Cumberland County, Subdivision ANova Scotia
This town in Nova Scotia has a population of 3,401. It lies in Cumberland.
Is Cumberland County, Subdivision A a good place to live?
Cumberland County, Subdivision A grades low on several counts. With a D− overall, Cumberland County, Subdivision A is better than 4% of Canadian towns and ranks #79 of 88 in Nova Scotia. Its lowest grade is for jobs & income (D−). Homes are affordable (B). Health lags (D).
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.
What makes Cumberland County, Subdivision A stand out
The 3 things Cumberland County, Subdivision A does most differently from other towns.
How Cumberland County, Subdivision A grades
Each subject compares Cumberland County, Subdivision A 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 →
The data
Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Cumberland County, Subdivision A.
Cumberland County, Subdivision A ranks among the lowest-earning Canadian towns by household income
Getting to work takes 26 min on average. The car took 94% of commuters, near Nova Scotia’s towns (92%) and higher than Canadian towns (89%).
How working residents got to work · census 2021
| Census 2021 | Cumberland County, Subdivision A | Nova Scotia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip | 26 min | 23 min | 26 min |
| Car or van | 94% | 92% | 89% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021 (labour and commuting) · Counted in May 2021, under pandemic rules: fewer commutes and more people between jobs than in a normal year.
On health, Cumberland County, Subdivision A falls short of 92% of Canadian towns
Health survey and life expectancy for the Zone 2 - Northern
A baby born in the region can expect 79.3 years, 81.5 for a girl and 77.1 for a boy (2022/2024). By their own account, just over two in five adults here are in very good or excellent health, lower than both Nova Scotia’s towns (49%) and Canadian towns (52%). At 17%, the share of adults who smoke tops the 14% for Nova Scotia. What sets Cumberland County, Subdivision A apart within its region is a longer trip to hospital, 13 km for the average resident (3.7 km typical).
Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised
| Health | Cumberland County, Subdivision A | Nova Scotia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very good or excellent health | 42% | 49% | 52% |
| Chronic conditions (average share) | 21% | 20% | 17% |
| Smokers | 17% | 15% | 12% |
| Life expectancy at birth | 79.3 | 80.0 | 81.5 |
Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey 2023/2024 and life expectancy 2022/2024; Open Database of Healthcare Facilities
For the force that serves Cumberland County, Subdivision A, the Crime Severity Index is 93, above Nova Scotia’s towns and Canadian towns
Violent incidents in its police area came to 18.6 per 1,000 residents a year, higher than both Nova Scotia’s towns (14.5) and Canadian towns (12). Property crime in its police area ran at 35.2 per 1,000 residents a year, near Nova Scotia’s towns (36.2) and higher than Canadian towns (31.2). Cumberland County, Subdivision A 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 Cumberland County detachment area.
Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year
| 2023–2025 | Cumberland County, Subdivision A | Nova Scotia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crime Severity Index | 93 | 71 | 67 |
| Violent crime | 18.6 | 14.5 | 12 |
Statistics Canada, Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, 2023–2025 average
Older than 97% of Canadian towns: half of Cumberland County, Subdivision A is over 57.2
0.6% of residents belong to a visible minority, lower than both Nova Scotia’s towns (4%) and Canadian towns (15%). First Nations, Métis and Inuit people make up 1.9% of residents, lower than both Nova Scotia’s towns (4%) and Canadian towns (2.8%).
Ages · Share of residents in each age group, Census 2021
Schooling · Highest qualification, residents 15 and over
Women and men · all residents
51.8% of Cumberland County, Subdivision A’s residents are women
1,660 women and 1,545 men at the 2021 census; across Canada, women are 50.9%.
| Cumberland County, Subdivision A | Nova Scotia | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 15 | 11% | 14% | 16% |
| 15 to 64 | 55% | 62% | 64% |
| 65+ | 34% | 25% | 19% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 23% | 18% | 16% |
| Postsecondary qualification | 45% | 54% | 56% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021; Nova Scotia and Canada: medians of towns of 2,500+
Cumberland County, Subdivision A is 14 km from Fundy National Park
Parks and reserves take up 10% of the ground within 10 km, higher than both Nova Scotia’s towns (8.7%) and Canadian towns (2.3%). Within 10 km are 90 protected areas. Inside the town itself, nearly a quarter of the land is protected. One mapped walking route passes within 2 km: the Wards Falls.
