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North Sydney, NS
Nova Scotia
North Sydney is a small city in Nova Scotia with a population of 5,699. Residents earn $61,563 per year, which is 18% below the national average.
Data updated June 2026
Discover North Sydney, 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 North Sydney Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
BHousing
A+Crime
C+Climate
Education
B+Community
Is North Sydney a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, North Sydney 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. North Sydney offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in North Sydney 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 North Sydney 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
North Sydney experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 220 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 68.0 inches, including 86.0 inches of snow.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
North Sydney vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
North Sydney vs U.S. Average
Income: North Sydney 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) | 177 |
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 | 2,280 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: North Sydney 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 | 46.2°F |
| 14% below US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 220 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 43 ft (13 m) |
| Area | 5.7 sq mi (14.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 993/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.2078°N, 60.2549°W |
| Timezone | America/Glace_Bay |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (1°C) | 5.6 in | |
| February | 21°F (-6°C) | 4.8 in | Coldest |
| March | 28°F (-2°C) | 5.4 in | |
| April | 36°F (2°C) | 4.8 in | |
| May | 46°F (8°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 55°F (13°C) | 3.3 in | Driest |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 64°F (18°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 4.7 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 6.1 in | Wettest |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 5.7 in | |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 6.0 in |
North Sydney has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 21°F in February to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 57.9 inches, with October being the wettest month (6.1") and June the driest (3.3").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% |
| 2% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 87.4% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 17.0% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 993/sq mi |
| Total Area | 5.7 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 North Sydney
2 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seton Elementary School | - | - | - | - |
| Ferrisview Elementary School | - | - | - | - |
Radio Stations near North Sydney
5 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBC Radio One - Sydney, NS (MP3 stream) | features, news | MP3 128 kbps | |
| CBFM.ca Gaelic College - St. Ann's, NS | community radio, folk music | MP3 192 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 North Sydney
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cossit House Museum | ||||
| Dominion Heritage School House Museum | ||||
| Jost House | ||||
| Jost House Museum | ||||
| North Sydney Heritage Museum | ||||
| St Patrick's Museum | ||||
| St. Patricks | ||||
| Sydney Mines Fossil Centre | ||||
| Sydney Museum | ||||
| Whitney Pier Historical Society |
Libraries in North Sydney
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James McConnell Memorial Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Martha Hollett Memorial Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Wilfred Oram Centennial Library | 0.0 |
Farmers Markets in North Sydney
| Name | Address | Season | Hours | Organic | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Breton Farmers' Market | |||||
| Cape Breton food hub | |||||
| Hank's Family Farm Market |
Cafes in North Sydney
3 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in North Sydney
4 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Banks in North Sydney
4 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Gyms in North Sydney
1 gyms within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Breweries in North Sydney
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breton Brewing Co. | ||||
| Island Folk Cider House |
Ski Resorts Near North Sydney
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 North Sydney
4 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney / J.A. Douglas McCurdy Airport | YQY | Medium Airport |
| Crowdis Mountain Airstrip | - | Small Airport |
| Crown Jewel Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Margaree Airport | - | Small Airport |
Post Offices in North Sydney
1 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| North Sydney Post Office |
Churches & Religious Organizations in North Sydney
3 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Jehovas Witness | |
| LDS | |
| Saint Joseph Church |
Download Full City Report
Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for North Sydney.
Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About North Sydney
What is the population of North Sydney?
North Sydney has a population of 5,699 residents and is located in Nova Scotia. The population density is 993 people per square mile, spread across 5.7 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 North Sydney 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 North Sydney safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, North Sydney receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in North Sydney?
North Sydney has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winter temperatures average 33°F in January, while summers reach an average of 69°F in July. The area receives 220 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 68.0 inches, with 86.0 inches of snow.
How is the job market in North Sydney?
The unemployment rate in North Sydney 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 177 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 North Sydney?
The median home value in North Sydney is $197,102. For renters, the median monthly rent is $762. The homeownership rate is 66.5%.
How are the schools in North Sydney?
32.9% of adults in North Sydney 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 North Sydney?
The average commute in North Sydney 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 North Sydney?
The racial and ethnic makeup of North Sydney 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.