The 10 Biggest Cities In Newfoundland And Labrador

The Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador is situated in the country's Atlantic region and is composed of Labrador, which is located on the mainland, and the island of Newfoundland. It is the country’s most easterly province and ranks as the ninth most populous, with a population of 519,716 individuals in 2016. More than 90% of the province's population inhabits Newfoundland and is most concentrated in the island’s Avalon Peninsula. The province contains 271 municipalities. Of this total, only 3 are designated as cities, while the remainder are towns. Although these municipalities occupy only 2.2% of the province's land mass, they contain nearly 90% of the population. The most populous municipalities in the province are St. John's, Conception Bay South, Mount Pearl, Paradise, and Corner Brook.

The Five Most Populous Municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador

1. St. John’s

With a population of 108,860, St. John’s is the most populous city in Newfoundland and Labrador. The city is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula and is North America’s easternmost city. St. John's occupies an area of 446.04 square km, was incorporated as a city in 1888, and serves as the provincial capital. The economy of St. John’s is shaped by its role as the provincial capital and by its proximity to the ocean. The public sector employs a large number of the city’s residents. St. John’s also has thriving business and retail sectors. Historically, the city had a highly profitable fishing industry, until its collapse in the 1990s. Today, however, offshore oil and natural gas reserves fuel the city's economy. In fact, St. John's is included as one of the 19 World Energy Cities. It is important that St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador is not confused with Saint John, New Brunswick, also located in Eastern Canada.

2. Conception Bay South

With a population of 26,199, which is significantly lower than St. John's, Conception Bay South is the province's second biggest municipality. The town is located on the south shores of Conception Bay, on the Avalon Peninsula, and is part of the St. John's Metropolitan Area. The area's fertile land and abundant natural resources attracted its early settlers, most of whom were English and Irish. The town was later formed through the amalgamation of nine small communities in 1973. Conception Bay South once had a developed fishing industry, and currently has a growing tourism industry.

3. Mount Pearl

With a population of 23,120, Mount Pearl is Newfoundland and Labrador's second biggest city, but its third most populous municipality. Mount Pearl is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula, southwest of St. John's. First founded in 1829, it was incorporated as a town in 1955, and later as a city in 1988.

4. Paradise

Paradise has a population of 21,389, which ranks as the fourth most populous municipality in Newfoundland and Labrador. The town is located on the Avalon Peninsula, and is part of the St. John's Metropolitan Area. Paradise was settled during the nineteenth century and grew as a bedroom community of St. John's.

5. Corner Brook

With a population of 19,806, Corner Brook is the fifth largest municipality in the province. The city is located at the mouth of the Humber River, on the Bay of Islands. The city acts as a service center for Newfoundland’s western and northern regions. Corner Brook is Atlantic Canada’s northernmost city.

Smallest Municipality in the Province

The town of Tilt Cove is the province's smallest municipality. Located on Notre Dam Bay, the town had a population of only 4 according to the 2016 Census. Tilt Cove is nicknamed "Canada's smallest town."