Demographics of Nova Scotia

Overview
Population, 2021

969,383

5%
Population, 2016: 923,598
Land area in square kilometres, 2021: 52824.71
Population density per square kilometre, 2021: 18.4
Knowledge of official languages
Average total income in 2020 among recipients ($)
$47,480
Average after-tax income in 2020 among recipients ($)
$39,160
Average total income of household in 2020 ($)
$87,900
Average after-tax income of household in 2020 ($)
$72,500
Labour (25% Sample Data)
Employment rate
51.9%
Unemployment rate
12.7%
Participation rate
59.5%
Labour force population aged 15 years and over by NOC 2021 (25% Sample Data)
Journey to Work (25% Sample Data)
Housing (25% Sample Data)
Average value of dwellings ($)
$295,600
Average monthly shelter costs for owned dwellings ($)
$1,070
Average monthly shelter costs for rented dwellings ($)
$1,083
Population
Population, 2021 969,383
Population, 2016 923,598
Population percentage change, 2016 to 2021 5.00%
Total private dwellings, 2021 476,007
Total private dwellings, 2016 458,568
Total private dwellings percentage change, 2016 to 2021 3.80%
Private dwellings occupied by usual residents, 2021 428,228
Private dwellings occupied by usual residents, 2016 401,990
Private dwellings occupied by usual residents percentage change, 2016 to 2021 6.50%
Land area in square kilometres, 2021 52,825
Population density per square kilometre, 2021 18
National population rank, 2021 0
Province/territory population rank, 2021 0
Knowledge of official languages
Total - Knowledge of languages for the population in private households - 25% sample data 955,855
Official languages 952,595
English 951,945
French 99,300
Non-official languages 93,440
Income
Total - Income statistics in 2020 for the population aged 15 years and over in private households - 25% sample data 819,315
Number of total income recipients aged 15 years and over in private households in 2020 - 25% sample data 792,355
Average total income in 2020 among recipients ($) $47,480
Number of after-tax income recipients aged 15 years and over in private households in 2020 - 25% sample data 792,780
Average after-tax income in 2020 among recipients ($) $39,160
Number of market income recipients aged 15 years and over in private households in 2020 - 25% sample data 689,525
Average market income in 2020 among recipients ($) $43,120
Number of employment income recipients aged 15 years and over in private households in 2020 - 25% sample data 543,575
Average employment income in 2020 among recipients ($) $43,120
Number of government transfers recipients aged 15 years and over in private households in 2020 - 25% sample data 643,520
Average government transfers in 2020 among recipients ($) $12,260
Number of employment insurance benefits recipients aged 15 years and over in private households in 2020 - 25% sample data 109,585
Average employment insurance benefits in 2020 among recipients ($) $7,850
Number of COVID-19 emergency and recovery benefits recipients aged 15 years and over in private households in 2020 - 25% sample data 201,560
Average COVID-19 emergency and recovery benefits in 2020 among recipients ($) $8,910
Total - Employment income statistics in 2020 for the population aged 15 years and over in private households - 25% sample data 819,315
Number of employment income recipients in 2020 who worked full-year full-time in 2020 - 25% sample data 253,470
Median employment income in 2020 for full-year full-time workers in 2020 ($) $57,600
Average employment income in 2020 for full-year full-time workers in 2020 ($) $66,200
Number of employment income recipients in 2020 who worked part-year or part-time in 2020 - 25% sample data 221,675
Median employment income in 2020 of those who worked part-year or part-time in 2020 ($) $16,600
Average employment income in 2020 of those who worked part-year or part-time in 2020 ($) $25,080
Composition of total income in 2020 of the population aged 15 years and over in private households (%) - 25% sample data 100.00%
Market income (%) 79.00%
Employment income (%) 62.30%
Government transfers (%) 21.00%
Employment insurance benefits (%) 2.30%
COVID-19 - Government income support and benefits (%) 5.60%
COVID-19 - Emergency and recovery benefits (%) 4.80%
Total - Income statistics in 2019 for the population aged 15 years and over in private households - 25% sample data 819,315
Number of total income recipients aged 15 years and over in private households in 2019 - 25% sample data 776,340
Average total income in 2019 among recipients ($) $45,640
Number of after-tax income recipients aged 15 years and over in private households in 2019 - 25% sample data 777,120
Average after-tax income in 2019 among recipients ($) $37,520
Number of market income recipients aged 15 years and over in private households in 2019 - 25% sample data 684,995
Average market income in 2019 among recipients ($) $43,720
Number of employment income recipients aged 15 years and over in private households in 2019 - 25% sample data 549,145
