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Amherst, NS
Nova Scotia
Amherst is a small city in Nova Scotia with a population of 9,404. Residents earn $55,600 per year, which is 26% below the national average.
Data updated June 2026
Discover Amherst, NS
Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
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How Amherst Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
CHousing
A+Crime
C+Climate
Education
DCommunity
Is Amherst a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Amherst receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Amherst has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Amherst is $55,600, 26% below the national average of $75,149. At 11.9%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 22.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Amherst is $139,000, 51% below the national median / offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $770 per month, below the national average / a plus for affordability. At just 2.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Safety & Crime
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000, 79% above the national average.
Education
8.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 32.3% have completed high school.
Climate & Weather
Amherst has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 228 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 55.4 inches, including 72.3 inches of snow.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Amherst vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Amherst vs U.S. Average
Income: Amherst vs U.S.
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $55,600 |
| 26% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $37,360 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $718 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 11.9% |
| 231% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% |
| 77% above US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 292 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 17.8 min |
| Drive Alone | 77.4% |
| Public Transit | 0.0% |
| Work from Home | 13.7% |
Walkability
Home Value Sources
Ownership Split
Home Values
| Census Median | $139,000 |
| 51% below US avg |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $770 |
| 34% below US avg | |
| Rent Burden | 20.1% |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 57.3% |
| Owner-Occupied | 57.3% |
| Renter-Occupied | 42.8% |
| Housing Units | 4,480 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: Amherst vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)
Violent Crime
Property Crime
| Total Property | 3,500.0/100K |
| 79% above US avg | |
| Burglary | 483.9/100K |
| Theft | 2,503.4/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 504.8/100K |
Traffic Safety
Safety Score
| Safety Grade | C+ |
| Safety Score | 2.5 / 5.0 |
Temperature
| Annual Average | 45.3°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 228 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 75 ft (23 m) |
| Area | 4.7 sq mi (12.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,019/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.8335°N, 64.1987°W |
| Timezone | America/Halifax |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 7.0 m (23 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1917 | HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA | Earthquake + Landslide | 7.0 m | 2,000 | 142 km |
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-2°C) | 4.1 in | |
| February | 19°F (-7°C) | 3.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.7 in | |
| April | 39°F (4°C) | 3.3 in | |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 3.6 in | |
| June | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 in | |
| July | 71°F (21°C) | 3.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 4.3 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 4.2 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
Amherst has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 19°F in February to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.0 inches, with December being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (3.3").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 8.4% |
| 75% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 32.3% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 3.2% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 2,019/sq mi |
| Total Area | 4.7 sq mi |
Services
Commute & Transportation
| Avg Commute | 17.8 min |
| Drive Alone | 77.4% |
| Public Transit | 0.0% |
| Work from Home | 13.7% |
Schools in Amherst
4 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cumberland North Academy | - | - | - | - |
| Spring Street Academy | - | - | - | - |
| E.B. Chandler Junior High School | - | - | - | - |
| West Highlands Elementary School | - | - | - | - |
Radio Stations near Amherst
4 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CFTA 107.9 Tantramar FM Amherst, NS | community radio | MP3 128 kbps | |
| CHMA 106.9 FM Sackville, NB | campus radio, community radio | MP3 192 kbps | |
| CHMA-FM 106.9 Mount Allison University - Sackville, NB | campus radio, student radio | MP3 192 kbps | |
| CJSE 89.5 "Country 89" Shediac, NB | francophone country, radio communautaire | MP3 128 kbps |
Museums in Amherst
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boultenhouse Heritage Centre | ||||
| Cumberland County Museum & Archives | ||||
| Fort Beauséjour–Fort Cumberland Museum | ||||
| Isabel Simpson Heritage Centre | ||||
| Springhill Miners Museum |
Libraries in Amherst
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Four Fathers Memorial Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Port Elgin Public Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Ralph Pickard Bell Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Sackville Public Library | 0.0 |
Hotels in Amherst
2 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Cafes in Amherst
3 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Cinemas in Amherst
1 cinemas within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Dentists in Amherst
2 dentists within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Train Stations in Amherst
1 train stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Bus Stations in Amherst
1 bus stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Amherst
7 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Banks in Amherst
5 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Shopping Malls in Amherst
1 shopping malls within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Gyms in Amherst
1 gyms within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Golf Courses in Amherst
1 golf courses within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Breweries in Amherst
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trider's Craft Beer |
Airports Near Amherst
11 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport | YQM | Medium Airport |
| Summerside Airport | YSU | Medium Airport |
| Bouctouche Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Cormier Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Debert Airport | - | Small Airport |
| East Gore Eco Airpark | - | Small Airport |
| Fox Harbour Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Hillaton/Kings Aerodrome | - | Small Airport |
| Moncton / McEwen Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Shediac Bridge Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Stanley Airport | - | Small Airport |
Post Offices in Amherst
2 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| Amherst Main Post Office | |
| Lawtons Drugs #2562 Post Office |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Amherst
7 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Amherst Anglican Church | |
| Amherst Open Bible Church | |
| Crossroads Gospel Temple | |
| Fenwick United Church | |
| First Baptist Church | |
| Nappan Unitrd Church | |
| Trinity-St. Stephen's United Church |
Explore Near Amherst
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Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Amherst
What is the population of Amherst?
Amherst has a population of 9,404 residents and is located in Nova Scotia. The population density is 2,019 people per square mile, spread across 4.7 square miles. The median age of residents is 48.8 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 53% female and 47% male.
Is Amherst expensive to live in?
The median household income is $55,600, 26% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $139,000 (51% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $770 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.5x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.
Is Amherst safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Amherst receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Amherst?
Amherst has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winter temperatures average 28°F in January, while summers reach an average of 71°F in July. The area receives 228 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 55.4 inches, with 72.3 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Amherst?
The job market in Amherst faces challenges, with unemployment at 11.9% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $718. There are 292 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and 13.7% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in Amherst?
The median home value in Amherst is $139,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $770. The homeownership rate is 57.3%.
How are the schools in Amherst?
8.4% of adults in Amherst hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 32.3% have completed high school. 3.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.
What is transportation like in Amherst?
The average commute in Amherst is 18 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 77.4% of workers drive alone to work, and 13.7% work from home.
What are the demographics of Amherst?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Amherst is 95% White, 1.7% Black or African American, 2.4% Asian. 95.6% of residents speak only English at home.