#1Vieux-Québec—Cap-Blanc—Colline parlementaire
Quebec · 5,764 peopleOverall B−·#1,249 of 2,556
Strongest: health A+, walkability A+·lowest: cost of living D
Vieux-Québec—Cap-Blanc—Colline parlementaire, #1 on this list · Photo: Wilfredor (CC BY-SA 4.0)Canada · 2026
Most historic towns in Canada
Hagerman's Corners, the median town on the list, is at 0. Furthest down the list is Rankin Inlet, at 0. The list’s top ten come from 4 provinces and territories. First place goes to Vieux-Québec—Cap-Blanc—Colline parlementaire, Quebec, with 213. In second place is Stanstead, at 50; in third, Saint-Éphrem-de-Beauce, at 47.
Places on Canada’s heritage registers per 10,000 people How grades work
#1213 Per 10,000 people
#2Stanstead
Quebec · 2,994 peopleOverall B+·#635 of 2,556
Strongest: walkability A−, safety A−·lowest: jobs & income C−
#3Saint-Éphrem-de-Beauce
Quebec · 2,575 peopleOverall A+·#29 of 2,556
Strongest: cost of living A+, jobs & income A·lowest: hazard risk C−
The top 100 of 2,589
Ranked by its measure (Per 10,000 people), best first; each town’s overall grade and national rank sit beside it.
100 towns
#TownPer 10,000 peopleGrade · national rankWhat drives it
1Vieux-Québec—Cap-Blanc—Colline parlementaireQuebec · 5,764 people213B−#1,249 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health A+, walkability A+·lowest: cost of living D
2StansteadQuebec · 2,994 people50B+#635 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A−, safety A−·lowest: jobs & income C−
3Saint-Éphrem-de-BeauceQuebec · 2,575 people47A+#29 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living A+, jobs & income A·lowest: hazard risk C−
4Château-RicherQuebec · 4,732 people44A−#446 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health A+, safety A−·lowest: walkability C−
5JasperAlberta · 4,627 people35B#1,110 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, schools A·lowest: hazard risk D−
6Saint-Charles-de-BellechasseQuebec · 2,739 people33A+#21 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: safety A, jobs & income A−·lowest: hazard risk D
7Vieux-MontréalQuebec · 14,615 people30B#1,132 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health A·lowest: cost of living C−
8Electoral Area A, Columbia-ShuswapBritish Columbia · 3,672 people27B−#1,385 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: schools A−, jobs & income B+·lowest: cost of living C−
9Lowertown WestOntario · 5,947 people25C#1,771 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health A+·lowest: safety D−
10NeuvilleQuebec · 4,579 people24A#109 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health A, jobs & income A·lowest: hazard risk C−
11LunenburgNova Scotia · 2,523 people24C−#2,175 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, hazard risk A−·lowest: cost of living D
12Sainte-Anne-de-BeaupréQuebec · 3,173 people22B#896 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health A+, safety A−·lowest: jobs & income D
13BeaumontQuebec · 3,188 people22A#145 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, safety A·lowest: hazard risk D
14EsquimaltBritish Columbia · 19,512 people22B+#614 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D−
15LacolleQuebec · 2,806 people21B−#1,197 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability B+, health B+·lowest: hazard risk C−
16North St. BonifaceManitoba · 3,358 people21C#1,796 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, hazard risk B+·lowest: safety D
17BonavistaNewfoundland and Labrador · 3,293 people18C#1,987 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A+, walkability B+·lowest: health C−
18BattlefordSaskatchewan · 4,657 people17C+#1,571 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, hazard risk A−·lowest: safety D−
19South PortageManitoba · 3,037 people16Strongest: walkability A+, hazard risk B+·lowest: jobs & income D
20Victoria County, Subdivision BNova Scotia · 4,258 people16C−#2,194 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living B+, walkability B−·lowest: jobs & income D
21HarrietsfieldNova Scotia · 6,786 people16C−#2,240 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health B, hazard risk B−·lowest: walkability C−
22PrescottOntario · 4,342 people16D#2,484 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A−, schools B−·lowest: hazard risk D
23Saint-Roch-de-l'AchiganQuebec · 5,675 people16C+#1,521 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health B+, safety B·lowest: cost of living C
24Sainte-CroixQuebec · 2,612 people15A−#442 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: safety A−, walkability B+·lowest: hazard risk D
25Saint-André-d'ArgenteuilQuebec · 3,300 people15C+#1,592 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health A, cost of living B−·lowest: hazard risk C−
26Victoria County, Subdivision ANova Scotia · 2,746 people15D#2,391 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living B+, hazard risk B−·lowest: health D
27Ferme-NeuveQuebec · 2,816 people14B−#1,267 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health A, cost of living B+·lowest: jobs & income D
28East AngusQuebec · 4,261 people14A−#341 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health A, walkability A−·lowest: jobs & income C−
29Niagara-on-the-LakeOntario · 20,080 people14B#1,043 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: schools A, hazard risk B+·lowest: cost of living D
