Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Hearst has a population of around 4,794 people. The town's population is in decreased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Hearst has decreased by -5.44%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 5,070 | 4,794 | --5.44% |
2026 Population Projection
Hearst's population declined between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, so a 2026 growth projection is not shown. The most recent confirmed figure remains the 4,794 people recorded in the 2021 census.
Population By Genders
The male population of Hearst is around 2,345 while the female population is around 2,455.
Of the 4,794 total population in Hearst, the largest gender is female with around 2,455 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 2,345 | 2,455 | -4.48% |
Is Hearst a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Hearst compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against Ontario, 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 Hearst
- Mattice-Val Cote (30.4 km)
- Opasatika (60.3 km)
- Val Rita-Harty (78.8 km)
- Kapuskasing (94.0 km)
- Hornepayne (95.8 km)
Population by Age Characteristics
Hearst has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 9.00% of the total population. The town median age is 48.00.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 to 64 years | 220 9.40% | 210 8.60% | 4.55% | 430 9.00% |
| 55 to 59 years | 200 8.50% | 175 7.10% | 12.50% | 375 7.80% |
| 50 to 54 years | 165 7.00% | 175 7.10% | 5.71% | 340 7.10% |
| 65 to 69 years | 165 7.00% | 175 7.10% | 5.71% | 340 7.10% |
| 70 to 74 years | 165 7.00% | 160 6.50% | 3.03% | 325 6.80% |
| 45 to 49 years | 150 6.40% | 140 5.70% | 6.67% | 290 6.00% |
| 15 to 19 years | 125 5.30% | 155 6.30% | 19.35% | 280 5.80% |
| 40 to 44 years | 125 5.30% | 150 6.10% | 16.67% | 275 5.70% |
| 25 to 29 years | 135 5.80% | 130 5.30% | 3.70% | 270 5.60% |
| 10 to 14 years | 125 5.30% | 135 5.50% | 7.41% | 255 5.30% |
| 20 to 24 years | 130 5.50% | 115 4.70% | 11.54% | 250 5.20% |
| 5 to 9 years | 120 5.10% | 120 4.90% | 0.00% | 240 5.00% |
| 35 to 39 years | 120 5.10% | 120 4.90% | 0.00% | 235 4.90% |
| 30 to 34 years | 90 3.80% | 130 5.30% | 30.77% | 225 4.70% |
| 75 to 79 years | 105 4.50% | 110 4.50% | 4.55% | 215 4.50% |
| 0 to 4 years | 90 3.80% | 100 4.10% | 10.00% | 190 4.00% |
| 80 to 84 years | 65 2.80% | 80 3.30% | 18.75% | 145 3.00% |
| 85 years and over | 40 1.70% | 75 3.10% | 46.67% | 110 2.30% |
| 85 to 89 years | 30 1.30% | 40 1.60% | 25.00% | 75 1.60% |
| Median age of the population | 48 48.40% | 47 47.20% | 2.07% | 48 48.00% |
| Average age of the population | 45 45.10% | 45 45.20% | 0.00% | 45 45.20% |
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 61.90% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 23.80% and 14.40%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Hearst are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65 years and over | 23.20% | 24.20% | 23.80% |
| 0 to 14 years | 14.10% | 14.50% | 14.40% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Hearst
Explore Hearst Through Videos
Population of Hearst by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Hearst is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Hearst 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 Canadian, which accounts for 32.88% of the total population, followed by French (26.32%), French Canadian (16.28%), Caucasian (White) (6.55%), and Franco Ontarian (4.97%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include English, Ontarian, First Nations (North American Indian), Irish, and Finnish.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian | 33.33% | 32.44% | 32.88% |
| French | 25.76% | 26.86% | 26.32% |
| French Canadian | 16.45% | 16.12% | 16.28% |
| Caucasian (White) | 6.71% | 6.40% | 6.55% |
| Franco Ontarian | 5.41% | 4.55% | 4.97% |
| English | 4.55% | 4.96% | 4.76% |
| Ontarian | 3.90% | 3.51% | 3.70% |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 3.25% | 2.89% | 3.17% |
| Irish | 2.16% | 3.10% | 2.54% |
| Finnish | 2.16% | 2.89% | 2.54% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Hearst's population profile.
About 2.4% of Hearst's population are immigrants (115 people).
