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List of municipalities in Nova Scotia#Rural municipalities

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{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2016}}

File:Nova Scotia in Canada 2.svg in Canada]]

File:Nova Scotia municipalities.png

Nova Scotia is the seventh-most populous province in Canada with 969,383 residents as of the 2021 Census of Population, and the second-smallest province in land area at {{convert|52824.71|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}.{{cite web | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000101 | title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, 2021 and 2016 censuses – 100% data | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=March 14, 2022 | access-date=March 14, 2022}} Nova Scotia's 49 municipalities cover {{percentage|52718.86|52824.71|1}} of the territory's land mass, and are home to {{percentage|956651|969383|1|pad=yes}} of its population.{{#tag:ref|The remaining {{percentage|12732|969383|1|pad=yes}} of Nova Scotia's population resides on Indian reserves, which occupy the remaining {{percentage|105.85|52824.71|1}} of the province's land mass.|group=lower-alpha}}

Unlike the provinces of British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec, which have two-tiered municipal systems, Nova Scotia has a one-tier system of municipalities{{cite web | url=http://www.creditvalleyca.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Appendix-C-Upper-Tier-and-Lower-Tier-Municipality-Integration.pdf | title=Upper Tier and Lower Tier Municipality Integration to Collaboratively Address Population Growth, Aging Infrastructure and Climate Change | publisher=McMaster University | author=Gonzalo Pineros | page=7 | quote=The Canadian provinces of Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia have two-tier municipality systems. | year=2015 | access-date=December 28, 2016}} inclusive of four municipality types – regional municipalities, towns, county municipalities and district municipalities. Regional municipalities may incorporate under the Municipal Government Act (MGA) of 1998, which came into force on April 1, 1999,{{cite web | url=https://novascotia.ca/dma/government/history.asp | title=Municipal History Highlights | publisher=Province of Nova Scotia Department of Municipal Affairs | date=October 8, 2015 | access-date=December 8, 2016}} while towns, county municipalities and district municipalities are continued as municipalities under the MGA.{{cite web | url=http://nslegislature.ca/legc/statutes/municipal%20government.pdf | title=Municipal Government Act | publisher=Office of the Legislative Counsel, Nova Scotia House of Assembly | date=June 19, 2012 | access-date=December 5, 2016}} The MGA gives municipal councils the power to make bylaws for "health, well being, safety and protection of persons" and "safety and protection of property" in addition to a few expressed powers.{{cite web | url=http://www.community.gov.yk.ca/pdf/ma_pt.pdf | title=Assessment of the Municipal Acts of the Provinces and Territories | publisher=Federation of Canadian Municipalities | page=30 | date=April 2004 | access-date=December 5, 2016}}

Of its 49 municipalities, Nova Scotia has 4 regional municipalities, 25 towns, 9 county municipalities and 11 district municipalities. The regional municipality of Halifax is the capital and largest municipality of Nova Scotia by population with 439,819 residents representing {{percentage|439819|969383|0}} of the total population of the province and land area at {{convert|5475.57|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}. Pictou was the first municipality to incorporate {{dts|May 4, 1874}}, and the newest municipality is West Hants Regional Municipality that incorporated through an amalgamation of the Municipality of the District of West Hants and the Town of Windsor on {{dts|April 1, 2020}}.

Regional municipalities

{{Main|Regional Municipality}}

Regional municipalities are incorporated under the authority of section 372 of Nova Scotia's Municipal Government Act. To consider the incorporation of a regional municipality, the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB) must receive a request from all municipalities within a county. If the request is unanimous, the NSUARB commissions the preparation of a study to determine if the incorporation of "a regional municipality would be in the interests of the people of the county." Nova Scotia's Governor in Council can order the incorporation of a regional municipality if the results of the study are deemed to be in the best interests of the people, and if a plebiscite is undertaken that results in the majority of electors in the county voting in favour of incorporation of a regional municipality.

Nova Scotia has four regional municipalities. The largest regional municipality by population is Halifax, which is the capital and largest municipality of Nova Scotia by population. Halifax's 439,819 residents represent {{percentage|439819|969383|0}} of the total population of the province. Halifax is also the largest municipality by land area at {{convert|5475.57|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}. Cape Breton Regional Municipality is the second largest municipality with a population of 93,694 and a land area of {{nts|2419.70}} km2. The Region of Queens Municipality is Nova Scotia's smallest regional municipality by population with 10,422 residents and West Hants Regional Municipality is the smallest by land area {{convert|1250.50|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} respectively. The province's newest regional municipality is West Hants Regional Municipality.

