Upper Island CoveNewfoundland and Labrador
It shrank by 10% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses. Some 1,553 people live in this town, in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Is Upper Island Cove a good place to live?
Floods and other hazards weigh less here (A). Prices are modest for what you get (B+). Its weakest subject is jobs & income (D−). It lags on health as well (D).
Upper Island Cove is graded subject by subject, but Canadian towns need 2,500 residents for an overall grade.
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.
What makes Upper Island Cove stand out
The 3 things Upper Island Cove does most differently from other towns.
How Upper Island Cove grades
Each subject compares Upper Island Cove with Canadian towns of 2,500 or more, ordered by how far it is from the middle. Towns in other countries are graded separately.
Upper Island Cove is graded subject by subject, but Canadian towns need 2,500 residents for an overall grade.
How TownRatings grades Canadian towns →
The data
Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Upper Island Cove.
Commuters in Upper Island Cove travel further than in Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns or Canadian towns, 31 min on average
The car took 97% of commuters, higher than both Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns (92%) and Canadian towns (89%).
How working residents got to work · census 2021
| Census 2021 | Upper Island Cove | Newfoundland and Labrador | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip | 31 min | 19 min | 26 min |
| Car or van | 97% | 92% | 89% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021 (labour and commuting) · These are May 2021 figures, gathered while COVID-19 kept many people home or out of work.
For health, Upper Island Cove sits behind 93% of Canadian towns
Measured across the Eastern Rural Zone: health survey and life expectancy
Statistics Canada puts the region’s life expectancy at 78.6, women 80.8 and men 76.4 (2022/2024). Arthritis, diabetes and high blood pressure affect nearly a quarter of the region’s adults on average, higher than both Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns (22%) and Canadian towns (17%). In the health survey, 44% of adults in the region rate their health very good or excellent, fewer than Newfoundland and Labrador’s 52%. Smoking is commoner than in the province: 17% of adults, against 15% for Newfoundland and Labrador.
Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised
| Health | Upper Island Cove | 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
Upper Island Cove faces fewer hazards than 91% of Canadian towns
Shaking is less of a worry than in most places, at $0.012 a year per $1,000 of building value ($0.030 typical). The burn rate around Upper Island Cove is 0.14% a year (5.7% of the land within 25 km since 1986), a moderate band. In Health Canada’s survey, just 4% of homes tested in the area exceeded 200 Bq/m³ (6.6% typical). Department of Environment and Climate Change has mapped the flood hazard here: one study on the national inventory.
Radon tests above the guideline · share of tested homes, 200 Bq/m³
| Hazards | Upper Island Cove | Newfoundland and Labrador | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radon tests above the guideline | 4% | 4% | 6.6% |
| Earthquake loss per $1,000 of buildings a year | $0.012 | $0.011 | $0.030 |
NRCan seismic risk model and burned areas, Health Canada radon survey, the Flood Hazard Map Inventory · Data for radon tests covers the Eastern Regional Integrated Health Authority
The police who cover Upper Island Cove record more serious crime than Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns or Canadian towns: a Crime Severity Index of 108
These figures come from the closest detachment: none reports for Upper Island Cove itself · Area-wide: Crime Severity Index, Violent Crime Severity Index, violent crime and property crime per 1,000, counted over the Harbour Grace detachment area
Its police area records 53.1 property incidents per 1,000 residents a year. Violent incidents in its police area came to 20.3 per 1,000 residents a year, above both Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns (16.7) and Canadian towns (12).
Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year
| 2023–2025 | Upper Island Cove | 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
Upper Island Cove sits near the top of Canadian towns for rain and snow, with 1,748 mm a year
Rain and snow peak in January, at 192 mm. A normal winter brings 321 cm of snow, between Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns (363 cm) and Canadian towns (141 cm). Expect July highs of around 21.1°C in Upper Island Cove. Snow peaks in January: 91 cm in a normal year.
Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Normals, 1991–2020 | Upper Island Cove | Newfoundland and Labrador | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Precipitation a year | 1,748 mm | 1,305 mm | 883 mm |
| July afternoon high | 21.1°C | 21.2°C | 25.5°C |
| Snowfall a year | 321 cm | 363 cm | 141 cm |
| January night low | −8.7°C | −8.7°C | −13.5°C |
Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020 (Whitbourne)
Upper Island Cove is a town of owners: 91% of households own their home, above Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns and Canadian towns
The median home value was $200,000, below both Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns ($215,000) and Canadian towns ($406,000). Shelter took 30% or more of income for 10% of households, below Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns (15%) and Canadian towns (18%) alike.
