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<strong>11. Kelowna</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>16.0%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$87,555</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$68,245</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>6.8%</s

11. Kelowna
Income growth (30%): 16.0%
Average household income (15%): $87,555
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $68,245
Population growth (10%): 6.8%

<strong>10. Port Coquitlam</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>11.6%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$100,569</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$79,326</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong

10. Port Coquitlam
Income growth (30%): 11.6%
Average household income (15%): $100,569
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $79,326
Population growth (10%):

<strong>9. New Westminster</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>11.6%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$78,080</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$61,320</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>

9. New Westminster
Income growth (30%): 11.6%
Average household income (15%): $78,080
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $61,320
Population growth (10%):

<strong>8. Delta</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>11.2%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$108,061</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$88,946</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>4.6%</str

8. Delta
Income growth (30%): 11.2%
Average household income (15%): $108,061
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $88,946
Population growth (10%): 4.6%

<strong>7. Surrey</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>11.6%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$95,139</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$73,228</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>10.9%</st

7. Surrey
Income growth (30%): 11.6%
Average household income (15%): $95,139
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $73,228
Population growth (10%): 10.9%

<strong>6. Langley (township)</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>11.5%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$107,591</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$92,254</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <str

6. Langley (township)
Income growth (30%): 11.5%
Average household income (15%): $107,591
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $92,254
Population growth (10%):

<strong>5. Coquitlam</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>11.5%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$94,206</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$72,190</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>8.3%</

5. Coquitlam
Income growth (30%): 11.5%
Average household income (15%): $94,206
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $72,190
Population growth (10%): 8.3%

<strong>4. Squamish</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>16.5%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$99,174</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$72,716</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>10.4%</

4. Squamish
Income growth (30%): 16.5%
Average household income (15%): $99,174
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $72,716
Population growth (10%): 10.4%

<strong>4. North Vancouver (district)</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>11.4%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$130,035</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$114,078</strong><br> Population growth (1

4. North Vancouver (district)
Income growth (30%): 11.4%
Average household income (15%): $130,035
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $114,078
Population growth (1

<strong>2. Dawson Creek</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>28.0%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$96,902</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$69,276</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>9.9

2. Dawson Creek
Income growth (30%): 28.0%
Average household income (15%): $96,902
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $69,276
Population growth (10%): 9.9

<strong>1. Fort St. John</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>27.3%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$126,850</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$105,086</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>

1. Fort St. John
Income growth (30%): 27.3%
Average household income (15%): $126,850
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $105,086
Population growth (10%):

<strong>36. Port Alberni</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>12.7%</strong> <br> Average household income (20%): <strong>$67,819</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$58,258 </strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>-

36. Port Alberni
Income growth (30%): 12.7%
Average household income (20%): $67,819
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $58,258
Population growth (10%): -

<strong>35. Powell River</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>12%</strong> <br> Average household income (20%): <strong>$70,838</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$61,042 </strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>0.5

35. Powell River
Income growth (30%): 12%
Average household income (20%): $70,838
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $61,042
Population growth (10%): 0.5

<strong>34. Quesnel</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>19.1%</strong> <br> Average household income (20%): <strong>$86,546</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$73,126</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>-0.2%</

34. Quesnel
Income growth (30%): 19.1%
Average household income (20%): $86,546
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $73,126
Population growth (10%): -0.2%

<strong>33. Campbell River</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>15.6%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$81,193</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$64,754</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>

33. Campbell River
Income growth (30%): 15.6%
Average household income (15%): $81,193
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $64,754
Population growth (10%):

<strong>32. Williams Lake</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>19.5%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$84,144</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$67,266</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>-

32. Williams Lake
Income growth (30%): 19.5%
Average household income (15%): $84,144
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $67,266
Population growth (10%): -

<strong>31. Duncan</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>15.2%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$78,287</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$59,886</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>2.0%%</s

31. Duncan
Income growth (30%): 15.2%
Average household income (15%): $78,287
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $59,886
Population growth (10%): 2.0%%

<strong>30. Salmon Arm</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>16.7%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$76,248</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$62,873</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>1.1%

30. Salmon Arm
Income growth (30%): 16.7%
Average household income (15%): $76,248
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $62,873
Population growth (10%): 1.1%

<strong>29. Penticton</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>19.2%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$75,735</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$65,290</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>-2.1%

29. Penticton
Income growth (30%): 19.2%
Average household income (15%): $75,735
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $65,290
Population growth (10%): -2.1%

<strong>28. Chilliwack</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>13.6%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$77,946</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$66,073</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>7.8%

28. Chilliwack
Income growth (30%): 13.6%
Average household income (15%): $77,946
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $66,073
Population growth (10%): 7.8%

<strong>27. Abbotsford-Mission</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>13.5%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$86,121</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$67,169</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <str

27. Abbotsford-Mission
Income growth (30%): 13.5%
Average household income (15%): $86,121
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $67,169
Population growth (10%):

<strong>26. Nanaimo</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>15%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$77,377</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$56,195</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>2.8%</str

26. Nanaimo
Income growth (30%): 15%
Average household income (15%): $77,377
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $56,195
Population growth (10%): 2.8%

<strong>25. Terrace</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>21.8%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$83,113</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$63,741</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>0.5%</s

25. Terrace
Income growth (30%): 21.8%
Average household income (15%): $83,113
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $63,741
Population growth (10%): 0.5%

