Fredericton is a city in York County, New Brunswick, Canada. It is the capital of the Canadian province of New Brunswick and is located in the west-central portion of the province along the Saint John River. Fredericton was established in 1785 and was named after Frederick, the second son of King George III. The city has a population of 63,116 as of the 2021 Canadian census and is known for its rich literary history and cultural institutions.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
County | York County |
County Established | 1785 |
County Named After | Prince Frederick-Augustus, second son of King George III |
County Population (2021) | 105,261 |
County Population (2016) | 99,411 |
City Population (2021) | 63,116 |
City Population (2016) | 58,721 |
City Population Density (2021) | 471.3/km2 |
City Metropolitan Population (2021) | 108,610 |
City Metropolitan Population Density (2021) | 18.1/km2 |
Province | New Brunswick |
Country | Canada |
What You'll Learn
Fredericton is the capital of York County, New Brunswick
Fredericton has a rich history that dates back to the late 1600s when French colonists built Fort Nashwaak on the north side of the Saint John River. It served as the capital of Acadia until it was moved to Port Royal (Annapolis Royal) in 1713. In 1783, United Empire Loyalists arrived from New England and established the modern-day Fredericton. The following year, New Brunswick was partitioned from Nova Scotia and became its own colony, with Fredericton as its capital.
As the capital of New Brunswick, Fredericton is a centre of government and administrative functions. It is also an important cultural, artistic, and educational hub for the province. The city is home to two universities: the University of New Brunswick, which is Canada's first English-language university, and St. Thomas University. Fredericton also boasts cultural institutions such as the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, the Fredericton Region Museum, and The Playhouse, a performing arts venue.
In addition to its cultural and educational significance, Fredericton has a growing IT and commercial sector. The city has the highest percentage of residents with post-secondary education in the province and enjoys the highest per capita income in New Brunswick. Fredericton's economy is closely tied to the public sector, and it serves as the shopping and distributive centre for central New Brunswick.
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Fredericton is situated in the west-central portion of New Brunswick
Fredericton, the capital city of the Canadian province of New Brunswick, is situated in the west-central portion of the province. The city is located along the Saint John River, also known by its Indigenous name, Wolastoq, which flows west to east as it bisects the city. The river is the dominant natural feature of the area, and the city's development has largely been shaped by it.
Fredericton's position in west-central New Brunswick has influenced its history and growth as a regional centre. The city became the capital of the province, favoured for its defensive position over the larger city of Saint John. Fredericton's location along the river, with arable land and rich soil in the surrounding areas, made it ideal for agriculture and settlement. The city's history as a British garrison town and administrative centre further contributed to its development.
As a provincial capital, Fredericton has a strong public sector presence. Additionally, the city has a growing IT and commercial sector. The centralisation of government services in Fredericton during the 1960s, through the New Brunswick Equal Opportunity program, led to an increase in jobs and population. This further solidified the city's importance in the region.
The city's location in west-central New Brunswick also places it within York County, one of the 15 counties that define the regional communities of the province. York County, established in 1785, was named after Prince Frederick-Augustus, the second son of King George III. Outside the city, farming and forestry are major industries, and the county is known for its fertile soil.
Fredericton's position in west-central New Brunswick has contributed to its cultural and artistic significance as well. The city is home to cultural institutions such as the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, the Fredericton Region Museum, and The Playhouse, a performing arts venue. The city also hosts events like the annual Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, attracting artists and audiences from near and far.
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Fredericton is home to two universities
Fredericton, the capital city of the Canadian province of New Brunswick, is located in York County in the west-central portion of the province. The city is an important educational centre for the province and is home to two universities: The University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University.
The University of New Brunswick (UNB) was established as King's College in 1785, making it the first English-language university in Canada. The University has a rich history and was the centre of government when Fredericton became the capital of the New Brunswick colony in 1784. UNB offers a range of academic programs and is known for its extensive athletic programs, with its men's hockey team being the highest-attended sporting event in the city and eight-time National Champions.
St. Thomas University (STU), on the other hand, is a small university with around 1,800 undergraduate students. STU prioritises discussion and debate, fostering meaningful connections between students and faculty. The University offers a range of degree programs, including a new Bachelor of Arts (Aviation Stream) in collaboration with the MFC Training Fredericton Campus. STU is the province's only Catholic university.
In addition to these two universities, Fredericton is also home to several other educational institutions, including the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, New Brunswick Community College, and the Maritime College of Forest Technology. The city has the highest percentage of residents with post-secondary education in the province, contributing to its vibrant cultural and intellectual atmosphere.
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Fredericton has a population of 63,116
Fredericton, the capital city of the Canadian province of New Brunswick, has a population of 63,116. This figure is according to the 2021 Canadian census, which also reported a metropolitan population of 108,610. Fredericton is one of the province's main urban centres and is the third-largest city in New Brunswick after Moncton and Saint John.
The city's population represents a 7.5% increase from the 2016 figure of 58,721. Fredericton has a land area of 133.93 square kilometres (51.71 square miles), resulting in a population density of 471.3 per square kilometre (1,220.6 per square mile) in 2021. The city is situated in the west-central portion of the province along the Saint John River, which is the dominant natural feature of the area.
Fredericton is known for its cultural, artistic, and educational offerings. It is home to two universities, several colleges, museums, galleries, and performance venues. The city also boasts a growing IT and commercial sector, and its residents have the highest per capita income in New Brunswick.
In terms of demographics, the 2021 census reported that 12.6% of Fredericton's population were immigrants (individuals born outside Canada), with the top countries of origin being the United Kingdom, China, the United States, Syria, and the Philippines. The city's ethnic composition was 82.5% white/European, 3.5% Indigenous, and 14.0% visible minorities, including Black, South Asian, Arab, Chinese, and Filipino communities. Fredericton also has a diverse range of mother tongues, with English being the most commonly spoken at 80.2%, followed by French (6.1%), Arabic (2.1%), Chinese languages (1.4%), and Spanish (0.7%).
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Fredericton is an administrative and educational centre
Fredericton is the capital city of the Canadian province of New Brunswick. It is an administrative and educational centre, with a high percentage of residents holding post-secondary degrees. Fredericton is home to several universities, colleges, cultural institutions, and government services.
As an administrative centre, Fredericton houses important government buildings such as the Provincial Legislative Building, Old Government House, and Fredericton Region Museum. The city is also a hub for provincial government services, with many jobs in the public sector. Fredericton's status as a governmental hub can be traced back to its early history. It became the capital of the New Brunswick colony in 1785 and attracted educational institutions as a centre of government.
As an educational centre, Fredericton is home to two universities: the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University. The University of New Brunswick, founded in 1785, is notable for being Canada's first university. In addition to these universities, Fredericton also has several colleges, including the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design and the New Brunswick Community College.
The city also boasts cultural institutions such as the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, which features notable 18th- to 20th-century collections, including paintings by Winston Churchill. Fredericton's rich literary tradition includes notable writers such as Jonathan Odell, Charles G.D. Roberts, Bliss Carman, and Francis Sherman. The city further showcases its artistic side through festivals like the annual Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, attracting artists and musicians from around the world.
Fredericton's administrative and educational significance is closely tied to its role as a governmental hub and centre of higher learning. The city's history, cultural institutions, and educational facilities contribute to its reputation as an important administrative and educational centre in New Brunswick.
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Frequently asked questions
Fredericton is located in York County, New Brunswick.
Yes, Fredericton is the capital of the Canadian province of New Brunswick.
Fredericton became the capital of New Brunswick in 1785.
As of the 2021 Canadian census, Fredericton had a population of 63,116.