What homes were worth · The median owner’s estimate at the 2021 census
| Census 2021 | Upper Island Cove | Newfoundland and Labrador | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households owning their home | 91% | 78% | 74% |
| Households spending 30%+ on shelter | 10% | 15% | 18% |
| Rent as a share of income | 16% | 17% | 20% |
| Median home value, 2021 | $200,000 | $215,000 | $406,000 |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021; CMHC Rental Market Survey via Statistics Canada · These are 2021 census values, as owners judged them, set against household income in 2020.
Older residents shape Upper Island Cove: 29% are 65 or over, above Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns and Canadian towns
0.7% of residents have an Indigenous identity, lower than both Newfoundland and Labrador’s towns (3.7%) and Canadian towns (2.8%). Children under 15 count for 12% of the people here.
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 52.5% of Upper Island Cove
The 2021 census counted 735 women and 665 men here, where women make up 50.9% of Canada.
| Upper Island Cove | Newfoundland and Labrador | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 15 | 12% | 13% | 16% |
| 15 to 64 | 59% | 61% | 64% |
| 65+ | 29% | 26% | 19% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 24% | 21% | 16% |
| Postsecondary qualification | 48% | 53% | 56% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021; Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada: medians of towns of 2,500+
The nearest high school to Upper Island Cove is 35 km away
An elementary school stands 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Peter's ElementaryIn Upper Island CoveElementary | Elementary | – | English public |
| Schools within 3 km | Upper Island Cove | Newfoundland and Labrador | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest secondary school | 35 km | 25 km | 1.2 km |
| Nearest elementary school | 8 km | 3.5 km | 0.5 km |
Statistics Canada’s Open Database of Educational Facilities · Schools grade in Newfoundland and Labrador: none (the province publishes no results school by school).
Upper Island Cove in November: highs near 7°C, lows near −1°C
ECCC’s forecast for Bay Roberts is on the Weather page, hour by hour. The month after, December, normally sees 3°C afternoons and −5°C nights. A normal November brings 171 mm of rain and snow. November usually brings some 13 cm of snow.
Normal highs, the months ahead · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Season | High | Low | Rain and snow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | 1°C | −8°C | 529 mm |
| Spring | 7°C | −2°C | 376 mm |
| Summer | 20°C | 9°C | 347 mm |
| Autumn | 12°C | 4°C | 497 mm |
ECCC normals, 1991–2020 (Whitbourne); the forecast is on the Weather page
Avalon, which takes in Upper Island Cove, is held by Paul Connors (Liberal Party of Canada)
Upper Island Cove is a town by Statistics Canada’s count of municipalities.
Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada
No public library stands in Upper Island Cove: the closest, Harbour Grace Public Library, is 4.6 km away
The next is Bay Roberts Public Library (Bay Roberts), 7.3 km away.
Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada
Upper Island Cove has 16 beaches within 5 km
For a provincial park, Butter Pot Provincial Park lies 27 km off. National parks are all over 100 km off.
Protected land · of the land within 10 km
| Outdoors | Upper Island Cove | 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
Gordon G. Pike Railway Heritage Museum and 3 more in and around Upper Island Cove
A first look at Upper Island Cove’s museums, historic sites and days out, and a few just outside town.
Everything we know about Upper Island Cove
Famous people from Upper Island Cove
5 notable people were born in Upper Island Cove.
Upper Island Cove’s neighbours
The nearest places of 1,000 or more. Statistics Canada
| Town | People | km | Overall | Cost | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Island Cove | 1,553 | — | — | B+ | C− | D |
| Harbour Grace | 2,872 | 4.1 | D− | B | C− | D |
| Spaniard's Bay | 2,664 | 6.3 | D | B− | C+ | D− |
| Bay Roberts | 6,407 | 8 | C− | B | C+ | D− |
| Carbonear | 5,041 | 9.6 | D | C+ | C− | D |
| Victoria | 1,837 | 13 | — | B | C− | D |
| Clarke's Beach | 1,555 | 16 | — | C− | C+ | D− |
People: Statistics Canada, Census 2021. Distances: centre to centre.
Questions about Upper Island Cove
Has Upper Island Cove grown?
Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses it fell from 1,561 to 1,401 residents (10.2% down; Canadian towns’ median grew 4.1%); Statistics Canada now estimates 1,553.
What kind of homes are in Upper Island Cove?
Mostly 95% single-detached houses (the median of Canadian towns: 64%), with 0% of homes in buildings of five or more storeys. Households hold 2.4 people on average, and 22% have just one.
Is Upper Island Cove a young town or an old one?
Children make up 12% of the population and seniors 29%.
About Upper Island Cove
Town in Newfoundland and Labrador
The boundary here is Statistics Canada’s: Upper Island Cove is one census subdivision in Newfoundland and Labrador, and TownRatings describes all of it.
Statistics Canada: population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155), Census of Population 2021, 2021 census boundaries.
- Population
- 1,553 (people, 2025 estimate)
- Province or territory
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Census division
- Division No. 1
- Census subdivision
- 1001385
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).