Cape Breton, NS

Full City Profile · Nova Scotia

3.0 /5.0
B Good
93,694 Population 100/sq mi density
$62,400 Median Income $40,360 per capita
$160,000 Home Value
$800 Median Rent 16.1% income on rent
41°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$62,400 median income, 19.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$160,000 home value, $800/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Cape Breton has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 45.7 inches. The area receives 19.8 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 65°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average41.4°F
23% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average65°F (19°C)

Geography

Elevation161 ft (49 m)
Area934.3 sq mi (2,419.7 km²)
Population Density100/sq mi
Coordinates46.2083°N, 64.7492°W
TimezoneAmerica/Halifax

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 45.7"
20% above US avg
Snowfall 19.8"
Wettest Month (Dec) 4.25"
Driest Month (Aug) 3.35"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

18 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.6. Most recent: M3.1 on Jul 3, 2024.

Aug 27, 2015 27 km N of Noonan, Canada M3.6 142 km
Mar 8, 2009 72 km NNE of Noonan, Canada M3.6 127 km
Mar 8, 2009 71 km NNE of Noonan, Canada M3.3 122 km
Jul 20, 2007 28 km W of Miramichi, Canada M3.2 129 km
Mar 21, 2013 60 km NNE of Noonan, Canada M3.2 108 km
Jul 3, 2024 67 km SW of Miramichi, Canada M3.1 110 km
Mar 7, 2019 15 km WSW of Miramichi, Canada M2.9 110 km
Apr 22, 2016 New Brunswick, Canada M2.9 101 km
Jun 20, 2013 65 km NNE of Noonan, Canada M2.9 120 km
Nov 28, 2013 55 km NNW of Sussex, Canada M2.8 82 km
Jul 8, 2022 49 km WNW of Miramichi, Canada M2.7 149 km
Mar 7, 2008 32 km S of Miramichi, Canada M2.7 79 km
Jan 3, 2017 20 km E of Oromocto, Canada M2.7 120 km
Nov 28, 2013 60 km SSW of Miramichi, Canada M2.6 84 km
Apr 22, 2016 69 km SSW of Miramichi, Canada M2.6 102 km
Feb 2, 2018 55 km NNW of Sussex, Canada M2.6 85 km
Feb 1, 2018 54 km NNW of Sussex, Canada M2.6 84 km
Apr 24, 2015 67 km NW of Salisbury, Canada M2.5 80 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Hurricane History

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

Year Name Category Closest
2010 Earl Category 1 144 km
2009 Bill Category 1 267 km
2008 Kyle Category 1 291 km
2003 Juan Category 2 77 km
1996 Hortense Category 1 235 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980-2026)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 16°F (-9°C) 4.2 in Coldest
February 18°F (-8°C) 3.5 in
March 27°F (-3°C) 3.9 in
April 38°F (3°C) 3.4 in
May 50°F (10°C) 3.9 in
June 59°F (15°C) 3.9 in
July 65°F (19°C) 4.0 in Warmest
August 65°F (18°C) 3.4 in Driest
September 56°F (13°C) 3.4 in
October 46°F (8°C) 3.8 in
November 35°F (2°C) 4.0 in
December 23°F (-5°C) 4.3 in Wettest

Cape Breton has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 16°F in January to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.7 inches, with December being the wettest month (4.3") and August the driest (3.4").

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