Rural municipalities

{{see also|List of counties of Nova Scotia}}

A rural municipality in Nova Scotia provides local government for rural areas outside incorporated towns. Rural municipalities were established in 1879 and are inclusive of county municipalities and district municipalities. District municipalities are within historical counties that were previously subdivided into districts, whereas county municipalities are within historical counties that were not previously subdivided into districts.

= County municipalities =

File:Nova Scotia counties 2015.png

Nova Scotia's county municipalities originate from a historical system of 18 counties.{{cite web | url=https://novascotia.ca/dma/government/county-boundary.asp | title=History of County Boundaries | publisher=Province of Nova Scotia: Department of Municipal Affairs | date=October 8, 2015 | access-date=December 27, 2016}} Prior to the establishment of rural municipalities in 1879, local government was administered by appointed courts of sessions. On April 17, 1879, the original non-elected courts of sessions were abolished in favour of elected councils when The County Incorporation Act came into force. As a result, 12 county municipalities were established, while the remaining 6 counties, which were previously divided into districts for court sessional purposes, were established as district municipalities.

The province had 12 county municipalities for over a century until the mid-1990s when 3 became regional municipalities. Its 9 remaining county municipalities were then continued as county municipalities in 1998 under the authority of the Municipal Government Act. These county municipalities provide local government to the residents of their historical counties who live outside incorporated towns.

Nova Scotia's largest county municipality by population is the Municipality of the County of Kings at 47,918 residents, while the largest by land area is the Municipality of the County of Cumberland at {{convert|4253.04|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}. The Municipality of the County of Victoria is the least populated county municipality at a population of 6,750. The Municipality of the County of Richmond is Nova Scotia's smallest county municipality by land area at {{convert|1240.46|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}.

= District municipalities =

Prior to the establishment of elected rural local government in Nova Scotia, 6 of the 18 historical counties were divided into districts for court sessional purposes. On April 17, 1879, these 6 historical counties were established as 12 district municipalities, rather than county municipalities, based on their previous district divisions. The district municipalities provide local government to the residents of the 6 historical counties who live outside incorporated towns. On April 1, 2020, the Municipality of the District of West Hants amalgamated with the Town of Windsor to become a regional municipality, reducing the number of district municipalities in Nova Scotia to 11. These continue administratively as district municipalities under the authority of the Municipal Government Act of 1998.

Nova Scotia's largest and smallest district municipalities by population are Lunenburg and St. Mary's with 25,545 and 2,161 residents respectively. Nova Scotia's largest district municipality by land area is Guysborough at {{convert|2115.25|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}, while the smallest by land area is Yarmouth at {{convert|584.69|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}.

Towns

File:Nova Scotia towns.png

{{Main|List of towns in Nova Scotia}}

Prior to mid-2015, towns were incorporated under the authority of sections 383 through 388 of Nova Scotia's Municipal Government Act (MGA).{{cite web | url=http://nslegislature.ca/legc/bills/57th_1st/3rd_read/b047(7).htm#p17 | title=Municipal Government Act, Part XVII: Municipal Incorporation | publisher=Office of the Legislative Counsel | date=April 22, 1999 | access-date=December 10, 2016}} To incorporate an area as a town, 100 electors within the area were required to prepare and submit an application to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB). Upon receiving the application, the NSUARB would undertake a hearing to solicit input from interested parties and determine if there were reasonable grounds to incorporate as a town. The NSUARB would issue an incorporation order if the application was deemed reasonable. On May 11, 2015, sections 383 through 388 of the MGA were repealed, thereby preventing further incorporations of towns.{{cite web | url=http://nslegislature.ca/legc/PDFs/annual%20statutes/2015%20Spring/c023.pdf | title=Bill No. 103: An Act to Amend Chapter 18 of the Acts of 1998, the Municipal Government Act | publisher=Government of Nova Scotia | date=May 11, 2015 | access-date=December 29, 2016}}

Nova Scotia had 27 towns at the time of the 2016 census. This total has since been reduced to 25 due to the dissolution of the Town of Parrsboro and the amalgamation of the Town of Windsor with the Municipality of the District of West Hants. In the 2021 census, the remaining 25 towns had a cumulative population of 96,580. Nova Scotia's largest and smallest towns by population are Truro and Lockeport with 12,954 and 476 residents respectively. Truro is also Nova Scotia's largest by land area at {{convert|34.49|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} and Annapolis Royal is the smallest by land area at {{convert|1.98|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}.

