TuktoyaktukNorthwest Territories

Some 1,026 people live in this town, in the Northwest Territories. It is part of the Territories (outside CAs, N.W.T.) / Territoires (à l'extérieur des AR, T.N.-O.) metro area.

Photo: Adam Jones, Ph.D. · CC BY-SA 3.0

Population

1,026

people, 2025 estimate

Median age

30.8

years · Canadian towns: 45.2

Postsecondary

20%

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

Walk, cycle, transit

32%

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

Is Tuktoyaktuk a good place to live?

Walking, cycling and public transport work well here (A). A median home here was worth $180,000 at the census, or 2.2 times what the middle household earns in a year. Where it falls short is safety (D−). Health lags (D−).

Figures: home values and income: Statistics Canada, Census 2021. With fewer than 2,500 residents, Tuktoyaktuk gets subject grades but no overall one among Canadian towns.

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. No Cost Grade: fewer than 30% of households own their home here, so neither the home value nor the rent is a market price. 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.

StrongestAWalkabilityWeakestD⁻Safety D⁻Health

What makes Tuktoyaktuk stand out

The 3 things Tuktoyaktuk does most differently from other towns.

Picked automatically from the data

Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree

Education

20% have a postsecondary qualification

Against 56% in the median of Canadian towns

Statistics Canada, Census 2021

Immigrants

Who lives here

2% are immigrants

Where the typical figure for Canadian towns is 6%

Statistics Canada, Census 2021

Households renting

Housing

70% rent their home

Midway across Canadian towns: 25%

Statistics Canada, Census 2021

How Tuktoyaktuk grades

Each subject compares Tuktoyaktuk 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

With fewer than 2,500 residents, Tuktoyaktuk gets subject grades but no overall one among Canadian towns.

SafetyCrime runs among the highest comparedD⁻Open →HealthIn the bottom fifth of the towns comparedD⁻Open →WalkabilityBased on walking, cycling and transit to everyday placesAOpen →Hazard riskMore exposed to natural hazards than mostC⁺Open →Jobs & incomeAbout average among the towns comparedBOpen →

Cost of livingNot graded: not enough data–

SchoolsNo schools grade in the Northwest Territories: the province publishes no results school by school.–

How TownRatings grades Canadian towns →

The data

Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Tuktoyaktuk.

SafetySafety D⁻

The force covering Tuktoyaktuk records more serious violence than Canadian towns, at 781

For every 1,000 residents of its police area, 582.9 property crimes are reported each year. Violent incidents in its police area came to 201.1 per 1,000 residents a year, higher than Canadian towns (12).

663Crime Severity Index

Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year

2023793

2024653

2025544

2023–2025	Tuktoyaktuk	Northwest Territories	Canada
Crime Severity Index	663	–	67
Violent Crime Severity Index	781	–	86
Violent crime	201.1	–	12
Property crime per 1,000	582.9	–	31.2

622

non-violent Crime Severity Index

19%

of incidents cleared, 2023–25

Full pageTuktoyaktuk’s safety reportOpen the full Safety report

Safety663 Crime Severity Index · The index weighs each crime Tuktoyaktuk’s police recorded by how serious it is.Questions“Is Tuktoyaktuk safe?”

Statistics Canada, Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, 2023–2025 average · Area behind the Crime Severity Index, Violent Crime Severity Index, violent crime and property crime per 1,000 figures: the Tuktoyaktuk detachment area

HealthHealth D⁻

Health in Tuktoyaktuk trails 97% of Canadian towns

People in the region live to 76.4 on average: 79.4 for women and 73.9 for men in 2022/2024. The survey finds 43% of adults in very good or excellent health, below Canadian towns (52%). For Tuktoyaktuk itself, the measure is access: 124 km to the nearest hospital on average, with 100% of homes beyond 30 km.

43%very good or excellent healthD⁻Health Grade

Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised

Tuktoyaktuk43%

Canadian towns52%

Health	Tuktoyaktuk	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

124 km

from homes to a hospital, on average

25%

of adults smoke, age-standardised

124 km

from homes to a pharmacy, on average

Full pageTuktoyaktuk’s health pageOpen the full Health page

Health survey43% very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised Getting careA pharmacy 124 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

Housing

Renting in Tuktoyaktuk costs 12% of household income, less than in Canadian towns

7% of households spent 30% or more of their income on shelter, below Canadian towns (18%).

