Is Berwick a good place to live?
A tough set of grades. Berwick ranks #44 of 88 in Nova Scotia, with a C− overall. On that grade it does better than 16% of Canadian towns. The weak point is cost of living (C−). Fewer journeys need a car (A).
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 is the police detachment's figure, shared with the towns and countryside around it. 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 Berwick grades
Each subject compares Berwick 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 Berwick stand out
The 3 things Berwick does most differently from other towns.
The data
Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Berwick.
Fewer households own their home in Berwick than in Nova Scotia’s towns or across Canadian towns: 62%
Shelter took 30% or more of income for nearly a quarter of households, above both Nova Scotia’s towns (13%) and Canadian towns (18%). The median home value was $250,000, near Nova Scotia’s towns ($250,000) and lower than Canadian towns ($406,000).
What homes were worth · The median owner’s estimate at the 2021 census
| Census 2021 | Berwick | Nova Scotia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households spending 30%+ on shelter | 23% | 13% | 18% |
| Households owning their home | 62% | 82% | 74% |
| Median home value, 2021 | $250,000 | $250,000 | $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.
Trips to work from Berwick are shorter than from Nova Scotia’s towns or Canadian towns: 18 min on average
Driving is how 89% of commuters got to work at the census.
How working residents got to work · census 2021
| Census 2021 | Berwick | Nova Scotia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip | 18 min | 23 min | 26 min |
| Car or van | 89% | 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.
Smoking runs high around Berwick: 19% of adults, the typical Canadian town 12%
Across the region, 44% of adults say their health is very good or excellent; Nova Scotia as a whole reaches 48%. Arthritis, diabetes and high blood pressure affect 20% of the region’s adults on average, near Nova Scotia’s towns (20%) and higher than Canadian towns (17%). The region’s 2022/2024 life expectancy is 80.0, with women at 82.5 and men at 77.6. What sets Berwick apart within its region is a short trip to hospital, 0.9 km for the average resident (3.7 km typical). For health survey and life expectancy, the only official count covers all of the Zone 1 - Western, Berwick included.
Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised
| Health | Berwick | Nova Scotia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smokers | 19% | 15% | 12% |
| Very good or excellent health | 44% | 49% | 52% |
| Chronic conditions (average share) | 20% | 20% | 17% |
| Life expectancy at birth | 80.0 | 80.0 | 81.5 |
Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey 2023/2024 and life expectancy 2022/2024; Open Database of Healthcare Facilities
Berwick is on Canada’s flood inventory: 1 listed, led by Municipality of the County of Kings
In Health Canada’s survey, 5.6% of homes tested in Berwick’s area exceeded 200 Bq/m³, close to the typical 6.6%. Earthquake risk here is ordinary: NRCan’s model puts building losses at $0.029 a year per $1,000 of value, close to the typical town’s $0.030. Little of the land around Berwick has burned: 0.2% within 25 km since 1986, or 0.006% a year. Nobody publishes radon tests for Berwick alone, so this card uses the figure for the Zone 2 health region.
Radon tests above the guideline · share of tested homes, 200 Bq/m³
| Hazards | Berwick | Nova Scotia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radon tests above the guideline | 5.6% | 13% | 6.6% |
| Earthquake loss per $1,000 of buildings a year | $0.029 | $0.018 | $0.030 |
NRCan seismic risk model and burned areas, Health Canada radon survey, the Flood Hazard Map Inventory
July afternoons in Berwick reach 25.9°C (Nova Scotia towns 23.1°C, Canadian towns 25.5°C)
Between the last spring frost, 19 May, and the first in autumn, 1 October, lie 134 days. Some 232 cm of snow falls in a typical year, above both Nova Scotia’s towns (215 cm) and Canadian towns (141 cm). Expect January lows of around −9.1°C in Berwick. January is the snowiest month, with 66 cm on average.
Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Normals, 1991–2020 | Berwick | Nova Scotia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| July afternoon high | 25.9°C | 23.1°C | 25.5°C |
| Snowfall a year | 232 cm | 215 cm | 141 cm |
| Precipitation a year | 1,216 mm | 1,393 mm | 883 mm |
| January night low | −9.1°C | −8.9°C | −13.5°C |
Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020 (Waterville Cambridge)
A median age of 56.8: Berwick is older than 97% of Canadian towns
4.6% of residents belong to a visible minority, above Nova Scotia’s towns (4%) but below Canadian towns (15%). Immigrants make up 5.5% of residents, between Nova Scotia’s towns (4.3%) and Canadian towns (6.4%).
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 54.9% of Berwick
By the 2021 count the town had 1,350 women and 1,110 men, while Canada has 50.9% women.
| Berwick | Nova Scotia | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 15 | 12% | 14% | 16% |
| 15 to 64 | 52% | 62% | 64% |
| 65+ | 36% | 25% | 19% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 18% | 18% | 16% |
| Postsecondary qualification | 55% | 54% | 56% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021; Nova Scotia and Canada: medians of towns of 2,500+
Berwick is 59 km from Fundy National Park
For a provincial park, Clairmont Provincial Park lies 13 km off. 6 protected areas lie within 10 km; what’s more, the protected share of the 10 km around the town is 0.6%, below Nova Scotia’s towns (8.7%) and Canadian towns (2.3%) alike. Aylesford Mountain Nature Reserve (87 ha) is the biggest, 7.1 km from town.
