Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Bridgewater has a population of around 8,790 people. The town's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Bridgewater has increased by 3.02%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 8,532 | 8,790 | +3.02% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.60% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Bridgewater's population is projected to reach approximately 9,056 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 664.42 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 8,790 | 9,056 | 664.42 |
This projection is an estimate calculated by CAPopulation from the compound annual growth rate between the 2016 and 2021 censuses. Official 2026 complete census data expected to be released in late 2027.
Population By Genders
The male population of Bridgewater is around 4,070 while the female population is around 4,715.
Of the 8,790 total population in Bridgewater, the largest gender is female with around 4,715 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 4,070 | 4,715 | +13.68% |
Is Bridgewater a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Bridgewater compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against Nova Scotia, 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.
Other Towns Near Bridgewater
- Mahone Bay (13.2 km)
- Berwick (76.2 km)
- Middleton (76.4 km)
- Kentville (78.0 km)
- Wolfville (80.3 km)
- Annapolis Royal (88.8 km)
- Lockeport (89.1 km)
Population by Age Characteristics
Bridgewater has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 8.00% of the total population. The town median age is 51.60.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 to 64 years | 325 8.00% | 385 8.20% | 15.58% | 705 8.00% |
| 55 to 59 years | 315 7.70% | 370 7.80% | 14.86% | 690 7.80% |
| 65 to 69 years | 285 7.00% | 365 7.70% | 21.92% | 655 7.50% |
| 70 to 74 years | 285 7.00% | 345 7.30% | 17.39% | 635 7.20% |
| 50 to 54 years | 260 6.40% | 305 6.50% | 14.75% | 570 6.50% |
| 35 to 39 years | 240 5.90% | 255 5.40% | 5.88% | 495 5.60% |
| 75 to 79 years | 195 4.80% | 295 6.30% | 33.90% | 495 5.60% |
| 20 to 24 years | 220 5.40% | 250 5.30% | 12.00% | 470 5.30% |
| 25 to 29 years | 230 5.70% | 235 5.00% | 2.13% | 460 5.20% |
| 30 to 34 years | 215 5.30% | 250 5.30% | 14.00% | 460 5.20% |
| 45 to 49 years | 210 5.20% | 245 5.20% | 14.29% | 450 5.10% |
| 40 to 44 years | 210 5.20% | 225 4.80% | 6.67% | 435 4.90% |
| 85 years and over | 155 3.80% | 270 5.70% | 42.59% | 430 4.90% |
| 80 to 84 years | 195 4.80% | 225 4.80% | 13.33% | 425 4.80% |
| 10 to 14 years | 185 4.50% | 195 4.10% | 5.13% | 380 4.30% |
| 15 to 19 years | 195 4.80% | 185 3.90% | 5.13% | 380 4.30% |
| 5 to 9 years | 180 4.40% | 160 3.40% | 11.11% | 335 3.80% |
| 0 to 4 years | 175 4.30% | 155 3.30% | 11.43% | 325 3.70% |
| 85 to 89 years | 105 2.60% | 145 3.10% | 27.59% | 250 2.80% |
| 90 to 94 years | 45 1.10% | 85 1.80% | 47.06% | 130 1.50% |
| Median age of the population | 50 49.60% | 54 53.60% | 7.46% | 52 51.60% |
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 58.20% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 29.90% and 11.80%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Bridgewater are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average age of the population | 46.80% | 50.00% | 48.50% |
| 65 years and over | 27.60% | 31.90% | 29.90% |
| 0 to 14 years | 13.10% | 10.70% | 11.80% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Bridgewater
Explore Bridgewater Through Videos
Population of Bridgewater by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Bridgewater is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Bridgewater is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the province appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.
The top 5 ethnicities and origins in the province are German, which accounts for 22.37% of the total population, followed by English (20.54%), Canadian (19.72%), Irish (16.30%), and Scottish (15.36%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include French, Caucasian (White), European, British Isles, and Dutch.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| German | 22.49% | 22.17% | 22.37% |
| English | 19.31% | 21.73% | 20.54% |
| Canadian | 20.08% | 19.32% | 19.72% |
| Irish | 15.37% | 17.23% | 16.30% |
| Scottish | 14.10% | 16.47% | 15.36% |
| French | 10.04% | 10.65% | 10.30% |
| Caucasian (White) | 8.13% | 9.88% | 9.06% |
| European | 4.83% | 4.06% | 4.53% |
| British Isles | 4.83% | 4.17% | 4.47% |
| Dutch | 3.94% | 4.28% | 4.18% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Bridgewater's population profile.
About 6.7% of Bridgewater's population are immigrants (570 people).
The top countries of origin for Bridgewater's immigrant population are United Kingdom (140), United States of America (110), India (75), Germany (35), China (30).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 140 |
| United States of America | 110 |
| India | 75 |
| Germany | 35 |
| China | 30 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 2,050 of Bridgewater's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 1 person household.
Household Size
About 19.40% of the population lives in 1 person households. 2 persons households ranked second, accounting for 19.30% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 5.85%, 3.75%, and 1.65%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 1,655 | 19.40% |
| 2 persons | 1,645 | 19.30% |
| 3 persons | 500 | 5.85% |
| 4 persons | 320 | 3.75% |
| 5 or more persons | 140 | 1.65% |
Income in Bridgewater
Analyzing income distribution in Bridgewater can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Bridgewater is $33,200.
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 Bridgewater population or around 1,230 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 900 and 750 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Bridgewater's median household income is $57,200, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Bridgewater's median household income is 26,800 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 Bridgewater
This data sheds light on the distribution of Bridgewater 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.
