British Columbia · Census Agglomeration
Williams Lake by the numbers
Williams Lake is Canada's 105th largest metro area, home to about 25K people, growing slower than the country since 2021 (+2.2% vs +9.3%). A two-bedroom rents for about $1,455, the median age is 44.4 and January averages -7°C.
People
Population of Williams Lake
The Williams Lake census agglomeration had an estimated 25,061 people on July 1, 2025, up +2.2% since 2021 (Canada grew +9.3%). The 2021 Census counted 23,608 people, +2.1% more than in 2016.
The City of Williams Lake itself had an estimated 11,462 residents in 2025.
Municipalities in the Williams Lake area
| Municipality | 2025 estimate | 2021 Census | 2016–21 growth | People / km² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williams Lake | 11,462 | 10,947 | +1.8% | 330 |
| Cariboo F | 5,016 | 4,792 | +5.2% | 0 |
| Cariboo E | 4,242 | 4,112 | +1.2% | 2 |
| Cariboo D | 3,057 | 2,870 | -2.0% | 3 |
| Alkali Lake 1 | 382 | 358 | +9.1% | 138 |
| Williams Lake 1 | 262 | 248 | +29.8% | 15 |
| Deep Creek 2 | 117 | 111 | +22.0% | 7 |
| Dog Creek 1 | 94 | 88 | +11.4% | 65 |
| Soda Creek 1 | 31 | 30 | -49.2% | 7 |
| Little Springs | 20 | 20 | +33.3% | 4 |
| Dog Creek 2 | 17 | 17 | -15.0% | 8 |
| Johny Sticks 2 | 10 | 10 | 0.0% | 3 |
| Alkali Lake 4A | 5 | 5 | -50.0% | 4 |
| Sandy Harry 4 | 0 | 0 | -100.0% | 0 |
| Swan Lake 3 | 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 Williams Lake
Age
Median age is 44.4 (Canada: 41.6). 21.1% of residents are 65 or older and 16.8% are under 15.
Languages
3.8% can speak both official languages. At home, 96.0% speak mostly English, 0.1% mostly French and 3.0% mostly another language.
Immigration
— of residents are immigrants (Canada: 23.0%), and — arrived between 2016 and 2021.
Education: 14.7% of 25 to 64 year olds hold a bachelor's degree or higher; 17.9% have a college or CEGEP diploma and 13.0% 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 Williams Lake
Half of Williams Lake households made more than $81,000 in 2020 and half made less. Across Canada the median was $84,000.
Housing
Housing in Williams Lake
Average rent (October 2025)
A two-bedroom apartment rented for $1,455 a month on average, +38.3% from a year earlier and +61.1% 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 Williams Lake
Census day 2021 fell during the COVID-19 pandemic, so transit use is lower than in normal years.
Climate
Williams Lake weather and climate
30-year averages (1981–2010) from the Williams Lake A weather station, 8.4 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 Williams Lake ranks
Compare
Cities near Williams Lake
FAQ
Williams Lake questions, answered
What is the population of Williams Lake?
The Williams Lake metro area had an estimated 25,061 people on July 1, 2025 (Statistics Canada). The City of Williams Lake itself had about 11,462.
How much is rent in Williams Lake?
In October 2025 the average rent in Williams Lake was $1,082 for a one-bedroom and $1,455 for a two-bedroom apartment (CMHC Rental Market Survey).
What is the average household income in Williams Lake?
The median household income in Williams Lake was $81,000 before tax in 2020 ($72,500 after tax), according to the 2021 Census. The average was $94,200.
How cold does it get in Williams Lake?
January averages -6.7°C, with average lows of -10.7°C. Williams Lake gets about 177 cm of snow a year, and in July the average daily high is 22.5°C (1981–2010 climate normals).
Is Williams Lake bilingual?
3.8% of people in Williams Lake can speak both English and French; 96.0% speak English only and 0.0% French only (2021 Census).
What is the median age in Williams Lake?
The median age in Williams Lake was 44.4 in the 2021 Census, compared with 41.6 for Canada.
Built October 30, 2026 from the latest published official data.