Breakdowns from the 2011 census released by Statistics Canada Tuesday show Nelson residents are much younger on average than those in neighbouring communities.
The figures show the median age in Nelson was 40.9 — 39.5 for men and 42.2 for women — compared to 47.4 for the entire Regional District of Central Kootenay.
That was much closer, however, to the provincial average of 41.9 and national average of 40.6 than most other West Kootenay municipalities. Only Rossland showed an even younger overall demographic, with a median age of 39.9.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the oldest median age was found in New Denver, at 56.5.
The figures also show women outnumber men in Nelson 5,375 to 4,855. Most areas had more women than men, with the exceptions of Areas D (Rural Kaslo), G (Rural Salmo), and H (Slocan Valley) of the regional district.
Nelson's overall population of 10,230 last year marked the first time it has cracked the 10,000 mark.
