3,337 people call this town in the Northwest Territories home. It sits within the Territories (outside CAs, N.W.T.) / Territoires (à l'extérieur des AR, T.N.-O.) census metropolitan area.

Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0

Population

3,337

people, 2025 estimate

Median age

34.8

years · Canadian towns: 45.2

Postsecondary

53%

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

Walk, cycle, transit

27%

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

Is Inuvik a good place to live?

The picture is mixed. Crime is the sore point (D−). Inuvik’s overall grade of C+ puts it better than 36% of Canadian towns, #1,741 of 2,556 Canadian towns. Health lags (C−). Also worth knowing: jobs and pay hold up well (A+). Homes were valued at a median $300,000 at the 2021 census, 2.5 times the typical household’s income. It is easy to get around without a car (A+). Hazards are a real consideration (D−).

Figures: home values and income: Statistics Canada, Census 2021.

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.

StrongestA⁺Jobs & income A⁺WalkabilityWeakestD⁻Safety D⁻Hazard risk

How Inuvik grades

Each subject compares Inuvik 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

SafetyCrime runs among the highest comparedD⁻Open →Jobs & incomeIn the top fifth of the towns comparedA⁺Open →WalkabilityGraded on how easily people get around without a carA⁺Open →Hazard riskAmong the most exposed to natural hazardsD⁻Open →HealthBelow the middle of the towns comparedC⁻Open →Cost of livingClose to the middle of the towns comparedBOpen →

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 Inuvik stand out

The 3 things Inuvik does most differently from other towns.

Picked automatically from the data

Households renting

Housing

66% rent their home

Where the typical figure for Canadian towns is 25%

Statistics Canada, Census 2021

Walk, cycle or transit to work

Getting around

27% walk, cycle or take transit

Midway across Canadian towns: 8%

Statistics Canada, Census 2021

Residents 65 and over

Who lives here

Only 10% are 65 or over

The median of Canadian towns: 19%

Statistics Canada, Census 2021

The data

Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Inuvik.

SafetySafety D⁻

Violent crime weighs more where Inuvik is policed than in Canadian towns: a violent severity index of 808

718Crime Severity Index

Across the area its police cover, the Crime Severity Index averaged 718 over 2023–25, higher than Canadian towns (67). For every 1,000 residents of its police area, 168 violent incidents are reported each year. The force’s area logs 436.5 thefts, break-ins and acts of damage per 1,000 residents a year. Nobody publishes Crime Severity Index, Violent Crime Severity Index, violent crime and property crime per 1,000 for Inuvik alone, so this card uses the figure for the Inuvik detachment area.

Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year

2023645

2024829

2025681

2023–2025	Inuvik	Northwest Territories	Canada
Crime Severity Index	718	–	67
Violent Crime Severity Index	808	–	86
Violent crime	168	–	12
Property crime per 1,000	436.5	–	31.2

689

non-violent Crime Severity Index

30%

of incidents cleared, 2023–25

Full pageInuvik’s safety reportOpen the full Safety report

Safety718 Crime Severity Index · The index weighs each crime Inuvik’s police recorded by how serious it is.Questions“Is Inuvik safe?”

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

Work & commuteJobs & income A⁺

Trips to work from Inuvik are shorter than from Canadian towns: 10 min on average

27%walk, cycle or take transit

How working residents got to work · census 2021

Car or van70%

Walk26%

Bicycle1%

Census 2021	Inuvik	Northwest Territories	Canada
Average trip	10 min	–	26 min

$119,000

median household income, 2020

worked from home, May 2021

98%

of commuters work inside the municipality

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

Unemployment8.7% unemployed · Of the labour force · Canadian towns: 9.9%Getting to work27% walk, cycle or take transit Where people commute to10 commuters · The biggest flow out: to Tuktoyaktuk

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

Natural hazardsHazard risk D⁻

On hazards, Inuvik comes out behind 96% of Canadian towns

Highwildfire bandD⁻Hazard risk Grade

Seismic risk runs high: $0.068 of expected damage per $1,000 of buildings a year, the typical town $0.030. Fire is a regular visitor: just over a tenth of the land within 25 km of Inuvik has burned since 1986 (0.32% a year). Radon around Inuvik is ordinary for Canada: 5.4% of tested homes over the guideline (6.6% typical).