List of municipalities

Halifax Canada Day 2007.jpg|alt=Skyline of Halifax|Halifax is Nova Scotia's capital and largest municipality by population.

Louisbourg harbor, NS.jpg|alt=Louisbourg harbour|Harbour of Louisbourg in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia's second-most populated municipality

Minas Basin from lookoff.JPG|alt=Eastern Kings County|The Municipality of the County of Kings is Nova Scotia's largest county municipality by population.

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class="wikitable sortable sticky-header-multi" style=text-align:center" style="margin:1em auto;"

|+ List of municipalities in Nova Scotia

!scope="col" rowspan=3| Name

!scope="col" rowspan=3| Municipal type

!scope="col" rowspan=3| County

!scope="col" rowspan=3| Incorporation
date{{cite web | url=https://novascotia.ca/dma/government/incorporation.asp | title=Municipal Incorporation Timeline | publisher=Province of Nova Scotia | access-date=December 6, 2016}}

!scope="colgroup" colspan=7| 2021 Census of Population{{cite web | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000203&geocode=A000212 | title=Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions (municipalities), Nova Scotia | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=February 9, 2022 | accessdate=March 12, 2022}}

scope="col" rowspan=2| Population
(2021)

!scope="col" rowspan=2| Population
(2016)

!scope="col" rowspan=2| Change

!scope="col" colspan=2| Land area

!scope="col" colspan=2| Population density

scope="col" data-sort-type="number"| km2

!scope="col" data-sort-type="number"| sq mi

!scope="col" data-sort-type="number"| /km2

!scope="col" data-sort-type="number"| /sq mi

scope="row"| Cape Breton

| Regional municipality || Cape Breton ||align=center| {{dts|August 1, 1995}} || {{change|93694|94285|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|2419.70|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|93694|2419.7|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Halifax

| Regional municipality || Halifax ||align=center| {{dts|April 1, 1996}} || {{change|439819|403131|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|5475.57|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|439819|5475.57|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Queens

| Regional municipality || Queens ||align=center| {{dts|April 1, 1996}} || {{change|10422|10302|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|2387.52|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|10422|2387.52|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| West Hants

| Regional municipality || Hants ||align=center| {{dts|April 1, 2020}}{{cite news | url=https://www.thechronicleherald.ca/news/provincial/how-council-landed-on-the-new-name-west-hants-regional-municipality-445966/ | title=How council landed on the new name West Hants Regional Municipality | newspaper=The Chronicle Herald | publisher=Saltwire Network | author=Ashley Thompson | date=May 5, 2020 | access-date=July 27, 2021}} || {{change|19509|19016|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|1250.50|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|19509|1250.5|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Annapolis{{#tag:ref|Population and land area figures for the Municipality of the County of Annapolis are derived from summing the census results for its four county subdivisions (A, B, C and D).|group=lower-alpha}}

| County municipality || Annapolis ||align=center| {{dts|April 17, 1879}} || {{change|18834|18252|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|3172.36|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|18834|3172.36|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Antigonish{{#tag:ref|Population and land area figures for the Municipality of the County of Antigonish are derived from summing the census results for its two county subdivisions (A and B).|group=lower-alpha}}

| County municipality || Antigonish ||align=center| {{dts|April 17, 1879}} || {{change|15101|14584|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|1448.72|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|15101|1448.72|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Colchester{{#tag:ref|Population and land area figures for the Municipality of the County of Colchester are derived from summing the census results for its three county subdivisions (A, B and C).|group=lower-alpha}}

| County municipality || Colchester ||align=center| {{dts|April 17, 1879}} || {{change|36044|36091|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|3568.71|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|36044|3568.71|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Cumberland{{#tag:ref|Population and land area figures for the Municipality of the County of Cumberland are derived from summing the census results for its four county subdivisions (A, B, C and D).|group=lower-alpha}}