$180,000median home value, 2021

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

Tuktoyaktuk$180,000

Canadian towns$406,000

Census 2021	Tuktoyaktuk	Northwest Territories	Canada
Households spending 30%+ on shelter	7%	–	18%
Rent as a share of income	12%	–	20%
Median home value, 2021	$180,000	–	$406,000

$628

monthly rent for a two-bedroom

$880

median monthly shelter cost for owners, 2021

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

Renting$628 a month · The median rent at the 2021 census Cost of living2.2 times household income · The median owner’s estimate, $180,000, against the median household income Owners and renters28% own their home

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.

Climate

Winter nights bite in Tuktoyaktuk: January lows of −29.5°C, colder than Canadian towns

August is the wettest month, with 42 mm of rain and snow on average. There are 261 days of frost in a typical year, higher than Canadian towns (159). Gardeners get 73 frost-free days, from 23 June to 5 September. Tuktoyaktuk sees July afternoons of 15.5°C on average.

15.5°CJuly afternoons

Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020

Winter−21.5°C

Spring−9.4°C

Summer13.2°C

Autumn−3.7°C

Normals, 1991–2020	Tuktoyaktuk	Northwest Territories	Canada
July afternoon high	15.5°C	–	25.5°C
January night low	−29.5°C	–	−13.5°C
Days with frost a year	261	–	159
Precipitation a year	250 mm	–	883 mm

261

days with frost a year

frost-free days, 23 Jun to 5 Sep

days with precipitation a year

Full pageTuktoyaktuk’s climate pageOpen the full Climate page

The yearJuly highs 15.5°C, January lows −29.5°C Rain and snow250 mm a year · Canadian towns: 883 mm Weather station1.8 km to the station · Tuktoyaktuk

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

Who lives here

Children make up 27% of Tuktoyaktuk, above Canadian towns

1.1% of residents belong to a visible minority, lower than Canadian towns (15%). Those 65 and older account for nearly one in ten residents.

30.8median age

TuktoyaktukNorthwest TerritoriesCanada

Northwest TerritoriesCanada

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

27%

Schooling · Highest qualification, residents 15 and over

No certificate, diploma or degree58%

Postsecondary qualification20%

Women and men · all residents

Women make up 47.3% of Tuktoyaktuk

Women numbered 445 and men 495 in 2021, next to a 50.9% share of women for Canada.

Who lives in Tuktoyaktuk
	Tuktoyaktuk	Northwest Territories	Canada
Under 15	27%	–	16%
15 to 64	64%	–	64%
65+	9%	–	19%
No certificate, diploma or degree	58%	–	16%
Postsecondary qualification	20%	–	56%

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

Ages30.8 median age · 9% are 65 or over Households285 households · 3.2 people per household Immigrants2% are immigrants · 1% belong to a visible minority English and French2% speak both · 0% speak French but not English

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

Natural hazardsHazard risk C⁺

Flood mapping exists for Tuktoyaktuk: 1 on record, latest by Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Environment and Climate Change

Earthquakes add more: NRCan’s model puts building losses at $0.19 a year per $1,000 of value, against $0.030 for the typical town. Radon is about average around Tuktoyaktuk: 5.4% of tested homes in the survey area topped the guideline, against 6.6% for the typical town. Wildfire is rare near Tuktoyaktuk: 0.5% of the land within 25 km has burned since 1986, a burn rate of 0.01% a year.

Lowwildfire bandC⁺Hazard risk Grade

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

Tuktoyaktuk5.4%

Canadian towns6.6%

Hazards	Tuktoyaktuk	Northwest Territories	Canada
Earthquake loss per $1,000 of buildings a year	$0.19	–	$0.030
Radon tests above the guideline	5.4%	–	6.6%

$0.19

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

Low

wildfire band

4.3 km

to the nearest land burned since 1986

flood study on the national inventory

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

FloodOne flood study on record WildfireLow wildfire band · 0.5% of the land within 25 km burned since 1986 Earthquakes$0.19 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 B

Commuters in Tuktoyaktuk have a short way to work, 12 min on average, less than in Canadian towns

Driving is how 66% of commuters got to work at the census.

32%walk, cycle or take transit

How working residents got to work · census 2021

Car or van66%

Walk32%

Census 2021	Tuktoyaktuk	Northwest Territories	Canada
Average trip	12 min	–	26 min
Car or van	66%	–	89%

$80,000

median household income, 2020

worked from home, May 2021

83%

of commuters work inside the municipality

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

Unemployment18% unemployed · Of the labour force · Canadian towns: 9.9%Getting to work32% walk, cycle or take transit Where people commute to15 commuters · The biggest flow out: to Inuvik

Statistics Canada, Census 2021 (labour and commuting) · Census day was in May 2021, mid-pandemic, so commuting and work figures carry the lockdowns’ mark.

