Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Rocky Harbour has a population of around 937 people. The town's population is in decreased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Rocky Harbour has decreased by ▼ -1.06%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 947 | 937 | --1.06% |
2026 Population Projection
Rocky Harbour's population declined between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, so a 2026 growth projection is not shown. The most recent confirmed figure remains the 937 people recorded in the 2021 census.
Rocky Harbour Population Trend & Context
Rocky Harbour had a 2021 census population of 937 — a decline of 10 (▼ 1.06%) people from the 947 recorded in 2016.
The town's population has seen a slight decline over this period, reflecting broader pressures facing Newfoundland and Labrador towns. The town's median age of 56 years — above the national median of 41.9 — suggests a mature, established community rather than a rapidly growing one.
Population By Genders
The male population of Rocky Harbour is around 445 while the female population is around 490.
Of the 937 total population in Rocky Harbour, the largest gender is female with around 490 female within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 445 | 490 | -9.18% |
Is Rocky Harbour a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Rocky Harbour compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against Newfoundland and Labrador, its own province. Draw your own conclusions from the actual numbers.
Employment & Economy
Income & Affordability
Commute
Housing Character
Household Composition
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.
Rocky Harbour Population Compared to Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador's population in 2021 was 510,550, spread across the area. Here's how Rocky Harbour compares to the town's key indicators:
| Indicator | Rocky Harbour | Newfoundland and Labrador |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $69,000 | $71,500 |
| Unemployment rate | 30.1% | 15.2% |
| Median age | 56 | 48.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 18.7% |
| Immigrants (%) | 3.2% | 2.8% |
Population by Age Characteristics
Rocky Harbour has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 65 to 69 years old, accounting for 12.30% of the total population. The town median age is 56.00.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65 to 69 years | 45 10.10% | 65 13.30% | 30.77% | 115 12.30% |
| 60 to 64 years | 55 12.40% | 45 9.20% | 18.18% | 105 11.20% |
Broader Age Groups
If the town's population is divided into broader age groups, most of the population falls into the 15 to 64 years age group. The group accounts for 61.00% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 29.90% and 9.10%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Rocky Harbour are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 14 years | 45.00% | 45.00% | 85.00% |
| 15 to 64 years | 61.80% | 60.20% | 61.00% |
| 65 years and over | 29.20% | 31.60% | 29.90% |
| 0 to 14 years | 10.10% | 9.20% | 9.10% |
Explore Rocky Harbour Through Videos
Population of Rocky Harbour by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Rocky Harbour is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Rocky Harbour is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the town appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.
The top 5 ethnicities and origins in Rocky Harbour are English, which accounts for 47.59% of the total population, followed by Canadian (24.60%), Mi'kmaq (16.04%), Irish (12.30%), and French (10.16%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Rocky Harbour include Qalipu Mi'kmaq, Scottish, Newfoundlander, British Isles, and German.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 53.57% | 42.31% | 47.59% |
| Canadian | 22.62% | 25.96% | 24.60% |
| Mi'kmaq | 15.48% | 15.38% | 16.04% |
| Irish | 13.10% | 11.54% | 12.30% |
| French | 8.33% | 10.58% | 10.16% |
| Qalipu Mi'kmaq | 8.33% | 9.62% | 9.63% |
| Scottish | 8.33% | 9.62% | 9.63% |
| Newfoundlander | 4.76% | 9.62% | 7.49% |
| British Isles | 5.95% | 4.81% | 5.35% |
| German | 2.38% | 1.92% | 2.14% |
Indigenous Identity in Rocky Harbour
About 13.30% of Rocky Harbour's population (125 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 86.70% who report a non-Indigenous identity.
Of the Indigenous population, 25 people (2.70% of the total population) hold Registered or Treaty Indian status.
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Rocky Harbour's population profile.
About 3.2% of Rocky Harbour's population are immigrants (30 people).
The top countries of origin for Rocky Harbour's immigrant population are United Kingdom (15), Portugal (0), Romania (0), Russian Federation (0), Serbia (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 15 |
| Portugal | 0 |
| Romania | 0 |
| Russian Federation | 0 |
| Serbia | 0 |
99.5% of Rocky Harbour's residents (925 people) are Canadian citizens, and 1.1% are not.
By generation status, 2.7% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 4.3% are second generation, and 92.5% are third generation or more.
