CarbonearNewfoundland and Labrador
It lies in Division No. 1. 5,041 people live in this town in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Is Carbonear a good place to live?
Several subjects drag its grade down. Work and incomes lag (D). With a D overall, Carbonear sits #28 of 32 in Newfoundland and Labrador. Nationally, it does better than 6% of Canadian towns. Its strongest subject is hazard risk (A). Homes were valued at a median $200,000 at the 2021 census, 3.5 times the typical household’s income. Health is a weak point (D).
Figures: home values and income: Statistics Canada, Census 2021.
This town's rent is the 2021 census rent scaled to 2025 by its province's ratio of surveyed to census rents: no rental survey covers it, so its Cost Grade is less sure. Safety less sure: no police service names this town, so its crime figure is the nearest police detachment's, shared with a wider area. No School Grade: this province doesn't publish comparable results school by school. Health is graded on the health region's survey figures and life expectancy, with the distance to hospital giving the town its own spread.
How Carbonear grades
Each subject compares Carbonear with Canadian towns of 2,500 or more, ordered by how far it is from the middle. Towns in other countries are graded separately.
How TownRatings grades Canadian towns →
What makes Carbonear stand out
The 3 things Carbonear does most differently from other towns.
The data
Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Carbonear.
Carbonear gets an A for hazard risk
Earthquakes matter little: NRCan’s model puts building losses at $0.010 a year per $1,000 of value, against $0.030 for the typical town. Fewer homes than usual carry radon here, 4% over the guideline where the typical town has 6.6%. Department of Environment and Climate Change has mapped the flood hazard here: one study on the national inventory. The burn rate around Carbonear is 0.23% a year (9.2% of the land within 25 km since 1986), a moderate band.
Radon tests above the guideline · share of tested homes, 200 Bq/m³
| Hazards | Carbonear | Newfoundland and Labrador | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radon tests above the guideline | 4% | 4% | 6.6% |
| Earthquake loss per $1,000 of buildings a year | $0.010 | $0.011 | $0.030 |
NRCan seismic risk model and burned areas, Health Canada radon survey, the Flood Hazard Map Inventory · Radon tests published for the Eastern Regional Integrated Health Authority, not by town
Carbonear has lower household incomes than 93% of Canadian towns
The average trip to work took 21 min, above Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns (19 min) but below Canadian towns (26 min). At the census, nearly nine in ten commuters went by car.
How working residents got to work · census 2021
| Census 2021 | Carbonear | Newfoundland and Labrador | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip | 21 min | 19 min | 26 min |
| Car or van | 89% | 92% | 89% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021 (labour and commuting) · Census day was in May 2021, mid-pandemic, so commuting and work figures carry the lockdowns’ mark.
The region around Carbonear carries more chronic illness than the typical Canadian town: 24% to 17%
In the health survey, 44% of adults in the region rated their health very good or excellent, lower than both Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns (50%) and Canadian towns (52%). The region has more smokers than Newfoundland and Labrador, 17% of adults to 15%. A baby born in the region can expect 78.6 years, 80.8 for a girl and 76.4 for a boy (2022/2024). Closer to home, a hospital is just 1.4 km from the average resident of Carbonear, nearer than the usual 3.7 km. Figures for health survey and life expectancy are published for the Eastern Rural Zone as a whole, not for Carbonear alone.
Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised
| Health | Carbonear | Newfoundland and Labrador | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chronic conditions (average share) | 24% | 22% | 17% |
| Very good or excellent health | 44% | 50% | 52% |
| Smokers | 17% | 15% | 12% |
| Life expectancy at birth | 78.6 | 78.6 | 81.5 |
Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey 2023/2024 and life expectancy 2022/2024; Open Database of Healthcare Facilities
Crime runs heavier where Carbonear is policed than in Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns or Canadian towns, at an index of 108
These figures come from the closest detachment: none reports for Carbonear itself
Where it is policed, 20.3 violent incidents per 1,000 residents are recorded each year. Property crime in its police area ran at 53.1 per 1,000 residents a year, higher than both Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns (34.8) and Canadian towns (31.2).
Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year
| 2023–2025 | Carbonear | Newfoundland and Labrador | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property crime per 1,000 | 53.1 | 34.8 | 31.2 |
| Crime Severity Index | 108 | 81 | 67 |
| Violent crime | 20.3 | 16.7 | 12 |
Statistics Canada, Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, 2023–2025 average · Data for Crime Severity Index, Violent Crime Severity Index, violent crime and property crime per 1,000 covers the Harbour Grace detachment area
Winters are mild in Carbonear: January nights hold at −7.8°C, above Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns and Canadian towns
July afternoons in Carbonear average 20.9°C. The frost-free season runs from 28 May to 18 October, 142 days. Rain and melted snow add up to 1,539 mm a year, higher than both Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns (1,305 mm) and Canadian towns (883 mm). Snow peaks in January: 95 cm in a normal year.
Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Normals, 1991–2020 | Carbonear | Newfoundland and Labrador | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Precipitation a year | 1,539 mm | 1,305 mm | 883 mm |
| July afternoon high | 20.9°C | 21.2°C | 25.5°C |
| Snowfall a year | 363 cm | 363 cm | 141 cm |
| January night low | −7.8°C | −8.7°C | −13.5°C |
Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020 (St. John's (Airport))
Carbonear gets a C+ for cost of living
Shelter took 30% or more of income for nearly a fifth of households, about level with Canadian towns (18%) and above Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns (15%). The owner-occupied share of households is 73%.
What homes were worth · The median owner’s estimate at the 2021 census
| Census 2021 | Carbonear | Newfoundland and Labrador | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value, 2021 | $200,000 | $215,000 | $406,000 |
| Households spending 30%+ on shelter | 19% | 15% | 18% |
| Rent as a share of income | 19% | 17% | 20% |
| Households owning their home | 73% | 78% | 74% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021; CMHC Rental Market Survey via Statistics Canada · Home values are owners’ own estimates at the May 2021 census, and incomes are for 2020.
Carbonear is older than 89% of Canadian towns: a median age of 51.6
2.6% of residents came to Canada as immigrants, above Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns (1.6%) but below Canadian towns (6.4%). Visible minorities make up 3% of the population, higher than Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns (1.2%) yet lower than Canadian towns (15%).
Ages · Share of residents in each age group, Census 2021
Schooling · Highest qualification, residents 15 and over
Women and men · all residents
Women make up 53.7% of Carbonear
Women numbered 2,520 and men 2,175 in 2021, next to a 50.9% share of women for Canada.
| Carbonear | Newfoundland and Labrador | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 15 | 13% | 13% | 16% |
| 15 to 64 | 58% | 61% | 64% |
| 65+ | 29% | 26% | 19% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 20% | 21% | 16% |
| Postsecondary qualification | 52% | 53% | 56% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021; Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada: medians of towns of 2,500+
Carbonear in November: highs near 7°C, lows near freezing
Expect about 157 mm of rain and snow over November. Next comes December, with normal highs of 2°C and lows of −4°C. November usually brings some 22 cm of snow. The forecast on the Weather page is ECCC’s for Bay Roberts.
Normal highs, the months ahead · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Season | High | Low | Rain and snow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | 0°C | −7°C | 450 mm |
| Spring | 6°C | −2°C | 360 mm |
| Summer | 19°C | 10°C | 288 mm |
| Autumn | 12°C | 4°C | 441 mm |
ECCC normals, 1991–2020 (St. John's (Airport)); the forecast is on the Weather page
Paul Connors (Liberal Party of Canada) holds Avalon, the riding that includes Carbonear
From Newfoundland and Labrador come 7 MPs, 4 of them with the Liberal Party of Canada.
Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada
Carbonear’s public library is Carbonear Public Library
It sits 0.2 km from the centre of Carbonear.
Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada
Beaches near Carbonear: 5 within 5 km
94 km separate the town from Terra Nova National Park, its nearest national park. The nearest provincial park, Marine Drive Provincial Park, is 27 km away.
Protected land · of the land within 10 km
| Outdoors | Carbonear | Newfoundland and Labrador | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protected land within 10 km | 0% | 0.4% | 2.3% |
| Public protected areas within 10 km | 0 | 1 | 4 |
Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD), OpenStreetMap routes and beaches
3 schools serve Carbonear, 2 elementary schools and 1 secondary school
The nearest secondary school is 40 km away, higher than both Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns (25 km) and Canadian towns (1.2 km). From the middle of town, the first elementary school is 3.5 km off, close to Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns (3.5 km) and above Canadian towns (0.5 km).
| School | Level | Students | System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbonear AcademyIn CarbonearElementary | Elementary | – | English public |
| Carbonear CollegiateIn CarbonearSecondary | Secondary | – | English public |
| Schools within 3 km | Carbonear | Newfoundland and Labrador | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest secondary school | 40 km | 25 km | 1.2 km |
| Nearest elementary school | 3.5 km | 3.5 km | 0.5 km |
Statistics Canada’s Open Database of Educational Facilities · Ungraded on schools in Newfoundland and Labrador, because the province publishes no results school by school.
