FERNIE COMMUNITY CONTEXT
SITUATION ANALYSIS & KEY INSIGHTS
The City of Fernie, a community of over 5,000 residents, is geographically located in the Elk Valley of the Kootenay Region in British Columbia. Electoral Area A of the Regional District of East Kootenay surrounds the City of Fernie municipal boundary and many of the recreational amenities and attractions, such as trails, Fernie Alpine Resort, FWA and Island Lake Lodge are located on the lands, private and Crown, in Area A.
Fernie’ s Community Vision( From 2014 O. C. P)
Fernie is an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable community where everyone has the opportunity to pursue an excellent quality of life. Fernie’ s compact neighbourhoods provide a diversity of housing options, and are accessible and friendly. A robust, diverse and resilient economy, including natural resources and tourism industries, supports a skilled workforce. The beauty of the community, it’ s healthy ecosystems and bountiful recreation and leisure opportunities attract residents and visitors alike.
The population in Fernie is one of the fastest growing communities in BC, having increased approximately 18 % from 2011 to 2016. This compares to a provincial average of 5.6 % and a regional average of just over 6 %. The number of occupied private dwellings increased as well, growing 12 % to 2,218.
All age categories in Fernie experienced growth from 2011 to 2016, with the 0-14 age category increasing in distribution more than both the 15-64 and 65 + age groups. The average age is about 39 which is less than the region and BC.
The median total income of households in Fernie was $ 90,112, a change of 59 % from 2005. This income is significantly higher than the $ 69,995 median across BC and the $ 76,850 in the region, but less than neighbouring communities of Elkford($ 100,379) and Sparwood($ 103,538).
With respect to education and labour, 69 % of residents completed some level of post-secondary education( College, University, and Apprenticeship) compared to 59 % in both BC and in the region.
In 2016, there were 2,220 households in Fernie; 72.9 % owned their dwelling compared to 68 % in BC and Canada. Of all households, 22 % spend more than 30 % or more of their income on shelter, which compares to 28 % in all of BC and 17 % in the region. Second homeowners in Fernie, considered residential tourists, represent 30 % of all residential properties and are a unique segment of the tourism economy.
For 2019, BC Assessment data indicated that the average property assessments of a single-family residential property in Fernie was $ 522,000 1, greater than any other community in the Kootenays, including Revelstoke and Nelson.
INSIGHTS
Fernie’ s population and housing stock is growing, though housing is less affordable than other areas in the region.
Fernie has a large working population.
The median income for Fernie and adjacent communities is high compared to the region, making it harder to attract staff to some tourism occupations paying lower wages.
The second homeowner economy is a spin off from tourism and generates revenue for the community on its own.
In 2017 Tourism Fernie released a Value of Tourism Study. Understanding tourism’ s contribution to a community is central to developing an informed tourism planning approach, strengthening the support of community stakeholders and local government, and encouraging an appreciation of tourism’ s economic benefits and development potential.
1
BC Assesment website, Kootenay _ Columbia _ 2019 _ Property _ Assessments, www. bcassessment. ca 17