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 415 of Rocky Harbour's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 24.15% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 12.65% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 8.60%, 4.00%, and 0.55%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 210 | 24.15% |
| 1 person | 110 | 12.65% |
| 3 persons | 75 | 8.60% |
| 4 persons | 35 | 4.00% |
| 5 or more persons | 5 | 0.55% |
Family and Household Structure in Rocky Harbour
Of census families in Rocky Harbour, 90.6% are couple families and 9.4% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.5 people.
25.3% of households in Rocky Harbour are one-person households, 63.2% are couple-family households, 5.7% are one-parent-family households, and 1.1% are multigenerational households.
| Household Type | Households | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| One-person households | 110 | 25.3% |
| Couple-family households | 275 | 63.2% |
| One-parent-family households | 25 | 5.7% |
| Multigenerational households | 5 | 1.1% |
Income in Rocky Harbour
Analyzing income distribution in Rocky Harbour can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Rocky Harbour is $34,800.
A region's per capita data sheds light on the average income earned per person living in it. Since per capita income is calculated by dividing the region's total income by its population, it quantifies the population's economic situation on an individual basis.
Such data offers insights into the town's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Rocky Harbour population or around 165 people falls in the $10,000 to $29,999 group. The next largest groups are the $30,000 to $49,999, and $50,000 to $79,999 with around 75 and 65 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Rocky Harbour's median household income is $69,000, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Rocky Harbour's median household income is 15,000 dollars below the Canadian national median of $84,000 (2020 data, 2021 Census).
The data provides important insights into the town's economic landscape as well as the living standards of its population.
Analyzing such data enables researchers, policymakers, and businesses to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the town's income distribution, disparities, and trends.
Education Levels in Rocky Harbour
This data sheds light on the distribution of Rocky Harbour residents across educational milestones.
Such information is crucial in shaping the province’s policies on education, workforce development strategies, and initiatives that aim to improve access to quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities.
64.00% or most of the Rocky Harbour population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 19.00% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 18.00% has a No certificate, diploma or degree. (Individual figures may not sum to exactly 100% due to Statistics Canada's random rounding of small-area 25% sample data.)
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 135 | 180 | 320 | 64.00% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 45 | 50 | 95 | 19.00% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 55 | 40 | 90 | 18.00% |
Below national average 22.0% of Rocky Harbour's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Rocky Harbour
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Rocky Harbour. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Rocky Harbour is at 30.12% which is very high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 34.32% |
| Unemployment rate | 30.12% |
Work Activity During the Reference Year
Of the population aged 15 and over in Rocky Harbour, 16.0% worked full year full time in the reference year, 39.1% worked part year and/or part time, and 45.0% did not work.
| Work Activity | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Worked full year full time | 135 | 16.0% |
| Worked part year and/or part time | 330 | 39.1% |
| Did not work | 380 | 45.0% |
Working as an Employee
The table shows the data on the total number of individuals in the town who work as an employee. The majority of Rocky Harbour's population (around 51.80%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the town, there are 20 men and 10 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 30.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 20 | 10 | 30 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Rocky Harbour industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Rocky Harbour is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Rocky Harbour has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (15%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Arts, entertainment and recreation sector comes second at 15%, followed by Construction at 12%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 10 | 55 | 15% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 40 | 20 | 15% |
| Construction | 50 | 0 | 12% |
| Accommodation and food services | 0 | 40 | 11% |
| Public administration | 20 | 10 | 8% |
| Retail trade | 10 | 15 | 7% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 15 | 0 | 5% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 15 | 0 | 5% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 10 | 0 | 4% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 0 | 10 | 4% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 10 | 0 | 4% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Utilities | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Manufacturing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Wholesale trade | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Information and cultural industries | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Finance and insurance | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Educational services | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Rocky Harbour residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Rocky Harbour: Health care and social assistance (15%), Arts, entertainment and recreation (15%), Construction (12%)
Top occupation categories in Rocky Harbour: Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (27%), Sales and service occupations (21%), Business, finance and administration occupations (11%)
Places of Work
The data offers insights into the commuting patterns as well as workplace distribution in the town. It provides a snapshot of workplaces, showing their geographic distribution and the flow of workers across different areas.
| Work Location | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual place of work | 85 | 95 | 185 | 63.80% |
| Worked at home | 15 | 35 | 50 | 17.20% |
| No fixed workplace address | 45 | 10 | 50 | 17.20% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Rocky Harbour residents travel to school or work. It highlights the frequency of different modes of transportation like walking, cycling, carpooling, and public transit.
