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Pictou Island, NS

Nova Scotia

Pictou Island is a small town in Nova Scotia with a population of 28. Residents earn $61,563 per year, which is 18% below the national average.

Data updated June 2026

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
28 Population 48/sq mi density
$61,563 Median Income $39,739 per capita
$197,102 Home Value
$762 Median Rent 29.0% income on rent
43°F Avg Temperature 250 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$61,563 median income, 5.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$197,102 home value, $762/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
B+
Education
3.6 / 5.0
32.9% bachelor's degree or higher

Discover Pictou Island, 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.

Full City Profile
Median Income $61,563
18% lower than US avg
Home Value $197,102
30% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 32.9%
2% lower than US avg
Median Rent $762
34% lower than US avg
Unemployment 5.1%
42% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 19.8%
60% higher than US avg

How Pictou Island Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population28
Median Age41.8 yrs
Density48/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 97%

Economy

B
Median Income$61,563
Per Capita$39,739
Unemployment5.1%
Poverty19.8%
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$197,102
Rent$762
Ownership66.5%
Housing Units11
Rent Burden29.0%

Crime

C+
Property3,500/100K
Burglary484/100K

Climate

Avg Temp43°F (6°C)
Rain47.6 in/yr
Sunny Days250/yr
Elevation92 ft (28 m)

Education

B+
Bachelor's+32.9%
High School+87.4%
Graduate+17.0%

Community

Commute23 min

Is Pictou Island a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Pictou Island receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Pictou Island offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Pictou Island 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 Pictou Island 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

Pictou Island has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area gets 250 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 47.6 inches, including 16.1 inches of snow.

Pictou Island has a population of 28 with a density of 48 people per square mile, spread across 0.6 square miles. The median age is 41.8 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 50.3% female and 49.7% male. The city is predominantly White (96.7%), with 1.2% Black, 1.2% Asian. English is the primary language spoken at home by 89.4% of residents.

Population

28
Total Population
48
People / sq mi
41.8yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.7%
Female 50.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Pictou Island vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only 89.4%
14% above US avg
Spanish 3.6%
73% below US avg
Other Languages 7.0%

Social Characteristics

Pictou Island vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Pictou Island is $61,563, which is 18% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $39,739. The average weekly wage is $764, 47% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 5.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 19.8% of residents live below the poverty line, higher than the national rate of 12.4%. The area has 1 business establishments. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes (shorter than the 28-minute US average). 16.1% of workers work from home.

Income: Pictou Island 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

Unemployment5.1%
42% above US avg
Poverty Rate19.8%
60% above US avg
Establishments (County)1

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.5 min
Drive Alone82.1%
Public Transit0.6%
Work from Home16.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Pictou Island is $197,102, 30% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $762 (34% below the national average of $1,163). 66.5% of housing units are owner-occupied. There are 11 total housing units in the city. 29.0% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. The home price-to-income ratio is 3.2x.

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 Burden29.0%

Ownership & Property

Homeownership66.5%
Owner-Occupied66.5%
Renter-Occupied33.5%
Housing Units11

Property Tax

Property crime stands at 3,500 per 100,000, 79% above the U.S. average. This includes larceny/theft at 2,503, burglary at 484, vehicle theft at 505 per 100,000 residents. Overall, Pictou Island receives a safety grade of C+.

Crime Rates: Pictou Island vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Total Property3,500.0/100K
79% above US avg
Burglary483.9/100K
Theft2,503.4/100K
Vehicle Theft504.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
View full crime details →
Pictou Island has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area gets 250 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 47.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 16.1 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 92 feet.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 65°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average43.3°F
20% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average65°F (18°C)
Sunny Days250 days/yr

Geography

Elevation92 ft (28 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density48/sq mi
Coordinates45.8094°N, 62.5539°W
TimezoneAmerica/Halifax

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 47.6"
25% above US avg
Snowfall 16.1"
Wettest Month (Nov) 5.28"
Driest Month (Jul) 3.23"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

1 earthquake (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M2.7. Most recent: M2.7 on Jan 12, 2017.