Carbonear: 1 historic place, with the highest designation
Historic places by designation · inside the town
Among them
| Heritage | Carbonear | Newfoundland and Labrador | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homes built before 1961 | 19% | 17% | 18% |
Canadian Register of Historic Places, Directory of Federal Heritage Designations, Québec’s Répertoire du patrimoine culturel, Wikidata; Census 2021 homes by period
Everything we know about Carbonear
Former Carbonear Railway Station (Newfoundland Railway) and 5 more in and around Carbonear
What there is to see in Carbonear and within a short drive, starting with the places most people have heard of.
MuseumFormer Carbonear Railway Station (Newfoundland Railway)in townMuseumMuseumCarbonear Museumin townMuseumMuseumGordon G. Pike Railway Heritage Museum2.1 km outside town, to the southeastMuseumMuseumConception Bay Museum3.2 km outside town, to the southeastWater parkWater parkRattles Swimming Hole2.9 km outside town, to the westMuseumMuseumVictoria Hydro Station -Museum2.9 km outside town, to the northPhotos: each place’s Wikidata image, from Wikimedia Commons under the licence below (our copy, resized).
Photo credits (1)
- Former Carbonear Railway Station (Newfoundland Railway): Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Famous people from Carbonear
17 notable people were born in Carbonear.
Photo credits
Daniel Cleary: TheAHL, CC BY 2.0 · Robert William Boyle: File:Pioneers of Submarine Detection.tiff : Amir Manbachi derivative work: נדב ס, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Duane Andrews: ElizPalmer, CC BY-SA 2.0 · William Duff: Unknown author, Public domain · John S. Currie: Srgulliver, CC BY-SA 4.0
About Carbonear
Town in Newfoundland and Labrador
Every figure TownRatings gives for Carbonear covers the municipality as Statistics Canada maps it, one census subdivision in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Statistics Canada: population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155), Census of Population 2021, 2021 census boundaries.
- Population
- 5,041 (people, 2025 estimate)
- Province or territory
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Census division
- Division No. 1
- Census subdivision
- 1001370
Carbonear’s neighbours
The nearest places of 1,000 or more. Statistics Canada
| Town | People | km | Overall | Cost | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbonear | 5,041 | — | D | C+ | C− | D |
| Victoria | 1,837 | 3.6 | — | B | C− | D |
| Harbour Grace | 2,872 | 5.6 | D− | B | C− | D |
| Upper Island Cove | 1,553 | 9.6 | — | B+ | C− | D |
| Spaniard's Bay | 2,664 | 14 | D | B− | C+ | D− |
| Bay Roberts | 6,407 | 17 | C− | B | C+ | D− |
People: Statistics Canada, Census 2021. Distances: centre to centre.
Questions about Carbonear
Who are the people of Carbonear?
At the 2021 census, 3% were immigrants and 3% belonged to a visible minority (Canadian towns’ median: 15%). 4% identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit.
How old are the people of Carbonear?
At 51.6, its median age compares with 45.2 across Canadian towns. Children make up 13% of the population and seniors 29%.
What kind of homes are in Carbonear?
85% of homes are single-detached houses, against 64% for the median of Canadian towns, and 0% are in apartment buildings of five storeys or more. A household averages 2.2 people; 33% are one person living alone.
Has Carbonear grown?
Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses it fell from 4,858 to 4,696 residents (3.3% down; Canadian towns’ median grew 4.1%); Statistics Canada now estimates 5,041.
Sources: Statistics Canada, Census of Population 2021 · population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155) and 2021 census boundaries · Uniform Crime Reporting Survey 2023–25 (35-10-0026, 35-10-0183 to 35-10-0190) · CMHC rents as published by Statistics Canada (34-10-0133) · grades by TownRatings. Under the Statistics Canada Open Licence.
Adapted from Statistics Canada (Census of Population 2021, population estimates 2025, 2021 census boundaries) under the Statistics Canada Open Licence; this does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada. Neighbourhood names in some cities © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).