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Edmundston

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Overview

Edmundston is a city in northern New Brunswick with about 16,000 residents.

Facts

Rank

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Coordinates

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Source

WBP almanac

External sources

Wikivoyage Wikipedia

Media

From Wikipedia2,674 words

WBP editorial3

Cross‑border character

Set on the banks of the Saint John River, Edmundston feels less like an isolated Atlantic‑province town and more like a gateway between Canada’s Francophone heartland and the Maine frontier. The daily rhythm is punctuated by the occasional French‑language news broadcast that slides seamlessly into an English one across the border, and locals often schedule lunch at a café in nearby Madawaska, New Brunswick, before hopping a short ferry ride to Van Buren, Maine for a quick‑stop grocery run. This fluidity gives visitors a chance to compare subtle culinary twists—think a poutine‑style mushroom stew paired with a New England lobster roll—while staying within a 30‑minute drive. The border’s porous nature also makes it easy to soak up regional festivals on both sides without the usual paperwork hassles.

Winter on the river

When temperatures plunge, the Saint John River freezes into a natural runway for local skaters and ice‑fishermen. Rather than a static, spectator experience, you can lace up blades and glide past the iconic Eiffel‑inspired bridge, a modest but striking piece of local architecture that reflects the city’s French‑Canadian roots. Early evenings are ideal for a warming stop at a downtown micro‑brewery, where seasonal ales infused with spruce tips or maple sap echo the surrounding forest. The city’s modest size keeps the riverbank accessible, so you can watch the aurora borealis ripple over the ice while sipping a hot chocolate made with locally sourced dairy.

What guidebooks miss: the culinary micro‑scene

Beyond the typical Québécois fare, Edmundston nurtures a surprisingly diverse food culture rooted in its Acadian heritage. Small family‑run bistros experiment with heritage grains—like fonio or barley—incorporated into traditional dishes such as tourtière, creating a nuanced flavour profile that speaks to both agrarian history and contemporary health trends. A handful of chefs source produce from the fertile valleys of the Madawaska region, offering daily menu changes that reflect the land’s seasonal bounty. For the curious palate, a quick walk from the central market leads to a modest bakery that blends French croissant technique with locally harvested blueberries, resulting in a pastry that feels both familiar and distinctly Atlantic.

Introduction

This article is about the city in New Brunswick. For the town in Maryland, see Edmonston, Maryland. Not to be confused with Edmonton. This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: "Edmundston" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (May 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message) City in New Brunswick, CanadaEdmundstonCity FlagLocation within New BrunswickCoordinates: 47°22′35″N 68°19′31″W / 47.3765°N 68.325347222222°W / 47.3765; -68.325347222222CountryCanadaProvinceNew BrunswickCountyMadawaskaParishMadawaskaEstablished1850CityApril 1, 1952Electoral Districts    FederalMadawaska—RestigoucheProvincialEdmundston-Madawaska CentreMadawaska Les Lacs-EdmundstonGovernment • TypeCity Council • MayorEric Marquis • Councillors List of Members Sylvie St-Onge MorneauGilles DuvalDiane Bélanger NadeauDenise Landry-NadeauPierre CouturierRichard CouturierKaren PowerEric McGuireJean Luc Michaud Area • Land106.84 km2 (41.25 sq mi) • Urban17.88 km2 (6.90 sq mi) • Metro1,582.36 km2 (610.95 sq mi)Highest elevation264 m (866 ft)Lowest elevation151 m (495 ft)Population (2021) • City16,437 • Density153.8/km2 (398/sq mi) • Metro21,154 • Metro density14/km2 (36/sq mi) • Change 2016–210.9%Time zoneUTC-4 (AST) • Summer (DST)UTC-3 (ADT)Postal code(s)E3V, E7BArea code 506 Area exchanges:200 223 253 254 353 419 501 514 733 735 736 737 739 740 838 880 986 996 Dwellings8,051Median Income*$51,435 CDNNTS Map21N8 EdmundstonGNBC CodeDALZZWebsiteedmundston.ca Edmundston (/ˈɛdməndstən/) is a city in Madawaska County, New Brunswick, Canada. Established in 1850, it had a population of 16,437 as of 2021. On January 1, 2023, Edmundston amalgamated with the village of Rivière-Verte and parts of two local service districts; revised census figures have not been released.

