All Countries
Sydney, NS
Nova Scotia
Sydney is a large city in Nova Scotia with a population of 105,968. Residents earn $61,563 per year, which is 18% below the national average.
Data updated June 2026
Discover 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 Sydney Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
BHousing
A+Crime
C+Climate
Education
B+Community
Is Sydney a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, 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. Sydney offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in 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 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
Sydney experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 227 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 67.6 inches, including 85.9 inches of snow.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Sydney vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Sydney vs U.S. Average
Income: 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) | 58 |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 19 |
| Healthcare | 12 |
| Retail | 5 |
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 | 42,387 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: 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 | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 227 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 30 ft (9 m) |
| Area | 11.0 sq mi (28.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 9,669/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.1351°N, 60.1831°W |
| Timezone | America/Glace_Bay |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 5.7 in | |
| February | 21°F (-6°C) | 5.0 in | Coldest |
| March | 28°F (-2°C) | 5.5 in | |
| April | 36°F (2°C) | 5.0 in | |
| May | 46°F (8°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 56°F (13°C) | 3.7 in | Driest |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 64°F (18°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 4.8 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 5.9 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 6.0 in | |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 6.3 in | Wettest |
Sydney has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 21°F in February to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 59.9 inches, with December being the wettest month (6.3") and June the driest (3.7").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% |
| 2% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 87.4% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 17.0% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 9,669/sq mi |
| Total Area | 11.0 sq mi |
Services
| Healthcare Facilities | 12 |
| Restaurants | 19 |
| Retail Stores | 5 |
Commute & Transportation
| Avg Commute | 22.5 min |
| Drive Alone | 82.1% |
| Public Transit | 0.6% |
| Work from Home | 16.1% |
Colleges & Universities in Sydney
| Institution | Type | Enrollment | Acceptance | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian Coast Guard College | - | - | - | - | - |
| Cape Breton University | - | - | - | - | - |
| NSCC - Marconi Campus | - | - | - | - | - |
Schools in Sydney
6 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cusack Elementary School | - | - | - | - |
| Ashby Elementary School | - | - | - | - |
| Southside Learning Centre | - | - | - | - |
| Brookland Elementary School | - | - | - | - |
| Sherwood Park Education Centre | - | - | - | - |
| Centre scolaire Étoile de l'Acadie | - | - | - | - |
Radio Stations near 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 Sydney
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Breton Miners Museum | ||||
| Cossit House Museum | ||||
| Dominion Heritage School House Museum | ||||
| Fortress of Louisbourg | ||||
| Jost House | ||||
| Jost House Museum | ||||
| Marconi National Historic Site | ||||
| North Sydney Heritage Museum | ||||
| St Patrick's Museum | ||||
| St. Patricks | ||||
| Sydney & Louisburg Railway Museum | ||||
| Sydney Mines Fossil Centre | ||||
| Sydney Museum | ||||
| Whitney Pier Historical Society |
Libraries in 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 Sydney
| Name | Address | Season | Hours | Organic | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Breton Farmers' Market | |||||
| Cape Breton food hub | |||||
| Hank's Family Farm Market |
Hotels in Sydney
4 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Cafes in Sydney
9 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Cinemas in Sydney
1 cinemas within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Theatres in Sydney
2 theatres within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Dentists in Sydney
2 dentists within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Veterinaries in Sydney
1 veterinaries within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Sydney
5 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Banks in Sydney
9 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Shopping Malls in Sydney
1 shopping malls within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Breweries in Sydney
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breton Brewing Co. | ||||
| Island Folk Cider House |
Ski Resorts Near 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 Sydney
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 |
Post Offices in Sydney
1 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| Sydney Post Office |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Sydney
6 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Bethel Presbyterian Church | |
| Christ Church | |
| First United Church | |
| St. Marguerite Bourgoeys Parish | |
| Temple Sons of Israel | |
| United Heritage Church |
Frequently Asked Questions About Sydney
What is the population of Sydney?
Sydney has a population of 105,968 residents and is located in Nova Scotia. The population density is 9,669 people per square mile, spread across 11.0 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 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 Sydney safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Sydney receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Sydney?
Sydney has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winter temperatures average 30°F in January, while summers reach an average of 68°F in July. The area receives 227 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 67.6 inches, with 85.9 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Sydney?
The unemployment rate in 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 58 business establishments in the area, including 19 restaurants and food service locations. The average commute time is 23 minutes, and 16.1% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in Sydney?
The median home value in Sydney is $197,102. For renters, the median monthly rent is $762. The homeownership rate is 66.5%.
How are the schools in Sydney?
32.9% of adults in 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 Sydney?
The average commute in 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 Sydney?
The racial and ethnic makeup of 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.