Location of New Brunswick in Canada
New Brunswick is one of the three Maritime provinces located within Eastern Canada .[ 1] According to the 2021 Canadian census , it is the eighth most populous province in Canada with 775,610 inhabitants, and the third smallest by land area , covering 71,248.5 square kilometres (27,509.2 sq mi).[ 2] Following the 2023 local governance reform , the number of municipalities in New Brunswick was reduced from 104 to 77,[ 3] out of which eight are categorized as cities . While the number of cities remained the same before and post-reform, nearly all cities saw nearby areas amalgamate into them. Because this happened after the 2021 census,[ 4] updated data will be not be officially recorded by Statistics Canada until the next Canadian census in 2026.[ 5]
Cities, towns and villages in New Brunswick are referred to as municipalities and all are included in local governments in the province, which may be incorporated under the Local Governance Act of 2017. To incorporate a city in New Brunswick, an area needs to have a minimum of 10,000 residents.[ 6] Although Campbellton 's population falls below this threshold,[ 7] it is still categorized as a city due to being incorporated prior to January 1, 1967.[ 6] Each city in New Brunswick, with the exception of Miramichi , has wards in its municipal governments.[ 8] Additionally, Bathurst has a "hybrid" council type,[ 9] containing seven seats for general councillors and two for ward councillors.[ 10]
The largest city by population in New Brunswick is Moncton with 79,470 residents, and the smallest is Campbellton with 7,049 residents. Campbellton is also the smallest city by land area, spanning 18.57 square kilometres (7.17 sq mi), while Saint John is the largest at 315.59 square kilometres (121.85 sq mi).[ 7] Additionally, Saint John was the first incorporated city in the future New Brunswick and Canada overall with its charter being signed on May 18, 1785.[ 11] The most recent incorporated city in the province was Dieppe , on January 1, 2003.[ 12] Fredericton is the capital city of New Brunswick.[ 13]
Largest cities in New Brunswick by population
Moncton , New Brunswick's largest city by population
Aerial view of
Saint John , second most populous city in New Brunswick
Skyline of
Fredericton , New Brunswick's capital and third largest city by population
Dieppe , fourth most populous city in New Brunswick
Cities in New Brunswick
Name
County
Incorporation date[ 14]
Council type[ 8]
Council size[ 10]
2021 Census of Population [ 7]
Population (2021)
Population (2016)
Change
Land area (km2 )
Population density
Bathurst
Gloucester
January 1, 1966
Hybrid[ NB 1]
9
12,157
11,897
+2.2%
91.62
132.7/km2
Campbellton
Restigouche
January 1, 1958
Ward
10
7,047
6,883
+2.4%
18.57
379.5/km2
Dieppe
Westmorland
January 1, 2003 [ 12]
Ward
8
28,114
25,384
+10.8%
77.02
365.0/km2
Edmundston
Madawaska
April 29, 1952
Ward
10
16,437
16,580
−0.9%
106.84
153.8/km2
Fredericton
Sunbury & York
March 30, 1848
Ward
12
63,116
58,721
+7.5%
133.93
471.3/km2
Miramichi
Northumberland
January 1, 1995 [ 15]
At-large
8
17,692
17,537
+0.9%
178.98
98.8/km2
Moncton
Westmorland
April 23, 1890 [ 16]
Ward
10
79,470
71,889
+10.5%
140.67
564.9/km2
Saint John
Saint John
May 18, 1785 [ 11]
Ward
10
69,895
67,575
+3.4%
315.59
221.5/km2
Total cities
293,928
276,466
+6.3%
1,063.22
276.5/km2
New Brunswick
775,610
747,101
+3.8%
71,248.5
10.9/km2
Waterfront view of
Miramichi , New Brunswick's fifth most populous city
Skyline of
Edmundston , sixth most populous city in New Brunswick
Waterfront and road view of
Bathurst , New Brunswick's second least populous city
Restigouche Sam in
Campbellton , New Brunswick's least populous city, and
Sugarloaf Mountain
^ Bathurst is described as having a "hybrid" council type,[ 9] containing both councillor and councillor ward seats.[ 10]
^ Patterson, Stephen E. "New Brunswick" . Encyclopædia Britannica . Archived from the original on November 14, 2017. Retrieved May 2, 2024 .
^ "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories" . Statistics Canada . Government of Canada . February 9, 2022. Archived from the original on February 9, 2022. Retrieved May 2, 2024 .
^ "The four pillars of local governance reform" . Government of New Brunswick . Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024 .
^ Government of New Brunswick (August 30, 2022). Local Governments Establishment Regulation – Local Governance Act (2022-50 O.C. 2022-228). Retrieved May 2, 2024 .
^ "The road to the 2026 Census" . Statistics Canada . Government of Canada . Archived from the original on March 24, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024 .
^ a b Government of New Brunswick (May 5, 2017). Local Governance Act (2017, c.18). Retrieved May 2, 2024 .
^ a b c "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions (municipalities)" . Statistics Canada . Government of Canada . February 9, 2022. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2024 .
^ a b "Municipal Regions 2023" . Elections New Brunswick . February 5, 2014. Archived from the original on May 2, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024 .
^ a b "RSC 3 Chaleur Regional Service Commission" . Government of New Brunswick . January 31, 2022. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2024 .
^ a b c "A list of local government council members" (PDF) . Government of New Brunswick . October 25, 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024 .
^ a b "Saint John, N.B., turning 225" . CBC News . May 17, 2010. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024 .
^ a b "History and Heritage" . Dieppe . May 3, 2023. Archived from the original on January 20, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024 .
^ "Fredericton" . Encyclopædia Britannica . Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2024 .
^ "This Week in New Brunswick History" . Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture , Government of New Brunswick . Archived from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024 .
^ "City of Miramichi Consolidated Financial Statements" (PDF) . Miramichi, New Brunswick : Allen, Paquet & Arseneau LLP. December 31, 2019. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 16, 2022. Retrieved May 2, 2024 . The City was incorporated under the provisions of the Province of New Brunswick Municipalities Act on January 1, 1995.
^ "City of Moncton turns 125 and starts 4-day festival" . CBC News . April 24, 2015. Archived from the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2024 .
Cities Towns Villages Regional municipality Rural communities Rural districts
Acadian Peninsula
Capital Region
Chaleur
Fundy
Greater Miramichi
Kent
Kings
Northwest
Restigouche
Southeast
Southwest
Western Valley
Regional service commissions School districts Indian reserves
Big Hole Tract 8 (North Half)
Big Hole Tract 8 (South Half)
Buctouche 16
Buctouche Micmac Band Extension
Devon 30
Eel Ground 2
Eel River 3
Esgenoôpetitj
Fort Folly 1
Indian Island 28
Indian Point 1
Indian Ranch
Kingsclear 6
Metepenagiag Urban Reserve 3
Metepenagiag Urban Reserve 8
Metepenagiag Uta'nk
Moose Meadows 4
Oinpegitjoig
Oromocto 26
Pabineau 11
Pokemouche 13
Red Bank 4
Red Bank 7
Renous 12
Richibucto 15
Soegao No. 35
St Basile 10
St. Mary's 24
Tabusintac 9
The Brothers 18
Tobique 20
Woodstock 23
Non-administrative divisions