History

[edit] See also: History of New Brunswick and List of historic places in Madawaska County, New Brunswick Sir Edmund Walker Head, on behalf of whom the city of Edmundston was named During the early colonial period, the area was a camping and meeting place of the Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) during seasonal migrations. From the mid to late eighteenth century, one of the largest Wolastoqey villages had been established at Madawaska and had become a refuge site for other Wabanaki peoples. The Wolastoqey village was originally located near the falls at the confluence of the Madawaska and Saint John Rivers. Currently, the City of Edmundston surrounds a federal Indian Reserve (St. Basile 10/Madawaska Maliseet First Nation). Originally named Petit-Sault (Little Falls) in reference to the waterfalls located where the Madawaska River merges into the Saint John River, the settlement was renamed Edmundston in 1851 after Sir Edmund Walker Head, who was Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick from 1848 to 1854 and Governor-General of Canada from 1854 to 1861. Originally a small logging settlement, Edmundston's growth is mostly attributed to the city's strategic location. Aroostook War and the "Republic of Madawaska"[edit] Edmundston in 1872 The area was at the centre of the Aroostook War of 1839, a skirmish over boundary lines between the U.S.A. and what was then British North America. Originally confined to a disagreement between the State of Maine and the Colony of New Brunswick, the dispute eventually spread to involve the Government of the United States in Washington, D.C. and the British Colonial Administration in Quebec City, seat of the Governor General of Canada, who had supreme authority over all of British North America, including New Brunswick. In the wake of this international conflict, a small fortification (Fortin du Petit-Sault) was built in anticipation of a possible attack by Americans, to complement the much larger fortification located at Fort Ingall (now Cabano) in nearby Canada (now Quebec). One of the central figures at the origin of the conflict was American-born industrialist "Colonel" John Baker, who had established sawmills and other lumber-related industries on the eastern shores of the Saint John river, an area claimed by the British that Baker wanted to be declared part of Maine as he was a fiercely nationalist American. When the terms of the treaty that was signed following the conflict left Baker's properties firmly planted on British soil, and with the lack of support from the US Government to oppose the decision, Baker was facing the dilemma of either moving his facilities across the river on the American side, or to accept British sovereignty. Unwilling to do either, he declared the area an independent state called the "Republic of Madawaska", declaring himself head of state with the overwhelming support of the local, mostly French-speaking but independent-minded population. The "Republic" was never recognized and never had legal existence, but nevertheless the concept has remained so popular with the francophone Brayon residents on both the Canadian and American sides of the border that they refer to the region as the Republic of Madawaska to this day, and each mayor of Edmundston still receives the title of "President of the Republic of Madawaska". Baker's wife, Sophie Rice, designed the Republic's "eagle" flag that is still in use and a common sight in the area. Amalgamation[edit] In 1998, Edmundston, Saint-Basile, Saint-Jacques and Verret merged to form the City of Edmundston.[citation needed] In 2023 Edmundston expanded again to include Rivière-Verte and parts of adjacent local service districts.

Demographics

[edit] In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Edmundston had a population of 16,437 living in 7,707 of its 8,117 total private dwellings, a change of -0.9% from its 2016 population of 16,580. With a land area of 106.84 square kilometres (41.25 sq mi), it had a population density of 153.8/km2 (398.5/sq mi) in 2021. Historical populations[citation needed]YearPop.±%1871400—    19111,821+355.2%19214,035+121.6%19316,430+59.4%19417,028+9.3%195110,753+53.0%196112,791+19.0%197112,365−3.3%198112,044−2.6%198611,497−4.5%199110,835−5.8%199611,033+1.8%200117,373+57.5%200616,643−4.2%201116,032−3.7%201616,580+3.4%In 1998, Saint-Basile, Saint-Jacques, and Verret were annexed by the City of Edmundston. The median household income in 2005 for Edmundston was $42,551, which is below the New Brunswick provincial average of $45,194. Language[edit] The city is 95 per cent francophone, the highest such proportion of all cities in the province. Edmundston is the third-largest predominantly francophone city in North America outside of Quebec and the Caribbean, behind Clarence-Rockland, Ontario, which has a population exceeding 20,000 and is 68 per cent francophone, and Dieppe, which has a population of 25,384 (2016 Census) and is roughly 80 percent francophone. Outside of Quebec, the cities of Ottawa (122,665), Sudbury (45,420), Toronto (34,900), Winnipeg (26,855), Moncton (20,425), Timmins (17,390), and Edmonton (15,715) have greater total numbers of francophones, but they are a minority group in those cities. 62.6% are fluent in English. Mother tongue language (2006)[needs update] Language Population Pct (%) French only 15,215 93.46% English only 750 4.61% Other languages 215 1.32% Both English and French 100 0.61% Ethnicity[edit] Unlike most other francophones living in the Maritimes, most people living in the Edmundston area do not consider themselves Acadians other than for statistical purposes. Most of them descend from French-Canadians who originally came from Lower Canada (now Quebec) along with a few Irish immigrants to settle the area in the century between 1820 and 1920, and absorbed the small group of Acadians who had arrived earlier. Nor do they consider themselves Québécois despite their heritage, mainly due to the politicization of Quebec-specific issues they do not feel concerned with. Residents speak with a distinctive local accent, colloquially called "l'accent brayon". Panethnic groups in the City of Edmundston (2001−2021) Panethnic group 2021 2016 2011 2006 2001 Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % European 14,280 93.61% 14,875 94.75% 14,995 97.85% 15,910 97.67% 16,465 97.6% Indigenous 380 2.49% 430 2.74% 200 1.31% 220 1.35% 230 1.36% African 320 2.1% 160 1.02% 30 0.2% 45 0.28% 45 0.27% Middle Eastern 135 0.88% 105 0.67% 15 0.1% 10 0.06% 0 0% Southeast Asian 50 0.33% 50 0.32% 20 0.13% 10 0.06% 15 0.09% South Asian 35 0.23% 25 0.16% 45 0.29% 10 0.06% 80 0.47% Latin American 20 0.13% 10 0.06% 0 0% 20 0.12% 0 0% East Asian 15 0.1% 60 0.38% 0 0% 25 0.15% 30 0.18% Other/multiracial 0 0% 10 0.06% 0 0% 45 0.28% 10 0.06% Total responses 15,255 92.81% 15,700 94.69% 15,325 95.59% 16,290 97.88% 16,870 97.1% Total population 16,437 100% 16,580 100% 16,032 100% 16,643 100% 17,373 100% Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses Religion[edit] The Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, in downtown Edmundston. See also: Religion in Canada Christianity is the dominant religion of the city's inhabitants, with most residents being Roman Catholics. Moreover, Edmundston gives its name to the episcopal see of the region. Edmundston covers four Catholic parishes. Protestant denominations established in city include the Anglican Church of Canada, the United Church of Canada, the United Pentecostal Church International and a French Christian church called Église de l'Espoir d'Edmundston. A small number of Muslims live in Edmundston and the surrounding area, practicing in their own community centre. Religious make-up (2001) Religion Population Pct (%) Catholic 16,045 95.11% Protestant 290 1.72% Muslim 145 0.86% Christian n.i.e. 35 0.21% No religious affiliation 360 2.13%

