All Countries
Pictou, NS
Nova Scotia
Pictou is a small town in Nova Scotia with a population of 3,107. Residents earn $71,500 per year, which is 5% below the national average.
Data updated June 2026
Discover Pictou, 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 Pictou Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
C+Housing
A+Crime
C+Climate
Education
DCommunity
Is Pictou a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Pictou receives an overall livability score of 3.0 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. Pictou offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Pictou is $71,500, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. At 13.9%, unemployment is notably high. 13.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Pictou is $180,000, 36% below the national median / offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $700 per month, below the national average / a plus for affordability. At just 2.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Safety & Crime
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000, 79% above the national average.
Education
9.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 26.2% have completed high school.
Climate & Weather
Pictou has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area gets 249 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 48.0 inches, including 16.5 inches of snow.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Pictou vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Pictou vs U.S. Average
Income: Pictou vs U.S.
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $71,500 |
| 5% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $45,760 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $880 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 13.9% |
| 286% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% |
| 10% above US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 96 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 24.5 min |
| Drive Alone | 89.0% |
| Public Transit | 1.9% |
| Work from Home | 15.5% |
Walkability
Home Value Sources
Ownership Split
Home Values
| Census Median | $180,000 |
| 36% below US avg |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $700 |
| 40% below US avg | |
| Rent Burden | 9.6% |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 88.2% |
| Owner-Occupied | 88.2% |
| Renter-Occupied | 12.0% |
| Housing Units | 3,715 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: Pictou 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 | 42.9°F |
| 21% below US avg | |
| January Average | 20°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 249 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 154 ft (47 m) |
| Area | 3.1 sq mi (8.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,007/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.6788°N, 62.7094°W |
| Timezone | America/Halifax |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
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 | 135 km |
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°F (-7°C) | 4.2 in | |
| February | 20°F (-7°C) | 3.6 in | Coldest |
| March | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.7 in | |
| April | 38°F (3°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 48°F (9°C) | 3.3 in | |
| June | 58°F (14°C) | 3.5 in | |
| July | 65°F (19°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| August | 65°F (19°C) | 3.3 in | Warmest |
| September | 58°F (14°C) | 4.5 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 5.0 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 5.2 in | Wettest |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 4.9 in |
Pictou has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 20°F in February to 65°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 48.0 inches, with November being the wettest month (5.2") and July the driest (3.2").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 9.3% |
| 73% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 26.2% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 3.8% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 1,007/sq mi |
| Total Area | 3.1 sq mi |
Services
Commute & Transportation
| Avg Commute | 24.5 min |
| Drive Alone | 89.0% |
| Public Transit | 1.9% |
| Work from Home | 15.5% |
Schools in Pictou
1 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCulloch Education Centre | - | - | - | - |
Radio Stations near Pictou
2 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 |
Museums in Pictou
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carmichael-Stewart House Museum | ||||
| McCulloch House Museum & Genealogy Centre | ||||
| Museum of Industry | ||||
| Museum of Industry | ||||
| Museum of Industry |
Libraries in Pictou
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Glasgow Public Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Pictou Public Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Stellarton Public Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Trenton Public Library | 0.0 |
Farmers Markets in Pictou
| Name | Address | Season | Hours | Organic | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Love Local Vendor Village |
Hotels in Pictou
3 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Cafes in Pictou
1 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Pictou
3 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Banks in Pictou
2 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Gyms in Pictou
1 gyms within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Breweries in Pictou
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backstage Brewing |
Airports Near Pictou
4 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Charlottetown Airport | YYG | Medium Airport |
| Centredale Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Thorburn Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Trenton Airport | - | Small Airport |
Post Offices in Pictou
1 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| Pictou Post Office |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Pictou
5 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| First Presbyterian Church | |
| Pictou United Church | |
| St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church | |
| St. James Anglican Church | |
| Stella Maris Catholic Church |
Explore Near Pictou
Frequently Asked Questions About Pictou
What is the population of Pictou?
Pictou has a population of 3,107 residents and is located in Nova Scotia. The population density is 1,007 people per square mile, spread across 3.1 square miles. The median age of residents is 52.0 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 49.5% female and 50.4% male.
Is Pictou expensive to live in?
The median household income is $71,500, 5% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $180,000 (36% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $700 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.5x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.
Is Pictou safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Pictou receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Pictou?
Pictou has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winter temperatures average 20°F in January, while summers reach an average of 65°F in July. The area receives 249 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 48.0 inches, with 16.5 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Pictou?
The job market in Pictou faces challenges, with unemployment at 13.9% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $880. There are 96 business establishments in the area. The average commute time is 25 minutes, and 15.5% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in Pictou?
The median home value in Pictou is $180,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $700. The homeownership rate is 88.2%.
How are the schools in Pictou?
9.3% of adults in Pictou hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 26.2% have completed high school. 3.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.
What is transportation like in Pictou?
The average commute in Pictou is 25 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 89% of workers drive alone to work, 1.9% use public transit, and 15.5% work from home.
What are the demographics of Pictou?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Pictou is 98.1% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.7% Asian. 98% of residents speak only English at home.