Fort St. John ranks in top 20 of Canada’s most livable cities

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Fort St. John ranked 19th in The Globe and Mail’s Canada’s Most Livable Cities list and 11th in British Columbia.

The Globe and Mail ranked the cities by analyzing 43 variables in ten categories: community, amenities, transportation, climate, economy, housing, demographics, healthcare, safety and education.

The list included 439 cities across Canada, each with a population of at least 10,000 The top city was Victoria, B.C.. overall, though the rankings varied for each specific category.

The news outlet’s main goal with the ranking was to assist Canadians in identifying communities where they can “flourish based on their own circumstances.”

The data used to create the list came from Enironics Analytics Group Ltd., Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., and Environment and Climate Change Canada.

For more information on how each city was ranked, visit The Globe and Mail’s article.

Demographics

The Globe and Mail focused on each city’s stability and sustainability in population growth, diversity and culture.

Fort St. John ranked number 44 in demographics, with Winnipeg, Manitoba, ranked number one and Saint-Lin-Laurentides, Quebec, ranked last.

Fort St. John had a seven per cent population increase in 2023 versus 2018. The city’s diversity is 44 per cent lower than the Canadian average.

The top five languages spoken most often at home, according to data collected by The Globe and Mail, are English, Tagalog, Indigenous Languages, Punjabi and Mandarin.

Economy

The Globe and Mail also assessed each city’s job market, income levels, taxes and overall stability.

Fort St. John ranked 158 in the economy category, with the top spot going to Lethbridge, Alberta and Corner Brooke, Newfoundland at the bottom.

The Globe and Mail says Fort St. John’s unemployment rate is 6.5 per cent, higher than the most recent national rate of 5.7 per cent.

The average household income is $121,957 in Fort St. John.

Fort St. John’s top industry is construction, and the top occupation is sales and service, according to The Globe and Mail.

Housing

The Globe and Mail looked at the affordability of housing and the accessibility of housing options for seniors.

Fort St. John ranked 236 in housing, and Tracadie in New Brunswick ranked number one, while King, Ontario, ranked last.

The Globe and Mail says 16 per cent of households spend more than 30 per cent of their income on housing in Fort St. John. 

BC Housing says 30 per cent of a household’s income going towards housing costs is considered affordable. It is also the percentage of income some banks recommend for housing expenses.

The average rent in Fort St. John is $1,067.

Transportation

The Globe and Mail examined the public transportation system, accessibility and ease of getting around the city.

The Globe and Mail ranked Fort St. John at 152 in transportation, and Vancouver, B.C., topped the list. Saltspring Island, B.C., was ranked at the bottom of the list.

According to data collected by The Globe and Mail, Fort St. John is 52 per cent less walkable than the Canadian average.

Safety

The Globe and Mail examined the likelihood of crimes and residents’ confidence in public safety.

Fort St. John was ranked 69 in the safety category. Mapleton, Ontario, was ranked number one, and Hawkesbury, Ontario, was last.

According to The Globe and Mail, Fort St. John’s likelihood of crime is 78 per cent lower than the Canadian Average.

Healthcare

The Globe and Mail focused on the accessibility and quality of healthcare services, as well as residents’ general perception of their health status.

The Globe and Mail ranked Fort St. John 333rd, and the top spot was Milton, Ontario, with Elliot Lake, Ontario, at the bottom.

According to The Globe and Mail, 74 per cent of Fort St. John has a regular healthcare provider.

Community

The Globe and Mail also assessed social engagement venues, community events, volunteer opportunities and a sense of belonging in the city.

Fort St. John ranked 82nd in community, while Lambton Shores, Ontario, took the top spot and Lachute, Quebec, was at the bottom of the list.

According to The Globe and Mail, 68 per cent of Fort St. John residents feel a strong sense of belonging to the community.

Climate

The Globe and Mail looked at extreme weather, patterns and overall seasonal conditions.

Fort St. John ranked 56th in the climate category, with Esquimalt, B.C., at number one and Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec, at the bottom.

According to The Globe and Mail, Fort St. John has 65 days with a minimum temperature of less than -15 degrees Celsius and two days with a maximum temperature over 30 degrees Celsius.

The city has eight days with precipitation more significant than 10 millimetres and no days with a humidex over 35 degrees Celsius.

Amenities

The Globe and Mail assessed recreational facilities, entertainment, shopping centres, parks and other leisure opportunities available to residents.

Fort St. John ranked 82nd, Victoria topped the list, and Mountain View County was last.

Education

The Globe and Mail evaluated each city’s educational qualifications and the availability of education centres in the area.

Fort St. John ranked 155, Westmount, Quebec, was ranked number one, while Perth East, Ontario, was at the bottom.