OxfordNova Scotia

For health, Oxford gets a D

In the health survey, 42% of adults in the region rate their health very good or excellent, fewer than Nova Scotia’s 48%. On average 21% of adults live with arthritis, diabetes or high blood pressure, above both Nova Scotia’s towns (20%) and Canadian towns (17%). Statistics Canada puts the region’s life expectancy at 79.3, women 81.5 and men 77.1 (2022/2024). Smoking is commoner than in the province: 17% of adults, against 14% for Nova Scotia. For health survey and life expectancy, the only official count covers all of the Zone 2 - Northern, Oxford included.

Trips to work from Oxford are shorter than from Nova Scotia’s towns or Canadian towns: 19 min on average

93% of commuters drove, about level with Nova Scotia’s towns (92%) and above Canadian towns (89%).

Rent takes less of local pay in Oxford than in Nova Scotia’s towns or Canadian towns: 17% of household income

67% of households own their home, below Nova Scotia’s towns (82%) and Canadian towns (74%) alike. Shelter took 30% or more of income for 14% of households, above Nova Scotia’s towns (13%) but below Canadian towns (18%).

For the force that serves Oxford, the Crime Severity Index is 93, above Nova Scotia’s towns and Canadian towns

Measured across the Cumberland County detachment area: Crime Severity Index, Violent Crime Severity Index, violent crime and property crime per 1,000

The force’s area logs 18.6 violent incidents per 1,000 residents a year. Property crime in its police area ran at 35.2 per 1,000 residents a year, about level with Nova Scotia’s towns (36.2) and above Canadian towns (31.2).

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

The coldest nights, in January, bottom out at −11.7°C, lower than Nova Scotia’s towns (−8.9°C) yet higher than Canadian towns (−13.5°C). Rain and snow peak in October, at 115 mm. Frost usually lifts by 27 May and returns around 3 October: 128 days without it. Expect July highs of around 24.3°C in Oxford.

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

In Health Canada’s survey, 13% of homes tested in the area exceeded 200 Bq/m³ (6.6% typical). Earthquake risk in Oxford is ordinary: NRCan’s model puts building losses at $0.021 a year per $1,000 of value, close to the typical town’s $0.030. Figures for radon tests are published for the Zone 3 health region as a whole, not for Oxford alone.

The nearest provincial park to Oxford is Amherst Shore Provincial Park, 21 km away

For a national park, Fundy National Park is 82 km away. Protected areas open to the public, within 10 km of the town: 7, between Nova Scotia’s towns (23.5) and Canadian towns (4). Scallop Buffer Zone (SFA 22) (285,278 ha) is the biggest, 5.0 km from town.

What November brings in Oxford: −1°C at night, 7°C by day

Hour-by-hour figures come from ECCC’s Amherst forecast, on the Weather page. Precipitation in November averages 114 mm. Over the year, July is warmest at 24°C by day and January coldest at −12°C by night.

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

Of the 11 Commons seats from Nova Scotia, the Liberal Party of Canada holds 11.

Oxford has one public library, Oxford Library

From the centre of Oxford, it is 0.5 km away.

Children make up 18% of Oxford, above Nova Scotia’s towns and Canadian towns

Just over a fifth of residents have reached 65. First Nations, Métis and Inuit people make up 2.2% of residents, below both Nova Scotia’s towns (4%) and Canadian towns (2.8%).

The nearest high school to Oxford is 27 km away

Before 1961: 52% of the homes in Oxford