Climate

[edit] Edmundston experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb). The highest temperature ever recorded in Edmundston was 37.2 °C (99 °F) on 3 June 1919. The coldest temperature ever recorded was −43.6 °C (−46.5 °F) on 16 January 2009. Climate data for Edmundston, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1913–present Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high humidex 12.2 10.4 26.0 26.7 39.3 40.4 42.8 39.3 39.0 32.6 23.8 17.2 42.8 Record high °C (°F) 13.0(55.4) 15.0(59.0) 25.0(77.0) 28.0(82.4) 34.5(94.1) 37.2(99.0) 36.1(97.0) 35.6(96.1) 33.6(92.5) 30.6(87.1) 23.3(73.9) 15.6(60.1) 37.2(99.0) Mean maximum °C (°F) 5.2(41.4) 5.6(42.1) 11.4(52.5) 20.2(68.4) 28.1(82.6) 30.3(86.5) 31.5(88.7) 30.8(87.4) 27.7(81.9) 21.6(70.9) 14.9(58.8) 7.3(45.1) 32.5(90.5) Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −6.9(19.6) −4.8(23.4) 1.2(34.2) 8.5(47.3) 17.2(63.0) 22.1(71.8) 25.0(77.0) 24.1(75.4) 19.2(66.6) 11.5(52.7) 4.0(39.2) −2.8(27.0) 9.9(49.8) Daily mean °C (°F) −13.0(8.6) −11.8(10.8) −5.5(22.1) 2.4(36.3) 10.1(50.2) 15.0(59.0) 18.1(64.6) 17.0(62.6) 12.3(54.1) 5.8(42.4) −0.5(31.1) −7.7(18.1) 3.5(38.3) Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −19.1(−2.4) −18.7(−1.7) −11.9(10.6) −3.6(25.5) 2.9(37.2) 7.8(46.0) 11.0(51.8) 9.8(49.6) 5.3(41.5) 0.2(32.4) −4.9(23.2) −12.5(9.5) −2.8(27.0) Mean minimum °C (°F) −33.8(−28.8) −33.5(−28.3) −27.8(−18.0) −13.2(8.2) −4.3(24.3) 0.1(32.2) 4.4(39.9) 2.8(37.0) −3.1(26.4) −7.8(18.0) −16.9(1.6) −26.8(−16.2) −35.5(−31.9) Record low °C (°F) −43.6(−46.5) −39.4(−38.9) −36.2(−33.2) −28.5(−19.3) −9.4(15.1) −4.4(24.1) 1.3(34.3) −1.2(29.8) −6.6(20.1) −16.1(3.0) −26.0(−14.8) −40.0(−40.0) −43.6(−46.5) Record low wind chill −48.8 −47.3 −39.0 −29.6 −7.6 −3.8 0.0 0.0 −7.2 −13.9 −25.3 −42.0 −48.8 Average precipitation mm (inches) 71.1(2.80) 63.2(2.49) 64.1(2.52) 67.0(2.64) 84.6(3.33) 101.1(3.98) 106.6(4.20) 86.4(3.40) 89.4(3.52) 102.7(4.04) 86.9(3.42) 88.6(3.49) 1,011.8(39.83) Average rainfall mm (inches) 12.7(0.50) 9.1(0.36) 17.0(0.67) 46.7(1.84) 90.0(3.54) 97.4(3.83) 113.8(4.48) 93.4(3.68) 94.6(3.72) 90.8(3.57) 64.7(2.55) 22.9(0.90) 753.0(29.65) Average snowfall cm (inches) 66.7(26.3) 53.2(20.9) 39.1(15.4) 11.5(4.5) 0.4(0.2) 0.0(0.0) 0.0(0.0) 0.0(0.0) 0.0(0.0) 2.8(1.1) 26.5(10.4) 57.8(22.8) 258.0(101.6) Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 13.2 13.4 12.4 12.0 13.0 13.4 14.4 13.2 12.8 14.7 13.0 14.7 160.2 Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 1.5 1.2 3.0 7.6 11.8 12.1 12.2 11.3 11.2 11.9 7.8 2.7 94.4 Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 8.7 7.7 5.6 2.2 0.14 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.59 4.5 8.4 37.9 Average dew point °C (°F) −15.8(3.6) −15.3(4.5) −11.1(12.0) −3.8(25.2) 3.3(37.9) 9.6(49.3) 13.3(55.9) 12.4(54.3) 8.1(46.6) 2.2(36.0) −4.0(24.8) −10.7(12.7) −0.9(30.4) Source 1: Environment Canada (rain/rain days, snow/snow days 1981–2010) Source 2: weatherstats.ca (for dewpoint and monthly&yearly average absolute maximum&minimum temperature)

