AmherstNova Scotia

Amherst’s Violent Crime Severity Index, 131, runs above Nova Scotia’s towns and Canadian towns

Violent incidents came to 35.2 per 1,000 residents a year, higher than both Nova Scotia’s towns (14.5) and Canadian towns (12). Thefts, break-ins and damage add up to 85.4 per 1,000 residents a year.

Only 42% of adults around Amherst call their health very good or excellent, below the typical Canadian town’s 52%

Area-wide: health survey and life expectancy, counted over the Zone 2 - Northern

For 2022/2024, the region’s figure is 79.3 years at birth, 81.5 for women and 77.1 for men. The three chronic conditions the survey tracks average 21% of adults, above Nova Scotia’s towns (20%) and Canadian towns (17%) alike; what’s more, at 17%, the share of adults who smoke tops the 14% for Nova Scotia. Measured from where Amherst’s residents live, a hospital is 2.9 km away, near the 3.7 km most towns see.

Commuters in Amherst have a short way to work, 16 min on average, less than in Nova Scotia’s towns and Canadian towns

89% of commuters drove, lower than Nova Scotia’s towns (92%) and near Canadian towns (89%).

Amherst is wetter than 86% of Canadian towns: 1,161 mm of rain and snow a year

In January, overnight lows in Amherst settle at −11.7°C. Snowfall adds up to 310 cm a year, higher than both Nova Scotia’s towns (215 cm) and Canadian towns (141 cm). A normal October brings 115 mm of precipitation, more than any other month. The frost-free season runs from 27 May to 3 October, 128 days.

A flood study covers Amherst: 2 on the national inventory, the newest from Province of Nova Scotia

Shared with the rest of the Zone 3 health region: radon tests

Shaking is about as much of a worry in Amherst as in most places, at $0.022 a year per $1,000 of building value ($0.030 typical). Radon is higher than usual: 13% of tested homes in the survey area topped the guideline, against 6.6% for the typical town. Burn scars are few around Amherst, with 0.2% of the land within 25 km touched by fire since 1986 (0.006% a year).

More of the land around Amherst is protected than around 8 in 10 Canadian towns

The largest named area nearby is Chignecto Isthmus Wilderness Area, 2,785 ha, 5.3 km away. For a provincial park, Amherst Shore Provincial Park lies 25 km off. Fundy National Park is the closest national park, 58 km from town. The 10 km around town hold 49 protected areas.

Home ownership in Amherst, 57%, runs below Nova Scotia’s towns and Canadian towns

Rent took 23% of household income, above Nova Scotia’s towns (21%) and Canadian towns (20%) alike.

Amherst and its edges hold 5 schools: 4 elementary schools and 1 secondary school

A normal November in Amherst runs from −1°C to 7°C

In November, the normal is 114 mm of rain and snow. Expect around 19 cm of snow in November. The year peaks in July (24°C) and bottoms out in January (−12°C). The forecast on the Weather page is ECCC’s for Amherst.

Cumberland—Colchester, which takes in Amherst, is held by Alana Hirtle (Liberal Party of Canada)

In the census’s list of municipalities, Amherst is a town.

Amherst has one public library, Four Fathers Memorial Library

From the centre of Amherst, it is 0.8 km away.

An older town: 26% of people in Amherst are 65 or over, more than in Nova Scotia’s towns or Canadian towns

3.1% of residents came to Canada as immigrants, below both Nova Scotia’s towns (4.3%) and Canadian towns (6.4%). One measure of family life: 14% of residents are under 15.

An older town: 45% of Amherst’s homes predate 1961

On the registers, the town counts 4 historic places. Of the dated places, 66 Victoria Street East is the oldest, from 1895. The list takes in 2 provincial or municipal listings, a Recognized Federal Heritage Building and a heritage railway station.