30ChelseaQuebec · 8,998 people13A#108 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: safety A+, jobs & income A·lowest: hazard risk C−
31Saint-Anaclet-de-LessardQuebec · 3,018 people13A+#63 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, cost of living A·lowest: walkability D
32Cap-Saint-IgnaceQuebec · 3,074 people13A#216 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health A, safety B+·lowest: hazard risk D
33GaspéQuebec · 15,479 people13B#890 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living A−, safety B·lowest: hazard risk C
34Foothills CountyAlberta · 25,789 people13A#173 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health A, schools A·lowest: walkability C
35PercéQuebec · 3,137 people13C−#2,100 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living A−, safety C+·lowest: walkability D
36Saint-JacquesQuebec · 4,830 people12B#1,042 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability B+, health B+·lowest: jobs & income C+
37Centre-VilleQuebec · 12,981 people12C−#2,260 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health B+·lowest: cost of living D
38L'Ange-GardienQuebec · 4,106 people12A#113 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A·lowest: hazard risk C
39Saint-Jean-Port-JoliQuebec · 3,330 people12A#122 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, safety A−·lowest: hazard risk D
40ColwoodBritish Columbia · 22,794 people12B#997 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living D−
41OkaQuebec · 4,312 people12C+#1,638 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health A, walkability B·lowest: hazard risk C−
42WatervilleQuebec · 2,643 people11A#102 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health A, safety A−·lowest: walkability B
43Grand MananNew Brunswick · 2,648 people11C+#1,733 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, cost of living A−·lowest: safety C−
44Emerson-FranklinManitoba · 2,686 people11B+#822 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A−, cost of living A−·lowest: jobs & income C−
45BerthiervilleQuebec · 4,591 people11B−#1,248 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health A−·lowest: cost of living C−
46Les GolfsQuebec · 15,842 people11B+#687 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A−, jobs & income A−·lowest: hazard risk D
47YamachicheQuebec · 2,801 people11A#276 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health A−, safety A−·lowest: jobs & income B−
48CentretownOntario · 32,035 people11C+#1,535 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D−
49Des ExplorateursQuebec · 31,128 people11B−#1,307 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, health B·lowest: hazard risk D
50New EdinburghOntario · 5,728 people10B+#712 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living C−
51Cap-SantéQuebec · 3,885 people10A+#55 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health A, jobs & income A·lowest: walkability D
52Fort MacleodAlberta · 3,945 people10C−#2,197 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, health B·lowest: schools D−
53New RichmondQuebec · 3,947 people10B+#761 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living A−, safety B+·lowest: hazard risk C−
54Saint-Jean-BaptisteQuebec · 8,882 people10B−#1,403 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D−
55Central Business DistrictSaskatchewan · 4,987 people10C−#2,119 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, hazard risk A·lowest: cost of living D−
56HuntingdonQuebec · 3,001 people10D#2,316 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health A−·lowest: jobs & income D
57PaspébiacQuebec · 3,132 people10B+#618 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living A−, safety B+·lowest: hazard risk C−
58Saint-Cyrille-de-WendoverQuebec · 5,242 people10A−#299 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, health A−·lowest: walkability C
59DowntownSaskatchewan · 4,282 people9C−#2,290 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health B+·lowest: cost of living D
60Eastern PassageNova Scotia · 10,745 people9B−#1,478 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability B+, health B·lowest: cost of living C+
61Carleton Heights-Courtland ParkOntario · 8,621 people9B−#1,387 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health A·lowest: cost of living D−
62Saint-Jean-de-MathaQuebec · 5,415 people9C−#2,036 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk B+, health B·lowest: jobs & income D
63PictouNova Scotia · 3,307 people9D#2,456 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A+, walkability B+·lowest: safety D
64ComptonQuebec · 3,351 people9A+#89 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health A, jobs & income A−·lowest: cost of living B−
65PlacentiaNewfoundland and Labrador · 3,374 people9C#1,880 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, cost of living A·lowest: health D
66Les Îles-de-la-MadeleineQuebec · 12,427 people9A#188 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: safety A, jobs & income A−·lowest: walkability C
67PortneufQuebec · 3,410 people9A#269 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health A+, safety A−·lowest: hazard risk C
68RichmondQuebec · 3,419 people9B+#569 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, health A−·lowest: cost of living C
69CaraquetNew Brunswick · 4,572 people9C+#1,520 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability B, jobs & income B−·lowest: hazard risk D