| County municipality || Cumberland ||align=center| {{dts|April 17, 1879}} || {{change|19964|19402|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|4253.04|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|19964|4253.04|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Inverness{{#tag:ref|Population and land area figures for the Municipality of the County of Inverness are derived from summing the census results for its three county subdivisions (A, B and C).|group=lower-alpha}}

| County municipality || Inverness ||align=center| {{dts|April 17, 1879}} || {{change|13239|13170|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|3795.34|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|13239|3795.34|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Kings{{#tag:ref|Population and land area figures for the Municipality of the County of Kings are derived from summing the census results for its four county subdivisions (A, B, C and D).|group=lower-alpha}}

| County municipality || Kings ||align=center| {{dts|April 17, 1879}} || {{change|47918|47404|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|2087.88|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|47918|2087.88|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Pictou{{#tag:ref|Population and land area figures for the Municipality of the County of Pictou are derived from summing the census results for its three county subdivisions (A, B and C).|group=lower-alpha}}

| County municipality || Pictou ||align=center| {{dts|April 17, 1879}} || {{change|20676|20692|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|2795.08|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|20676|2795.08|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Richmond{{#tag:ref|Population and land area figures for the Municipality of the County of Richmond are derived from summing the census results for its three county subdivisions (A, B and C).|group=lower-alpha}}

| County municipality || Richmond ||align=center| {{dts|April 17, 1879}} || {{change|8509|8458|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|1240.46|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|8509|1240.46|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Victoria{{#tag:ref|Population and land area figures for the Municipality of the County of Victoria are derived from summing the census results for its two county subdivisions (A and B).|group=lower-alpha}}

| County municipality || Victoria ||align=center| {{dts|April 17, 1879}} || {{change|6750|6552|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|2832.48|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|6750|2832.48|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Argyle

| District municipality || Yarmouth ||align=center| {{dts|April 17, 1879}} || {{change|7870|7899|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|1526.07|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|7870|1526.07|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Barrington

| District municipality || Shelburne ||align=center| {{dts|April 17, 1879}} || {{change|6523|6646|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|631.98|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|6523|631.98|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Chester

| District municipality || Lunenburg ||align=center| {{dts|April 17, 1879}} || {{change|10693|10310|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|1120.61|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|10693|1120.61|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Clare

| District municipality || Digby ||align=center| {{dts|April 17, 1879}} || {{change|7678|8018|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|851.14|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|7678|851.14|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Digby

| District municipality || Digby ||align=center| {{dts|April 17, 1879}} || {{change|7242|7107|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|1654.59|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|7242|1654.59|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| East Hants

| District municipality || Hants ||align=center| {{dts|April 17, 1879}} || {{change|22892|22453|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|1786.53|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|22892|1786.53|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Guysborough

| District municipality || Guysborough ||align=center| {{dts|April 17, 1879}} || {{change|4585|4670|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|2115.25|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|4585|2115.25|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Lunenburg

| District municipality || Lunenburg ||align=center| {{dts|April 17, 1879}} || {{change|25545|24863|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|1757.79|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|25545|1757.79|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Shelburne

| District municipality || Shelburne ||align=center| {{dts|April 17, 1879}}{{cite web | url=https://novascotia.ca/dma/pdf/mun-history-establishment-elective-government.pdf | title=The Establishment of Elective Rural Municipal Government in Nova Scotia | publisher=Government of Nova Scotia: Department of Municipal Affairs | pages=1, 2 | access-date=December 27, 2016}} || {{change|4336|4288|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|1816.71|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|4336|1816.71|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| St. Mary's

| District municipality || Guysborough ||align=center| {{dts|April 17, 1879}} || {{change|2161|2233|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|1904.08|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|2161|1904.08|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Yarmouth

| District municipality || Yarmouth ||align=center| {{dts|April 17, 1879}} || {{change|10067|9845|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|584.69|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|10067|584.69|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Amherst

| Town || Cumberland ||align=center| {{dts|December 18, 1889}} || {{change|9404|9413|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|12.07|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|9404|12.07|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Annapolis Royal

| Town || Annapolis ||align=center| {{dts|November 29, 1892}} || {{change|530|491|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|1.98|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|530|1.98|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Antigonish

| Town || Antigonish ||align=center| {{dts|January 9, 1889}} || {{change|4656|4364|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|4.98|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|4656|4.98|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Berwick

