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Nelson Profile

Explore population, households, income, employment, languages, and dwellings for Nelson. Compare trends since 2016 and dig into the full demographic profile below.

National Rank:376 of 688
Level:Census subdivision

Nelson Population

Total Population (2021)
11,106
Total Population (2016)
10,572
Population Growth
+5.1% (+534)
Growth Rank
#325 of 688Same geo level
Male
48.1%5,345
Female
51.9%5,760
Male-to-Female Ratio
0.928
Average Age
43
Median Age
42.4
Age Rank
#338 of 688Same geo level

Population Age Distribution

0–4
435(3.9%)
5–9
510(4.6%)
10–14
605(5.4%)
15–19
555(5.0%)
20–24
525(4.7%)
25–29
830(7.5%)
30–34
915(8.2%)
35–39
800(7.2%)
40–44
835(7.5%)
45–49
835(7.5%)
50–54
655(5.9%)
55–59
650(5.9%)
60–64
680(6.1%)
65–69
680(6.1%)
70–74
620(5.6%)
75–79
375(3.4%)
80–84
280(2.5%)
85+
335(3.0%)

Nelson Households

Household Size

Average Household Size
2.2
Total Private Dwellings
5,314
Occupied Private Dwellings
4,948

Size Distribution

1 Person
1,740 (35.2%)
2 Persons
1,715 (34.6%)
3 Persons
725 (14.6%)
4 Persons
545 (11.0%)
5+ Persons
220 (4.4%)

Household Composition

Couples with children
890(18.0%)
Couples without children
1,140(23.0%)
One-parent families
470(9.5%)
One-person households
1,745(35.3%)
Multigenerational
45(0.9%)
Multiple-family
35(0.7%)

Nelson Incomes

Summary

Avg. Household Income
$76,900After tax
Median Household Income
$65,500After tax
Avg. Individual Income
$42,360After tax
Median Individual Income
$36,000After tax
Income Rank
#526 of 688Same geo level

Income Composition

Market Income
80.2%
Employment Income
62.1%
Government Transfers
19.8%

Individual Income Distribution

Under $10k
630(7.0%)
$10k–$20k
1,000(11.1%)
$20k–$30k
1,630(18.2%)
$30k–$40k
1,330(14.8%)
$40k–$50k
1,005(11.2%)
$50k–$60k
890(9.9%)
$60k–$70k
640(7.1%)
$70k–$80k
485(5.4%)
$80k–$90k
330(3.7%)
$90k–$100k
300(3.3%)
$100k+
735(8.2%)

Nelson Employment

Labour Force

Employment Rate
61.4%
Unemployment Rate
9.5%
Total Labour Force
6,225
Employed
5,635
Unemployed
590
Not in Labour Force
2,955

Low Income Prevalence

Overall Low-Income Rate
11.6%
Children (0–17)
12.4%
Adults (18–64)
9.6%
Seniors (65+)
17.5%
Gini Coefficient (Total)
0.3130 = perfect equality
Gini Coefficient (After-Tax)
0.280

Nelson Languages

Language Knowledge

English Only
9,455 (86.9%)
French Only
5 (0.0%)
English & French
1,400 (12.9%)
Neither
20 (0.2%)

Mother Tongue

English
9,320 (85.7%)
French
305 (2.8%)
Non-official languages
985 (9.1%)

Top Mother Tongue Languages

English
9,320(85.7%)
French
305(2.8%)
Tagalog
90(0.8%)
Punjabi
75(0.7%)
Italian
75(0.7%)
Russian
70(0.6%)
Spanish
45(0.4%)
Portuguese
40(0.4%)
Cantonese
30(0.3%)
Hindi
30(0.3%)

Nelson Dwellings

Dwelling Type

Single-detached
2,500(50.6%)
Semi-detached
275(5.6%)
Row house
250(5.1%)
Duplex
710(14.4%)
Apt. < 5 storeys
990(20.0%)
Other attached
115(2.3%)
Movable
110(2.2%)

Community snapshot

About Nelson

Nelson is a city in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia, on the West Arm of Kootenay Lake. A preserved heritage downtown, arts culture, and mountain-lake recreation define this classic interior mountain town. About 11,000 people live in Nelson.

Known for

  • West Kootenay city on Kootenay Lake
  • Well-preserved heritage downtown Baker Street
  • Arts, music, and counterculture reputation
  • Mountain and lake outdoor recreation
  • Ferry and highway links across the Kootenays

See & do

  • Baker Street downtown

    Heritage storefronts, cafés, and independent shops.

  • Kootenay Lake waterfront

    Beach, pier, and lake views in the city.

  • Touchstones Nelson Museum of Art and History

    Regional art and heritage exhibits.

  • Pulpit Rock and local trails

    Hiking lookouts above the West Arm.

  • Nearby Whitewater ski area

    Powder skiing in the mountains south of town.

Data source → Census methodology & attribution

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Data source → Census methodology & attribution