Watson LakeYukon

A town of 1,291 in Yukon. It belongs to the Territories (outside CAs, Y.T.) / Territoires (à l'extérieur des AR, Yn) metropolitan area.

Photo: Susan Drury from Watson Lake, Canada · CC BY 2.0

Population

1,291

people, 2025 estimate

Median age

years · Canadian towns: 45.2

Postsecondary

44%

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

Walk, cycle, transit

12%

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

Is Watson Lake a good place to live?

Where it does best is cost of living (A−). The weak point is safety (D−). It also trails on hazard risk (D).

Watson Lake is graded subject by subject, but Canadian towns need 2,500 residents for an overall grade.

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.

StrongestA⁻Cost of living A⁻WalkabilityWeakestD⁻Safety DHazard risk

How Watson Lake grades

Each subject compares Watson Lake 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

Watson Lake is graded subject by subject, but Canadian towns need 2,500 residents for an overall grade.

SafetyAmong 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 incomesA⁻Open →WalkabilityNear the top of the towns comparedA⁻Open →Jobs & incomeBased on what households earn, poverty and workB⁺Open →HealthClose to the middle of the towns comparedB⁻Open →

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

How TownRatings grades Canadian towns →

What makes Watson Lake stand out

The 3 things Watson Lake does most differently from other towns.

Picked automatically from the data

Home value ÷ household income

Housing

2.4 times household income

The middle of Canadian towns: 4.7 times

Median owner’s estimate $190,000, Census 2021; income for 2020.

Safety

Behind 98%

of Canadian towns on safety

Its safety grade: D−.

Hazard risk

Behind 92%

of Canadian towns on hazard risk

Its hazard risk grade: D.

The data

Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Watson Lake.

SafetySafety D⁻

The force covering Watson Lake records more serious violence than Canadian towns, at 503

378Crime Severity Index

Measured across the Watson Lake detachment area: Crime Severity Index, Violent Crime Severity Index, violent crime and property crime per 1,000

Its police area recorded 130.6 violent incidents per 1,000 residents a year, higher than Canadian towns (12). Across its police area, there are 225.5 property incidents per 1,000 residents a year.

Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year

2023352

2024373

2025408

2023–2025	Watson Lake	Yukon	Canada
Crime Severity Index	378	–	67
Violent Crime Severity Index	503	–	86
Violent crime	130.6	–	12
Property crime per 1,000	225.5	–	31.2

331

non-violent Crime Severity Index

41%

of incidents cleared, 2023–25

Full pageWatson Lake’s safety reportOpen the full Safety report

Safety378 Crime Severity Index · The index weighs each crime Watson Lake’s police recorded by how serious it is.Questions“Is Watson Lake safe?”

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

Natural hazardsHazard risk D

Watson Lake’s grade for hazard risk: a D

Moderatewildfire bandDHazard risk Grade

NRCan’s model puts the yearly earthquake loss at $0.088 per $1,000 of building value, above Canadian towns ($0.030). In Health Canada’s survey, a fifth of homes tested in the area exceeded 200 Bq/m³ (6.6% typical). The burn rate around Watson Lake is 0.06% a year (2.6% of the land within 25 km since 1986), a moderate band.

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

Watson Lake20%

Canadian towns6.6%

Hazards	Watson Lake	Yukon	Canada
Radon tests above the guideline	20%	–	6.6%
Earthquake loss per $1,000 of buildings a year	$0.088	–	$0.030

$0.088

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

Moderate

wildfire band

5.3 km

to the nearest land burned since 1986

Full pageWatson Lake’s flood & hazards pageOpen the full Flood & hazards page

WildfireModerate wildfire band · 2.6% of the land within 25 km burned since 1986 FloodNo flood study on record Earthquakes$0.088 a year per $1,000 · Canadian towns: $0.030 Radon20% 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 · Radon tests: the Yukon Territory health region

Climate

Winter nights bite in Watson Lake: January lows of −26.7°C, colder than Canadian towns

21.3°CJuly afternoons

In July the thermometer climbs to 21.3°C by day, below Canadian towns (25.5°C). The frost-free season runs from 27 May to 6 September, 101 days. Snow peaks in January: 41 cm in a normal year. The most precipitation falls in July: 58 mm in a normal year.

Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020

Winter−14.0°C

Spring6.5°C

Summer20.0°C

Autumn2.4°C

Normals, 1991–2020	Watson Lake	Yukon	Canada
July afternoon high	21.3°C	–	25.5°C
January night low	−26.7°C	–	−13.5°C
Days with frost a year	224	–	159
Precipitation a year	417 mm	–	883 mm

197 cm

of snow a year

224

days with frost a year

101

frost-free days, 27 May to 6 Sep

days with precipitation a year

Full pageWatson Lake’s climate pageOpen the full Climate page

The yearJuly highs 21.3°C, January lows −26.7°C Rain and snow417 mm a year · Canadian towns: 883 mm Snow197 cm of snow a year Weather station8.0 km to the station · Watson Lake

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

HousingCost of living A⁻

Fewer households own their home in Watson Lake than in Canadian towns: 54%

$190,000median home value, 2021A⁻Cost of living Grade

A year’s rent came to 16% of the median household income, below Canadian towns (20%). Just over one in ten households spent 30% or more of their income on shelter, lower than Canadian towns (18%).

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

Watson Lake$190,000

Canadian towns$406,000

Census 2021	Watson Lake	Yukon	Canada
Households owning their home	54%	–	74%
Households spending 30%+ on shelter	11%	–	18%
Rent as a share of income	16%	–	20%

$795

monthly rent for a two-bedroom

$810

median monthly shelter cost for owners, 2021

Full pageWatson Lake’s cost of living pageOpen the full Cost of living page

Owners and renters54% own their home Cost of living2.4 times household income · The median owner’s estimate, $190,000, against the median household income Renting$795 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.

Work & commuteJobs & income B⁺

Trips to work from Watson Lake are shorter than from Canadian towns: 14 min on average

12%walk, cycle or take transit

87% of commuters drove to work at the census.

How working residents got to work · census 2021

Car or van87%

Walk12%

Census 2021	Watson Lake	Yukon	Canada
Average trip	14 min	–	26 min
Car or van	87%	–	89%

$78,500

median household income, 2020

worked from home, May 2021

84%

of commuters work inside the municipality

Full pageWatson Lake’s work & commute pageOpen the full Work & commute page

Unemployment12% unemployed · Of the labour force · Canadian towns: 9.9%Getting to work12% walk, cycle or take transit Where people commute to10 commuters · The biggest flow out: to Liard River 3

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.

Weather

Expect November days around −9°C in Watson Lake, nights around −19°C

−9°Ca normal November afternoon

Next comes December, with normal highs of −16°C and lows of −25°C. November usually brings some 36 cm of snow. A normal November brings 31 mm of rain and snow. At the extremes, July afternoons reach 21°C and January nights −27°C.

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

November−9°C

December−16°C

January−17°C

February−10°C

Season	High	Low	Rain and snow
Winter	−14°C	−25°C	82 mm
Spring	7°C	−8°C	59 mm
Summer	20°C	8°C	165 mm
Autumn	2°C	−7°C	112 mm

−19°C

a normal November night

31 mm

of rain and snow in a normal November

Full pageWatson Lake’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 (Watson Lake); the forecast is on the Weather page

Town hall

Brendan Hanley (Liberal Party of Canada) represents Watson Lake in Ottawa as MP for Yukon

1 of the 1 MPs from Yukon belong to the Liberal Party of Canada.

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

Who runs itTown

Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada

Library & civic life

Watson Lake has one public library, Watson Lake Library

It sits 1 km from the centre of Watson Lake.

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

Places to belong3.9 charities per 1,000 residents

Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada

Who lives here

More of Watson Lake’s residents have an Indigenous identity than in Canadian towns: 40%

42median age

Visible minorities make up 5.8% of the population, below Canadian towns (15%). Under 15: 19% of residents. Over-65s are 19% of the population.

Watson LakeYukonCanada

YukonCanada

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

19%

Schooling · Highest qualification, residents 15 and over

No certificate, diploma or degree26%

Postsecondary qualification44%

Women and men · all residents

Women make up 49.3% of Watson Lake

The 2021 census counted 560 women and 575 men here, where women make up 50.9% of Canada.

Who lives in Watson Lake
	Watson Lake	Yukon	Canada
Under 15	19%	–	16%
15 to 64	61%	–	64%
65+	19%	–	19%
No certificate, diploma or degree	26%	–	16%
Postsecondary qualification	44%	–	56%

Full pageWatson Lake’s Who lives here pageOpen the full Who lives here page

Immigrants9% are immigrants · 6% belong to a visible minority Ages42 median age · 19% are 65 or over Households495 households · 2.3 people per household English and French4% speak both · 0% speak French but not English

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

HealthHealth B⁻

18% of adults smoke in the health region around Watson Lake, against 12% for the typical Canadian town

55%very good or excellent healthB⁻Health Grade

A hospital lies 0.7 km from the typical home, below Canadian towns (3.7 km). The region’s 2014/2016 life expectancy is 79.2, with women at 81.8 and men at 76.5. The survey puts the region’s share in very good or excellent health at 55%; Yukon as a whole is at 55%. Figures for health survey and life expectancy are published for the Yukon health region as a whole, not for Watson Lake alone.

Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised

Watson Lake55%

Canadian towns52%

Health	Watson Lake	Yukon	Canada
Smokers	18%	–	12%
Life expectancy at birth	79.2	–	81.5
Chronic conditions (average share)	15%	–	17%
Very good or excellent health	55%	–	52%

79.2

years of life expectancy, 2014/2016

0.7 km

from homes to a hospital, on average

18%

of adults smoke, age-standardised

0.9 km

from homes to a pharmacy, on average

Full pageWatson Lake’s health pageOpen the full Health page

Health survey55% very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised Getting care0.7 km to a hospital · A pharmacy 0.9 km away on average The wider areaLife expectancy: women 81.8, men 76.5 Conditions and habits15% with chronic conditions · adults, age-standardised

Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey 2023/2024 and life expectancy 2014/2016; Open Database of Healthcare Facilities

Outdoors

None of the land within 10 km of Watson Lake is protected

0%of the land within 10 km protected

There is no national park within 100 km of the town. For a provincial park, Hyland River Park lies 23 km off.

Protected land · of the land within 10 km

Watson Lake0%

Canadian towns2.3%

Outdoors	Watson Lake	Yukon	Canada
Protected land within 10 km	0%	–	2.3%
Public protected areas within 10 km	0	–	4

23 km

to Hyland River Park

Full pageWatson Lake’s outdoors pageOpen the full Outdoors page

Protected landof the land within 10 km Protected areas0 protected areas within 10 km National & provincial parks23 km to a provincial park · Hyland River Park

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

Schools

Around Watson Lake, 1 elementary school and 1 secondary school: 2 schools in all

2schools within 3 km

Measured from the centre, the closest high school lies 191 km off, above Canadian towns (1.2 km).

School	Level	Students	System
Johnson Elementary SchoolIn Watson LakeElementary	Elementary	–	English public
Watson Lake Secondary SchoolIn Watson LakeSecondary	Secondary	–	English public

Schools within 3 km	Watson Lake	Yukon	Canada
Nearest secondary school	191 km	–	1.2 km

191 km

to the nearest secondary school

Full pageWatson Lake’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 · 9% of schools in Yukon Questions“What schools are there in Watson Lake?”

Statistics Canada’s Open Database of Educational Facilities · The schools grade is given only where results are open; in Yukon, the province publishes no results school by school.

History

94% of Watson Lake’s homes date from 1961 or later

6%built before 1961

of homes built before 1961 · Canadian towns 18%

Heritage	Watson Lake	Yukon	Canada
Homes built before 1961	6%	–	18%

Full pageWatson Lake’s history pageOpen the full History page

Older homes6% built before 1961 · Canadian towns: 18%Questions“How many historic places does Watson Lake 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 Watson Lake

15pages on Watson Lake

The big questions

SafetyD⁻Crime Severity Index 378 Housing & costA⁻Homes 2.4 × income Property pricesSchools2 schools within 3 km HealthB⁻Life expectancy 79.2 in its region Work & commuteB⁺54% of adults in work Natural hazardsDWildfire band: moderate

Out and about

OutdoorsAttractionsClimateJuly afternoons around 21°C WeatherECCC’s forecast, beside the normals

The story

Who lives hereMedian age 42 HistoryTown hallFamous people

About Watson Lake

Town in Yukon

Watson Lake is a municipality in Yukon, 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: 1,291 (people, 2025 estimate)
Province or territory: Yukon
Census division: Yukon
Metro area: Territories (outside CAs, Y.T.) / Territoires (à l'extérieur des AR, Yn)
Census subdivision: 6001003

Questions about Watson Lake

Who are the people of Watson Lake?

At the 2021 census, 9% were immigrants and 6% belonged to a visible minority (Canadian towns’ median: 15%). 40% identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit.

What kind of homes are in Watson Lake?

78% 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 2.3 people; 34% are one person living alone.

Is Watson Lake growing?

Yes: the census counted 1,083 in 2016 and 1,133 in 2021, a rise of 4.6%, against 4.1% for the median of Canadian towns. The 2025 estimate is 1,291.

How old are the people of Watson Lake?

Its median age is 42, 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).