| Town || Kings ||align=center| {{dts|May 25, 1923}}{{cite book | title=Canadian Almanac & Directory | publisher=Scobie & Balfour | year=2010 | isbn=1592374395 }} || {{change|2455|2509|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|6.53|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|2455|6.53|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Bridgewater

| Town || Lunenburg ||align=center| {{dts|February 13, 1899}} || {{change|8790|8532|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|13.63|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|8790|13.63|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Clark's Harbour

| Town || Shelburne ||align=center| {{dts|March 4, 1919}} || {{change|725|758|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|2.82|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|725|2.82|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Digby

| Town || Digby ||align=center| {{dts|December 18, 1890}} || {{change|2001|2060|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|3.16|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|2001|3.16|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Kentville

| Town || Kings ||align=center| {{dts|May 1, 1886}} || {{change|6630|6271|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|17.08|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|6630|17.08|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Lockeport

| Town || Shelburne ||align=center| {{dts|February 26, 1907}} || {{change|476|531|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|2.32|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|476|2.32|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Lunenburg

| Town || Lunenburg ||align=center| {{dts|October 29, 1888}} || {{change|2396|2263|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|4.04|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|2396|4.04|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Mahone Bay

| Town || Lunenburg ||align=center| {{dts|March 31, 1919}} || {{change|1064|1036|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|3.12|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|1064|3.12|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Middleton

| Town || Annapolis ||align=center| {{dts|May 31, 1909}} || {{change|1873|1832|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|5.55|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|1873|5.55|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Mulgrave

| Town || Guysborough ||align=center| {{dts|December 1, 1923}} || {{change|627|722|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|17.83|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|627|17.83|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| New Glasgow

| Town || Pictou ||align=center| {{dts|May 6, 1875}} || {{change|9471|9075|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|9.96|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|9471|9.96|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Oxford

| Town || Cumberland ||align=center| {{dts|April 19, 1904}} || {{change|1170|1190|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|10.68|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|1170|10.68|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Pictou

| Town || Pictou ||align=center| {{dts|May 4, 1874}} || {{change|3107|3186|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|7.99|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|3107|7.99|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Port Hawkesbury

| Town || Inverness ||align=center| {{dts|January 22, 1889}} || {{change|3210|3214|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|8.10|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|3210|8.1|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Shelburne

| Town || Shelburne ||align=center| {{dts|April 4, 1907}}{{cite web | url=http://www.town.shelburne.ns.ca/shelburnes-history.html | title=Shelburne's History: Settlement of Shelburne | publisher=Town of Shelburne | quote=It was incorporated as a town on April 4, 1907. | access-date=January 2, 2017}} || {{change|1644|1743|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|8.75|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|1644|8.75|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Stellarton

| Town || Pictou ||align=center| {{dts|October 22, 1889}} || {{change|4007|4208|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|8.99|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|4007|8.99|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Stewiacke

| Town || Colchester ||align=center| {{dts|August 30, 1906}} || {{change|1557|1373|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|17.62|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|1557|17.62|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Trenton

| Town || Pictou ||align=center| {{dts|March 18, 1911}} || {{change|2407|2474|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|6.07|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|2407|6.07|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Truro

| Town || Colchester ||align=center| {{dts|May 6, 1875}} || {{change|12954|12261|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|37.52|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|12954|37.52|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Westville

| Town || Pictou ||align=center| {{dts|August 20, 1894}} || {{change|3540|3628|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|14.24|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|3540|14.24|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Wolfville

| Town || Kings ||align=center| {{dts|March 4, 1893}} || {{change|5057|4195|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|6.46|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|5057|6.46|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

scope="row"| Yarmouth

| Town || Yarmouth ||align=center| {{dts|August 6, 1890}} || {{change|6829|6518|dec=1|align=right|invert=on}} ||{{convert|10.57|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||{{convert|{{Pop density|6829|10.57|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

class="sortbottom" align="center" style="background-color:#f2f2f2"

!scope="row" style="text-align:center" colspan=4| Sub-total regional municipalities

|{{change|563444|526734|dec=1|align=right|bold=on|invert=on|bgcolour=#f2f2f2}}

|{{convert|11533.29|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

| {{convert|{{Pop density|563444|11533.29|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

class="sortbottom" align="center" style="background-color:#f2f2f2"

