New Brunswick Population Overview (2026)
New Brunswick is one of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories and forms part of both the Maritime and Atlantic Canada regions. It is bordered by Quebec to the north, Nova Scotia to the east, the Gulf of Saint Lawrence to the northeast, the Bay of Fundy to the southeast, and the U.S. state of Maine to the west. New Brunswick is Canada’s eighth most populous province and the third-smallest by land area.
According to Statistics Canada, New Brunswick recorded a population of 775,610 in the 2021 Census, which increased to an estimated 868,830 (about 0.87 million) in Q4 2025. Based on recent growth trends, the projected population of New Brunswick in 2026 is approximately 880,000.
Nova Scotia Population Growth (2021–2026)
New Brunswick has a population growth rate of 12.02% during 2016-2021. It has population increase of 93,220 since 2021.
New Brunswick Census Q4 2025 Snapshot
| Indicator | Data |
| Total Population | 868,830 |
| Percentage Change since 2021 | 12.02% |
| Population Rank | 8th |
| Total Land Area | 52,942 km2 (20,441 sq mi) |
| Area Rank | 11th |
| Population Density | 16.5/km2 (37.6/sq mi) |
| Capital City | Fredericton |
| Largest City | Moncton |
Source: Statistics Canada
New Brunswick Future Population Projections
New Brunswick experienced a population growth rate of 12.02% during 2016–2021, with an increase of 93,220 people since 2021. Based on this trend, the province is projected to reach approximately 868,830 people by Q4 2025. Continuing this growth trajectory, Nova Scotia’s population is expected to steadily increase over the coming decades.
Projected Population of New Brunswick (2025–2100)
| Year | Population (Projected) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 868,830 |
| 2026 | 875,000 |
| 2030 | 920,000 |
| 2040 | 980,000 |
| 2050 | 1,030,000 |
| 2060 | 1,070,000 |
| 2070 | 1,110,000 |
| 2080 | 1,140,000 |
| 2090 | 1,170,000 |
| 2100 | 1,200,000 |
New Brunswick Historical Population
New Brunswick’s population shows strong long-term growth with periods of stagnation and decline. The province grew rapidly in the 19th century, rising from about 74,000 in 1824 to over 321,000 by 1891, driven by settlement and natural increase. Growth continued steadily through the mid-20th century, crossing 500,000 by 1951 and peaking at 616,788 in 1966. From the 1970s to early 2000s, population growth slowed significantly, including a slight decline between 1996 and 2001. After modest fluctuations in the 2000s and a small drop in 2016, population rebounded strongly, reaching 775,610 in the 2021 Census, reflecting renewed growth momentum in recent years.
New Brunswick Population by Year (1851–2021)
| Census Year | Population | Absolute Change | Percentage Change |
| 1824 | 74,176 | – | – |
| 1834 | 119,457 | +45,281 | +61.05 |
| 1841 | 156,162 | +36,705 | +30.73 |
| 1851 | 193,800 | +37,638 | +24.10 |
| 1861 | 252,047 | +58,247 | +30.06 |
| 1871 | 285,594 | +33,547 | +13.31 |
| 1881 | 321,233 | +35,639 | +12.48 |
| 1891 | 321,263 | +30 | +.01 |
| 1901 | 331,120 | +9,857 | +3.07 |
| 1911 | 351,889 | +20,769 | +6.27 |
| 1921 | 387,876 | +35,987 | +10.23 |
| 1931 | 408,219 | +20,343 | +5.24 |
| 1941 | 457,401 | +49,182 | +12.05 |
| 1951 | 515,697 | +58,296 | +12.75 |
| 1956 | 554,616 | +38,919 | +7.55 |
| 1961 | 597,936 | +43,320 | +7.81 |
| 1966 | 616,788 | +18,852 | +3.15 |
| 1971 | 634,560 | +17,772 | +2.88 |
| 1976 | 677,250 | +42,690 | +6.73 |
| 1981 | 696,403 | +19,153 | +2.83 |
| 1986 | 709,445 | +13,042 | +1.87 |
| 1991 | 723,900 | +14,455 | +2.04 |
| 1996 | 738,133 | +14,233 | +1.97 |
| 2001 | 729,498 | -+8,635 | -+1.17 |
| 2006 | 729,997 | +499 | +.07 |
| 2011 | 751,171 | +21,174 | +2.90 |
| 2016 | 747,101 | -+4,070 | -+.54 |
| 2021 | 775,610 | +28.509 | +3.8 |
Source: Statistics Canada
New Brunswick Ethnic composition
The ethnic origin most often reported in New Brunswick was Canadian followed by French, English, Irish, Scottish, and German. European origins (89.8%) of the population are most common and Aboriginals are 4.4% of New Brunswick’s Population. First Nations, Metis & Inuit are major Aboriginal people. Almost 5.5% of the population of New Brunswick belongs to a visible minority group. The Main Visible minority communities are Black, South Asian, Filipino, Arab, Chinese, and Latino.
read in detail about race and ethnicity in New Brunswick
Top cities in New Brunswick by population
| # | City | Population |
| 1 | Moncton | 71,889 |
| 2 | Saint John | 67,575 |
| 3 | Fredericton | 58,220 |
| 4 | Dieppe | 25,384 |
| 5 | Miramichi | 17,537 |
| 6 | Edmundston | 16,580 |
| 7 | Bathurst | 11,897 |
| 8 | Campbellton | 6,883 |
Source: Statistics Canada 2016
Sources
All population data is sourced from official Canadian and international statistical agencies:
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