THE CITY OF NELSON
Beachfront and Uphill of Kootenay Lake
The City of Nelson is situated at the junction of provincial Highway 3A and Highway 6 on the shores of Kootenay Lake, one of the largest and most beautiful lakes in BC. Though the economy was at one time based on forestry and mining, this is less and less true. Tourism, recreation, hospitality and retail sales now also play major roles. Nelson has also emerged as the provincial administrative center for the Kootenays.
The city is known as a “hotbed“ for entrepreneurs and knowledge workers as well as for local and organic food and product producers (and consumers). Perhaps as a result of all this activity, Nelson also has a cost of living, and housing, higher than any other community KCDS serves. This is a challenge is met by job seekers, employers and residents alike—all of whom appreciate its thriving arts and culture scene and its world class recreational opportunities.
SNAPSHOT
- Population (2014 est.):
10,532 – 16,704 (including RDCK Areas E & F) - Age Demographic Profile:
Children (0-14 years): 1620.
Emerging Labour Force (15-24 years): 1245.
Primary Labour Force (25-64): 5790.
Seniors (65+): 1575 - Labour Force:
Labour Force participation rate: 59.3% (Kootenay Region) Average Income: $37,541/year (88.4 % of BC Average) Source: CRA 2014 - Community Service Providers:
Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce
Nelson & Area Economic Development Partnership
Nelson Rotary
Kalein Hospice Society
Nelson Community Services Society
Nelson & District Youth Centre
Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy
Nelson Advocacy Centre
Nelson Cares
Bigby Place
Kootenay Health Services
Nelson Public Library
Childcare Referral and Resource - Primary Industry:
Healthcare
Social and Gov’t Services
Tourism and Hospitality
Retail Sales
Financial Services
Construction/Paving
Emerging Tech and Knowledge sector - Major Employers:
Interior Health Authority (regional)
FortisBC (regional employer)
BCGEU (regional employer)
Golden Life (regional employer)
SD8
Pacific Insight Electronics
Whitewater Ski Resort
Selkirk College (regional)
City of Nelson
Hume Hotel/Best Western
Walmart
Canada Safeway
Kootenay Country Food Co-Op
Maglio Building Centre
YRB (Yellowhead Road and Bridge)
Nelson and District Credit