!scope="row" style="text-align:center" colspan=4| Sub-total county municipalities

|{{change|187035|184605|dec=1|align=right|bold=on|invert=on|bgcolour=#f2f2f2}}

|{{convert|25194.07|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

| {{convert|{{Pop density|187035|25194.07|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

class="sortbottom" align="center" style="background-color:#f2f2f2"

!scope="row" style="text-align:center" colspan=4| Sub-total district municipalities

|{{change|109592|108332|dec=1|align=right|bold=on|invert=on|bgcolour=#f2f2f2}}

|{{convert|15749.44|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

| {{convert|{{Pop density|109592|15749.44|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

class="sortbottom" align="center" style="background-color:#f2f2f2"

!scope="row" style="text-align:center" colspan=4| Sub-total towns

|{{change|96580|93847|dec=1|align=right|bold=on|invert=on|bgcolour=#f2f2f2}}

|{{convert|242.06|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

| {{convert|{{Pop density|96580|242.06|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

class="sortbottom" align="center" style="background-color:#f2f2f2"

!scope="row" style="text-align:center" colspan=4| Total municipalities

|{{change|956651|913518|dec=1|align=right|bold=on|invert=on|bgcolour=#f2f2f2}}

|{{convert|52718.86|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

| {{convert|{{Pop density|956651|52718.86|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

class="sortbottom" align="center" style="background-color:#f2f2f2"

!scope="row" style="text-align:center" colspan=4| Province of Nova Scotia

|{{change|969383|923598|dec=1|align=right|invert=on|bold=on|bgcolour=#f2f2f2}}

|{{convert|52824.71|km2|sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

| {{convert|{{Pop density|969383|52824.71|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|disp=table|sortable=on}}

Former municipalities

{{see also|Former municipalities of Nova Scotia}}

Nova Scotia has undergone reforms to local government since the mid-1990s, which has seen various municipalities amalgamate to form larger municipalities or dissolve into surrounding municipalities.

= Amalgamations =

The Municipality of the County of Cape Breton, the City of Sydney, and the towns of Dominion, Glace Bay, Louisbourg, New Waterford, North Sydney, and Sydney Mines dissolved and amalgamated on April 1, 1995, to form the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. The City of Halifax along with the City of Dartmouth, the Town of Bedford and the Municipality of the County of Halifax also dissolved and amalgamated on April 1, 1996, to become the Halifax Regional Municipality. Also on April 1, 1996, the Municipality of the County of Queens amalgamated with the Town of Liverpool to form the Region of Queens Municipality.{{cite web | url=https://novascotia.ca/dma/pdf/mun-2014-annual-report-of-municipal-statistics.pdf | title=Nova Scotia Annual Report of Municipal Statistics for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 | publisher=Department of Municipal Affairs | page=12 | year=2014 | access-date=December 5, 2016}} The latest amalgamation to occur involved the Town of Windsor and the Municipality of the District of West Hants merging to form the West Hants Regional Municipality on April 1, 2020.

= Dissolutions =

Five towns have dissolved since 2011 and are now under the jurisdiction of their adjacent rural municipalities. Canso dissolved on July 1, 2012, to become part of the Municipality of the District of Guysborough.{{cite web | url=https://novascotia.ca/dma/pdf/mun-2015-annual-report-of-municipal-statistics.pdf | title=Nova Scotia Annual Report of Municipal Statistics for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 | publisher=Department of Municipal Affairs | pages=12 | year=2015 | access-date=December 5, 2016}} On April 1, 2015, Bridgetown and Springhill dissolved to become parts of the Municipality of the County of Annapolis and the Municipality of the County of Cumberland respectively. Hantsport became part of the Municipality of the District of West Hants on July 1, 2015. Parrsboro dissolved to become part of the Municipality of the County of Cumberland on November 1, 2016.{{cite web | url=http://www.cumberlandcounty.ns.ca/parrsboro-dissolution/342-town-of-parrsboro-order-of-dissolution/file.html | title=Decision 2016 NSUARB 100 – M07110 | publisher=Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board | date=June 15, 2016 | access-date=January 18, 2017}}

See also

{{Portal|Canada}}

Notes

{{Notelist|30em}}

References

{{reflist|30em}}

External links

  • [https://novascotia.ca/dma/government/relationships.asp Municipal – Provincial Relationships]
  • [https://novascotia.ca/dma/default.asp Nova Scotia Department of Municipal Affairs]
  • [http://www.unsm.ca Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities]

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