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

Inuvik5.4%

Canadian towns6.6%

Hazards	Inuvik	Northwest Territories	Canada
Earthquake loss per $1,000 of buildings a year	$0.068	–	$0.030
Radon tests above the guideline	5.4%	–	6.6%

$0.068

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

High

wildfire band

6.9 km

to the nearest land burned since 1986

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

WildfireHigh wildfire band · 12% of the land within 25 km burned since 1986 FloodNo flood study on record Earthquakes$0.068 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

Schools

The 2 schools of Inuvik: 1 elementary school and 1 secondary school

2schools within 3 km

Elementary school is 54 km away at the nearest, above Canadian towns (0.5 km).

School	Level	Students	System
East Three Elementary SchoolIn InuvikElementary	Elementary	–	English public
East Three Secondary SchoolIn InuvikSecondary	Secondary	–	English public

Schools within 3 km	Inuvik	Northwest Territories	Canada
Nearest secondary school	54 km	–	1.2 km
Nearest elementary school	54 km	–	0.5 km

54 km

to the nearest secondary school

54 km

to the nearest elementary school

Full pageInuvik’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 Inuvik?”

Statistics Canada’s Open Database of Educational Facilities · Why no schools grade in the Northwest Territories? The province publishes no results school by school.

Climate

Winter nights bite in Inuvik: January lows of −28.4°C, colder than Canadian towns

19.3°CJuly afternoons

Rain and snow peak in August, at 42 mm. The thermometer drops below freezing on 252 days a year, higher than Canadian towns (159). Frost usually lifts by 10 June and returns around 28 August: 78 days without it. The warmest afternoons come in July, at around 19.3°C in Inuvik.

Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020

Winter−20.2°C

Spring−5.2°C

Summer17.4°C

Autumn−3.1°C

Normals, 1991–2020	Inuvik	Northwest Territories	Canada
July afternoon high	19.3°C	–	25.5°C
January night low	−28.4°C	–	−13.5°C
Days with frost a year	252	–	159
Precipitation a year	250 mm	–	883 mm

252

days with frost a year

frost-free days, 10 Jun to 28 Aug

days with precipitation a year

Full pageInuvik’s climate pageOpen the full Climate page

The yearJuly highs 19.3°C, January lows −28.4°C Rain and snow250 mm a year · Canadian towns: 883 mm Weather station12 km to the station · Inuvik

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

HealthHealth C⁻

Life expectancy around Inuvik is 76.4 years, 5.1 less than for the typical Canadian town

43%very good or excellent healthC⁻Health Grade

Age-standardised, 43% of the region’s adults put their health at very good or excellent, lower than Canadian towns (52%). Measured from where Inuvik’s residents live, the nearest hospital is 1.4 km away, under the typical 3.7 km. A pharmacy is nearer: 0.8 km on average, with 1.0 within 3 km of the typical home.

Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised

Inuvik43%

Canadian towns52%

Health	Inuvik	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

1.4 km

from homes to a hospital, on average

25%

of adults smoke, age-standardised

0.8 km

from homes to a pharmacy, on average

Full pageInuvik’s health pageOpen the full Health page

Health survey43% very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised Getting care1.4 km to a hospital · A pharmacy 0.8 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 · Health survey and life expectancy: one figure for all of the Northwest Territories health region

Who lives here

More of Inuvik’s residents have an Indigenous identity than in Canadian towns: 65%

34.8median age

8.5% of residents came to Canada as immigrants, above Canadian towns (6.4%). Visible minorities make up 9.8% of the population, below Canadian towns (15%).

InuvikNorthwest TerritoriesCanada

Northwest TerritoriesCanada

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

23%

Schooling · Highest qualification, residents 15 and over

No certificate, diploma or degree24%

Postsecondary qualification53%

Women and men · all residents

51.8% of Inuvik’s residents are women

Census 2021 put women at 1,625 and men at 1,515; women are 50.9% of Canada.

Who lives in Inuvik
	Inuvik	Northwest Territories	Canada
Under 15	23%	–	16%
15 to 64	68%	–	64%
65+	9.6%	–	19%
No certificate, diploma or degree	24%	–	16%
Postsecondary qualification	53%	–	56%

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

Immigrants9% are immigrants · 10% belong to a visible minority Ages34.8 median age · 10% are 65 or over Households1,220 households · 2.5 people per household English and French6% speak both · 0% speak French but not English

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

HousingCost of living B

Inuvik homes are worth 2.5 years of the median household’s pay, below the 4.7 of the typical Canadian town

$300,000median home value, 2021BCost of living Grade

Just over one in ten households spent 30% or more of their income on shelter, below Canadian towns (18%). A year’s rent came to nearly a fifth of the median household income, close to Canadian towns (20%).