Schools

Mangilaluk School is the only school in and around Tuktoyaktuk

1school within 3 km

School	Level	Students	System
Mangilaluk SchoolIn TuktoyaktukAll grades	All grades	–	English public

0.5 km

to the nearest secondary school

Full pageTuktoyaktuk’s schools pageOpen the full Schools page

Every school1 school for every grade Language0 of 1 teach in French · 4% of schools in the Northwest Territories Questions“What schools are there in Tuktoyaktuk?”

Statistics Canada’s Open Database of Educational Facilities · Schools grade in the Northwest Territories: none (the province publishes no results school by school).

Weather

What November brings in Tuktoyaktuk: −21°C at night, −14°C by day

The month after, December, normally sees −20°C afternoons and −27°C nights. In November, the normal is 15 mm of rain and snow. The year peaks in July (16°C) and bottoms out in February (−30°C). ECCC’s forecast for Tuktoyaktuk is on the Weather page, hour by hour.

−14°Ca normal November afternoon

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

November−14°C

December−20°C

January−22°C

February−22°C

Season	High	Low	Rain and snow
Winter	−21°C	−29°C	36 mm
Spring	−9°C	−18°C	37 mm
Summer	13°C	5°C	106 mm
Autumn	−4°C	−9°C	71 mm

−21°C

a normal November night

15 mm

of rain and snow in a normal November

Full pageTuktoyaktuk’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 February

ECCC normals, 1991–2020 (Tuktoyaktuk); the forecast is on the Weather page

Town hall

Tuktoyaktuk sends Rebecca Alty (Liberal Party of Canada) to the Commons from Northwest Territories

Without an open map of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories’s ridings, this page can’t say which one Tuktoyaktuk is in.

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

Who runs itHamlet

Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada

Library & civic life

No public library is mapped in or near Tuktoyaktuk

Visits and loans aren’t published as open data in the Northwest Territories, so this page has none for Tuktoyaktuk.

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

Places to belong0 charities per 1,000 residents

Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada

Outdoors

Protected land at Tuktoyaktuk’s edge: Pingo Canadian Landmark

Within 100 km there is no national park. Protected areas cover 2.9% of the land within 10 km, higher than Canadian towns (2.3%).

2.9%of the land within 10 km protected

Protected land · of the land within 10 km

Tuktoyaktuk2.9%

Canadian towns2.3%

Outdoors	Tuktoyaktuk	Northwest Territories	Canada
Public protected areas within 10 km	1	–	4
Protected land within 10 km	2.9%	–	2.3%

Full pageTuktoyaktuk’s outdoors pageOpen the full Outdoors page

Protected landof the land within 10 km Protected areas1 protected area within 10 km · Pingo Canadian Landmark

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

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Tuktoyaktuk

15pages on Tuktoyaktuk

The big questions

SafetyD⁻Crime Severity Index 663 Housing & costHomes 2.2 × income Property pricesSchoolsOne school within 3 km HealthD⁻Life expectancy 76.4 in its region Work & commuteB35% of adults in work Natural hazardsC⁺Wildfire band: low

Out and about

Outdoors2.9% of the land within 10 km protected AttractionsClimateJuly afternoons around 16°C WeatherECCC’s forecast, beside the normals

The story

Who lives hereMedian age 30.8 HistoryTown hallFamous people

Famous people from Tuktoyaktuk

3 notable people were born in Tuktoyaktuk.

See all 3 →

Margaret Dawn AndersonCanadian psychiatrist and politician · born 1967

Maureen GrubenCanadian Inuvialuk artist · born 1963

Jackie JacobsonCanadian politician

Questions about Tuktoyaktuk

What kind of homes are in Tuktoyaktuk?

54% 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 3.2 people; 28% are one person living alone.

Is Tuktoyaktuk growing?

It added people: 898 in 2016, 937 in 2021, 4.3% more, where the middle of Canadian towns grew 4.1%. Statistics Canada’s 2025 estimate is 1,026.

How old are the people of Tuktoyaktuk?

Its median age is 30.8, where Canadian towns sit at 45.2.

About Tuktoyaktuk

Town in Northwest Territories

Statistics Canada treats Tuktoyaktuk as a single census subdivision in the Northwest Territories, and TownRatings keeps to that line.

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

Population: 1,026 (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: 6101036

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).