, nickname = , settlement_type = List of counties of Nova Scotia, County , motto = , image_skyline = Antigonish Harbour Panorama2.jpg , image_caption = , image_flag = , flag_size = , image_seal = , seal_size = , image_shield = , shield_size = , city_logo = , citylogo_size = , image_map = AntigonishCounty.png , mapsize = 275px , map_caption = Location of Antigonish County, Nova Scotia , image_map1 = , mapsize1 = , map_caption1 = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = , subdivision_type1 = Province , subdivision_name1 = , subdivision_type2 = , subdivision_name2 = Antigonish , subdivision_type3 = Municipality , subdivision_name3 = Municipality of the County of Antigonish , subdivision_type4 = , subdivision_name4 = , seat_type = Electoral Districts
List of Canadian federal electoral districts, Federal , seat =
Central Nova
Cape Breton—Canso , parts_type = List of Nova Scotia provincial electoral districts, Provincial , parts = Antigonish (provincial electoral district), Antigonish , government_footnotes = , government_type = Antigonish County Municipal Council , leader_title = Warden , leader_name = Owen McCarron , leader_title1 = MLA , leader_name1 = Michelle Thompson (politician), Michelle Thompson Conservative Party of Nova Scotia) , leader_title2 = MP (Central Nova) , leader_name2 = Sean Fraser (politician), Sean Fraser Liberal Party of Canada, (L) , leader_title3 = MP (Cape Breton-Canso) , leader_name3 = Rodger Cuzner Liberal Party of Canada, (L) , leader_title4 = , leader_name4 = , established_title = Established as Sydney County , established_date = 1785 , established_title2 = Renamed , established_date2 = 1863 , established_title3 = Incorporated , established_date3 = 1879 , area_magnitude = , unit_pref = , area_footnotes = , area_total_km2 = , area_land_km2 = 1456.42 , area_water_km2 = , area_total_sq_mi = , area_land_sq_mi = , area_water_sq_mi = , area_water_percent = , area_urban_km2 = , area_urban_sq_mi = , area_metro_km2 = , area_metro_sq_mi = , population_as_of = 2021 , population_footnotes = , population_note = , population_total = 20129 , population_density_km2 = 13.8 , population_density_sq_mi = , population_metro = , population_density_metro_km2 = , population_density_metro_sq_mi = , population_urban = , population_density_urban_km2 = , population_density_urban_sq_mi = , population_blank1_title = Change 2011-16 , population_blank1 = 4.3% , population_blank2_title = Census Rankings
- ''Census divisions''
Subdivision A
Subdivision B
- ''Towns''
Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Antigonish
- ''Reserves''
Pomquet and Afton 23, Nova Scotia, Pomquet & Afton 23 , population_blank2 = , timezone = Atlantic Standard Time Zone, AST , utc_offset = -4 , timezone_DST = Atlantic Standard Time Zone, ADT , utc_offset_DST = -3 , coordinates = , elevation_footnotes = , elevation_m = , elevation_ft = , postal_code_type = , postal_code = , area_code = Area code 902, 902 , blank_name = Dwellings , blank_info = 9,842 , blank1_name = Median Earnings* , blank1_info = $49,581 , blank2_name = National Topographic System, NTS Map , blank2_info = 011F12 , blank3_name = Geographical Names Board of Canada, GNBC Code , blank3_info = CBUCC , website = , footnotes = *Median household income, 2005 (all households) Antigonish County is a historical county and Census divisions of Canada, census division of Nova Scotia, Canada. Local government is provided by the Municipality of the County of Antigonish, the Town of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Antigonish, and by two reserves: Pomquet and Afton 23, and Summerside 38.

