Amherst, NS

Full City Profile · Nova Scotia

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
9,404 Population 2,019/sq mi density
$55,600 Median Income $37,360 per capita
$139,000 Home Value
$770 Median Rent 20.1% income on rent
45°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.1 / 5.0
$55,600 median income, 11.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$139,000 home value, $770/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Amherst has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 55.4 inches. The area receives 72.3 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 71°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average45.3°F
16% below US avg
January Average28°F (-2°C)
July Average71°F (21°C)

Geography

Elevation75 ft (23 m)
Area4.7 sq mi (12.1 km²)
Population Density2,019/sq mi
Coordinates45.8335°N, 64.1987°W
TimezoneAmerica/Halifax

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 55.4"
46% above US avg
Snowfall 72.3"
Wettest Month (Dec) 4.49"
Driest Month (Feb) 3.27"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

6 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M2.8. Most recent: M2.6 on Feb 2, 2018.

Nov 28, 2013 55 km NNW of Sussex, Canada M2.8 130 km
Mar 7, 2008 32 km S of Miramichi, Canada M2.7 139 km
Feb 1, 2018 54 km NNW of Sussex, Canada M2.6 132 km
Feb 2, 2018 55 km NNW of Sussex, Canada M2.6 133 km
Nov 28, 2013 60 km SSW of Miramichi, Canada M2.6 141 km
Apr 24, 2015 67 km NW of Salisbury, Canada M2.5 136 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Hurricane History

6 hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 500 km since 1980. Strongest: Category 2. Most recent: Earl (2010).

Year Name Category Closest
2010 Earl Category 1 86 km
2009 Bill Category 1 208 km
2008 Kyle Category 1 276 km
2003 Juan Category 2 36 km
2002 Gustav Category 1 253 km
1996 Hortense Category 1 176 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980-2026)

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
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

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").

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