With the high cost of living in Canada’s large urban centres, more people are looking for a better quality of life in smaller communities. British Columbia’s Fort St. John is one of those places, offering the perfect mix of city amenities and small-town feel.
Known as The Energetic City, Fort St. John is resource-rich, and anchored by oil, gas, forestry, and agriculture. These strong sectors offer stable, high-paying jobs that help the community boast one of the country’s highest standards of living. With a median household income of more than $101,000, it’s the second highest in the province and seventh-highest in Canada.
Low cost of living equals high quality of living
A strong energy sector not only fuels the local economy, supporting retail, hospitality, and construction — its impact is felt more widely in the province and across Canada and is responsible for the quality of life we all enjoy. Fort St. John keeps the province’s lights on by generating nearly 40 per cent of B.C.’s hydroelectric output, and the region helps feed the country by supporting 80 per cent of B.C.’s grain production.
With a population of more than 24,000, Fort St. John is the largest city in northeastern B.C. and one of the fastest growing in northern B.C. It’s also young and ambitious. The city has one of the youngest populations in Canada, with a median age of just 32. And while those in British Columbia’s urban centres struggle with the high cost of housing and crowded cities, residents of Fort St. John enjoy affordable homes and endless space. In Fort St. John, the average price of a single-family home is just over $400,000. In Metro Vancouver, it’s more than a million dollars.
And with 304 days of sunshine each year, and an average commute time of 16 minutes, what’s not to love about Fort St. John?
Investing in the future
The community is cultivating a vibrant and diverse economy, making it a prime destination for investment and development. Northern Lights College also provides convenient access to post-secondary education and skilled talent.
The City of Fort St. John has a issued a request for expression of interest (REFOI) for a rare opportunity to develop a parcel of city-owned land in the downtown area, which has the potential to be a catalyst for continued downtown renewal and shape the future of the area. The high-profile land is 0.31 hectares in size and sits on the enviable corner of 100th St. and 100th Ave.
Downtown Fort St. John remains the social and cultural heart of the community. The city has recently completed investments in the area, including a full rebuild of 100th St., including an upgrade of utilities, widened sidewalks, and improved overall feel of downtown. There is also a Revitalization Tax Exemption bylaw to make this downtown development even more desirable.
A community that lives work-life balance
It’s not all work and no play. Fort St. John truly balances work and leisure. With a lower cost of living and short commute times, residents can enjoy life and take advantage of leisure activities close by. Located in the heart of the beautiful Peace River region, Fort St. John celebrates four distinct seasons and offers access to endless outdoor recreation opportunities. From camping and lakeside fun in the summer to sledding, ice fishing, and cross-country skiing in winter. More than 25 km of trails that weave throughout the city and along the many parks and green spaces are waiting to be explored.
If the indoors is more your thing, Fort St. John has it. An indoor speed skating track, hockey arenas, curling rink, running track, and swimming pool. And the city’s vibrant arts community is supported by galleries and the 413-seat theatre at the North Peace Cultural Centre.
Fort St. John isn’t just a place on a map. It’s a place you’ll belong.
Learn how Fort St. John can help you enjoy life and be successful at northboundandfound.ca
