Demographic Profile

A town incorporated in 1899 in the LaHave River Valley, 15 miles inland off the Atlantic coast, Bridgewater is the largest town on Nova Scotia’s scenic South Shore with a population of approximately 8,000 residents. We have a population density of 584 km2, with a continued growth rate of 4.5 percent expected through to 2015. Bridgewater has been and is expected to continue experiencing an economic boom in a time when most of North America has been drawn into a recession.

Climate

The South Shore is known for having one of the best climates in Canada and the upper United States. Situated along the Atlantic coast, winters are considered mild because of the moderating ocean effects, and only 15 percent of our precipitation falls as snow. Summers are cooler, and beautiful warm autumns last all season. The following chart shows Bridgewater’s average daily highs throughout the year.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
°C	0.2	0.8	4.9	10.3	16.9	22.1	25.4	25	20.4	14.3	8.3	2.8
°F	32	33	41	51	62	72	78	77	69	58	47	37

Affordable Living

Bridgewater offers an unlimited choice of dwellings from upscale rentals and condominiums like South Ridge to stately, century-old homes on lush, tree-lined streets. The average home cost in Canada, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association (April 2010), is $344,968. In larger Canadian cities, average housing costs are $673,579 in Vancouver, $437,566 in Toronto, and $247,168 in Halifax. In Bridgewater, we have been fortunate to avoid such booms (and recessions) by having a steady climb with minimal ups and downs in the market; an average home sells for around $177,373 (2009).

Our Water, Parks, Walking Trails, and the LCLC

They say that all roads on Nova Scotia’s South Shore end up at a silver sand or pebble stone beach. Now this may not have been proven, mind you, but when you go for a drive and see beach after beach after beach, you really start to believe it. The most popular white sand beaches include Crescent, Rissers, Hirtle’s, and Kingsburg, all within minutes of Bridgewater. There are numerous fresh-water lakes in the area as well, where you can swim, fish, kayak, canoe, boat, and water-ski. Bridgewater is split through the middle by the LaHave River and home to over 100 acres of parks such as the beloved 25-acre Woodland Gardens (home to the DesBrisay Museum) which abuts South Ridge and will be attached by common walking trails, Shipyard’s Landing (a boat-launching site and picnic park) and the upstream Riverview Park that overlooks the river rapids.

Recreational parks like the Kinsmen Field and the LaHave Fields are home to tennis courts, soccer fields, and baseball diamonds. Walking trails sliver their way through the entire town, down the river, and through the parks. The LCLC – Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre – is the $30-million facility being built on York Street; it is expected to house two indoor ice surfaces, an aquatic centre, a performing arts centre, and the new town library.

Golf Courses

Bridgewater is home to two golf courses: Osprey Ridge Golf Club is an 18-hole, 6,600-yard championship-designed course by Graham Cook with a licensed dining room and lounge; Olde Town Golf Club has a challenging, nine-hole, 2,500 yard course that is true to its name as it opened in 1928. Not enough for you? We’re also within a 30-minute drive to five more courses.

Healthcare

Bridgewater is home to the South Shore Regional Hospital, the largest hospital on the entire South Shore and the designated District Trauma Centre with 80 inpatient beds. It provides services such as 24-hour emergency, 24-hour laboratory coverage, diagnostic imaging, in-patient and day surgeries, EKG, ambulatory care, rehabilitation, respiratory therapy, palliative care, pharmacy, mental health, and walk-in clinics.

Shopping

Bridgewater is often referred to as the Mainstreet of the South Shore; it is the shopping centre of both Queens and Lunenburg counties. The Bridgewater Mall and Eastside Plaza are home to over sixty stores and services. Directly across the LaHave River is King Street, known for its array of quaint local businesses. The Cookville area of Bridgewater, known as "Exit 12", is home to more ‘big box’ options.

Festivals and Events

You’ll never get bored in Bridgewater! Besides all the great shopping and recreation possibilities within walking distance, there are festivals and events happening all year long. The ‘Big Ex,’ held at the Bridgewater Exhibition Grounds every July, attracts over 50,000 visitors annually with its combination of agricultural and livestock displays, international ox pull, craft shows, food booths, concerts, and midway. The annual Hank Snow Tribute showcases a line-up of over 200 classic country musicians over four days in August on the Bridgewater Exhibition Grounds. The Mahone Bay Classic Boat Festival is another favourite with boat races, boatyard tours, music, food, and more. The King Street Farmer’s Market is open every Saturday from May to October for locally-grown fruits and vegetables, specialty breads, arts, crafts, and fresh seafood. There’s also no shortage of art shows, bingo games, card parties, community breakfasts and suppers, yard sales, concerts, dances, and dinner theatres.

Neighbours

Lunenburg (20 minutes NE) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site rich with historic homes and history with more than 200 years of ship-building, fishing, and marine-related industries. Mahone Bay (20 minutes NE) is a post-card perfect little town nestled in a bay amongst more than 100 islands. Liverpool (30 minutes SW) is the original Port of the Privateers. All three surrounding towns are overflowing with even more exciting places to eat, museums and galleries to explore, beaches to lounge, rivers to fish and boat, courses to golf, places to shop, and festivals and events to attend.