For a comprehensive overview of Nelson's economy and demographics, please download our economic development handout in PDF form: Economic Development Handout
Location
Incorporated in 1897, Nelson has a population of slightly less than 10,000 and a trading area of over 50,000 people. Within its municipal boundaries, the City's total area is 913.6 ha (2257.53 acres, or 7.2 sq. kms) It is located in the Southern Interior of British Columbia in a region called the West Kootenay. Nelson is in the Central Kootenay Regional District, one of 27 Regional Districts in the Province of BC and is most closely bordered by RDCK Areas E & F. The regional districts and municipalities function as a partnership to provide and co-ordinate services in both urban and rural areas.
By highway Nelson is 663 kms (412 miles) from Vancouver, 624 kms (387 miles) from Calgary, and 237 kms (148 miles) from Spokane Washington. In 1996, the three sectors employing the most people in Nelson and Areas E & F were Retail Trade, Health and Social Services, and Educational Services.
Nelson is situated on the junction of provincial Highway 3A and Highway 6, and sits on the shores of Kootenay Lake, one of the largest lakes in British Columbia. Traditionally, the economy of Nelson and area has been primarily resource based (forestry and mining) and while this sector still represents a vital component of this area’s employment, Nelson is also the provincial administrative center for the Kootenays. Traditionally, many regional and district offices of the provincial government have been centralized here, as well as some Federal offices. Tourism is an up and coming sector of the local economy and is fostered by breathtaking scenery within the area and at the City's doorstep.
For more detailed maps of the area, please refer to http://www.mapquest.com/maps/
Population
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The 2001 Census shows 9,298 people resided within the City of Nelson, and the 1996 Census shows 3533 people in Area E and 3854 people in Area F. Nelson and the surrounding area enjoy a place where life is unhurried and people say hello. It’s a town where time seemingly stood still. But don’t let the quiet fool you. Here you will find a world-class recreational playground, with all the amenities of a much larger urban center. With very competitive water and electrical rates, skilled and professional labor force, and a clean safe environment, Nelson and Area attracts people from many backgrounds, from many larger cities.
Population Breakdown - City of Nelson
|
Male |
Female |
| All Ages |
4,410 |
4,890 |
| 0-14 |
865 |
785 |
| 15-24 |
660 |
650 |
| 25-54 |
1,965 |
2,160 |
| 55-74 |
670 |
755 |
| 75+ |
245 |
535 |
Central Kootenay Regional District
|
Male |
Female |
| All Ages |
28315 |
28,705 |
| 0-14 |
5,285 |
4,985 |
| 15-24 |
3,680 |
3,255 |
| 25-54 |
11,785 |
12,280 |
| 55-74 |
5,905 |
5,750 |
| 75+ |
1,660 |
2,440 |
Population
| |
Nelson |
Castlegar |
Trail |
RDCK |
| 2001 Census |
9,298 |
7,002 |
7,575 |
57,019 |
| 1996 Census |
9,585 |
7,038 |
7,874 |
58,099 |
Source for Population Breakdown: Statistics Canada July 2001
Central Kootenay Regional District
Designated Place Population
| |
1996 |
2001 |
| Ainsworth |
52 |
50 |
| Balfour |
428 |
445 |
| Bonnington |
355 |
412 |
| Crawford Bay |
328 |
270 |
| Glade |
297 |
259 |
| Harrop/Proctor |
650 |
619 |
| Six Mile |
1,039 |
1,120 |
| Taghum |
188 |
205 |
Source: Population Breakdowns: BC Stats 2001
Families
| |
Nelson |
RDCK Area E |
RDCK Area F |
| Married couple families |
1,570 |
750 |
875 |
| Common-law families |
350 |
155 |
125 |
| Lone parent families |
565 |
140 |
125 |
| Lone female parent families |
485 |
115 |
110 |
| Lone male parent families |
80 |
30 |
15 |
| |
|
|
|
| Total number of families |
2,485 |
1,045 |
1,125 |
Source: Statistics Canada Census 2001
Nelson stats includes RDCK Areas E & F
Source for Religion Breakdown: Statistics Canada July 2001
Climate
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Four very distinct seasons characterize Nelson's climate. Average minimum and maximum temperatures vary from -5C to 5C (12F to 41F) in winter, 15C to 27C (59F to 80F) in the summer. Rainfall averages around 25 mm (.98 in) a month March through October. Snowfall occurs November through March with December and January averaging 70 cm (27.5 in) each. Statistics shown below are regional averages. Actual temperatures may vary.
