Fogo IslandNewfoundland and Labrador

1,979 residents make their home in this town in Newfoundland and Labrador. The population fell 6% between 2016 and 2021.

Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/72874821@N03/ · CC BY 2.0

Population

1,979

people, 2025 estimate

Median age

56.4

years · Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns: 49.4

Postsecondary

36%

of residents 15 and over hold a postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree · Canadian towns: 56%

Walk, cycle, transit

walk, cycle or take transit to work · Canadian towns: 8%

Is Fogo Island a good place to live?

Housing is within reach (A−). Its weakest subject is jobs & income (C−). Health lags (C). Natural hazards are less of a worry than in most Canadian towns (A).

An overall grade comes at 2,500 residents for Canadian towns; Fogo Island has its subject grades alone.

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. Crime here is counted against the people who live here, but many visitors or second-home owners add to it, so the rate per resident runs higher than residents' own risk. 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.

StrongestAHazard risk A⁻Cost of livingWeakestC⁻Jobs & income

How Fogo Island grades

Each subject compares Fogo Island 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 grading works

An overall grade comes at 2,500 residents for Canadian towns; Fogo Island has its subject grades alone.

Hazard riskGraded on earthquake risk and radon, with high wildfire risk able to lower itAOpen →Jobs & incomeIncomes and work are among the weakest comparedC⁻Open →Cost of livingAmong the best of the towns comparedA⁻Open →HealthBased on how healthy residents are for their agesCOpen →WalkabilityEasier than most to get around on footBOpen →SafetyWeaker than most of the towns comparedC⁺Open →

SchoolsWith no open results to compare (the province publishes no results school by school), there’s no schools grade in Newfoundland and Labrador.–

How TownRatings grades Canadian towns →

What makes Fogo Island stand out

The 3 things Fogo Island does most differently from other towns.

Picked automatically from the data

Home value ÷ household income

Housing

2.2 times household income

The middle of Canadian towns: 4.7 times

Median owner’s estimate $139,000, Census 2021; income for 2020.

Unemployment rate, Census 2021

Work

25% unemployment

The median of Canadian towns: 10%

41% of residents 15 and over were in work, May 2021.

Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree

Education

36% have a postsecondary qualification

Half of Canadian towns are above 56%, half below

Statistics Canada, Census 2021

The data

Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Fogo Island.

Natural hazardsHazard risk A

Fogo Island faces fewer hazards than 93% of Canadian towns

Lowwildfire bandAHazard risk Grade

Seismic risk runs low: $0.009 of expected damage per $1,000 of buildings a year, the typical town $0.030. About as many homes carry radon around Fogo Island as elsewhere, 5% over the guideline where the typical town has 6.6%. No one has filed a flood map for Fogo Island on the national inventory.

Radon tests above the guideline · share of tested homes, 200 Bq/m³

Fogo Island5%

Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns4%

Canadian towns6.6%

Hazards	Fogo Island	Newfoundland and Labrador	Canada
Radon tests above the guideline	5%	4%	6.6%
Earthquake loss per $1,000 of buildings a year	$0.009	$0.011	$0.030

Low

wildfire band

Full pageFogo Island’s flood & hazards pageOpen the full Flood & hazards page

WildfireLow wildfire band · No land burned within 25 km since 1986 FloodNo flood study on record Earthquakes$0.009 a year per $1,000 · Canadian towns: $0.030 Radon5% of tests above the guideline Be readyAlerts, FireSmart and radon tests

NRCan seismic risk model and burned areas, Health Canada radon survey, the Flood Hazard Map Inventory · Area behind the radon tests figures: the Central Regional Integrated Health Authority

Schools

Fogo Island Central Academy is the only school in and around Fogo Island

1school within 3 km

An elementary school stands 48 km from the centre, higher than both Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns (3.5 km) and Canadian towns (0.5 km).

School	Level	Students	System
Fogo Island Central AcademyIn Fogo IslandAll grades	All grades	–	English public

Schools within 3 km	Fogo Island	Newfoundland and Labrador	Canada
Nearest secondary school	48 km	25 km	1.2 km
Nearest elementary school	48 km	3.5 km	0.5 km

48 km

to the nearest secondary school

48 km

to the nearest elementary school

Full pageFogo Island’s schools pageOpen the full Schools page

Every school1 school for every grade Language0 of 1 teach in French · 2% of schools in Newfoundland and Labrador Questions“What schools are there in Fogo Island?”

