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Welcome to Merritt

Explore Merritt

Centrally located at the gateway between British Columbia’s South Coast and Thompson-Okanagan regions, Merritt serves as a hub for outdoor recreation and regional events.

From music festivals and street markets to mountain bike races and car rallies, Merritt’s Nicola Valley offers a vibrant array of activities and cultural experiences. With easy access to hundreds of lakes, streams, and trails, the area is a prime destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering everything from snowmobiling and ice fishing to horseback riding and wilderness adventures.

Nestled among shimmering golden grasslands and sagebrush deserts, bordered by evergreen forests and alpine meadows, Merritt is known for its abundant sunshine and semi-arid climate. Combining small-town charm with big-city amenities, Merritt is the perfect place to flourish under the sun.

Location & Distances

Hope  |  Lower Mainland Region
1-hour drive south
Kamloops  |  Thompson Region
1-hour drive north
Kelowna International Airport (Okanagan)
1.5 hours drive east
Abbotsford International Airport (Lower Mainland)
2-hour drive south
Vancouver International Airport (Lower Mainland)
3-hour drive southwest

Climate Statistics

Climate

Situated in the semi-arid Nicola Valley, at an elevation of 595 metres (1950 feet) above sea level, Merritt tends to experience mild winters with little snowfall and warm, dry, sunny summers. As a point of reference, the elevation on Merritt is roughly equivalent to the elevation of Kamloops commercial district.

  • Annual Mean Total Rainfall 189.3 mm
  • Annual Mean Total Snowfall 99.6 mm
  • Hours of Sunshine 2,030 hours
  • Annual Mean Daily Temperature 6.7° C
  • July Daily Maximum Temperature 28.7° C
  • January Daily Minimum Temperature -10.5° C
  • Average Frost Free Days 250 days
  • Average Growing Season 5 Months

Low Costs

Cost of Living

Low-income housing to executive homes, apartments to acreages – Merritt has what you’re looking for and at a fraction of the cost in larger urban centres.

Shopping

Merritt has ample shopping opportunities, with three locations to get groceries, including Save-on-Foods, No Frills, and Walmart, plus a number of boutique shops like the local butcher. The city is also home to Canadian Tire, City Furniture, Home Hardware, and two Dollaramas. The city is home to nearly 600 businesses offering a variety of goods and services.  View the full business listing at merritt.ca/business-directory.

Amenities

The City is home to an indoor swimming pool, a civic and conference centre, and arena (which is home to Junior A team, Merritt Centennials). The City also has about 8 parks, including amenities such as a spray park, tennis courts, ball tournament fields, skate park, bike pumptrack, multi-sport rink, and much more.  View amenities and more at merritt.ca/visitor.

Municipal Services

Municipal Services

The City of Merritt provides a variety of municipal services, including recreational facilities (pool, arena, civic centre, parks), garbage and recycling collection, sewer and water infrastructure, roads, and the fire department, among others. These include the following:

While the City manages local roads, major highways are overseen by the Ministry of Transportation. The City funds services like BC Transit and the RCMP, but these are operated and managed by provincial or federal authorities. Note that while the City has a Bylaw Officer, they are responsible for enforcing Municipal Bylaws, not federal laws.

Additionally, the City collects property tax on behalf of the Province of BC, but it does not handle the administration of schools. The Nicola Valley Hospital is owned and operated by Interior Health.

Some properties are owned by the City of Merritt but are managed by other organizations or community groups. These include the Merritt Golf and Country Club, the Merritt Seniors Centre, the Merritt Museum and Archives, and the Pickleball Club.

Other community services outside the City’s responsibilities include the public library, which is managed by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD), and Emergency Support Services (ESS), which is coordinated by local volunteers and agencies during emergencies.

For issues with Municipal Services, please complete the form at merritt.ca/report-a-problem

Services | Other Institutions

VISITOR INFORMATION
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