| MONTH |
AVE. TEMP |
PRECIP. |
SUNSHINE |
SNOWFALL |
| January |
-3.3 c (26F) |
74.4 mm (2.9in) |
42.7 hrs |
67.9 cm (26in) |
| February |
-0.7 c (30F) |
57.4 mm (2.2in) |
71.7 hrs |
37.1 cm (15in) |
| March |
3.6 c (38F) |
59.5 mm (2.3in) |
123.4 hrs |
16.2 cm (6.3in) |
| April |
8.3 c (46F) |
50.1 mm (1.9in) |
174.4 hrs |
2.5 cm (1.0in) |
| May |
13.0 c (55F) |
60.9 mm (2.4in) |
227.5 hrs |
0.2 cm (.8in) |
| June |
16.9 c (62F) |
64.3 mm (2.5in) |
241.1 hrs |
****** |
| July |
19.9 c (67F) |
43.9 mm (1.7in) |
305.0 hrs |
****** |
| August |
19.8 c (67F) |
42.0 mm (1.6in) |
271.3 hrs |
****** |
| September |
14.3 c (57F) |
43.7 mm (1.7in) |
191.6 hrs |
****** |
| October |
7.8 c (46F) |
51.6 mm (2.0in) |
124.0 hrs |
1.6 cm (.63in) |
| November |
1.9 c (35F) |
88.4 mm (3.4in) |
54.0 hrs |
31.8 cm (12in) |
| December |
-2.4 c (27F) |
93.1 mm (3.7in) |
33.4 hrs |
67.4 cm (26in) |
| Year |
8.3 c (46.9F) |
729.3mm |
1876.0 hrs |
224.7 cm (88.46in) |
|
|
(28.7 in) |
|
|
| AVERAGE MEAN TEMPERATURE |
|
| Winter |
Lows -4.9 c (23F) |
| |
|
| |
Highs 0.6 c (33F) |
| Summer |
Lows 11.1 c (51F) |
| |
|
| |
Highs 26.6 c (79F) |
Source: Castlegar Weather Office
Housing
[top]
Rental units including, full size apartments, basement suites, subsidized townhouses, strata title condominiums, duplexes, single-family homes and mobile home parks are available in the city and outlying areas. Nelson & District Housing Society provides housing geared to low income families and singles, seniors and people with special needs. The Society currently manages 105 units in Nelson. Homes and lots, either in the city limits or within a ten minute commuting distance are available in a variety of price ranges.
Residential Assessment Summary
| Residential Properties |
Residential Assessment Values |
|
|
| Dec. 2001 |
Number of residences |
Total ($,000) |
Average Assessment ($,000) |
| Nelson |
3,489 |
474,278 |
135,935 |
| Central |
40,942 |
4,446,003 |
108,592 |
| Kootenay |
|
|
|
| B.C. |
1,664,611 |
323,440,911 |
194,304 |
|
|
|
|
BC Assessment Authority - December 2002
Labour Force [top]
LABOUR MARKET ACTIVITES: EXPERIENCED LABOUR FORCE
(Refers to persons 15 years of age and older)
| INDUSTRY |
NELSON & AREA |
CASTLEGAR |
TRAIL |
| |
# |
# |
# |
| Agriculture/Resources |
425 |
185 |
110 |
| Manufacturing/Construction |
1,210 |
825 |
830 |
| Wholesale/Retail Trade |
1,300 |
575 |
460 |
| Finance and Real Estate |
355 |
125 |
115 |
| Health/Education |
1,925 |
695 |
610 |
| Business Services |
1,375 |
455 |
385 |
| Other Services |
2,055 |
575 |
655 |
| Total: |
8645 |
3430 |
3160 |
HRDC totals include: HRC Nelson - Slocan Valley to Fauquier, to Boswell, Trout Lake, US Border and to Thrums. HRC Trail which includes Trail and Castlegar areas. Both area designations added together.