<strong>24. Prince Rupert</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>22.1%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$86,685</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$58,959</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>-

24. Prince Rupert
Income growth (30%): 22.1%
Average household income (15%): $86,685
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $58,959
Population growth (10%): -

<strong>23. Maple Ridge</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>11.6%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$94,388</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$79,427</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>7.9

23. Maple Ridge
Income growth (30%): 11.6%
Average household income (15%): $94,388
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $79,427
Population growth (10%): 7.9

<strong>22. Vernon</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>17.6%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$82,057</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$63,115</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>2.3%</st

22. Vernon
Income growth (30%): 17.6%
Average household income (15%): $82,057
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $63,115
Population growth (10%): 2.3%

<strong>21. Courtenay</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>16.5%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$78,740</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$61,598</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>4.5%<

21. Courtenay
Income growth (30%): 16.5%
Average household income (15%): $78,740
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $61,598
Population growth (10%): 4.5%

<strong>20. Victoria</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>10.9%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$88,263</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$62,778</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>3.7%</

20. Victoria
Income growth (30%): 10.9%
Average household income (15%): $88,263
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $62,778
Population growth (10%): 3.7%

<strong>19. Prince George</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>19.6%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$92,967</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$68,631</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>2

19. Prince George
Income growth (30%): 19.6%
Average household income (15%): $92,967
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $68,631
Population growth (10%): 2

<strong>18. Parksville</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>14.2%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$74,235</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$71,573</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>4.4%

18. Parksville
Income growth (30%): 14.2%
Average household income (15%): $74,235
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $71,573
Population growth (10%): 4.4%

<strong>17. Vancouver</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>11.4%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$88,024</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$63,923</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>3.7%<

17. Vancouver
Income growth (30%): 11.4%
Average household income (15%): $88,024
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $63,923
Population growth (10%): 3.7%

<strong>16. Cranbrook</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>22.9%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$93,217</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$64,828</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>2.2%<

16. Cranbrook
Income growth (30%): 22.9%
Average household income (15%): $93,217
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $64,828
Population growth (10%): 2.2%

<strong>15. Pitt Meadows</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>11.5%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$$95,996</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$66$85,688073</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <st

15. Pitt Meadows
Income growth (30%): 11.5%
Average household income (15%): $$95,996
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $66$85,688073
Population growth (10%):

<strong>14. Burnaby</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>11.5%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$82,068</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$65,610</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>6.2%</s

14. Burnaby
Income growth (30%): 11.5%
Average household income (15%): $82,068
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $65,610
Population growth (10%): 6.2%

<strong>13. Kamloops</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>20.1%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$91,094</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$66,215</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>1.9%</

13. Kamloops
Income growth (30%): 20.1%
Average household income (15%): $91,094
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $66,215
Population growth (10%): 1.9%

<strong>12. Richmond</strong><br> Income growth (30%): <strong>11.5%</strong> <br> Average household income (15%): <strong>$87,026</strong> <br> Average income, 35 and under (15%): <strong>$69,385</strong><br> Population growth (10%): <strong>6.5%</

12. Richmond
Income growth (30%): 11.5%
Average household income (15%): $87,026
Average income, 35 and under (15%): $69,385
Population growth (10%): 6.5%

To evaluate B.C.’s Best Cities For Work, we looked at six economic indicators, each weighted differently, that we believe reflect the health of a city’s job market. Each statistic was divided or multiplied to come up with a score suitable to its weighting.


1. Five-year average household income change. This figure represents data from 2010 to 2015. We present the actual percentage growth, with a floor of 0 and ceiling of 30 to arrive at a score out of 30 (30% of total score)
2. Average household income. This figure represents data from 2015. We took the raw number and divided it by 10,000 to arrive at a score out of 15 (15% of total score)
3. Average household income under 35. This figure represents the average household income for household maintainers, or primary income earners, under the age of 35 in 2015. Again, the score is derived by taking the number and dividing it by 10,000 to get a number out of 15 (15% of total score)
4. Five-year population change. This figure represents data from 2010 to 2015. We present the actual percentage growth, with a floor of 0 and ceiling of 10 to arrive at a score out of 10 (10% of total score)
5. Unemployment rate. This figure uses the unemployment rate from the September 2015 Labour Market Survey. We took the number 10 and subtracted the community’s unemployment rate from it to arrive at a score out of 10, with a floor of 0 and a ceiling of 10 (10% of total score)
6. Percentage of households with university degrees. We took this percentage for the year 2015 and capped the score out of 20 (20% of total score)

A note about exclusions: We only considered cities with more than 10,000 permanent residents. We excluded bedroom communities, such as West Vancouver, Port Moody and White Rock, which have high incomes but relatively small job markets. And we didn’t consider UBC, which technically is its own jurisdiction.  

Finally, it should be mentioned that while we believe Environics Analytics' data is the best available, it is not without its limitations. Our income numbers, for example, are produced using Statistics Canada and Canada Revenue Agency data projected forward to 2015. And the unemployment rate uses figures from Statistics Canada’s September 2015 Labour Force Survey, which only calculates a regional number and will not reflect changes that occurred in the latter half of 2015.

BCBusiness Editor-in-Chief sat down with Global Morning News for a closer look at the Best Cities for Work in 2016 list. Watch it here >>