Springhillin Cumberland, Subd. B, Nova Scotia
Population 7,015: a town in Nova Scotia. Its census division is Cumberland.
Is Springhill a good place to live?
The data are hard on it. Its weakest is jobs & income (D). Health lags (D). Prices are modest for what you get (B+). Put together, the subjects come to a D overall, ranking #63 of 88 in Nova Scotia. That leaves it better than 10% of Canadian towns. The rest of its grades are middling: B− for walkability and B− for hazard risk.
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 Springhill grades
Each subject compares Springhill 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 Springhill stand out
The 3 things Springhill does most differently from other towns.
The data
Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Springhill.
Households in Springhill have lower incomes than those in 93% of Canadian towns
Driving is how 94% of commuters got to work at the census. The average trip to work takes 23 min.
How working residents got to work · census 2021
| Census 2021 | Springhill | Nova Scotia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car or van | 94% | 92% | 89% |
| Average trip | 23 min | 23 min | 26 min |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021 (labour and commuting) · Census day was in May 2021, mid-pandemic, so commuting and work figures carry the lockdowns’ mark.
Health in Springhill trails 85% of Canadian towns
For 2022/2024, the region’s figure is 79.3 years at birth, 81.5 for women and 77.1 for men. By their own account, 42% of adults here are in very good or excellent health, below both Nova Scotia’s towns (49%) and Canadian towns (52%). At 17%, the share of adults who smoke tops the 14% for Nova Scotia. Closer to home, a hospital is 5.1 km from the average resident of Springhill, further than the usual 3.7 km.
Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised
| Health | Springhill | 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 · Data for health survey and life expectancy covers the Zone 2 - Northern
For the force that serves Springhill, 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, above 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, about level with Nova Scotia’s towns (36.2) and above Canadian towns (31.2).
Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year
| 2023–2025 | Springhill | 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 · Area behind the Crime Severity Index, Violent Crime Severity Index, violent crime and property crime per 1,000 figures: the Cumberland County detachment area
Springhill earns a B+ for cost of living
Shelter took 30% or more of income for 12% of households, below Nova Scotia’s towns (13%) and Canadian towns (18%) alike. Households that own their home make up 82%.
What homes were worth · The median owner’s estimate at the 2021 census
| Census 2021 | Springhill | Nova Scotia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households spending 30%+ on shelter | 12% | 13% | 18% |
| Rent as a share of income | 19% | 21% | 20% |
| Households owning their home | 82% | 82% | 74% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021; CMHC Rental Market Survey via Statistics Canada · Home values are owners’ own estimates at the May 2021 census, and incomes are for 2020.
Springhill has more protected land around it than nearly 9 in 10 Canadian towns
6 beaches are mapped within 5 km, the nearest Second Beach. The closest of Canada’s national parks is Fundy National Park, at 43 km. 79 protected areas lie within 10 km.
Protected land · of the land within 10 km
| Outdoors | Springhill | Nova Scotia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public protected areas within 10 km | 43 | 23.5 | 4 |
| Protected land within 10 km | 11% | 8.7% | 2.3% |
Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD), OpenStreetMap routes and beaches
More rain and snow fall on Springhill than on 86% of Canadian towns: 1,161 mm a year
A normal January night drops to −11.7°C, between Nova Scotia’s towns (−8.9°C) and Canadian towns (−13.5°C). Rain and snow peak in October, at 115 mm. January is the snowiest month, with 53 cm on average. In July, daytime highs in Springhill average 24.3°C.
Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Normals, 1991–2020 | Springhill | Nova Scotia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Precipitation a year | 1,161 mm | 1,393 mm | 883 mm |
| July afternoon high | 24.3°C | 23.1°C | 25.5°C |
| Snowfall a year | 187 cm | 215 cm | 141 cm |
| Days with frost a year | 162 | 133 | 159 |
Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020 (Nappan)
Fewer children live in Springhill than in Nova Scotia’s towns or Canadian towns: 12% are under 15
People 65 and over make up 27% of the town, above Nova Scotia’s towns (25%) and Canadian towns (19%) alike. 1.9% of residents belong to a visible minority, below Nova Scotia’s towns (4%) and Canadian towns (15%) alike.
Ages · Share of residents in each age group, Census 2021
Schooling · Highest qualification, residents 15 and over
Women and men · all residents
48.1% of Springhill’s residents are women
Here the census found 3,265 women and 3,520 men; across Canada the share of women is 50.9%.
| Springhill | Nova Scotia | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 15 | 12% | 14% | 16% |
| 15 to 64 | 61% | 62% | 64% |
| 65+ | 27% | 25% | 19% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 22% | 18% | 16% |
| Postsecondary qualification | 44% | 54% | 56% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021; Nova Scotia and Canada: medians of towns of 2,500+
Springhill’s teenagers travel 24 km to the nearest high school
Young children have 5.2 km to the nearest elementary school, above Nova Scotia’s towns (1.9 km) and Canadian towns (0.5 km) alike.
| School | Level | Students | System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parrsboro Regional HighIn SpringhillElementary · Grades 7–RG | Elementary · Grades 7–RG | – | English public |
| Schools within 3 km | Springhill | Nova Scotia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest secondary school | 24 km | 4.3 km | 1.2 km |
| Nearest elementary school | 5.2 km | 1.9 km | 0.5 km |
Provincial school lists and results, 2025-26 · In Nova Scotia, no schools grade. The province reports its assessments by regional centre, and that series stops in 2019–20.