Statistics Canada Census 2001
Nelson stats includes RDCK Areas E & F
Labour Force Indicators
| |
NELSON |
CASTLEGAR |
TRAIL |
| |
# |
# |
# |
| Participation Rate |
63.9 |
62.4 |
52.6 |
| Employment Rate |
57.9 |
55.3 |
46 |
| Unemployment Rate |
9 |
11.2 |
12.5 |
Source: BC Government Ministry of Finance Jan 2003
Incorporations [top]
INCORPORATIONS
(number per year)
| City |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
| NELSON |
54 |
59 |
49 |
68 |
| CASTLEGAR |
39 |
30 |
17 |
21 |
| TRAIL |
32 |
19 |
25 |
26 |
| TOTALS |
125 |
108 |
91 |
175 |
Source: BC Government Ministry of Finance - Jan 2003
Major Employers [top]
| MAJOR EMPLOYERS/JUNE 2002 |
|
| School District #8 |
334 Full Time |
|
66 Casual |
|
475 Teachers |
|
250 On Call |
| Pacific Insight Electronics |
260 |
| City of Nelson |
180 |
| Regional District Central Kootenay |
65 Full Time |
|
200 Part Time |
Education Levels [top]
| School District #8 |
Selkirk College Nelson |
Kootenay School of the Arts |
| 308 Anderson Street |
2001 Silverking Road |
606 Victoria St. |
| Nelson, B.C. V1L 3Y2 |
Nelson, B.C. V1L 1C8 |
Nelson, B.C. V1L 5R2 |
| 250-352-6681 |
250-352-6601 |
250-352-2821 |
| Nelson Waldorf School |
Academy of Classic Oriental Sciences |
D.E.S.K. |
|
|
Distance Education School of the Kootenays |
| P.O. Box 165 |
303 Vernon Street |
570 Johnson Road |
| Nelson, B.C. V1L 5P9 |
Nelson, B.C. V1L 4E3 |
Nelson, B.C. V1L 5P4 |
| 250-352-6919 |
250-352-5887 |
250-354-4311 |
|
1-888-333-8868 |
|
EDUCATION FACILITIES
| 8 Daycare Centers |
1 Junior Secondary |
|
| 1 Private School |
2 Senior Secondary |
|
| 8 Elementary Schools |
2 Alternative Schools |
|
| 1 Distance Education School |
1 Outreach School |
|
Selkirk College:
| Hospitality and Tourism |
Applied Business Technology |
|
| Culinary and Cosmetology |
Trades Training |
|
| Contemporary Music and Tech. |
Adult Basic Education |
|
Academy of Classic Oriental Sciences:
| Acupuncture |
Medical Theory |
|
| Traditional Chinese Medicine |
Diet/ Nutrition |
|
| Herbology |
Moxibustion |
|
| Tui-Na |
Mental/ Emotional Therapy |
|
Kootenay School of the Arts:
| Drawing |
Clay |
|
| Fibre |
Jewellery design |
|
| Metal |
Wood |
|
L.V. Rogers Senior Secondary School:
| Grades 10/11/12 |
Full athletic and club activities |
|
| Two courses per semester |
Provincial level athletics |
|
| Excellent Provincial Academic standing |
International Student mainstreaming |
|
| Language courses |
|
|
Mt. Sentinel Senior Secondary School:
| Grades 10/11/12 |
International Exchange Programs |
|
| Strong Fine Arts Program |
Full athletic and club activities |
|
| Russian Language Program |
Provincial level athletics (volleyball) |
|
Building Permits [top]
Permits - Nelson and Area Building Activity
(*Permits in thousands of dollars)
| TYPE OF PERMIT |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
| Residential New |
$2,995,932
|
$6,896,220
|
$1,656,948
|
$955,210
|
| Residential/ |
$816,281
|
$1,354,021
|
$839,416
|
$944,935
|
| Alterations |
|
|
|
|
| Commercial New |
$50,000
|
0 |
0 |
$3,687,000
|
| Commercial/ |
$749,800
|
$1,621,654
|
$2,074,328
|
$718,790
|