Average employment income in 2019 among recipients ($) $43,520
Number of government transfers recipients aged 15 years and over in private households in 2019 - 25% sample data 573,240
Average government transfers in 2019 among recipients ($) $9,580
Number of employment insurance benefits recipients aged 15 years and over in private households in 2019 - 25% sample data 96,890
Average employment insurance benefits in 2019 among recipients ($) $8,290
Total - Employment income statistics in 2019 for the population aged 15 years and over in private households - 25% sample data 819,315
Number of employment income recipients in 2019 who worked full-year full-time in 2020 - 25% sample data 251,785
Median employment income in 2019 for full-year full-time workers in 2020 ($) $53,600
Average employment income in 2019 for full-year full-time workers in 2020 ($) $62,500
Number of employment income recipients in 2019 who worked part-year or part-time in 2020 - 25% sample data 209,605
Median employment income in 2019 of those who worked part-year or part-time in 2020 ($) $20,600
Average employment income in 2019 of those who worked part-year or part-time in 2020 ($) $30,840
Composition of total income in 2019 of the population aged 15 years and over in private households (%) - 25% sample data 100.00%
Market income (%) 84.60%
Employment income (%) 67.40%
Government transfers (%) 15.50%
Employment insurance benefits (%) 2.30%
Total - Income statistics for private households - 25% sample data 428,230
Average total income of household in 2020 ($) $87,900
Average after-tax income of household in 2020 ($) $72,500
Total - Income statistics for one-person private households - 25% sample data 131,820
Average total income of one-person households in 2020 ($) $45,240
Average after-tax income of one-person households in 2020 ($) $37,760
Total - Income statistics for two-or-more-persons private households - 25% sample data 296,405
Average total income of two-or-more-person households in 2020 ($) $106,800
Average after-tax income of two-or-more-person households in 2020 ($) $88,000
Total - Income statistics for economic families in private households - 25% sample data 279,025
Average total income of economic family in 2020 ($) $107,400
Average after-tax income of economic family in 2020 ($) $88,100
Total - Income statistics for couple-only economic families in private households - 25% sample data 127,670
Average total income of couple-only economic families in 2020 ($) $97,000
Average after-tax income of couple-only economic families in 2020 ($) $79,300
Total - Income statistics for couple-with-children economic families in private households - 25% sample data 97,420
Average total income of couple-with-children economic families in 2020 ($) $139,400
Average after-tax income of couple-with-children economic families in 2020 ($) $112,500
Total - Income statistics for one-parent economic families in private households - 25% sample data 45,155
Average total income of one-parent economic families in 2020 ($) $69,100
Average after-tax income of one-parent economic families in 2020 ($) $60,750
Total - Income statistics for persons aged 15 years and over not in economic families in private households - 25% sample data 181,300
Average total income in 2020 ($) $42,200
Average after-tax income in 2020 ($) $35,600
Immigration and citizenship
Total - Citizenship for the population in private households - 25% sample data 955,860
Canadian citizens 903,570
Canadian citizens aged under 18 157,470
Canadian citizens aged 18 and over 746,105
Not Canadian citizens 52,285
Housing
Total - Private households by tenure - 25% sample data 428,230
Owner 285,995
Renter 139,415
Dwelling provided by the local government, First Nation or Indian band 2,820
Total - Occupied private dwellings by condominium status - 25% sample data 428,230
Condominium 16,130
Not condominium 412,095
Total - Occupied private dwellings by number of bedrooms - 25% sample data 428,230
No bedrooms 2,070
1 bedroom 52,160
2 bedrooms 117,275
3 bedrooms 162,095
4 or more bedrooms 94,630
Total - Occupied private dwellings by number of rooms - 25% sample data 428,230
1 to 4 rooms 106,425
5 rooms 68,795
6 rooms 68,430
7 rooms 58,805
8 or more rooms 125,765
Average number of rooms per dwelling 6
Total - Occupied private dwellings by period of construction - 25% sample data 428,230
1960 or before 110,850
1961 to 1980 116,750
1981 to 1990 59,840
1991 to 2000 52,820
2001 to 2005 23,290
2006 to 2010 22,740
2011 to 2015 19,850
2016 to 2021 22,085
Total - Private households by age of primary household maintainers - 25% sample data 428,230
15 to 24 years 14,490
25 to 34 years 56,105
35 to 44 years 62,340
45 to 54 years 70,065
55 to 64 years 89,710
65 to 74 years 78,645
75 to 84 years 42,555
85 years and over 14,330
Total - Owner and tenant households with household total income greater than zero, in non-farm, non-reserve private dwellings by shelter-cost-to-income ratio - 25% sample data 421,920
