All Countries
Glace Bay, NS
Nova Scotia
Glace Bay is a small city in Nova Scotia with a population of 16,915. Residents earn $61,563 per year, which is 18% below the national average.
Data updated June 2026
Discover Glace Bay, 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.
Use the tabs and dropdown menus below to navigate every data point we track for this city.
How Glace Bay Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
BHousing
A+Crime
C+Climate
Education
B+Community
Is Glace Bay a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Glace Bay receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Glace Bay offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Glace Bay is $61,563, 18% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.1% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 19.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Glace Bay is $197,102, 30% below the national median / offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $762 per month, below the national average / a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.
Safety & Crime
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000, 79% above the national average.
Education
32.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.4% have completed high school.
Climate & Weather
Glace Bay experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. The area gets 224 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 65.4 inches, including 81.5 inches of snow.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Glace Bay vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Glace Bay vs U.S. Average
Income: Glace Bay vs U.S.
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $61,563 |
| 18% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $39,739 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $764 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 5.1% |
| 42% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% |
| 60% above US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 524 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 22.5 min |
| Drive Alone | 82.1% |
| Public Transit | 0.6% |
| Work from Home | 16.1% |
Walkability
Home Value Sources
Ownership Split
Home Values
| Census Median | $197,102 |
| 30% below US avg |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $762 |
| 34% below US avg | |
| Rent Burden | 29.0% |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 66.5% |
| Owner-Occupied | 66.5% |
| Renter-Occupied | 33.5% |
| Housing Units | 6,766 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: Glace Bay 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 | 46.1°F |
| 15% below US avg | |
| January Average | 34°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 66°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 224 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 66 ft (20 m) |
| Area | 11.5 sq mi (29.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,475/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.1970°N, 59.9570°W |
| Timezone | America/Glace_Bay |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F (1°C) | 5.8 in | |
| February | 22°F (-6°C) | 5.2 in | Coldest |
| March | 28°F (-2°C) | 5.3 in | |
| April | 36°F (2°C) | 5.2 in | |
| May | 46°F (8°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 55°F (13°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 66°F (19°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 64°F (18°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 4.7 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 5.8 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 6.1 in | |
| December | 29°F (-1°C) | 6.5 in | Wettest |
Glace Bay has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 22°F in February to 66°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 60.1 inches, with December being the wettest month (6.5") and July the driest (3.7").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% |
| 2% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 87.4% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 17.0% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 1,475/sq mi |
| Total Area | 11.5 sq mi |
Services
Commute & Transportation
| Avg Commute | 22.5 min |
| Drive Alone | 82.1% |
| Public Transit | 0.6% |
| Work from Home | 16.1% |
Schools in Glace Bay
5 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Bernard Croak Elementary School | - | - | - | - |
| St. Anne's Elementary School | - | - | - | - |
| Glace Bay High School | - | - | - | - |
| Glace Bay Elementary School | - | - | - | - |
| Oceanview Education Center | - | - | - | - |
Radio Stations near Glace Bay
4 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBC Radio One - Sydney, NS (MP3 stream) | features, news | MP3 128 kbps | |
| CHRK-FM "Hot 101.9" - Sydney, NS | hot adult contemporary, rebranding | AAC 130 kbps | |
| Max FM 98.3 - CHER-FM | - | MP3 64 kbps | |
| 94.9 The Wave - CKPE-FM | 70s, 80s | MP3 64 kbps |
Museums in Glace Bay
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Breton Miners Museum | ||||
| Cossit House Museum | ||||
| Dominion Heritage School House Museum | ||||
| Jost House | ||||
| Jost House Museum | ||||
| Marconi National Historic Site | ||||
| St Patrick's Museum | ||||
| St. Patricks | ||||
| Sydney Museum | ||||
| Whitney Pier Historical Society |
Libraries in Glace Bay
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James McConnell Memorial Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Library | 0.0 |
Farmers Markets in Glace Bay
| Name | Address | Season | Hours | Organic | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Breton Farmers' Market |
Cafes in Glace Bay
4 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Theatres in Glace Bay
1 theatres within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Monuments in Glace Bay
1 monuments within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Clinics in Glace Bay
1 clinics within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Glace Bay
5 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Banks in Glace Bay
6 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Gyms in Glace Bay
1 gyms within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Golf Courses in Glace Bay
1 golf courses within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Breweries in Glace Bay
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Island Folk Cider House |
Ski Resorts Near Glace Bay
2 ski resorts within range.
| Resort | Slopes (km) | Lifts | Peak (m) | Price | Season | Night | Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Eoin | 0.0 | - | - | $0 | - | - | - |
| Ski Cape Smokey | 0.0 | - | - | $0 | - | - | - |
Airports Near Glace Bay
1 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney / J.A. Douglas McCurdy Airport | YQY | Medium Airport |
Post Offices in Glace Bay
2 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| Canada Post | |
| Glace Bay Post Office |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Glace Bay
13 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Bethel Family Church | |
| Glace Bay Baptist Church | |
| Holy Cross Catholic Church | |
| Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness | |
| Newsom United Church Of Canada | |
| Salvation Army | |
| St Anthony's Catholic Church | |
| St Leo's Church | |
| St Paul's Presbyterian Church | |
| St. Anne's Church | |
| St. Mary's Church | |
| Warden United Church | |
| Warden United Church |
Explore Near Glace Bay
Download Full City Report
Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Glace Bay.
Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Glace Bay
What is the population of Glace Bay?
Glace Bay has a population of 16,915 residents and is located in Nova Scotia. The population density is 1,475 people per square mile, spread across 11.5 square miles. The median age of residents is 41.8 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 50.3% female and 49.7% male.
Is Glace Bay expensive to live in?
The median household income is $61,563, 18% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $197,102 (30% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $762 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 3.2x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.
Is Glace Bay safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Glace Bay receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Glace Bay?
Glace Bay has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winter temperatures average 34°F in January, while summers reach an average of 66°F in July. The area receives 224 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 65.4 inches, with 81.5 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Glace Bay?
The unemployment rate in Glace Bay is 5.1%, somewhat above the national average of 3.6%. Job seekers may face moderate competition. The average weekly wage is $764. There are 524 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 23 minutes, and 16.1% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in Glace Bay?
The median home value in Glace Bay is $197,102. For renters, the median monthly rent is $762. The homeownership rate is 66.5%.
How are the schools in Glace Bay?
32.9% of adults in Glace Bay hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.4% have completed high school. 17.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.
What is transportation like in Glace Bay?
The average commute in Glace Bay is 23 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 82.1% of workers drive alone to work, and 16.1% work from home.
What are the demographics of Glace Bay?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Glace Bay is 96.7% White, 1.2% Black or African American, 1.2% Asian. 89.4% of residents speak only English at home, while 3.6% speak Spanish.