History

The County of Sydney was created in 1784. When St. Mary's Township was established in 1818 it was partly in Sydney County and partly in Halifax County, Nova Scotia, Halifax County. In 1822 that part of St. Mary's Township which had been in Halifax County was annexed to the County of Sydney. In 1836 Sydney County was diminished in size when Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, Guysborough County was established out of what had been part of it. In 1863 the name of the County of Sydney was changed to Antigonish County. The word Antigonish is of Mi'kmaq language, Mi'kmaq origin, possibly derived from Nalegitkoonecht meaning "where branches are torn off". It is said that there were bears in the area that broke down branches to get beech nuts. In 1879, the province officially incorporated the County of Antigonish as a municipality. In 2001, the Town of Antigonish applied to annex 1,600 hectares from the surrounding county so it could expand. The Municipality responded that the annexation would hurt its tax base so it instead applied for a total merger, or merger (politics), amalgamation. The issue was sent to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, and in 2005 it was decided that amalgamation of the Town and Municipality would better serve both parties. The board also ordered a plebiscite, promising to consider the results when making a final decision. The results were mixed, with 84% of Municipality residents voting yes to amalgamation and 74% of Town residents voting no. Voter turn-out was 45%. The board ultimately rejected the proposal for amalgamation, citing lack of public support.

Demographics

As a Census divisions of Canada, census division in the 2021 Canadian census, 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Antigonish County had a population of living in of its total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of . With a land area of , it had a population density of in 2021. Forming the majority of the Antigonish County census division, the Municipality of the County of Antigonish, including its Subdivisions A and B, had a population of living in of its total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of . With a land area of , it had a population density of in 2021. Population trend Mother tongue language (2011) Ethnic Groups (2006)2006 Statistics Canada Census Ethnocultural Portrait of Canada: Antigonish County, Nova Scotia
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Census subdivisions

*Antigonish Subdivision A *Antigonish Subdivision B

Major highways

Highways and numbered routes that run through the county, including external routes that start or finish at the county limits: *Highways ** *Trunk Routes ** ** ** *Collector Routes: ** ** ** ** *External Routes: **None

Protected areas

*Arisaig Provincial Park *Antigonish Landing *Bayfield Provincial Park *Beaver Mountain Provincial Park *Eigg Mountain-James River Wilderness Area *Pomquet Beach Provincial Park

Notable residents

*Donald Chisholm (Race Car Driver), Donald Chisholm, stockcar driver *Mary-Colin Chisholm, stage, film and TV actor *Moses Coady, Roman Catholic priest, adult educator, and leader of the Antigonish Movement *Eric Gillis, 2008, 2012 Olympian (athletics-10,000m, marathon) *Max Haines, crime writer, columnist for the ''Toronto Sun'' *Ailean a' Ridse MacDhòmhnaill, Allan The Ridge MacDonald (1794-1868), local pioneer, and poet in Canadian Gaelic. *Craig MacDonald (ice hockey b. 1977), Craig MacDonald, former professional hockey player *Garfield MacDonald, Olympic Athlete *Iain mac Ailein, John MacLean (d.1848), local pioneer, poet and ''Seanchaidh''. A highly important figure in both Scottish Gaelic literature and in that of Canadian Gaelic. *Shauna MacDonald (Canadian actress), Shauna MacDonald, actress, also known as "Promo Girl" on CBC Radio One *Ryan MacGrath, musician and painter *Al MacIsaac, Vice President Chicago Blackhawks *Paul MacLean (ice hockey), Paul MacLean, assistant coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs *Carole MacNeil, television journalist, former co-host of ''CBC News: Sunday'' and ''CBC News: Sunday Night'' *Stephen McHattie, stage, film and TV actor *Robyn Meagher, Olympic runner *Carroll Morgan, Olympic heavyweight boxer *Archbishop James Morrison, Catholic Bishop 1912 *Anne Simpson, poet * Lewis John Stringer, Cross of Valour (Canada) Recipient, CFB Halifax#Admiralty Garden, Wall of ValourStringer Sergeant Lewis John Stringer, C.V., C.D.
/ref> *The Trews, a rock band

References

External links

Antigonish County
{{Subdivisions of Nova Scotia Antigonish County, Nova Scotia 1785 establishments in Nova Scotia