Spending less than 30% of income on shelter costs 346,445
Spending 30% or more of income on shelter costs 75,475
30% to less than 100% 66,865
Total - Owner households in non-farm, non-reserve private dwellings - 25% sample data 283,280
% of owner households with a mortgage 54.30%
% of owner households spending 30% or more of its income on shelter costs 9.70%
% in core housing need 5.00%
Median monthly shelter costs for owned dwellings ($) $870
Average monthly shelter costs for owned dwellings ($) $1,070
Median value of dwellings ($) $250,000
Average value of dwellings ($) $295,600
Median monthly shelter costs for rented dwellings ($) $1,000
Average monthly shelter costs for rented dwellings ($) $1,083
Education
Total - Secondary (high) school diploma or equivalency certificate for the population aged 15 years and over in private households - 25% sample data 819,310
No high school diploma or equivalency certificate 157,255
With high school diploma or equivalency certificate 662,060
Total - Secondary (high) school diploma or equivalency certificate for the population aged 25 to 64 years in private households - 25% sample data 507,465
No high school diploma or equivalency certificate 60,130
With high school diploma or equivalency certificate 447,335
Total - Highest certificate, diploma or degree for the population aged 15 years and over in private households - 25% sample data 819,315
No certificate, diploma or degree 137,525
High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate 220,205
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree 461,580
Postsecondary certificate or diploma below bachelor level 262,860
Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma 70,140
Non-apprenticeship trades certificate or diploma 37,420
Apprenticeship certificate 32,720
College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma 173,685
University certificate or diploma below bachelor level 19,035
Bachelor’s degree or higher 198,725
Bachelor's degree 131,470
University certificate or diploma above bachelor level 12,185
Degree in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or optometry 5,045
Master's degree 43,285
Earned doctorate 6,745
Total - Highest certificate, diploma or degree for the population aged 25 to 64 years in private households - 25% sample data 507,465
No certificate, diploma or degree 50,650
High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate 124,015
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree 332,805
Postsecondary certificate or diploma below bachelor level 181,530
Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma 44,840
Non-apprenticeship trades certificate or diploma 23,700
Apprenticeship certificate 21,145
College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma 125,220
University certificate or diploma below bachelor level 11,470
Bachelor’s degree or higher 151,270
Bachelor's degree 100,175
University certificate or diploma above bachelor level 9,025
Degree in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or optometry 3,840
Master's degree 33,605
Earned doctorate 4,625
Total - Major field of study - Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2021 for the population aged 15 years and over in private households - 25% sample data 819,315
No postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree 357,735
Education 32,930
13. Education 32,930
Visual and performing arts, and communications technologies 11,875
10. Communications technologies/technicians and support services 1,640
50. Visual and performing arts 10,235
Humanities 21,855
16. Indigenous and foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics 1,250
23. English language and literature/letters 6,125
24. Liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities 5,015
30A Interdisciplinary humanities 620
38. Philosophy and religious studies 1,510
39. Theology and religious vocations 2,365
54. History 3,915
55. French language and literature/lettersCAN 1,055
Social and behavioural sciences and law 46,965
05. Area, ethnic, cultural, gender, and group studies 715
09. Communication, journalism and related programs 4,635
19. Family and consumer sciences/human sciences 10,015
22. Legal professions and studies 6,710
30B Interdisciplinary social and behavioural sciences 1,060
42. Psychology 9,695
45. Social sciences 14,135
Business, management and public administration 101,875
30.16 Accounting and computer science 210
44. Public administration and social service professions 7,570
52. Business, management, marketing and related support services 94,100
Physical and life sciences and technologies 19,060
26. Biological and biomedical sciences 8,440
30.01 Biological and physical sciences 4,585
30C Other interdisciplinary physical and life sciences 410
40. Physical sciences 5,030
41. Science technologies/technicians 600
Mathematics, computer and information sciences 18,170
