British Columbia · Census Agglomeration
Quesnel by the numbers
Quesnel is Canada's 108th largest metro area, home to about 24K people, growing slower than the country since 2021 (+0.9% vs +9.3%). A two-bedroom rents for about $1,226, the median age is 46.8 and January averages -7°C.
People
Population of Quesnel
The Quesnel census agglomeration had an estimated 24,222 people on July 1, 2025, up +0.9% since 2021 (Canada grew +9.3%). The 2021 Census counted 23,113 people, -0.1% more than in 2016.
The City of Quesnel itself had an estimated 10,253 residents in 2025.
Municipalities in the Quesnel area
| Municipality | 2025 estimate | 2021 Census | 2016–21 growth | People / km² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quesnel | 10,253 | 9,889 | +0.1% | 280 |
| Cariboo A | 6,172 | 6,169 | -1.0% | 8 |
| Cariboo B | 4,169 | 3,864 | +0.6% | 3 |
| Cariboo I | 1,707 | 1,485 | +3.5% | 0 |
| Cariboo C | 1,289 | 1,239 | +1.1% | 0 |
| Wells | 231 | 218 | +0.5% | 1 |
| Quesnel 1 | 120 | 110 | +2.8% | 20 |
| Nazco 20 | 85 | 81 | -10.0% | 17 |
| Kluskus 1 | 40 | 38 | +5.6% | 9 |
| Dragon Lake 3 | 15 | 15 | -42.3% | 94 |
| Euchinico Creek 17 | 5 | 5 | — | 1 |
| Alexandria | 43 | — | — | — |
| Baezaeko River 27 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Coglistiko River 29 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Sundayman's Meadow 3 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Trout Lake Alec 16 | 0 | 0 | -100.0% | 0 |
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 Quesnel
Age
Median age is 46.8 (Canada: 41.6). 22.5% of residents are 65 or older and 15.8% are under 15.
Languages
3.2% can speak both official languages. At home, 97.3% speak mostly English, 0.1% mostly French and 1.9% mostly another language.
Immigration
— of residents are immigrants (Canada: 23.0%), and — arrived between 2016 and 2021.
Education: 12.5% of 25 to 64 year olds hold a bachelor's degree or higher; 19.7% have a college or CEGEP diploma and 12.5% 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 Quesnel
Half of Quesnel households made more than $73,000 in 2020 and half made less. Across Canada the median was $84,000.
Housing
Housing in Quesnel
Average rent (October 2025)
A two-bedroom apartment rented for $1,226 a month on average, +15.8% from a year earlier and +51.9% over five years.
Sources: Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0258-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0256-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0253-01, Statistics Canada, Table 34-10-0133-01, Statistics Canada, Table 34-10-0127-01
Commuting
Getting around Quesnel
Census day 2021 fell during the COVID-19 pandemic, so transit use is lower than in normal years.
Climate
Quesnel weather and climate
30-year averages (1981–2010) from the Quesnel A weather station, 5.3 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 Quesnel ranks
Compare
Cities near Quesnel
FAQ
Quesnel questions, answered
What is the population of Quesnel?
The Quesnel metro area had an estimated 24,222 people on July 1, 2025 (Statistics Canada). The City of Quesnel itself had about 10,253.
How much is rent in Quesnel?
In October 2025 the average rent in Quesnel was $889 for a one-bedroom and $1,226 for a two-bedroom apartment (CMHC Rental Market Survey).
What is the average household income in Quesnel?
The median household income in Quesnel was $73,000 before tax in 2020 ($65,500 after tax), according to the 2021 Census. The average was $88,000.
How cold does it get in Quesnel?
January averages -6.9°C, with average lows of -10.8°C. Quesnel gets about 162 cm of snow a year, and in July the average daily high is 24.1°C (1981–2010 climate normals).
Is Quesnel bilingual?
3.2% of people in Quesnel can speak both English and French; 96.7% speak English only and 0.0% French only (2021 Census).
What is the median age in Quesnel?
The median age in Quesnel was 46.8 in the 2021 Census, compared with 41.6 for Canada.
Built October 30, 2026 from the latest published official data.