Jan 12, 2017 9 km E of Cow Bay, Canada M2.7 144 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Hurricane History

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

Year Name Category Closest
2010 Earl Category 1 61 km
2009 Bill Category 1 157 km
2003 Juan Category 2 99 km
2002 Gustav Category 1 148 km
1996 Hortense Category 1 89 km
1990 Bertha Category 1 200 km
1989 Dean Category 1 294 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980-2026)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 21°F (-6°C) 4.1 in
February 21°F (-6°C) 3.5 in Coldest
March 28°F (-2°C) 3.5 in
April 37°F (3°C) 3.5 in
May 47°F (8°C) 3.3 in
June 57°F (14°C) 3.5 in
July 65°F (18°C) 3.2 in Driest
August 66°F (19°C) 3.4 in Warmest
September 59°F (15°C) 4.4 in
October 50°F (10°C) 5.0 in
November 40°F (5°C) 5.3 in Wettest
December 29°F (-2°C) 5.0 in

Pictou Island has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 21°F in February to 66°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 47.6 inches, with November being the wettest month (5.3") and July the driest (3.2").

View full weather details →
32.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 2% below the national average of 33.7%. 87.4% have completed high school. 17.0% hold a graduate or professional degree (above the 13.1% national rate). 82.1% of workers drive alone to work.

Education

Bachelor's Degree+32.9%
2% below US avg
High School+87.4%
Graduate Degree+17.0%
B+ Education Grade (3.6/5.0)

Area & Infrastructure

Population Density48/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Services

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.5 min
Drive Alone82.1%
Public Transit0.6%
Work from Home16.1%

Radio Stations near Pictou Island

3 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
CKEZ-FM "Q97.9" - New Glasgow, NS active rock, classic rock AAC 132 kbps
CKEC-FM 94.1 "The Breeze" - New Glasgow, NS new format rebranding, pictou county AAC 130 kbps
989 XFM - CJFX hits radio MP3

Museums in Pictou Island

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Carmichael-Stewart House Museum
McCulloch House Museum & Genealogy Centre
Museum of Industry
Museum of Industry
Museum of Industry

Libraries in Pictou Island

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Murray Harbour Library0.0
New Glasgow Public Library0.0
Pictou Public Library0.0
Trenton Public Library0.0

Farmers Markets in Pictou Island

NameAddressSeasonHoursOrganicWebsite
Love Local Vendor Village

Breweries in Pictou Island

NameTypeAddressPhoneWebsite
Backstage Brewing

Airports Near Pictou Island

5 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Charlottetown AirportYYGMedium Airport
Cable Head Airpark-Small Airport
Centredale Airport-Small Airport
Thorburn Airport-Small Airport
Trenton Airport-Small Airport

Churches & Religious Organizations in Pictou Island

1 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Sutherland Memorial Church

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Frequently Asked Questions About Pictou Island

What is the population of Pictou Island?

Pictou Island has a population of 28 residents and is located in Nova Scotia. The population density is 48 people per square mile, spread across 0.6 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 Pictou Island 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 Pictou Island safe?

Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Pictou Island receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.

What is the weather like in Pictou Island?

Pictou Island has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winter temperatures average 21°F in January, while summers reach an average of 65°F in July. The area receives 250 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 47.6 inches, with 16.1 inches of snow.

How is the job market in Pictou Island?

The unemployment rate in Pictou Island 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 1 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 Pictou Island?

The median home value in Pictou Island is $197,102. For renters, the median monthly rent is $762. The homeownership rate is 66.5%.

How are the schools in Pictou Island?

32.9% of adults in Pictou Island 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 Pictou Island?

The average commute in Pictou Island 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 Pictou Island?

The racial and ethnic makeup of Pictou Island 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.

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