55.10% or most of the Bridgewater population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 29.25% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 19.15% has a Bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.65% has No certificate, diploma or degree.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 2,620 | 3,695 | 6,320 | 55.10% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 1,745 | 1,700 | 3,445 | 29.25% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 895 | 1,280 | 2,175 | 19.15% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 1,025 | 905 | 1,930 | 15.65% |
Below national average 19.2% of Bridgewater's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Bridgewater
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Bridgewater. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Newfoundland and Labrador is at 6.51% which is quite high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 46.41% |
| Unemployment rate | 6.51% |
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 Bridgewater's population (around 72.30%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the town, there are 205 men and 180 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 385.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 205 | 180 | 385 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Bridgewater industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Bridgewater is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Bridgewater has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (18%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Retail trade sector comes second at 16%, followed by Manufacturing at 12%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 170 | 545 | 18% |
| Retail trade | 280 | 330 | 16% |
| Manufacturing | 395 | 80 | 12% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 140 | 185 | 8% |
| Educational services | 75 | 180 | 7% |
| Accommodation and food services | 80 | 165 | 6% |
| Public administration | 95 | 125 | 6% |
| Construction | 170 | 45 | 6% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 70 | 80 | 4% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 70 | 70 | 4% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 100 | 10 | 3% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 65 | 40 | 3% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 50 | 20 | 2% |
| Finance and insurance | 10 | 50 | 2% |
| Wholesale trade | 40 | 20 | 2% |
| Information and cultural industries | 35 | 25 | 2% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 15 | 25 | 1% |
| Utilities | 10 | 0 | 0% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 10 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Bridgewater residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Bridgewater: Health care and social assistance (18%), -45 Retail trade (16%), -33 Manufacturing (12%)
Top occupation categories in Bridgewater: Sales and service occupations (31%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (14%), Business, finance and administration occupations (13%)
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 | 1,225 | 1,395 | 2,620 | 75.70% |
| Worked at home | 190 | 240 | 430 | 12.40% |
| No fixed workplace address | 265 | 140 | 400 | 11.60% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Bridgewater 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 Bridgewater residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Bridgewater 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 | 64.30% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 20.80% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 8.80% |
| 60 minutes and over | 4.50% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 1.50% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Bridgewatershed 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 Bridgewater'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 Bridgewater. About 8,470 people living in the province speak English, 105 people speak French, 20 people speak English and French language, and 10 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 8,470 |
| French | 105 |
| English and French | 20 |
| Neither English nor French | 10 |
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 | 92.7% | 96.2% |
| Non-official languages | 4.6% | 2.8% |
| French | 1.3% | 0.3% |
Religion
Bridgewater is predominantly Christian. About 4,850 of its population is Christian (2,125 males and 2,125 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Hindu with 0.5% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Buddhist and Sikh, both represent 0.4% and 0.4% of the population, while Jewish represent 0.2% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 57.1% |
| Hindu | 0.5% |
| Buddhist | 0.4% |
| Sikh | 0.4% |
| Jewish | 0.2% |
| Islam | 0.2% |
Points of Interest in Bridgewater
Hospitals
Schools
- Park View Education Centre
- Bridgewater Junior/Senior High
- Park View Education Centre
- Bridgewater Elementary
Parks
- South Shore Exhibition Grounds
- Shipyards Landing
- Woodland Gardens
- Kinsmen Field
- King's Court
- Riverview Park
- North King Street Park
- St. Phillips Street Playground
- Senior Citizen's Park
- Bridgehead Landing
- Riverside Park
- Aberdeen Green
- Kinsmen Tiny Tot Playground
- Pinecrest Park and Playground
- Sperry Ninos Park
- Waterfront Park
- Mariners' Landing
- Generations' Active Park
- Bridgewater Ball Fields
- Michelin Nature Discovery Park
- Glen Allan Park
- Glen Allan Playground
- Pijinuiskaq Park
Libraries
Places to Visit in Bridgewater
Museums
Green Spaces in Bridgewater
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| South Shore Exhibition Grounds | Parks | 9.7 ha |
| Shipyards Landing | Parks | 0.7 ha |
| Woodland Gardens | Parks | 9.9 ha |
| Kinsmen Field | Parks | 2.4 ha |
| King's Court | Parks | 0.4 ha |
| Riverview Park | Parks | 13.9 ha |
| North King Street Park | Parks | 3.0 ha |
| St. Phillips Street Playground | Parks | 0.4 ha |
| Senior Citizen's Park | Parks | 0.5 ha |
| Bridgehead Landing | Parks | 0.1 ha |
| Riverside Park | Parks | 0.4 ha |
| Aberdeen Green | Parks | 0.6 ha |
| Kinsmen Tiny Tot Playground | Parks | 0.4 ha |
| Pinecrest Park and Playground | Parks | 2.3 ha |
| Sperry Ninos Park | Parks | 0.8 ha |
| Waterfront Park | Parks | 1.7 ha |
| Mariners' Landing | Parks | 0.6 ha |
| Generations' Active Park | Parks | 6.5 ha |
| Bridgewater Ball Fields | Parks | 4.0 ha |
| Michelin Nature Discovery Park | Parks | 0.6 ha |
| Glen Allan Park | Parks | 6.9 ha |
| Glen Allan Playground | Parks | 0.3 ha |
| Pijinuiskaq Park | Parks | 0.3 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bridgewater
According to the 2021 census, Bridgewater has a population of approximately 8,790 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Bridgewater increased by 3.02%.
Bridgewater has a population density of approximately 644.90 people per square kilometre.
Bridgewater covers a land area of approximately 13.63 km².
The median age of the population in Bridgewater is 51.60 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Bridgewater is German.
The median household income in Bridgewater is $57,200, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Bridgewater.
Christian is the predominant religion in Bridgewater.
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.