July 4th, 2008
269 New Families to Nelson & Area in Past Year – Up 12%
Alberta Migrants Up 36% to 61 Families - BC Still Largest Source at 140 Families
NELSON, BC
According to the 2007 New Resident Survey, sponsored by the Nelson Economic Development Partnership, 269 new families representing 584 new people relocated in Nelson, BC in the year ending May 31, 2008 – up 12% from last year.
Each year Nelson’s Welcome Wagon distributes the survey to new households, and the data gets collected and analyzed by Community Futures.
Nelson Gets Disproportionate Number of Younger Adults (see graph on attachment)
Although Nelson attracts people from all backgrounds, it is particularly well-liked amongst younger adults. For the first time ever this year, the New Resident Survey asked the ages of people moving to Nelson. It found that 45% of those who moved fell between the ages of 25 and 44, 62% higher than the total share of this age group in Nelson (2006 Census). Also striking is that 13% fell between ages 20 and 24 – double the 2006 Census numbers for Nelson for this age category.
Only one in five new residents is over 45. In contrast, nearly 43% of the Nelson population is over 45 according to the 2006 Census.
Where they’re Coming From
Similar to last year, the survey found BC to be the top source of newcomers to Nelson. A total of 140 families moved to Nelson from other areas of BC – 51% of all survey participants.
Alberta remains the second highest source of new residents in Nelson, with 22% (61 families) of survey participants. This 61 families represents a 36% increase (16 more families) from the 45 Albertan families that settled in Nelson last year.
Down 3% from last year however are new Nelson residents from Ontario, totaling 23 families this year. Other Canadian sources included Saskatchewan (8 new families), the Yukon (5), Manitoba (4), Quebec (2), PEI (2), and at least one from each New Brunswick and the Northwest Territories.
Nelson has also become a popular destination for the international traveler. 25 new families from abroad relocated to Nelson this past year, up 6 families from last year. While 13 of these new households came from the United States (4.8 % of respondents), others arrived from Germany (2 families), Scotland (2), Sri Lanka, Holland, Japan, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates.
How did the new residents discover Nelson?
According to the survey data, 112 new families found out about Nelson from family members or friends (42% of respondents), while 80 (30% of respondents) came across it either by driving through or vacationing. 39 new residents reported that they had already lived in Nelson (14%) and 30 claimed to have lived nearby (11%). Compared to last year, 9 more families first heard of Nelson because of a job opportunity – a total of 21 families representing 8% of the survey participants.
What enticed people of all ages, from across Canada and abroad, to move to Nelson, BC?
Nelson’s way of life has been a decisive factor in attracting new residents. Similar to last year, most survey participants noted that they came to Nelson for a lifestyle change (152 respondents representing 57%). Job opportunities and to be near family were both tied at 23% for the second most cited reason to relocate in Nelson, representing 63 families each.
Only 22 respondents cited for the scenery/weather as their top reason for relocating (8% of respondents) – down from last year. On the rise however is the number of people that have moved to Nelson to retire. A total of 24 new Nelson residents came to retire or semi-retire – 7 more than last year, representing a 40% increase form 2007 and a huge increase from the 13 year average where only 5 or so respondents came to retire/semi-retire. Both to seek employment and to start a business were down slightly (19 and 13 families respectively).
What promotional material did they see prior to moving?
When asked about promotional material prior to moving to the Nelson area, 65% of respondents said that they had seen some prior to visiting – an increase of nearly 30% from last year. 75% of those who had seen material said they found the materials on the internet, while Roxanne, the movie, was cited by 17% as the promotional source, followed by magazines/newspapers at 11%.
Satisfied?
Similar to last year, most people moving to Nelson are more than satisfied with the experience. Nearly all (95%) of the new Nelson residents that participated said that the Central Kootenays had lived up to their expectations, while only one person said that it had not.
What could be improved? Recycling & more affordable housing cited often
New Nelson residents also had the opportunity to give feedback on life and work in Nelson. While 51 respondents said they were OK so far, the most common suggestions included recycling or better garbage and recycling service (39 respondents), more affordable rental/housing (22), and remove Baker Street dog bylaw (6). Other cited recommendations were bus service (4), better health care (4), better paying jobs/service (3), and no fast food please (2).
What businesses could be added?
When asked what retail or business services they would like to see in the Central Kootenays, top responses were similar to last year: Tim Horton’s (10 respondents), and TD Bank (9). Forty-five respondents said the current set-up of businesses in Nelson satisfied them, and five recommended against letting in big box stores.
The New Resident Survey has been sponsored by the Nelson Economic Development Partnership and distributed by the Nelson & District Welcome Wagon Committee for more than 15 years. People who move into the Nelson area (includes Proctor, Balfour, 10 miles south of Nelson, and South Slocan) each year are contacted. The results of these surveys are compiled yearly by Community Futures and circulated to other agencies and Municipal and Regional governments.
For more information contact Lisa Erven at Community Futures at 250-352-1933 Ext. 103.
Link: futures.bc.ca/documents/survey.doc