Expect November days around 7°C in Springhill, nights around −1°C
Hour-by-hour figures come from ECCC’s Amherst forecast, on the Weather page. November normally sees 114 mm of precipitation. Across the year, normals run from −12°C nights in January to 24°C afternoons in July.
Normal highs, the months ahead · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Season | High | Low | Rain and snow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | −1°C | −10°C | 295 mm |
| Spring | 9°C | −1°C | 268 mm |
| Summer | 23°C | 12°C | 260 mm |
| Autumn | 14°C | 4°C | 339 mm |
ECCC normals, 1991–2020 (Nappan); the forecast is on the Weather page
Springhill sends Alana Hirtle (Liberal Party of Canada) to the Commons from Cumberland—Colchester
The council for Springhill is that of Cumberland, Subd.
Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada
Springhill Miners Memorial Library is Springhill’s public library
The library is 5.4 km from the centre of Springhill.
Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada
A flood study covers Springhill: 4 on the national inventory, the newest from Nova Scotia Department of Municipal Affairs
Area-wide: radon tests, counted over the Zone 3 health region
In Health Canada’s survey, 13% of homes tested in the area exceeded 200 Bq/m³ (6.6% typical). Shaking is about as much of a worry in Springhill as in most places, at $0.019 a year per $1,000 of building value ($0.030 typical). Fire seldom reaches Springhill: since 1986, 0.1% of the land within 25 km has burned (0.003% a year).
Radon tests above the guideline · share of tested homes, 200 Bq/m³
| Hazards | Springhill | Nova Scotia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radon tests above the guideline | 13% | 13% | 6.6% |
| Earthquake loss per $1,000 of buildings a year | $0.019 | $0.018 | $0.030 |
NRCan seismic risk model and burned areas, Health Canada radon survey, the Flood Hazard Map Inventory
Older housing stands out in Springhill: 45% predates 1961
The oldest dated place, Springhill Coal Mining, goes back to 1873. The lists give 3 historic places here, one in the top tier. On the list: 2 Recognized Federal Heritage Buildings.
Historic places by designation · inside the town
Among them
| Heritage | Springhill | Nova Scotia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homes built before 1961 | 45% | 28% | 18% |
Canadian Register of Historic Places, Directory of Federal Heritage Designations, Québec’s Répertoire du patrimoine culturel, Wikidata; Census 2021 homes by period
Everything we know about Springhill
Anne Murray Centre and 8 more in and around Springhill
Museums, historic sites, parks, gardens and days out in and near Springhill, the best known first.
MuseumAnne Murray Centrein town
MuseumFundy Geological Museumin town
MuseumOttawa House2.5 km outside town, to the south
MuseumAmos Seaman School Museum2.8 km outside town, to the westMuseumMuseumSpringhill Miners Museumin townMuseumMuseumIsabel Simpson Heritage Centrein townPhotos: each place’s Wikidata image, from Wikimedia Commons under the licence below (our copy, resized).
Photo credits (4)
- Anne Murray Centre: SimonP at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Fundy Geological Museum: Lisa Millar, 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
Famous people from Springhill
15 notable people were born in Springhill.
Photo credits
Anne Murray: Courtesy of the Fraser MacPherson estate c/o Guy MacPherson, CC BY 2.0 · Roger Stuart Bacon: Nova Scotia House of Assembly, Public domain
About Springhill
Town in Nova Scotia
Statistics Canada treats Springhill as a single census subdivision in Nova Scotia, and TownRatings keeps to that line.
Statistics Canada: population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155), Census of Population 2021, 2021 census boundaries.
- Population
- 7,015 (people, 2025 estimate)
- Province or territory
- Nova Scotia
- Census division
- Cumberland
- Census subdivision
- 1211006
Questions about Springhill
What kind of homes are in Springhill?
87% of homes are single-detached houses, against 64% for the median of Canadian towns, and 0% are in apartment buildings of five storeys or more. A household averages 2.1 people; 34% are one person living alone.
Is Springhill growing?
It lost people: 6,859 in 2016, 6,786 in 2021, 1.1% fewer, while the middle of Canadian towns grew 4.1%. Statistics Canada’s 2025 estimate is 7,015.
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).