11. Computer and information sciences and support services 14,910
25. Library science 1,320
27. Mathematics and statistics 1,670
30D Interdisciplinary mathematics, computer and information sciences 270
Architecture, engineering, and related trades 96,510
04. Architecture and related services 1,825
14. Engineering 15,205
15. Engineering/engineering-related technologies/technicians 21,045
30.12 Historic preservation and conservation 15
46. Construction trades 25,495
47. Mechanic and repair technologies/technicians 21,920
48. Precision production 11,010
Agriculture, natural resources and conservation 9,905
01. Agricultural and veterinary sciences/services/operations and related fields 5,965
03. Natural resources and conservation 3,945
Health and related fields 70,550
30.37 Design for human health 0
31. Parks, recreation, leisure, fitness, and kinesiology 4,330
51. Health professions and related programs 64,255
60. Health professions residency/fellowship programs 180
61. Medical residency/fellowship programs 1,775
Personal, protective and transportation services 31,815
12. Culinary, entertainment, and personal services 17,520
28. Military science, leadership and operational art 250
29. Military technologies and applied sciences 730
43. Security and protective services 4,760
49. Transportation and materials moving 8,560
Other 75
Total - Major field of study - Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2021 for the population aged 25 to 64 years in private households - 25% sample data 507,465
No postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree 174,660
Education 20,200
13. Education 20,200
Visual and performing arts, and communications technologies 9,295
10. Communications technologies/technicians and support services 1,250
50. Visual and performing arts 8,045
Humanities 15,170
16. Indigenous and foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics 865
23. English language and literature/letters 4,320
24. Liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities 3,570
30A Interdisciplinary humanities 420
38. Philosophy and religious studies 1,090
39. Theology and religious vocations 1,350
54. History 2,785
55. French language and literature/lettersCAN 770
Social and behavioural sciences and law 37,160
05. Area, ethnic, cultural, gender, and group studies 515
09. Communication, journalism and related programs 3,995
19. Family and consumer sciences/human sciences 8,070
22. Legal professions and studies 5,285
30B Interdisciplinary social and behavioural sciences 780
42. Psychology 7,590
45. Social sciences 10,925
Business, management and public administration 73,450
30.16 Accounting and computer science 145
44. Public administration and social service professions 5,700
52. Business, management, marketing and related support services 67,610
Physical and life sciences and technologies 13,285
26. Biological and biomedical sciences 6,020
30.01 Biological and physical sciences 3,235
30C Other interdisciplinary physical and life sciences 340
40. Physical sciences 3,415
41. Science technologies/technicians 280
Mathematics, computer and information sciences 14,780
11. Computer and information sciences and support services 12,590
25. Library science 855
27. Mathematics and statistics 1,090
30D Interdisciplinary mathematics, computer and information sciences 240
Architecture, engineering, and related trades 67,440
04. Architecture and related services 1,330
14. Engineering 11,245
15. Engineering/engineering-related technologies/technicians 14,625
30.12 Historic preservation and conservation 0
46. Construction trades 17,745
47. Mechanic and repair technologies/technicians 15,140
48. Precision production 7,350
Agriculture, natural resources and conservation 7,525
01. Agricultural and veterinary sciences/services/operations and related fields 4,460
03. Natural resources and conservation 3,065
Health and related fields 50,935
30.37 Design for human health 0
31. Parks, recreation, leisure, fitness, and kinesiology 3,230
51. Health professions and related programs 46,265
60. Health professions residency/fellowship programs 155
61. Medical residency/fellowship programs 1,285
Personal, protective and transportation services 23,515
12. Culinary, entertainment, and personal services 12,840
28. Military science, leadership and operational art 190
29. Military technologies and applied sciences 405
43. Security and protective services 3,795
49. Transportation and materials moving 6,290
Other 60
Labour
Total - Population aged 15 years and over by labour force status - 25% sample data 819,315
In the labour force 487,260
Employed 425,190
Unemployed 62,070
Not in the labour force 332,055
Participation rate 59.50%
Employment rate 51.90%
Unemployment rate 12.70%
Total - Population aged 15 years and over by work activity during the reference year - 25% sample data 819,315
Did not work 323,335
Worked 495,980
Worked full year full time 260,795
Worked part year and/or part time 235,185