The data is pivotal in the making of transportation policies as well as the development of transit systems. Ultimately commuting data contributes to improving the quality of life of Rocky Harbour residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Rocky Harbour spend traveling to their workplaces. It also sheds light on the efficiency of the town's public transit systems, and road networks, as well as the accessibility of the town.
| Duration | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Less than 15 minutes | 76.60% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 12.80% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 6.40% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 0.00% |
| 60 minutes and over | 0.00% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Rocky Harbour shed light on its societal dynamics. It captures the diverse types of marital statuses of the population.
Long-term commitments, such as common-law partnerships, civil unions, and marriages, reflect the town's social fabric. We can gain insights into Rocky Harbour's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.
Language Spoken
The data below highlights town's linguistic diversity, showing elegances of solo language as well as bilingual harmonies. Other than language, it also shows the cultural landscape in Canada.
English is the most spoken official language in Rocky Harbour. About 935 people living in the town speak English, 0 people speak French, 0 people speak English and French language, and 0 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 935 |
| French | 0 |
| English and French | 0 |
| Neither English nor French | 0 |
Knowledge of Official Languages
About 3.2% of Rocky Harbour's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 96.8% know English only, 0.0% know French only, and 0.0% know neither official language.
| Knowledge of Official Languages | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 910 | 96.8% |
| French only | 0 | 0.0% |
| English and French | 30 | 3.2% |
| Neither English nor French | 0 | 0.0% |
Mother Tongue & Home Language
Useful for newcomers researching an area: this shows the language residents first learned at home in childhood (mother tongue) and the language they speak most often at home now, which can differ as families settle in.
| Language | Mother Tongue | Spoken Most Often at Home |
|---|---|---|
| English | 98.4% | 98.9% |
| Non-official languages | 1.1% | 0.5% |
| French | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Religion
Rocky Harbour is predominantly Christian. About 765 of its population is Christian (340 males and 425 females).
The second largest religion in the town is Buddhist with 0.0% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Jewish, both represent 0.0% and 0.0% of the population, while Muslim represent 0.0% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 81.8% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Places to Visit in Rocky Harbour
Museums
Nearest Towns to Rocky Harbour
- Norris Point 7.3 km · 602 people
- Glenburnie-Birchy Head-Shoal Brook 14.9 km · 241 people
- Sally's Cove 16.0 km · 15 people
- Trout River 19.4 km · 508 people
- St. Pauls 32.0 km · 202 people
- Cow Head 37.8 km · 398 people
- Cormack 49.5 km · 492 people
- Parson's Pond 52.8 km · 368 people
Frequently Asked Questions about Rocky Harbour
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Rocky Harbour has a population of 937 people, making it the 68th town in Newfoundland and Labrador. The population declined moderately from 947 in 2016, a decrease of 10 people or 1.06%. The town has a population density of 77.6 people per km² across a land area of 12.08 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
Rocky Harbour's population declined by 1.06% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 947 to 937 people, a loss of 10 residents. This stability is characteristic of many mid-sized other Newfoundland and Labrador towns during this period. The median age of 56.00 years suggests an aging population. Official 2026 Census data, which will confirm whether this trend continued, is expected from Statistics Canada in February 2027.
Rocky Harbour has a population density of approximately 77.60 people per square kilometre.
Rocky Harbour covers a land area of approximately 12.08 km².
The median age of the population in Rocky Harbour is 56.00 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Rocky Harbour is English.
The median household income in Rocky Harbour is $69,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Rocky Harbour.
Christian is the predominant religion in Rocky Harbour.
According to the 2021 Census, 13.4% of Rocky Harbour's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.
99.5% of Rocky Harbour's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.
One-parent families make up 9.4% of census families in Rocky Harbour, according to the 2021 Census.
Multigenerational households make up 1.1% of all households in Rocky Harbour, per the 2021 Census.
3.2% of Rocky Harbour's population knows both English and French, based on 2021 Census data on knowledge of official languages.
Of the population aged 15 and over in Rocky Harbour, 16.0% worked full year full time in the 2021 Census reference year.
Statistics Canada (statcan.gc.ca) conducted the 2026 Census of Population in May 2026. However, census data goes through an extensive processing, validation, and quality-assurance period before public release. Based on the release plan, the 2026 Census results begin rolling out on February 10, 2027, with complete community-level profiles available by December 1, 2027. Until then, this page uses 2021 Census data as its primary source, supplemented by a population projection estimate for 2026 calculated using the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from the 2016–2021 Census period.