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

Inuvik$300,000

Canadian towns$406,000

Census 2021	Inuvik	Northwest Territories	Canada
Households spending 30%+ on shelter	11%	–	18%
Median home value, 2021	$300,000	–	$406,000
Rent as a share of income	19%	–	20%

$1,410

monthly rent for a two-bedroom

$1,820

median monthly shelter cost for owners, 2021

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

Cost of living2.5 times household income · The median owner’s estimate, $300,000, against the median household income Renting$1,410 a month · The median rent at the 2021 census Owners and renters34% 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.

Weather

A normal November in Inuvik runs from −21°C to −14°C

−14°Ca normal November afternoon

Into December, the normals move to −20°C and −26°C. Expect about 15 mm of rain and snow over November. Over the year, July is warmest at 19°C by day and January coldest at −28°C by night. Hour-by-hour figures come from ECCC’s Inuvik forecast, on the Weather page.

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

November−14°C

December−20°C

January−21°C

February−20°C

Season	High	Low	Rain and snow
Winter	−20°C	−27°C	36 mm
Spring	−5°C	−15°C	37 mm
Summer	17°C	7°C	106 mm
Autumn	−3°C	−10°C	71 mm

−21°C

a normal November night

15 mm

of rain and snow in a normal November

Full pageInuvik’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 (Inuvik); the forecast is on the Weather page

Town hall

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

1 of the 1 MPs from the Northwest Territories belong to the Liberal Party of Canada.

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

Who runs itTown

Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada

Library & civic life

Inuvik has one public library, Inuvik Centennial Library

The library is 0.6 km from the centre of Inuvik.

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

The libraries1 Libraries Places to belong2.7 charities per 1,000 residents

Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada

Outdoors

Inuvik has no protected land within 10 km

0%of the land within 10 km protected

The nearest national park is more than 100 km away.

Protected land · of the land within 10 km

Inuvik0%

Canadian towns2.3%

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

Full pageInuvik’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

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Inuvik

15pages on Inuvik

The big questions

SafetyD⁻Crime Severity Index 718 Housing & costBHomes 2.5 × income Property pricesSchools2 schools within 3 km HealthC⁻Life expectancy 76.4 in its region Work & commuteA⁺67% of adults in work Natural hazardsD⁻Wildfire band: high

Out and about

OutdoorsAttractionsClimateJuly afternoons around 19°C WeatherECCC’s forecast, beside the normals

The story

Who lives hereMedian age 34.8 HistoryTown hallFamous people

Famous people from Inuvik

10 notable people were born in Inuvik.

See all 10 →

Floyd RolandCanadian politician · born 1961

Frederick Blake, Jr.Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territo… · born 1977

Eric SchweigCanadian actor · born 1967

Leona AglukkaqCanadian politician · born 1967

Jason ElliottCanadian ice hockey player · born 1975

Zac BoyerCanadian ice hockey player · born 1971

Photo credits

Floyd Roland: US Mission Canada, Public domain · Frederick Blake, Jr.: Gwich'in Communications, CC BY-SA 4.0

About Inuvik

Town in Northwest Territories

Inuvik is a municipality in the Northwest Territories, read by TownRatings as Statistics Canada draws it: one census subdivision, so its figures cover the whole municipality.

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

Population: 3,337 (people, 2025 estimate)
Province or territory: Northwest Territories
Census division: Region 1
Metro area: Territories (outside CAs, N.W.T.) / Territoires (à l'extérieur des AR, T.N.-O.)
Census subdivision: 6101017

Questions about Inuvik

What kind of homes are in Inuvik?

Mostly 41% single-detached houses (the median of Canadian towns: 64%), with 0% of homes in buildings of five or more storeys. Households hold 2.5 people on average, and 33% have just one.

How old are the people of Inuvik?

The typical resident is 34.8 (Canadian towns: 45.2), with seniors at 10% of the population and under-15s at 23%.

Has Inuvik grown?

It lost people: 3,243 in 2016, 3,137 in 2021, 3.3% fewer, while the middle of Canadian towns grew 4.1%. Statistics Canada’s 2025 estimate is 3,337.

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).