Statistics Canada’s Open Database of Educational Facilities · Source note: the province publishes no results school by school, so there’s no schools grade in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Climate

Summers stay cool in Fogo Island: July afternoons reach 19.9°C, below Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns and Canadian towns

19.9°CJuly afternoons

In January the thermometer sinks to −7.7°C overnight, higher than both Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns (−8.7°C) and Canadian towns (−13.5°C). December is the wettest month, with 121 mm of rain and snow on average. A normal January brings 97 cm of snow, the most of any month.

Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020

Winter−1.6°C

Spring4.0°C

Summer17.9°C

Autumn9.8°C

Normals, 1991–2020	Fogo Island	Newfoundland and Labrador	Canada
Snowfall a year	443 cm	363 cm	141 cm
July afternoon high	19.9°C	21.2°C	25.5°C
January night low	−7.7°C	−8.7°C	−13.5°C
Precipitation a year	1,247 mm	1,305 mm	883 mm

443 cm

of snow a year

162

days with precipitation a year

Full pageFogo Island’s climate pageOpen the full Climate page

The yearJuly highs 19.9°C, January lows −7.7°C Rain and snow1,247 mm a year · Canadian towns: 883 mm Snow443 cm of snow a year Weather station45 km to the station · Twillingate

Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020 (Twillingate)

Work & commuteJobs & income C⁻

A smaller share of people aged 15 to 64 are in work in Fogo Island than in 90% of Canadian towns

6%walk, cycle or take transit

The average trip to work took 22 min, above Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns (19 min) but below Canadian towns (26 min). 93% of commuters took the car to work at the census.

How working residents got to work · census 2021

Car or van93%

Walk4%

Public transit1%

Census 2021	Fogo Island	Newfoundland and Labrador	Canada
Average trip	22 min	19 min	26 min
Car or van	93%	92%	89%

$62,400

median household income, 2020

worked from home, May 2021

89%

of commuters work inside the municipality

Full pageFogo Island’s work & commute pageOpen the full Work & commute page

Unemployment25% unemployed · Of the labour force · Canadian towns: 9.9%Getting to work6% walk, cycle or take transit

Statistics Canada, Census 2021 (labour and commuting) · Census day was in May 2021, mid-pandemic, so commuting and work figures carry the lockdowns’ mark.

HousingCost of living A⁻

Most households in Fogo Island own their home: 91%, more than in Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns or across Canadian towns

$139,000median home value, 2021A⁻Cost of living Grade

Rent took 17% of household income, close to Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns (17%) and below Canadian towns (20%). Shelter took 30% or more of income for 5% of households, below both Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns (15%) and Canadian towns (18%).

What homes were worth · The median owner’s estimate at the 2021 census

Fogo Island$139,000

Newfoundland and Labrador$215,000

Canadian towns$406,000

Census 2021	Fogo Island	Newfoundland and Labrador	Canada
Households spending 30%+ on shelter	5%	15%	18%
Households owning their home	91%	78%	74%
Rent as a share of income	17%	17%	20%

$800

monthly rent for a two-bedroom

$452

median monthly shelter cost for owners, 2021

Full pageFogo Island’s cost of living pageOpen the full Cost of living page

Owners and renters91% own their home Cost of living2.2 times household income · The median owner’s estimate, $139,000, against the median household income Renting$800 a month · The median rent at the 2021 census

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.

HealthHealth C

Arthritis, diabetes and high blood pressure are commoner around Fogo Island (22% against 17% for the typical Canadian town)

54%very good or excellent healthCHealth Grade

Measured across the Central Zone: health survey and life expectancy

What sets Fogo Island apart within its region is a longer trip to hospital, 5.6 km for the average resident (3.7 km typical). Adults here are more upbeat about their health than the province: 54% very good or excellent, against 52% in Newfoundland and Labrador. For 2022/2024, the region’s figure is 79.0 years at birth, 80.5 for women and 77.4 for men. Smokers make up 15% of the region’s adults, near Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns (15%) and higher than Canadian towns (12%).

Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised

Fogo Island54%

Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns50%

Canadian towns52%

Health	Fogo Island	Newfoundland and Labrador	Canada
Chronic conditions (average share)	22%	22%	17%
Very good or excellent health	54%	50%	52%
Life expectancy at birth	79.0	78.6	81.5
Smokers	15%	15%	12%

79.0

years of life expectancy, 2022/2024

5.6 km

from homes to a hospital, on average

15%

of adults smoke, age-standardised

6.8 km

from homes to a pharmacy, on average

Full pageFogo Island’s health pageOpen the full Health page

Health survey54% very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised Getting care5.6 km to a hospital · A pharmacy 6.8 km away on average The wider areaLife expectancy: women 80.5, men 77.4 Conditions and habits22% with chronic conditions · adults, age-standardised

Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey 2023/2024 and life expectancy 2022/2024; Open Database of Healthcare Facilities

Who lives here

Older residents shape Fogo Island: 31% are 65 or over, above Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns and Canadian towns

56.4median age

Under 15: just over one in ten residents. 0.5% of residents came to Canada as immigrants, below Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns (1.6%) and Canadian towns (6.4%) alike.

Fogo IslandNewfoundland and LabradorCanada

Newfoundland and LabradorCanada

Ages · Share of residents in each age group, Census 2021

31%

Schooling · Highest qualification, residents 15 and over

No certificate, diploma or degree32%

Postsecondary qualification36%

Women and men · all residents

Women make up 50.1% of Fogo Island

Here the census found 1,055 men and 1,060 women; the figure for women across Canada is 50.9%.

Who lives in Fogo Island
	Fogo Island	Newfoundland and Labrador	Canada
Under 15	12%	13%	16%
15 to 64	58%	61%	64%
65+	31%	26%	19%
No certificate, diploma or degree	32%	21%	16%
Postsecondary qualification	36%	53%	56%

Full pageFogo Island’s Who lives here pageOpen the full Who lives here page

Ages56.4 median age · 31% are 65 or over Households960 households · 2.2 people per household Immigrants1% are immigrants · 0% belong to a visible minority English and French1% speak both · 0% speak French but not English

Statistics Canada, Census 2021; Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada: medians of towns of 2,500+

SafetySafety C⁺

Violent crime weighs less where Fogo Island is policed than in Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns or Canadian towns: a violent severity index of 54

73Crime Severity Index

A best guess: the nearest detachment’s figures, since none is filed under Fogo Island

Property crime in its police area ran at 20.1 per 1,000 residents a year, lower than both Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns (34.8) and Canadian towns (31.2). The force’s area logs 12.5 violent incidents per 1,000 residents a year. Fogo Island doesn’t get its own Crime Severity Index, Violent Crime Severity Index, violent crime and property crime per 1,000 figures; the ones here come from the Carmanville detachment area.

Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year

202371

202493

202555

2023–2025	Fogo Island	Newfoundland and Labrador	Canada
Property crime per 1,000	20.1	34.8	31.2
Violent Crime Severity Index	54	82	86
Violent crime	12.5	16.7	12

non-violent Crime Severity Index

21%

of incidents cleared, 2023–25

Full pageFogo Island’s safety reportOpen the full Safety report

Safety73 Crime Severity Index · The index weighs each crime Fogo Island’s police recorded by how serious it is.Questions“Is Fogo Island safe?”

Statistics Canada, Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, 2023–2025 average

Weather

What November brings in Fogo Island: freezing at night, 5°C by day

5°Ca normal November afternoon

In November, the normal is 110 mm of rain and snow. Looking ahead to December, expect highs near freezing and lows near −4°C. About 30 cm of snow falls in a normal November. Hour-by-hour figures come from ECCC’s Musgrave Harbour forecast, on the Weather page.

Normal highs, the months ahead · ECCC normals, 1991–2020

November5°C

December0°C

January−2°C

February−3°C

Season	High	Low	Rain and snow
Winter	−2°C	−7°C	316 mm
Spring	4°C	−2°C	291 mm
Summer	18°C	10°C	296 mm
Autumn	10°C	4°C	345 mm

0°C

a normal November night

110 mm

of rain and snow in a normal November

Full pageFogo Island’s weather pageOpen the full Weather page

Next 24 hoursTemperature and chance of rain, hour by hour The week aheadECCC’s days ahead, beside the normals The yearWarmest July, coldest February

ECCC normals, 1991–2020 (Twillingate); the forecast is on the Weather page

Town hall

Clifford Small (Conservative Party of Canada) holds Central Newfoundland, the riding that includes Fogo Island

The Liberal Party of Canada has 4 of the 7 MPs elected in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Full pageFogo Island’s town hall & politics pageOpen the full Town hall & politics page

Who runs itTown

Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada

Library & civic lifeCivic life grade B⁺

Fogo Island has one public library, Fogo Island Public Library

It stands 5.2 km from the centre of Fogo Island.