| Alterations |
|
|
|
|
| Gov't Institutions New |
$584,000
|
$176,000
|
$10,000
|
$290,000
|
| Gov't Institutions Alterations |
$953,487
|
$5,108.491
|
$802,217
|
$60,000
|
Total Residential Units
| YEAR |
SINGLE FAMILY |
MULTI FAMILY |
| 1999 |
8 |
41 |
| 2000 |
15 |
78 |
| 2001 |
8 |
13 |
| 2002 |
4 |
11 |
Source: City of Nelson Building Department end 2002
Regional District Activity
*(2002 stats actual dollar values)
| TYPE OF |
|
|
| PERMIT |
2002 |
2002 |
| Residential New |
$3,103,291
|
$3,121,101
|
| Residential Alterations |
$885,590
|
$817,448
|
| Comm/Indus New |
$1,348,940
|
$318,304
|
| Mobile Home Site |
$102,660
|
$40,740
|
Permit Totals
| Total residential permits for 03 |
|
18 |
| Total residential addition permits for 03 |
|
45 |
| Total mobile Home Site permits for 03 |
|
7 |
| Total commercial & Industrial for 03 |
|
11 |
| Total permits issued |
|
81 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Total resedential permits for 03 |
|
18 |
| Total resedential Add permits for 03 |
|
52 |
| Total Mobile home Site permits |
|
3 |
| Total commercial & industrial for 03 |
|
3 |
| Total permits issued |
|
76 |
Source: City of Nelson Building Department end 2002 and RDCK end 2002
Income
[top]
Income
| |
NELSON |
RDCK Area E |
RDCK Area F |
| Number of persons over 15 with income |
7,190 |
2,795 |
2,985 |
| Median total income persons over 15 ($) |
$20, 667
|
18,797 |
25,615 |
| |
|
|
|
| Composition of income (%) |
|
|
|
| Earnings |
70.7 |
67.8 |
72 |
| Gov't Transfers |
15.5 |
16 |
10.2 |
| Other Money |
13.8 |
16.2 |
17.8 |
| |
|
|
|
Earnings
| |
NELSON |
RDCK Area E |
RDCK Area F |
| Number of persons |
|
|
|
| with earnings |
5,160 |
1,945 |
2,295 |
| |
|
|
|
| Average earnings |
|
|
|
| (all persons with earnings -$) |
25,041 |
22,790 |
28,515 |
| |
|
|
|
| Number of persons |
|
|
|
| (worked full time, full year) |
2,035 |
635 |
840 |
| |
|
|
|
| Average earnings |
|
|
|
| (worked full time, full year - $) |
38,639 |
34,341 |
47,613 |
| |
|
|
|
| INCOME DISTRIBUTION |
|
|
NELSON |
|
CASTLEGAR |
|
TRAIL |
$1,000
|
|
|
490 |
|
440 |
|
300 |
$1,000-4,999
|
|
|
800 |
|
610 |
|
430 |
$5,000-9,999
|
|
|
1,600 |
|
1,120 |
|
920 |
$10,000-14,999
|
|
|
1,680 |
|
1,170 |
|
1,030 |
$15,000-19,999
|
|
|
1,210 |
|
800 |
|
840 |
$20,000-29,999
|
|
|
1,850 |
|
1,280 |
|
1,260 |
$30,000-39,999
|
|
|
1,460 |
|
930 |
|
850 |
$40,000-49,999
|
|
|
1,010 |
|
700 |
|
560 |
$50,000 +
|
|
|
1,460 |
|
1,520 |
|
1,360 |
| Average Income |
|
|
26058 |
|
27981 |
|
28144 |
Source: 1999 tax returns Revenue Canada/BC Stats
| MEDIAN TOTAL EMPLOYMENT INCOME ($000) |
|
|
NELSON |
|
CASTLEGAR |
|
TRAIL |
| MALE |
|
|
$26,950 (5,410)
|
|
$33,397 (4,280)
|
|
$31,351 (3,630)
|
| FEMALE |
|
|
$16,534 (5,780)
|
|
$14,486 (4,090)
|
|
$16,292 (3,760)
|
| MEDIAN TOTAL UNEMPLOYMENT INCOME ($000) |
|
|
NELSON |
|
CASTLEGAR |
|
TRAIL |
| MALE |
|
|
$23,957 (720)
|
|
$36,000 (570)
|
|
$36,629 (290)
|
| FEMALE |
|
|
$16,299 (600)
|
|
$15,170 (420)
|
|
$16,632 (320)
|
Source: Canada Customs and Revenue 1999. Dollar values are designated age 15 and over. Brackets indicate number of individuals filing returns.