Average weeks worked in reference year 41
Total - Labour force aged 15 years and over by class of worker including job permanency - 25% sample data 487,260
Class of worker - not applicable 10,965
All classes of workers 476,290
Employee 421,080
Permanent position 337,140
Temporary position 83,945
Fixed term (1 year or more) 22,645
Casual, seasonal or short-term position (less than 1 year) 61,295
Self-employed 55,210
Total - Labour force aged 15 years and over by occupation - Broad category - National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 - 25% sample data 487,260
Occupation - not applicable 10,965
All occupations 476,290
0 Legislative and senior management occupations 5,065
1 Business, finance and administration occupations 73,305
2 Natural and applied sciences and related occupations 32,455
3 Health occupations 45,420
4 Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services 66,135
5 Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport 13,070
6 Sales and service occupations 123,130
7 Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations 80,775
8 Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations 17,745
9 Occupations in manufacturing and utilities 19,200
Total - Labour force aged 15 years and over by industry - Sectors - North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 2017 - 25% sample data 487,260
Industry - not applicable 10,965
All industries 476,290
11 Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting 17,880
21 Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction 3,065
22 Utilities 3,655
23 Construction 35,720
31-33 Manufacturing 31,210
41 Wholesale trade 11,400
44-45 Retail trade 58,985
48-49 Transportation and warehousing 19,930
51 Information and cultural industries 8,260
52 Finance and insurance 16,490
53 Real estate and rental and leasing 6,570
54 Professional, scientific and technical services 31,400
55 Management of companies and enterprises 655
56 Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services 21,530
61 Educational services 38,425
62 Health care and social assistance 70,595
71 Arts, entertainment and recreation 9,045
72 Accommodation and food services 30,010
81 Other services (except public administration) 19,395
91 Public administration 42,070
Journey to Work
Total - Place of work status for the employed labour force aged 15 years and over - 25% sample data 425,195
Worked at home 88,135
Worked outside Canada 1,040
No fixed workplace address 57,310
Usual place of work 278,705
Total - Commuting destination for the employed labour force aged 15 years and over with a usual place of work - 25% sample data 278,705
Commute within census subdivision (CSD) of residence 201,500
Commute to a different census subdivision (CSD) within census division (CD) of residence 47,015
Commute to a different census subdivision (CSD) and census division (CD) within province or territory of residence 25,755
Commute to a different province or territory 4,435
Total - Main mode of commuting for the employed labour force aged 15 years and over with a usual place of work or no fixed workplace address - 25% sample data 336,015
Car, truck or van 293,665
Car, truck or van - as a driver 267,755
Car, truck or van - as a passenger 25,910
Public transit 13,895
Walked 18,975
Bicycle 1,605
Other method 7,870
Total - Commuting duration for the employed labour force aged 15 years and over with a usual place of work or no fixed workplace address - 25% sample data 336,015
Less than 15 minutes 128,935
15 to 29 minutes 123,315
30 to 44 minutes 51,690
45 to 59 minutes 15,840
60 minutes and over 16,230
Language of Work
Total - All languages used at work for the population in private households aged 15 years and over who worked since January 1, 2020 - 25% sample data 530,410
English 506,775
French 3,405
Non-official language 1,180
Indigenous 310
Non-Indigenous 870
English and French 13,145
English and non-official language(s) 5,605
French and non-official language(s) 0
English, French and non-official language(s) 270
Multiple non-official languages 20
Total - Language used most often at work for the population aged 15 years and over who worked since January 1, 2020, in private households, 2021 Census - 25% sample data 530,410
Official languages 525,370
English 519,550
French 5,825
Non-official languages 2,340
Mobility
Total - Mobility status 5 years ago - 25% sample data 915,520
Non-movers 581,165
Movers 334,365
Non-migrants 155,120
Migrants 179,245
Internal migrants 143,135
Intraprovincial migrants 76,050
Interprovincial migrants 67,085
External migrants 36,110
CareerBeacon obtains its data from 3rd party services and cannot verify its accuracy. The information contained on this page is intended to be used for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace legal authority. The information contained in the demographic reports should not be relied upon for determining career and/or relocation decisions.