Full pageFogo Island’s library & civic life pageOpen the full Library & civic life page

The libraries1 Libraries Places to belong2 charities per 1,000 residents

Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada

Outdoors

Fogo Island has 4 beaches within 5 km

1.8%of the land within 10 km protected

The closest provincial park is Dildo Run Provincial Park, 28 km from the edge of town. Within 100 km there is no national park. 2 areas within 10 km are protected for nature. Some protected land is inside the town: just over a tenth of its area.

Protected land · of the land within 10 km

Fogo Island1.8%

Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns0.4%

Canadian towns2.3%

Outdoors	Fogo Island	Newfoundland and Labrador	Canada
Protected land within 10 km	1.8%	0.4%	2.3%
Public protected areas within 10 km	2	1	4

28 km

to Dildo Run Provincial Park

beaches within 5 km

Full pageFogo Island’s outdoors pageOpen the full Outdoors page

Protected landof the land within 10 km Protected areas2 protected areas within 10 km · Town of Fogo Island Public Water Supplies OECM National & provincial parks28 km to a provincial park · Dildo Run Provincial Park

Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD), OpenStreetMap routes and beaches

History

Fogo Island’s oldest designated place, Tilting, dates from 1730

1historic place

A third of its homes were built before 1961, above both Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns (17%) and Canadian towns (18%). The registers list 1 historic place inside the town, and it carries the highest designation.

Historic places by designation · inside the town

Highest designations1

Other federal designations0

Provincial and local listings0

Among them

Tilting 1730

1730

oldest construction date on the record

33%

of homes built before 1961 · Canadian towns 18%

Heritage	Fogo Island	Newfoundland and Labrador	Canada
Homes built before 1961	33%	17%	18%

Full pageFogo Island’s history pageOpen the full History page

On the registersOne historic place inside the town Highest designations1 top designation · Tilting Older homes33% built before 1961 · Canadian towns: 18%Questions“How many historic places does Fogo Island have?”

Canadian Register of Historic Places, Directory of Federal Heritage Designations, Québec’s Répertoire du patrimoine culturel, Wikidata; Census 2021 homes by period

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Fogo Island

15pages on Fogo Island

The big questions

SafetyC⁺Crime Severity Index 73 Housing & costA⁻Homes 2.2 × income Property pricesSchoolsOne school within 3 km HealthCLife expectancy 79 in its region Work & commuteC⁻41% of adults in work Natural hazardsAWildfire band: low

Out and about

Outdoors1.8% of the land within 10 km protected AttractionsClimateJuly afternoons around 20°C WeatherECCC’s forecast, beside the normals

The story

Who lives hereMedian age 56.4 HistoryOne place on the heritage registers Town hallFamous people

Nearby attractions

Museum of the Flat Earth and 8 more in and around Fogo Island

What there is to see in Fogo Island and within a short drive, starting with the places most people have heard of.

All attractions →

MuseumMuseumMuseum of the Flat Earthin town Art galleryArt galleryHerring Cove Art Gallery and Studio and Linda's Quiltsin town Art galleryArt galleryJ.K. Contemporaryin town MuseumMuseumThe Fogo Wireless Relay Stationin town Art galleryArt galleryYoung Studiosin town MuseumMuseumBleak Housein town

About Fogo Island

Town in Newfoundland and Labrador

Statistics Canada treats Fogo Island as a single census subdivision in Newfoundland and Labrador, and TownRatings keeps to that line.

Statistics Canada: population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155), Census of Population 2021, 2021 census boundaries.

Population: 1,979 (people, 2025 estimate)
Province or territory: Newfoundland and Labrador
Census division: Division No. 8
Census subdivision: 1008099

Questions about Fogo Island

Who are the people of Fogo Island?

0% of residents belong to a visible minority, against 15% for the median of Canadian towns; 5% have an Indigenous identity and 1% are immigrants.

What kind of homes are in Fogo Island?

Mostly 95% single-detached houses (the median of Canadian towns: 64%), with 0% of homes in buildings of five or more storeys.

Is Fogo Island growing?

It went from 2,244 people in 2016 to 2,117 in 2021, down 5.7%, while the median of Canadian towns grew 4.1%. StatCan’s 2025 estimate is 1,979.

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).