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Chester Profile

Explore population, households, income, employment, languages, and dwellings for Chester. Compare trends since 2016 and dig into the full demographic profile below.

National Rank:393 of 688
Level:Census subdivision

Chester Population

Total Population (2021)
10,693
Total Population (2016)
10,310
Population Growth
+3.7% (+383)
Growth Rank
#397 of 688Same geo level
Male
49.2%5,255
Female
50.8%5,435
Male-to-Female Ratio
0.967
Average Age
49.9
Median Age
55.6
Age Rank
#648 of 688Same geo level

Population Age Distribution

0–4
360(3.4%)
5–9
445(4.2%)
10–14
430(4.0%)
15–19
420(3.9%)
20–24
385(3.6%)
25–29
390(3.6%)
30–34
480(4.5%)
35–39
490(4.6%)
40–44
535(5.0%)
45–49
625(5.8%)
50–54
715(6.7%)
55–59
1,025(9.6%)
60–64
1,125(10.5%)
65–69
1,040(9.7%)
70–74
905(8.5%)
75–79
640(6.0%)
80–84
365(3.4%)
85+
320(3.0%)

Chester Households

Household Size

Average Household Size
2.1
Total Private Dwellings
6,482
Occupied Private Dwellings
5,028

Size Distribution

1 Person
1,585 (31.5%)
2 Persons
2,215 (44.0%)
3 Persons
625 (12.4%)
4 Persons
425 (8.4%)
5+ Persons
175 (3.5%)

Household Composition

Couples with children
905(18.0%)
Couples without children
1,850(36.8%)
One-parent families
380(7.6%)
One-person households
1,585(31.5%)
Multigenerational
75(1.5%)
Multiple-family
10(0.2%)

Chester Incomes

Summary

Avg. Household Income
$70,000After tax
Median Household Income
$57,600After tax
Avg. Individual Income
$38,920After tax
Median Individual Income
$31,400After tax
Income Rank
#605 of 688Same geo level

Income Composition

Market Income
77.0%
Employment Income
52.0%
Government Transfers
23.1%

Individual Income Distribution

Under $10k
765(8.5%)
$10k–$20k
1,305(14.4%)
$20k–$30k
1,865(20.6%)
$30k–$40k
1,240(13.7%)
$40k–$50k
1,070(11.8%)
$50k–$60k
785(8.7%)
$60k–$70k
540(6.0%)
$70k–$80k
395(4.4%)
$80k–$90k
290(3.2%)
$90k–$100k
220(2.4%)
$100k+
560(6.2%)

Chester Employment

Labour Force

Employment Rate
45.1%
Unemployment Rate
12.9%
Total Labour Force
4,840
Employed
4,210
Unemployed
625
Not in Labour Force
4,485

Low Income Prevalence

Overall Low-Income Rate
16.8%
Children (0–17)
17.2%
Adults (18–64)
14.0%
Seniors (65+)
22.0%
Gini Coefficient (Total)
0.3620 = perfect equality
Gini Coefficient (After-Tax)
0.309

Chester Languages

Language Knowledge

English Only
9,960 (94.3%)
English & French
595 (5.6%)
Neither
5 (0.0%)

Mother Tongue

English
10,185 (96.4%)
French
120 (1.1%)
Non-official languages
190 (1.8%)

Top Mother Tongue Languages

English
10,185(96.4%)
French
120(1.1%)
Arabic
30(0.3%)
Punjabi
15(0.1%)
Tagalog
10(0.1%)
Spanish
10(0.1%)
Mandarin
5(0.0%)
Italian
5(0.0%)
Hindi
5(0.0%)
Polish
5(0.0%)

Chester Dwellings

Dwelling Type

Single-detached
4,415(87.9%)
Semi-detached
105(2.1%)
Row house
115(2.3%)
Duplex
85(1.7%)
Apt. < 5 storeys
120(2.4%)
Other attached
15(0.3%)
Movable
170(3.4%)

Community snapshot

About Chester

Chester is a municipal district on Nova Scotia’s South Shore, centred on the harbour village of Chester—not a city. Yacht harbours, coastal islands, and inland forest communities share Mahone Bay approaches and Lunenburg County scenery. About 10,000 people live in Chester MD.

Known for

  • Municipal district, not a city
  • Chester harbour village as the main hub
  • South Shore yacht and island country
  • Mahone Bay approaches and coastal scenery
  • Mix of shoreline and inland forest communities

See & do

  • Chester waterfront and Front Street

    Harbour village shops and yacht scenery.

  • Chester Playhouse / village centre

    Arts venue and community hub.

  • Coastal island and cove drives

    South Shore roads toward Mahone Bay.

  • Local beaches and park accesses

    Swimming and shoreline recreation.

  • Inland forest communities

    Rural settlements behind the coastal strip.

Data source → Census methodology & attribution

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Data source → Census methodology & attribution