70Broadway-AssiniboineManitoba · 5,871 people9C−#2,234 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health B+·lowest: safety D
71Cumberland County, Subdivision CNova Scotia · 6,040 people8D−#2,504 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living B−, hazard risk C+·lowest: health D
72Sainte-ClaireQuebec · 3,724 people8A+#92 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: safety A, cost of living A−·lowest: hazard risk C−
73CoaticookQuebec · 9,027 people8A#143 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health A+, safety A−·lowest: cost of living C+
74City Commercial CoreOntario · 2,581 people8B#1,046 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health A·lowest: cost of living D
75L'IsletQuebec · 3,874 people8A#123 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living A, safety A−·lowest: hazard risk D
76HébertvilleQuebec · 2,588 people8A+#86 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living A, health A·lowest: walkability C+
77VictoriaBritish Columbia · 103,888 people8B−#1,507 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D−
78BoischatelQuebec · 9,250 people8A+#3 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: hazard risk C
79BouctoucheNew Brunswick · 2,678 people7D#2,440 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability B−, health C+·lowest: hazard risk C−
80Saint-BernardQuebec · 2,680 people7A+#9 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, safety A·lowest: hazard risk D
81Saint-MartinQuebec · 2,687 people7A+#91 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living A, safety B+·lowest: hazard risk C
82La PrésentationQuebec · 2,696 people7A−#376 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, health A·lowest: walkability C−
83SaguenayQuebec · 151,972 people7A#221 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health A, jobs & income B+·lowest: hazard risk C+
84CharlesbourgQuebec · 9,660 people7A−#444 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health A+, walkability A+·lowest: hazard risk C−
85StrathconaAlberta · 8,283 people7B−#1,488 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, hazard risk A+·lowest: cost of living D−
86HudsonQuebec · 5,533 people7A−#311 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: safety A, jobs & income A−·lowest: hazard risk C
87West RiverPrince Edward Island · 4,155 people7A−#500 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, jobs & income A−·lowest: walkability C−
88Carleton-sur-MerQuebec · 4,175 people7B#942 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: safety B+, walkability B+·lowest: hazard risk C−
89Turner ValleyAlberta · 2,784 people7B−#1,173 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health A+, safety A−·lowest: cost of living D
90Sainte-LuceQuebec · 2,808 people7A−#456 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living A−, health B+·lowest: hazard risk D
91Saint-CômeQuebec · 2,810 people7C#1,853 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk B+, safety B·lowest: jobs & income D−
92North EndNova Scotia · 19,733 people7C#1,898 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health B+·lowest: cost of living D−
93ForestvilleQuebec · 2,835 people7A−#466 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living A, walkability A−·lowest: jobs & income C
94BanffAlberta · 11,402 people7A−#387 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, schools A+·lowest: cost of living D−
95Richmond County, Subdivision ANova Scotia · 4,305 people7D#2,453 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, safety B−·lowest: jobs & income D
96VerchèresQuebec · 5,819 people7A#171 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: safety A, walkability A·lowest: hazard risk C
97ScottQuebec · 2,938 people7A+#78 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, safety A·lowest: hazard risk D
98Saint-Marc-des-CarrièresQuebec · 2,961 people7A−#338 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health A+, safety A−·lowest: hazard risk C−
99North ShorePrince Edward Island · 2,994 people7A−#440 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, hazard risk A·lowest: walkability C−
100CrescentwoodManitoba · 3,060 people7A−#468 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A+·lowest: safety D
Method
How this list is made
Places on Canada’s heritage registers per 10,000 people. Towns of 2,500 or more in Canada are listed by it, best first; a tie goes to the town with the better overall rank. How grades work
Rankings
More lists across Canada
Best places to liveBest big townsBest small townsMost affordableSafestHealthiestJobs & incomeMost walkableLowest hazard riskCivic lifeHighest incomesFastest-growingMost historicMost bilingualYoungestOldestMildest wintersColdest wintersWarmest summersCoolest summersFewest frostsLeast snowSnowiestDriestWettest
Province by province
Best places to live, province by province
Photos: Vieux-Québec—Cap-Blanc—Colline parlementaire, Wilfredor (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Stanstead, Chicoutimi (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Saint-Éphrem-de-Beauce, Lamusicographe (CC BY-SA 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons.
Sources: TownRatings grades: our own summary of the data, ranking Canadian towns against each other only, run #73 of 10 November 2026. 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).