Tax Rates
[top]
CITY OF NELSON 2002 TAX RATES
Dollars of tax per $1000 taxable value
| |
General Municipal |
Debt |
Firetruck |
Central Kootenay Regional Hospital |
West Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital |
Regional District Central Kootenay |
| Residential |
7.1877 |
0.5383 |
0.0348 |
0.1108 |
0.1006 |
1.5363 |
| Utility |
35.9385 |
2.6915 |
0.174 |
0.388 |
0.3521 |
5.3775 |
| Forestry |
7.1877 |
0.5383 |
0.0348 |
0.4432 |
0.4024 |
6.1452 |
| Industrial |
14.3754 |
1.0766 |
0.0696 |
0.3767 |
0.342 |
5.2234 |
| Business |
14.3754 |
1.0766 |
0.0696 |
0.2716 |
0.2465 |
3.764 |
| Tree Farm |
7.1877 |
0.5383 |
0.0348 |
0.3324 |
0.3018 |
4.6089 |
| Seasonal |
5.0314 |
0.3768 |
0.0244 |
0.1108 |
0.1006 |
1.5363 |
| Farm |
7.1877 |
0.3768 |
0.0348 |
0.1108 |
0.1006 |
1.5363 |
CITY OF NELSON 2002 TAX RATES (cont'd)
Dollars of tax per $1000 taxable value
| |
School Tax |
BC Assess Authority |
Municipal Finance Authority |
Spec. Area North Shore Sewer |
Total with spec area |
Total without spec area |
| Residential |
5.08 |
0.1245 |
0.0003 |
0.3532 |
15.0665 |
14.7133 |
| Utility |
15 |
0.6259 |
0.0005 |
|
60.548 |
|
| Forestry |
12 |
0.7931 |
0.001 |
|
27.5457 |
|
| Industrial |
9.9 |
0.3486 |
0.0005 |
|
31.7128 |
|
| Business |
9.9 |
0.3486 |
0.0002 |
0.7064 |
30.7589 |
30.0525 |
| Tree Farm |
2.3 |
0.3966 |
0.0008 |
|
15.7013 |
|
| Seasonal |
4.5 |
0.1394 |
0.0002 |
|
11.8199 |
|
| Farm |
6.8 |
0.1693 |
0.0002 |
|
16.3165 |
|
Electrical Rates
[top]
Real Estate [top]
REAL ESTATE - RESIDENTIAL ACTIVITY
(to December 31st, 2002)
| NELSON |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
| Units Sold |
186 |
161 |
177 |
149 |
| Sales Dollars |
$16,123,300
|
$13,121,315
|
$16,379,160
|
$22,850,552
|
| Avg. Price/Unit |
$150,685
|
$141,089
|
$143,929
|
$153,359
|
Source: Kootenay Real Estate Board - Numbers shown are for properties within the city limits.
Vacancy rate is overall rate house and apartment combined.
REAL ESTATE - COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY
(to December 31st, 2002)
| NELSON |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
| Units Sold |
32 |
45 |
7 |
8 |
| Sales Dollars |
$1,079,800
|
$1,451,500
|
$1,064,000
|
$3,181,999
|
| Avg. Price/Unit |
$285,450
|
$165,300
|
$152,000
|
397,749 |
Source: Kootenay Real Estate Board Numbers shown are for properties within the city limits.
Commercial is defined in all areas as businesses/investment/commercial or income properties sold.
|
