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Arviat is one of the most homogeneously Inuit communities in Nunavut. Approximately 95% of the population identifies as Inuk. Families have known each other for generations, and the transmission of traditional culture is strong. The number of qallunaat (non-Inuit) is small and consists mainly of government workers, teachers, and nurses arriving from the south on contracts.

Inuktitut is the language of everything: home, street, school, church, and local government. Early years of schooling are conducted in Inuktitut, with English introduced gradually as a second language. This makes Arviat one of the best communities for those wishing to learn Inuktitut through immersion.

The population is very young. More than half are under 25, with large families and multiple generations living nearby. Birth rates are high by Canadian standards. There is no concentration of foreign communities, though health professionals from the Philippines and Africa appear on nursing contracts.

Arviat has gravel streets lined with modular wooden homes, all built on pilings to protect against permafrost. Most of the housing stock belongs to the government and is rented through the Kivalliq Housing Association on an income-based scale. The wait list for public housing is long, and overcrowding is a serious issue: many families share small homes across several generations.

Those arriving on government, school, or hospital contracts receive employer-provided housing, typically in separate buildings or individual homes reserved for staff. Rent is deducted from pay, making it possible to live there on a reasonable salary.

The private rental market is virtually nonexistent. Homeownership for local residents is difficult given the absence of a market and the logistics of construction. The annual sealift brings materials and new modules, and the government invests in public housing construction to reduce the wait list.

Children in Arviat attend Levi Angmak Elementary School, from kindergarten through Grade 6, and John Arnalukjuak High School, from Grade 7 through Grade 12. Early classes are in Inuktitut, with English introduced gradually. Inuit culture is part of the curriculum, with classes in sewing, hunting, and traditional art.

For post-secondary education, young people from the community travel to Nunavut Arctic College (main campus in Rankin Inlet or Iqaluit). Common programs include nursing, Inuktitut instruction, public administration, mining technician, and trades. In partnership with southern universities, first-year university courses are offered.

A full university degree requires leaving for Winnipeg, Ottawa, or other cities in the Atlantic provinces. The territorial government provides scholarships and financial assistance for Nunavut residents. Retaining educated youth is a challenge, but many return to work as teachers and nurses in their home community.

Arviat is a small, close-knit community. Crimes against strangers are rare. The RCMP maintains a local detachment, and most incidents involve alcohol, domestic disputes, or petty theft. Professionals arriving from the south generally move around without concern.

The polar bear is the most distinctive hazard in Arviat. In late autumn (October and November), before Hudson Bay freezes, hungry bears enter the village in search of food. Serious incidents have occurred. Schools adjust their schedules, a bear patrol is maintained, and children do not go out alone. Pets are kept indoors.

As in other Nunavut communities, rates of domestic violence, suicide, and alcohol abuse are elevated, linked to intergenerational trauma. The territory invests in community programs and in the presence of elders (Inuit community elders) to support youth.

Summer is brief. Between June and August, highs range from 9 to 13 degrees Celsius, with wind off the bay and frequent coastal fog. The bay may still have floating ice through July. The sun is visible for nearly the entire day in June, but cold never fully leaves the picture.

Winter is long and severe. From October through May, lows regularly drop to 30 to 35 degrees below zero Celsius, with strong winds coming off the frozen sea. Homes are built on pilings over permafrost and rely on robust oil heating. Every outing requires a heavy parka, professional-grade thermal boots, a hat, and thick gloves.

Annual precipitation is around 280 millimeters, much of it falling as snow. Northern lights are frequent in winter. The community continues to practice traditional hunting of caribou and seal, activities adapted to the cold-weather calendar. Life takes place largely indoors and in the community center.

The region lies along the polar bear migration route, particularly between October and November, when the animals approach the community waiting for the ice to form. The Margaret Aniksak Visitor Centre provides information on local history, the Polar Bear Patrol program, and the presence of caribou, beluga whales, and arctic foxes in the surrounding area.

Levi Angmak Elementary School and Mark Kalluak Hall host cultural events such as drum competitions, traditional games (Arctic Games), and community festivals. Local artisans are well known for their soapstone carvings and prints; the Arviat Historical Society documents this work, and small shops sell pieces directly from Inuit families.

Nature is the main attraction: McConnell River Bird Sanctuary is nearby and protects snow geese along their migration routes; guided tours take visitors to the Maguse River and the Hudson Bay coastline. No roads connect Arviat to southern Canada, so access is by plane (Calm Air from Winnipeg or Rankin Inlet) or by boat during the brief summer.