Halifax, NS

Full City Profile · Nova Scotia

3.2 /5.0
B Good
439,819 Population 208/sq mi density
$81,000 Median Income $50,880 per capita
$348,000 Home Value
$1,170 Median Rent 21.8% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$81,000 median income, 11.4% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$348,000 home value, $1,170/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Halifax experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 74.3 inches. The area receives 49.0 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average47.5°F
12% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)

Geography

Elevation144 ft (44 m)
Area2,114.1 sq mi (5,475.6 km²)
Population Density208/sq mi
Coordinates44.6427°N, 63.5769°W
TimezoneAmerica/Halifax

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 74.3"
95% above US avg
Snowfall 49.0"
Wettest Month (Dec) 5.91"
Driest Month (Sep) 3.82"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

4 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.2. Most recent: M2.7 on Jan 12, 2017.

Jul 16, 2007 18 km WSW of Bridgewater, Canada M3.2 99 km
Jun 20, 2015 37 km SE of Digby, Canada M2.9 148 km
Jan 12, 2017 9 km E of Cow Bay, Canada M2.7 21 km
Jun 27, 2015 38 km SE of Digby, Canada M2.5 147 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Hurricane History

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

Year Name Category Closest
2010 Earl Category 1 83 km
2009 Bill Category 1 90 km
2008 Kyle Category 1 229 km
2003 Juan Category 2 32 km
2002 Gustav Category 1 172 km
1996 Hortense Category 1 44 km
1990 Bertha Category 1 249 km
1989 Dean Category 1 284 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 1 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 30°F (-1°C) 5.4 in
February 24°F (-5°C) 4.5 in Coldest
March 30°F (-1°C) 5.0 in
April 39°F (4°C) 4.5 in
May 49°F (9°C) 4.5 in
June 57°F (14°C) 4.2 in
July 68°F (20°C) 4.1 in Warmest
August 65°F (18°C) 3.9 in
September 58°F (15°C) 3.8 in Driest
October 48°F (9°C) 5.0 in
November 40°F (4°C) 5.6 in
December 29°F (-2°C) 5.9 in Wettest

Halifax has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 24°F in February to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 56.3 inches, with December being the wettest month (5.9") and September the driest (3.8").

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