Porters Lake, NS
Nova Scotia · Halifax Metro
Porters Lake is a small town in Nova Scotia with a population of 3,716. Residents earn $61,563 per year, which is 18% below the national average.
Data updated June 2026
Discover Porters Lake, 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.
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How Porters Lake Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
BHousing
A+Crime
C+Climate
Education
B+Community
Is Porters Lake a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Porters Lake 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. Porters Lake offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Porters Lake 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 Porters Lake 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
Porters Lake experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 238 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 79.9 inches, including 56.0 inches of snow.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Porters Lake vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Porters Lake vs U.S. Average
Income: Porters Lake 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) | 115 |
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 | 1,486 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: Porters Lake 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 | 47.6°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 35°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 238 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 69 ft (21 m) |
| Area | 0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 53,086/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.7377°N, 63.3131°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 | 24 km |
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35°F (2°C) | 5.4 in | |
| February | 23°F (-5°C) | 4.3 in | Coldest |
| March | 30°F (-1°C) | 4.9 in | |
| April | 39°F (4°C) | 4.7 in | |
| May | 49°F (9°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 58°F (14°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 65°F (18°C) | 4.2 in | |
| September | 58°F (15°C) | 4.2 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 4.9 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 6.0 in | Wettest |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 5.7 in |
Porters Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 23°F in February to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 57.1 inches, with November being the wettest month (6.0") and July the driest (4.1").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% |
| 2% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 87.4% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 17.0% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 53,086/sq mi |
| Total Area | 0.1 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 Porters Lake
1 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O'Connell Drive Elementary School Park | - | - | - | - |
Radio Stations near Porters Lake
12 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBC Radio One - Halifax, NS (MP3 stream) | features, news | MP3 128 kbps | |
| CBC Music Atlantic (Halifax) MP3 Stream | blues, classical | MP3 128 kbps | |
| CBC Radio 1 Halifax | local news, public | AAC 48 kbps | |
| CKUL-FM "The Breeze 96.5" Halifax, NS | new format rebranding, soft adult contemporary | AAC 132 kbps | |
| AVR 97.7 | - | MP3 64 kbps | |
| Surge 105 | - | AAC 128 kbps | |
| CKVE-FM 88.7 "Cove FM" Halifax, NS | community radio | MP3 128 kbps | |
| CKHZ-FM "Hot Country 103.5" Halifax, NS | country | AAC 128 kbps | |
| Seaside FM 105.9 - CFEP-FM - Eastern Passage | community radio | MP3 128 kbps | |
| Radio Canada Ici Première (Nouvelle-Écosse, Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador) Halifax, NS | radio publique | AAC 48 kbps | |
| CKHY-FM 105.1 "Surge 105" Dartmouth, NS | active rock | AAC 128 kbps | |
| CIOE-FM 97.5 Lower Sackville, NS | community radio | MP3 96 kbps |
Museums in Porters Lake
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acadien House Museum | ||||
| Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum | ||||
| Cole Harbour Heritage Farm | ||||
| Cole Harbour Heritage Farm Museum | ||||
| Evergreen House | ||||
| Fairbanks Centre | ||||
| Shearwater Aviation Museum | ||||
| The Old Hall Wilderness Heritage Centre |
Libraries in Porters Lake
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annex | 0.0 | |||||
| Cole Harbour Public Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Elmsdale Branch, Colchester-East Hants Public Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Musquodoboit Harbour Public Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Preston Township Library Office | 0.0 | |||||
| Woodlawn Library | 0.0 |
Farmers Markets in Porters Lake
| Name | Address | Season | Hours | Organic | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dave’s Fruit & Vegetable Market |
Cafes in Porters Lake
1 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Veterinaries in Porters Lake
1 veterinaries within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Bus Stations in Porters Lake
1 bus stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Porters Lake
2 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Banks in Porters Lake
1 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Shopping Malls in Porters Lake
1 shopping malls within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Breweries in Porters Lake
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chill Street Craft Beverage Co. | ||||
| Hardisty Brewing Company | ||||
| Hardisty Brewing Company | ||||
| Nine Locks Brewery | ||||
| Nine Locks Brewery | ||||
| North Brewing Company | ||||
| North Brewing Company |
Airports Near Porters Lake
6 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Halifax / Stanfield International Airport | YHZ | Large Airport |
| Centredale Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Debert Airport | - | Small Airport |
| East Gore Eco Airpark | - | Small Airport |
| Porters Lake Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Stanley Airport | - | Small Airport |
Post Offices in Porters Lake
1 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| Porters Lake Post Office |
Treatment Centers in Porters Lake
4 treatment centers.
| Center | Type | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| CBI Health - Dartmouth Pleasant | ||
| Montebello Medical | ||
| The Disc Clinic | ||
| Woodlawn Medical Clinic |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Porters Lake
1 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Foundation United Baptist Church |
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Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Porters Lake.
Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Porters Lake
What is the population of Porters Lake?
Porters Lake has a population of 3,716 residents and is located in Nova Scotia. The population density is 53,086 people per square mile, spread across 0.1 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 Porters Lake 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 Porters Lake safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Porters Lake receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Porters Lake?
Porters Lake has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winter temperatures average 35°F in January, while summers reach an average of 68°F in July. The area receives 238 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 79.9 inches, with 56.0 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Porters Lake?
The unemployment rate in Porters Lake 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 115 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 Porters Lake?
The median home value in Porters Lake is $197,102. For renters, the median monthly rent is $762. The homeownership rate is 66.5%.
How are the schools in Porters Lake?
32.9% of adults in Porters Lake 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 Porters Lake?
The average commute in Porters Lake 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 Porters Lake?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Porters Lake 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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