SoutheskNew Brunswick

For health, Southesk gets a D−

Smoking is commoner than in the province: a fifth of adults, against 14% for New Brunswick. The three chronic conditions the survey tracks average just over a fifth of adults, above both New Brunswick’s towns (18%) and Canadian towns (17%). Adults here are more upbeat about their health than the province: 47% very good or excellent, against 44% in New Brunswick. The region’s 2022/2024 life expectancy is 78.9, with women at 82.0 and men at 75.7. Southesk doesn’t get its own health survey and life expectancy figures; the ones here come from the Zone 7 (Miramichi area).

On hazards, Southesk comes out behind 93% of Canadian towns

Area-wide: radon tests, counted over the Region 7 health region

Shaking is a bigger worry than in most places, at $0.079 a year per $1,000 of building value ($0.030 typical). Wildfire is rare near Southesk: 1.5% of the land within 25 km has burned since 1986, a burn rate of 0.04% a year. In Health Canada’s survey, 29% of homes tested in the area exceeded 200 Bq/m³ (6.6% typical). Service New Brunswick - GeoNB has mapped the flood hazard here: one study on the national inventory.

Commuters in Southesk travel further than in New Brunswick’s towns or Canadian towns, 28 min on average

92% of commuters drove, close to both New Brunswick’s towns (95%) and Canadian towns (89%).

The force covering Southesk records more serious violence than New Brunswick’s towns or Canadian towns, at 142

No police detachment reports under Southesk’s name, so these are the nearest detachment’s figures, not the town’s own

Violent incidents in its police area came to 25.1 per 1,000 residents a year, above New Brunswick’s towns (14.9) and Canadian towns (12) alike. Thefts, break-ins and damage add up to 34.8 per 1,000 residents a year where it is policed.

More of the land around Southesk is protected than around 9 in 10 Canadian towns

The closest provincial park is Mount Carleton Provincial Park, 6.3 km from the edge of town. Protected areas open to the public, within 10 km of the town: 68, higher than both New Brunswick’s towns (7) and Canadian towns (4). 43 km separate the town from Kouchibouguac National Park, its nearest national park. Some protected land is inside the town: just over a fifth of its area.

Most households in Southesk own their home: 92%, more than in both New Brunswick’s towns and Canadian towns

Shelter took 30% or more of income for 6% of households, below both New Brunswick’s towns (9%) and Canadian towns (18%). Rent took nearly a fifth of household income, near New Brunswick’s towns (20%) and lower than Canadian towns (20%).

Children make up only 11% of Southesk, fewer than in both New Brunswick’s towns and Canadian towns

Both official languages: 10% of residents, between New Brunswick’s towns (27%) and Canadian towns (7.5%). Retirement age and beyond: 26% of residents are 65 or older.

Winter nights bite in Southesk: January lows of −15.3°C, colder than New Brunswick’s towns or Canadian towns

The thermometer drops below freezing on 177 days a year, near New Brunswick’s towns (170) and higher than Canadian towns (159). Gardeners get 133 frost-free days, from 23 May to 5 October. Snow peaks in January: 82 cm in a normal year. The most precipitation falls in October: 113 mm in a normal year.

Expect November days around 6°C in Southesk, nights around −3°C

The month after, December, normally sees −1°C afternoons and −10°C nights. Precipitation in November averages 93 mm. November usually brings some 24 cm of snow. July brings the warmest days, 26°C; January the coldest nights, −15°C.

Mike Dawson (Conservative Party of Canada) represents Southesk in Ottawa as MP for Miramichi—Grand Lake

From New Brunswick come 10 MPs, 6 of them with the Liberal Party of Canada.

The nearest public library to Southesk is Newcastle Public Library, 20 km away

After it comes Chatham Public Library (Miramichi), 29 km away.

7 schools serve Southesk, 6 elementary schools and 1 secondary school

The closest elementary school is 4.6 km away, above both New Brunswick’s towns (1.6 km) and Canadian towns (0.5 km). From the town centre, high school starts 5 km away, above New Brunswick’s towns (4.5 km) and Canadian towns (1.2 km) alike.

1 historic place on the heritage registers in Southesk

One more stands just outside, within 5 km of the town’s edge. At the 2021 census, 17% of homes dated from before 1961, in line with New Brunswick’s towns (18%) and Canadian towns (18%).