Incorporated in 1952, Fort St. James has a population of 4,757, including surrounding First Nations and rural communities. It is a tight knit community that offers an abundance of outdoor activities, many focused around Stuart Lake. The area has hundreds of lakes and rivers suited to various water activities, and a vast amount of rolling hills and forests to hike and mountain bike.
The local economy is well diversified, although resource-oriented. The forest industry constitutes the leading sector followed by mining, agriculture and tourism.  Construction of the Mt. Milligan copper-gold project, located 86 km north of Fort St James, is now in its second year.  The mine is expected to be operating in the latter part of 2013 with full commercial production scheduled for 2014 and will employ 350 permanent positions.  The town of Fort St James will be used as the major hiring centre as well as the supply and service depot for the mine.