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South Bar, NS
Nova Scotia
South Bar is a small town in Nova Scotia with a population of 673. Residents earn $61,563 per year, which is 18% below the national average.
Data updated June 2026
Discover South Bar, 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 South Bar Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
BHousing
A+Crime
C+Climate
Education
B+Community
Is South Bar a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, South Bar 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. South Bar offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in South Bar 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 South Bar 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
South Bar has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. The area gets 231 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 57.9 inches, including 21.9 inches of snow.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
South Bar vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
South Bar vs U.S. Average
Income: South Bar 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) | 21 |
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 | 269 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: South Bar 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 | 42.5°F |
| 21% below US avg | |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 63°F (17°C) |
| Sunny Days | 231 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 26 ft (8 m) |
| Area | 8.3 sq mi (21.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 82/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.2017°N, 60.2010°W |
| Timezone | America/Glace_Bay |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°F (-5°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 | 63°F (17°C) | 3.8 in | |
| August | 64°F (18°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| 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 |
South Bar has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 21°F in February to 64°F in August. 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 | 82/sq mi |
| Total Area | 8.3 sq mi |
Services
Commute & Transportation
| Avg Commute | 22.5 min |
| Drive Alone | 82.1% |
| Public Transit | 0.6% |
| Work from Home | 16.1% |
Radio Stations near South Bar
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 South Bar
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cossit House Museum | ||||
| Dominion Heritage School House Museum | ||||
| Jost House | ||||
| Jost House Museum | ||||
| Marconi National Historic Site | ||||
| North Sydney Heritage Museum | ||||
| St Patrick's Museum | ||||
| St. Patricks | ||||
| Sydney Mines Fossil Centre | ||||
| Sydney Museum | ||||
| Whitney Pier Historical Society |
Libraries in South Bar
| 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 South Bar
| Name | Address | Season | Hours | Organic | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Breton Farmers' Market | |||||
| Cape Breton food hub | |||||
| Hank's Family Farm Market |
Breweries in South Bar
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breton Brewing Co. | ||||
| Island Folk Cider House |
Ski Resorts Near South Bar
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 South Bar
3 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 |
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Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About South Bar
What is the population of South Bar?
South Bar has a population of 673 residents and is located in Nova Scotia. The population density is 82 people per square mile, spread across 8.3 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 South Bar 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 South Bar safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, South Bar receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in South Bar?
South Bar has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winter temperatures average 23°F in January, while summers reach an average of 63°F in July. The area receives 231 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 57.9 inches, with 21.9 inches of snow.
How is the job market in South Bar?
The unemployment rate in South Bar 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 21 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 South Bar?
The median home value in South Bar is $197,102. For renters, the median monthly rent is $762. The homeownership rate is 66.5%.
How are the schools in South Bar?
32.9% of adults in South Bar 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 South Bar?
The average commute in South Bar 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 South Bar?
The racial and ethnic makeup of South Bar 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.