Castlegar

Castlegar sits at the confluence of the Columbia and Kootenay rivers, where geography creates opportunity and challenges in equal measure. This community of 8,300 residents has mastered the art of punching above its weight — home to Selkirk College’s main campus, a regional airport that connects to Vancouver, and the kind of outdoor recreation that makes city dwellers question their life choices.

The numbers tell an interesting story. With 67.7% single-detached homes and a median household income of $81,000, Castlegar attracts families who want space without the Vancouver price tag. The population has grown 3.7% since 2016, driven largely by retirees drawn to the area’s recreational amenities and moderate climate. Zone 7b hardiness means longer growing seasons and less brutal winters than you’d expect this far inland.

Healthcare leads employment at 15.3%, followed by retail and manufacturing each claiming over 12% of the workforce. The regional hospital and college provide economic stability that pure resource towns lack. Still, an unemployment rate of 10.8% reflects the broader Kootenay reality — this isn’t Vancouver’s job market.

For mortgage brokers, Castlegar represents solid collateral territory. Properties here have recreational appeal beyond local demand. The Doukhobor heritage sites, championship golf course, and proximity to Red Mountain Resort create year-round attraction. When Vancouver buyers discover they can get lakefront property for the price of a Burnaby condo, interesting things happen to local real estate values.

Tekamar lends in Castlegar with a maximum 60% LTV, recognizing both the community’s appeal and the practical reality of a smaller buyer pool. The confluence of rivers that built this town also creates the confluence of opportunity that smart brokers understand.