British Columbia · Census Agglomeration

Nelson by the numbers

Nelson is Canada's 121st largest metro area, home to about 20K people, growing slower than the country since 2021 (+1.5% vs +9.3%). The median age is 45.2 and January averages -2°C.

Live weatherCompare Nelson
Population (2025 est.)12,126City of Nelson
Metro population20,182#121 in Canada
Median household income$74,500Canada: $84,000
Avg. 2-bedroom rent—Not surveyed here
Median age45.2Canada: 41.6
Immigrants—Canada: 23.0%
January average-1.6°CJuly high 28°C
Speak English & French11.2%Canada: 18.0%

People

Population of Nelson

The Nelson census agglomeration had an estimated 20,182 people on July 1, 2025, up +1.5% since 2021 (Canada grew +9.3%). The 2021 Census counted 19,119 people, +4.4% more than in 2016.

The City of Nelson itself had an estimated 12,126 residents in 2025.

Land area1,224 km²
People per km²15.6
Households8,505
18K19K19K20K20K20112013201520172019202120232025

Municipalities in the Nelson area

Municipality2025 estimate2021 Census2016–21 growthPeople / km²
Nelson12,12611,106+5.1%931
Central Kootenay F4,2094,116+3.9%10
Central Kootenay E4,3093,897+3.3%5

Sources: Statistics Canada, Table 17-10-0148-01, Statistics Canada, Table 17-10-0155-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0003-01

2021 Census

Who lives in Nelson

Age

Under 15 14%15 to 64 64%65 and over 22%

Median age is 45.2 (Canada: 41.6). 22.3% of residents are 65 or older and 14.0% are under 15.

Languages

English only 89%English & French 11%Neither 0%

11.2% can speak both official languages. At home, 95.4% speak mostly English, 1.1% mostly French and 2.3% mostly another language.

Immigration

— of residents are immigrants (Canada: 23.0%), and — arrived between 2016 and 2021.

Education: 35.6% of 25 to 64 year olds hold a bachelor's degree or higher; 22.7% have a college or CEGEP diploma and 9.4% a trades certificate.

Sources: Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0030-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0223-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0227-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0302-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0384-01

Money

Income and jobs in Nelson

Median household income$74,500before tax, 2020
After tax$67,500median, 2020
Average household income$91,700before tax, 2020

Half of Nelson households made more than $74,500 in 2020 and half made less. Across Canada the median was $84,000.

Sources: Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0061-01

Housing

Housing in Nelson

Owners 72%Renters 28%
Median home value$584,000owner-estimated, 2021
Owners' monthly costs$970median, 2021
Renters' monthly costs$1,120median, 2021
Spend 30%+ on housing20.9%of households

Sources: Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0258-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0256-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0253-01

Commuting

Getting around Nelson

How people get to work

Car, truck or van75.2%
Public transit1.8%
Walked16.2%
Bicycle4.1%
Other2.5%
Average commute18.8 minCanada: 23.7 min
Commute an hour or more4.6%one way

Census day 2021 fell during the COVID-19 pandemic, so transit use is lower than in normal years.

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0457-01

Climate

Nelson weather and climate

-10°0°10°20°30°76 mm precipitationJ51 mm precipitationF63 mm precipitationM59 mm precipitationA70 mm precipitationM72 mm precipitationJ48 mm precipitationJ30 mm precipitationA42 mm precipitationS51 mm precipitationO97 mm precipitationN90 mm precipitationD0°3°9°15°20°24°28°28°22°13°5°0°
Average daily highAverage daily lowPrecipitation
Coldest month-1.6°CJanuary average
July daily high28.1°C
Snow per year201 cm
Precipitation751 mmper year
Days above 30°C32.0
Nights below −20°C0.5

30-year averages (1981–2010) from the Castlegar A weather station, 32.7 km from the city centre.

Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010

Out of all Canadian metro areas with data

How Nelson ranks

#121 of 152 · Largest cities by population#135 of 152 · Fastest-growing cities#86 of 152 · Youngest cities#100 of 152 · Highest-income cities#27 of 152 · Most expensive homes#110 of 152 · Cities with the most renters#55 of 152 · Most bilingual cities#16 of 152 · Most educated cities#72 of 152 · Cities with the longest commutes#59 of 152 · Cities where the most people take transit#2 of 152 · Cities where the most people walk to work#4 of 152 · Best cycling cities#136 of 152 · Coldest cities#4 of 152 · Cities with the hottest summers#60 of 152 · Snowiest cities#105 of 152 · Wettest cities

Compare

Compare with any city →

Cities near Nelson

TrailBC 15K people —2BR rent-2°Jan avg48.8median ageCranbrookBC 30K people $1,4722BR rent-6°Jan avg46.0median ageKelownaBC 255K people $2,0982BR rent-2°Jan avg44.4median agePentictonBC 50K people $1,5112BR rent-1°Jan avg53.6median ageVernonBC 74K people $1,6072BR rent-2°Jan avg50.0median ageSalmon ArmBC 21K people $1,3362BR rent-4°Jan avg51.6median age

FAQ

Nelson questions, answered

What is the population of Nelson?

The Nelson metro area had an estimated 20,182 people on July 1, 2025 (Statistics Canada). The City of Nelson itself had about 12,126.

What is the average household income in Nelson?

The median household income in Nelson was $74,500 before tax in 2020 ($67,500 after tax), according to the 2021 Census. The average was $91,700.

How cold does it get in Nelson?

January averages -1.6°C, with average lows of -3.7°C. Nelson gets about 201 cm of snow a year, and in July the average daily high is 28.1°C (1981–2010 climate normals).

Is Nelson bilingual?

11.2% of people in Nelson can speak both English and French; 88.6% speak English only and 0.0% French only (2021 Census).

What is the median age in Nelson?

The median age in Nelson was 45.2 in the 2021 Census, compared with 41.6 for Canada.

Built October 30, 2026 from the latest published official data.