Kootenay
Region Overview
The Kootenay economic region is located in the southeast corner of the province, between the Rocky Mountains to the east, the United States to the south and the Thompson-Okanagan region to the north and west. Cranbrook is the largest population centre in the region.
Key Facts
- Only a small proportion of B.C.’s population lives in Kootenay.
- Kootenay has the highest median age of all the economic regions.
- Unemployment in this region has consistently been higher than in the provincial unemployment rate.
- Around a tenth of all Kootenay employment was in the Other Primary sector (Forestry; Mining, Oil and Gas; Fishing, Hunting and Trapping) in 2019.
- Kootenay has a high number of jobs in Goods-producing sector industries, the second highest proportion of any of the regions.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Employment for this Region (2023)
80,943| Full-time employment: | 77% |
| Part-time employment: | 23% |
Employment for all of B.C. (2023)
2,790,727| Full-time employment (average): | 80% |
| Part-time employment (average): | 20% |
Unemployment Rate for this Region (2023)
5.3%Unemployment Rate for all of B.C. (2023)
5.2%
10-year Unemployment Rate
Unemployment rate refers to the percentage of the population 15 years and older that are not employed.
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Total Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
26,320Forecasted Job Openings
Composition of Job Openings
Forecasted 10-Year Total Employment Growth
4,450Forecasted Average Annual Employment Growth Rate
0.5%Forecasted Employment Growth Rate (2024 - 2034)
Top Occupations
Top occupations are those with stronger demand and offer higher pay compared to other occupations.
Industry Highlights
Services sector
With the abundance of mountain ranges in Kootenay, including the Rocky Mountains, the region is a popular destination for skiers and nature lovers alike. Tourism activities create employment opportunities in the Accommodation and Food Services industry.
Goods sector
Most of Kootenay’s job in the Goods sector(Agriculture; Forestry; Mining, Oil and Gas; Fishing, Hunting and Trapping; Utilities; Construction; and Manufacturing) are in Mining, particularly coal mining. Several hydroelectric dams, including the Seven Mile, Kootenay Canal, Waneta, Keenleyside and Brilliant dams, are located in the region, creating employment in the Utilities industry.
Employment by Industry Table
| Industry | Employment (2023) | % Share of Employment for this Industry |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and Food Services | 5,938 | 7.4% |
| Agriculture and Fishing | 458 | 0.6% |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | 2,208 | 2.8% |
| Construction | 6,625 | 8.3% |
| Educational Services | 7,167 | 8.9% |
| Finance, Insurance and Real Estate | 3,229 | 4.0% |
| Forestry, Logging and Support Activities | 1,271 | 1.6% |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 13,042 | 16.3% |
| Information, Culture and Recreation | 2,667 | 3.3% |
| Manufacturing | 5,146 | 6.4% |
| Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction | 6,979 | 8.7% |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 4,875 | 6.1% |
| Public Administration | 3,312 | 4.1% |
| Repair, Personal and Non-Profit Services | 3,292 | 4.1% |
| Retail Trade | 9,438 | 11.8% |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 2,312 | 2.9% |
| Utilities | 1,104 | 1.4% |
| Wholesale Trade | 1,188 | 1.5% |