Economy

[edit] See also: Pulp and paper industry in Canada CN Edmundston Yard Edmundston is a rural town whose economy centres on the Saint John River paper industry. The river historically provided water power for the mills and was the route of log drives bringing pulpwood from upstream forests. The river still provides the water supply for paper manufacture, but environmental concerns encourage pulpwood delivery by highway and rail. Forestry is one of the city's major industries, with several sawmills and paper plants in the vicinity, the largest being the Twin Rivers pulp mill, formerly owned by Fraser Papers, now owned by Norbord, by way of Noranda Forest (1998) and Nexfor (2004). The Edmundston pulp mill is paired with a Twin Rivers paper mill directly across the Saint John River in Madawaska, Maine, through which liquified pulp slurry is piped. The pulp is shipped across the border through a mile-long high pressure pipeline running between both facilities, and is made into paper in Madawaska. The Madawaska mill specializes in fine-grade papers. The town's economy is highly dependent upon cross-border trade, to the extent that Edmundston and its smaller sister city of Madawaska are considered by residents under many aspects, a single economic entity. An illuminated sign and plastics manufacture owned by Pattison Sign is also important to the city's economy. IPL, a company that manufactures plastic eating utensils, has a facility in Edmundston. The city is the site of the regional hospital for the area. It also hosts a campus of the French-language University of Moncton. In addition, New Brunswick's community college system has a campus in Edmundston.

Attractions

[edit] Edmundston in the winter Park and bridge over the Madawaska River A specimen of Nymphaeaceae in the New Brunswick Botanical Garden. Edmundston hosts two provincial historical sites: Cathedral of Immaculate Conception: Built in 1924, the cathedral's architecture is said to be a synthesis of Roman and Gothic styles. Its granite facade has been recently restored, and can accommodate more than 1,200 people. Fortin du Petit-Sault: Erected at the culmination of the boundary disputes between the United States of America and British North America (an international conflict known as Aroostook War) in 1841 prior to the signing of the Webster-Ashburton Treaty. This small fort was rebuilt in 2000. Other tourist attractions include de la République Provincial Park, an 18-hole golf course, a pedestrian downtown with a number of retail stores, restaurants, a hotel and a convention centre. You can also visit the Antique Automobile Museum, the Madawaska Historic Museum, and many other museums. The New Brunswick Botanical Garden is in suburban Saint-Jacques, on seven hectares with more than 80,000 plants. Edmundston has a downhill skiing facility in the city at Mont Farlagne. This facility has 3 lifts, a t-bar, a double chair, and a quad chair. It has 14 trails and an elevation of 690 feet. Snowmaking is available. Five trails are lit for night skiing.