The top countries of origin for Hearst's immigrant population are Philippines (25), India (20), Portugal (20), Ethiopia (0), Morocco (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| Philippines | 25 |
| India | 20 |
| Portugal | 20 |
| Ethiopia | 0 |
| Morocco | 0 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 1,335 of Hearst's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 19.60% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 17.50% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 5.75%, 5.20%, and 1.90%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 885 | 19.60% |
| 1 person | 790 | 17.50% |
| 3 persons | 260 | 5.75% |
| 4 persons | 235 | 5.20% |
| 5 or more persons | 85 | 1.90% |
Income in Hearst
Analyzing income distribution in Hearst can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Hearst is $44,400.
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 Hearst population or around 735 people falls in the $50,000 to $79,999 group. The next largest groups are the $10,000 to $29,999, and $30,000 to $49,999 with around 580 and 475 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Hearst's median household income is $76,500, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Hearst's median household income is 7,500 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 Hearst
This data sheds light on the distribution of Hearst 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.
55.30% or most of the Hearst population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 27.75% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 16.90% has a No certificate, diploma or degree, and 12.80% has Bachelor's degree or higher.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 1,570 | 1,905 | 3,475 | 55.30% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 990 | 800 | 1,790 | 27.75% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 625 | 590 | 1,210 | 16.90% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 225 | 575 | 805 | 12.80% |
Below national average 12.8% of Hearst's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Hearst
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Hearst. 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 5.32% which is quite high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 56.61% |
| Unemployment rate | 5.32% |
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 Hearst's population (around 70.30%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the town, there are 150 men and 125 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 265.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 150 | 125 | 265 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Hearst industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Hearst is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Hearst has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (16%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Manufacturing sector comes second at 15%, followed by Retail trade at 13%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 65 | 330 | 16% |
| Manufacturing | 285 | 85 | 15% |
| Retail trade | 155 | 180 | 13% |
| Construction | 230 | 20 | 10% |
| Educational services | 35 | 185 | 9% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 100 | 40 | 6% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 55 | 75 | 5% |
| Accommodation and food services | 35 | 85 | 5% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 80 | 20 | 4% |
| Public administration | 45 | 35 | 3% |
| Finance and insurance | 15 | 55 | 3% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 55 | 0 | 2% |
| Wholesale trade | 30 | 10 | 2% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 25 | 10 | 2% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 10 | 20 | 1% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 10 | 20 | 1% |
| Information and cultural industries | 15 | 10 | 1% |
| Utilities | 15 | 0 | 1% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Hearst residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Hearst: Health care and social assistance (16%), -33 Manufacturing (15%), -45 Retail trade (13%)
Top occupation categories in Hearst: Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (25%), Sales and service occupations (24%), Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (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 | 920 | 960 | 1,880 | 82.10% |
| No fixed workplace address | 220 | 40 | 250 | 10.90% |
| Worked at home | 55 | 105 | 155 | 6.80% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Hearst 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 Hearst residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Hearst 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 | 81.70% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 7.00% |
| 60 minutes and over | 6.80% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 4.40% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 0.00% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Hearstshed 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 Hearst'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.
French is the most spoken official language in Hearst. About 4,085 people living in the province speak French, 590 people speak English, 60 people speak English and French language, and 5 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| French | 4,085 |
| English | 590 |
| English and French | 60 |
| Neither English nor French | 5 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| French | 84.4% | 82.8% |
| English | 9.7% | 13.5% |
| Non-official languages | 1.8% | 0.8% |
Religion
Hearst is predominantly Christian. About 4,115 of its population is Christian (1,960 males and 1,960 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Muslim with 0.7% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Buddhist and Hindu, both represent 0.0% and 0.0% of the population, while Jewish represent 0.0% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 87.0% |
| Islam | 0.7% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in Hearst
Hospitals
Schools
- École secondaire catholique de Hearst
- École catholique Pavillon Notre-Dame
- Clayton Brown Public School
- École catholique St-Louis
- Hearst High School
- École catholique Ste-Anne
- École Passeport Jeunesse
Universities
Parks
Places to Visit in Hearst
Museums
Historic Sites
Theatres
Green Spaces in Hearst
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Marcel Leger Park | Parks | 3.8 ha |
| Our Veterans Park | Parks | 0.3 ha |
| Bernard Park | Parks | 0.8 ha |
| Lecours Park | Parks | 0.5 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hearst
According to the 2021 census, Hearst has a population of approximately 4,794 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Hearst decreased by 5.44%.
Hearst has a population density of approximately 48.90 people per square kilometre.
Hearst covers a land area of approximately 98.06 km².
The median age of the population in Hearst is 48.00 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Hearst is Canadian.
The median household income in Hearst is $76,500, based on 2020 data.
French is the most common first official language spoken in Hearst.
Christian is the predominant religion in Hearst.
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.