Protected land · of the land within 10 km
| Outdoors | Berwick | Nova Scotia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protected land within 10 km | 0.6% | 8.7% | 2.3% |
| Public protected areas within 10 km | 1 | 23.5 | 4 |
Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD), OpenStreetMap routes and beaches
Berwick’s grade for safety: a C+
Measured across the Kings County detachment area: Crime Severity Index, Violent Crime Severity Index, violent crime and property crime per 1,000
Its police area recorded 17.1 violent incidents per 1,000 residents a year, above Nova Scotia’s towns (14.5) and Canadian towns (12) alike. Where it is policed, thefts, break-ins and damage came to 31.4 per 1,000 a year, below Nova Scotia’s towns (36.2) and close to Canadian towns (31.2).
Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year
| 2023–2025 | Berwick | Nova Scotia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime | 17.1 | 14.5 | 12 |
| Property crime per 1,000 | 31.4 | 36.2 | 31.2 |
Statistics Canada, Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, 2023–2025 average
Berwick in November: highs near 9°C, lows near 1°C
A typical November adds 15 cm of snow. By December, a normal day reaches 3°C and a night falls to −5°C. Rain and snow over a typical November come to 125 mm. For today and the week ahead, the Weather page carries ECCC’s Greenwood forecast.
Normal highs, the months ahead · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Season | High | Low | Rain and snow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | 1°C | −8°C | 338 mm |
| Spring | 11°C | 0°C | 274 mm |
| Summer | 25°C | 13°C | 251 mm |
| Autumn | 15°C | 5°C | 353 mm |
ECCC normals, 1991–2020 (Waterville Cambridge); the forecast is on the Weather page
Kody Blois (Liberal Party of Canada) represents Berwick in Ottawa as MP for Kings—Hants
For local government, Berwick is a town.
Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada
Berwick and District Library and Annapolis Valley Regional Library (Hq) are Berwick’s two public libraries
Without open library statistics in Nova Scotia, the page names Berwick’s libraries but shows no visits or loans.
Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada
The nearest high school to Berwick is 12 km away
| School | Level | Students | System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berwick and District SchoolIn BerwickElementary | Elementary | – | English public |
| Schools within 3 km | Berwick | Nova Scotia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest secondary school | 12 km | 4.3 km | 1.2 km |
Provincial school lists and results, 2025-26 · Ungraded on schools in Nova Scotia, because the province reports its assessments by regional centre, and that series stops in 2019–20.
Everything we know about Berwick
Apple Capital Museum and 5 more within 40 km
One place to visit is mapped within 5 km of Berwick; with it, the best known within 40 km.
MuseumApple Capital Museumin town
MuseumAcacia Grove / Prescott House30 km northeast
National historic site · Parks CanadaCommemorative Church35 km northeast
National historic siteGrand-Pré35 km northeastZooZooOaklawn Farm Zoo9.9 km southwestMuseumMuseumMiddleton Railway Museum29 km southwest · 2K visitors a year (2024)Photos: each place’s Wikidata image, from Wikimedia Commons under the licence below (our copy, resized).
Photo credits (4)
- Apple Capital Museum: Letterofmarque, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Acacia Grove / Prescott House: Verne Equinox, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Commemorative Church: Mykola Swarnyk, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Grand-Pré: Dr Wilson . User Semhur on the french , modified the original picture, CC BY 2.5, Wikimedia Commons
Famous people from Berwick
5 notable people were born in Berwick.
Photo credits
Leroy Lowe: Kyleburtonphoto, CC BY-SA 4.0
About Berwick
Town in Nova Scotia
TownRatings counts Berwick as Statistics Canada does, as one municipality in Nova Scotia; the census, crime and housing figures all follow that boundary.
Statistics Canada: population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155), Census of Population 2021, 2021 census boundaries.
- Population
- 2,631 (people, 2025 estimate)
- Province or territory
- Nova Scotia
- Census division
- Kings
- Census subdivision
- 1207004
Berwick’s neighbours
The nearest places of 1,000 or more. Statistics Canada
Questions about Berwick
Is Berwick a young town or an old one?
The typical resident is 56.8 (Canadian towns: 45.2), with seniors at 36% of the population and under-15s at 12%.
Who are the people of Berwick?
At the 2021 census, 6% were immigrants and 5% belonged to a visible minority (Canadian towns’ median: 15%). 4% identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit.
Has Berwick grown?
No: the census counted 2,509 in 2016 and 2,455 in 2021, 2.2% fewer, against growth of 4.1% for the median of Canadian towns. The 2025 estimate is 2,631.
What kind of homes are in Berwick?
35% of households are one person, and the average is 2.1.
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).