Protected land · of the land within 10 km
| Outdoors | Cumberland County, Subdivision A | Nova Scotia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public protected areas within 10 km | 33 | 23.5 | 4 |
| Protected land within 10 km | 10% | 8.7% | 2.3% |
Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD), OpenStreetMap routes and beaches
More rain and snow fall on Cumberland County, Subdivision A than on 92% of Canadian towns: 1,247 mm a year
In January, overnight lows in Cumberland County, Subdivision A settle at −10.8°C. A normal winter brings 232 cm of snow, higher than both Nova Scotia’s towns (215 cm) and Canadian towns (141 cm). The most precipitation falls in December: 136 mm in a normal year. The frost-free season runs from 23 May to 2 October, 131 days.
Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Normals, 1991–2020 | Cumberland County, Subdivision A | Nova Scotia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snowfall a year | 232 cm | 215 cm | 141 cm |
| Precipitation a year | 1,247 mm | 1,393 mm | 883 mm |
| July afternoon high | 23.1°C | 23.1°C | 25.5°C |
| Days with frost a year | 159 | 133 | 159 |
Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020 (Parrsboro)
Cumberland County, Subdivision A’s grade for cost of living: a B
A year’s rent came to 19% of the median household income, below both Nova Scotia’s towns (21%) and Canadian towns (20%). The owner-occupied share of households is 82%.
What homes were worth · The median owner’s estimate at the 2021 census
| Census 2021 | Cumberland County, Subdivision A | Nova Scotia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent as a share of income | 19% | 21% | 20% |
| Households spending 30%+ on shelter | 14% | 13% | 18% |
| Households owning their home | 82% | 82% | 74% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021; CMHC Rental Market Survey via Statistics Canada · Values come from owners at the 2021 census and incomes from 2020, so they predate the later rise in rates.
The nearest high school to Cumberland County, Subdivision A is 42 km away
From the middle of town, the first elementary school is 7.3 km off, above both Nova Scotia’s towns (1.9 km) and Canadian towns (0.5 km).
| School | Level | Students | System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advocate District SchoolIn Cumberland County, Subdivision AElementary | Elementary | – | English public |
| Schools within 3 km | Cumberland County, Subdivision A | Nova Scotia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest secondary school | 42 km | 4.3 km | 1.2 km |
| Nearest elementary school | 7.3 km | 1.9 km | 0.5 km |
Provincial school lists and results, 2025-26 · Why no schools grade in Nova Scotia? The province reports its assessments by regional centre, and that series stops in 2019–20.
Expect November days around 8°C in Cumberland County, Subdivision A, nights around −1°C
November normally sees 112 mm of precipitation. Snowfall in a normal November: 15 cm. A normal December brings highs of 2°C, lows of −6°C. At the extremes, July afternoons reach 23°C and January nights −11°C.
Normal highs, the months ahead · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Season | High | Low | Rain and snow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | 0°C | −9°C | 332 mm |
| Spring | 9°C | −1°C | 299 mm |
| Summer | 22°C | 11°C | 268 mm |
| Autumn | 14°C | 4°C | 348 mm |
ECCC normals, 1991–2020 (Parrsboro); the forecast is on the Weather page
Alana Hirtle (Liberal Party of Canada) represents Cumberland County, Subdivision A in Ottawa as MP for Cumberland—Colchester
For local government, Cumberland County, Subdivision A is a subdivision of county municipality.
Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada
Cumberland County, Subdivision A’s public library works from 3 branches
Among them: Advocate Harbour Library, Parrsboro Library and River Hebert Miners Memorial Library.
Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada
Flood mapping exists for Cumberland County, Subdivision A: 3 on record, latest by Province of Nova Scotia
Source area for radon tests: the Zone 3 health region
Health Canada’s survey found radon above the guideline in 13% of homes, about level with Nova Scotia’s towns (13%) and above Canadian towns (6.6%). Shaking is about as much of a worry in Cumberland County, Subdivision A as in most places, at $0.018 a year per $1,000 of building value ($0.030 typical). Burn scars are few around Cumberland County, Subdivision A, with 0.1% of the land within 25 km touched by fire since 1986 (0.003% a year).
Radon tests above the guideline · share of tested homes, 200 Bq/m³
| Hazards | Cumberland County, Subdivision A | Nova Scotia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radon tests above the guideline | 13% | 13% | 6.6% |
| Earthquake loss per $1,000 of buildings a year | $0.018 | $0.018 | $0.030 |
NRCan seismic risk model and burned areas, Health Canada radon survey, the Flood Hazard Map Inventory
Before 1961: 56% of the homes in Cumberland County, Subdivision A
Federal, provincial and local lists together give 1 historic place here. Just beyond the boundary, the registers place one more.
Historic places by designation · inside the town
Among them
| Heritage | Cumberland County, Subdivision A | Nova Scotia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homes built before 1961 | 56% | 28% | 18% |
Canadian Register of Historic Places, Directory of Federal Heritage Designations, Québec’s Répertoire du patrimoine culturel, Wikidata; Census 2021 homes by period
Age of Sail Heritage Centre and 7 more in and around Cumberland County, Subdivision A
The best-known places to visit in and around Cumberland County, Subdivision A come first; the full list is on the Attractions page.
MuseumAge of Sail Heritage Centrein town
MuseumOttawa Housein town
MuseumAmos Seaman School Museumin town
FortFort Beauséjour — Fort Cumberland4.7 km outside town, to the north
MuseumFundy Geological Museum4.9 km outside town, to the east
National historic site · Parks CanadaVisitor Centre / Museum4.6 km outside town, to the northPhotos: each place’s Wikidata image, from Wikimedia Commons under the licence below (our copy, resized).
Photo credits (6)
- Age of Sail Heritage Centre: Letterofmarque, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Ottawa House: Dennis G. Jarvis, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Amos Seaman School Museum: GilCor84, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Fort Beauséjour — Fort Cumberland: Verne Equinox, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Fundy Geological Museum: Lisa Millar, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Visitor Centre / Museum: D. Gordon E. Robertson, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Everything we know about Cumberland County, Subdivision A
Famous people from Cumberland County, Subdivision A
11 notable people were born in Cumberland County, Subdivision A.
Photo credits
Appleton Adams Mason: Unknown author, Public domain · Eldon George: Bwark, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Fred S. Cameron: Unknown author, Public domain · John Chipman Kerr: Canada. Dept. of National Defence, Public domain · Walter Harris Callow: Unknown author, Public domain
Questions about Cumberland County, Subdivision A
Who are the people of Cumberland County, Subdivision A?
At the 2021 census, 4% were immigrants and 1% belonged to a visible minority (Canadian towns’ median: 15%). 2% identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit.
What kind of homes are in Cumberland County, Subdivision A?
Mostly 88% single-detached houses (the median of Canadian towns: 64%), with 0% of homes in buildings of five or more storeys. Households hold 2 people on average, and 37% have just one.
How old are the people of Cumberland County, Subdivision A?
The median resident is 57.2 years old, against 45.2 for the median of Canadian towns. 11% are under 15 and 34% are 65 or over.
Is Cumberland County, Subdivision A growing?
Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses it went from 3,120 to 3,201 residents (up 2.6%; Canadian towns’ median: 4.1%), and Statistics Canada now estimates 3,401.
About Cumberland County, Subdivision A
Town in Nova Scotia
TownRatings follows Statistics Canada’s map: Cumberland County, Subdivision A is one municipality in Nova Scotia, figures and all.
Statistics Canada: population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155), Census of Population 2021, 2021 census boundaries.
- Population
- 3,401 (people, 2025 estimate)
- Province or territory
- Nova Scotia
- Census division
- Cumberland
- Census subdivision
- 1211001
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).