North Rustico

North Rustico is a Canadian town located in Queens County, Prince Edward Island.

North Rustico
Town
Downtown North Rustico
Downtown North Rustico
North Rustico is located in Prince Edward Island
North Rustico
North Rustico
Location within Prince Edward Island
Coordinates: 46.4583°N 63.3125°W / 46.4583; -63.3125
CountryCanada
ProvincePrince Edward Island
CountyQueens
ParishCharlotte
LotLot 24
Incorporated1954
TownNovember 16, 2013[1]
Government
 • TypeTown Council
 • MayorHeather McKenna
 • Deputy MayorAndrea Greenan
 • CouncillorsMichelle Pineau
Patricia Doucette
Allan Smith
Margaret Goulding
 • CAOPatsy Gamauf
Area
[2]
 • Total2.64 km2 (1.02 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
 • Total648
 • Density245.7/km2 (636/sq mi)
 • Pop 2016-2021
Increase 5.0%
 • Dwellings
386
Time zoneAST
 • Summer (DST)ADT
Canadian postal code
C0A 1X0
Area code902 (963 exchange)
NTS Map011L06
GNBC CodeBABYB
Websitewww.northrustico.com

Situated on the north shore, North Rustico an incorporated municipality in 1954. North Rustico changed its status to a town on November 16, 2013.[1] The town is known to locals, as well as many others as "The Crick". Its population as of the 2021 Census was 648 people.[2]

North Rustico is well known for its Canada Day celebration every year on July 1. The event usually attracts in excess of 10,000 people, which packs the town quite full. It includes festivities in the park, a parade down main street, as well as a boat parade on Rustico Harbour. The celebration is popular among families, teenagers and adults. The day is completed by a fireworks display over the bay.

History

The village of North Rustico was founded circa 1790, around a small natural harbour along the Gulf of St. Lawrence coast. The region was home to a remnant Acadian population who fled British capture and deportation during the Seven Years' War (see Great Upheaval), although English, Scottish and Irish settlers moved into the area during the remainder of the 18th century and throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

The name Rustico comes from Rassicot, the name of one of the first settlers from France.

The Farmers' Bank of Rustico in nearby South Rustico was founded and managed under the leadership of Father Georges-Antoine Belcourt, and received Royal Assent for its act of incorporation at the Court of Windsor on April 7, 1864. It is often considered to have been the first community-based bank in Canada. The bank building was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1959.[3]

Demographics
Federal census population history of North Rustico
YearPop.±%
1956814—    
1961780−4.2%
1966874+12.1%
1971767−12.2%
1976727−5.2%
1981688−5.4%
1986635−7.7%
1991614−3.3%
1996650+5.9%
2001637−2.0%
2006599−6.0%
2011583−2.7%
2016607+4.1%
2021648+6.8%
Source: Statistics Canada
[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, North Rustico had a population of 648 living in 321 of its 386 total private dwellings, a change of 5% from its 2016 population of 617. With a land area of 2.64 km2 (1.02 sq mi), it had a population density of 245.5/km2 (635.7/sq mi) in 2021.[15]

Economy
North Rustico Harbour

North Rustico's primary industries are fishing, tourism and agriculture. Located 30 kilometres (19 mi) northwest of Charlottetown, the town is increasingly becoming an exurb with residents commuting to work in the city.

Since the 1996 census, the town has witnessed a population decline of 2% in year-round residents. During the short summer tourist season on Prince Edward Island in July and August, the village's proximity to the Prince Edward Island National Park results in a temporary population expansion, with many visitors staying in nearby accommodations.

The town has 344 dwellings. In 2015, the median household income was $49,920, compared with the provincial average of $61,163.[16] Many seasonal homes or cottages are owned by non-residents and are occupied for only several weeks during the summer months.

The fishing industry remains the village's most important economic activity, with approximately 40 vessels home-ported in a small craft harbour. Lobster fishing is the main focus for much of the fleet and during May and June fresh north shore P.E.I lobster can be bought in a fish market on the harbour wharves or directly off of the boats. "Fisherman's Wharf Lobster Suppers[17]", the "Blue Mussel Cafe[18]" and "The Yellow House Take-Out" are popular places to enjoy the fresh seafood of Prince Edward Island.

In the summer, this town is one of the Island's most popular destinations. On a warm summer evening, dozens of people can be found strolling the town's waterfront boardwalk, which overlooks the bay and fishing docks.

Tourism
Boardwalk in Rustico. Tourism is an important part of the local economy.

North Rustico offers sea kayaking, cycling, walking, deep sea fishing, skating, boating, and hiking.

Sports

North Star arena is home to a number of different hockey organizations, allowing players of all ages to exercise and enjoy the game of hockey.[19]

Climate

Similar to other Maritime provinces, Rustico's weather can be somewhat unpredictable. Winter temperatures run from -3 to -11, Autumn temperatures run from 8-22, Summer temperatures run around 20, and Spring temperatures run from 8 to 22 degrees.[20]

Education

Gulf Shore Consolidated School provides public education for students from Kindergarten to grade 9.[21] French language education is available at Ecole Saint-Augustin, located near South Rustico.[22]

References
  1. "EC2013-782" (PDF) (PDF). Prince Edward Island Executive Council. November 5, 2013. p. 3. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  2. "Census Profile, 2021 Census: North Rustico, Community [Census subdivision], Prince Edward Island". Statistics Canada. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  3. Farmers' Bank of Rustico. Canadian Register of Historic Places. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  4. "Table 6: Population by census subdivisions, 1901–1961". 1961 Census of Canada (PDF). Series 1.1: Historical, 1901–1961. Vol. I: Population. Ottawa: Dominion Bureau of Statistics. March 8, 1963. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  5. "Table 2: Population of Census Subdivisions, 1921–1971". 1971 Census of Canada (PDF). Population. Vol. Census Subdivisions (Historical). Ottawa: Statistics Canada. July 1973. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  6. "1976 Census of Canada: Population - Geographic Distributions" (PDF). Statistics Canada. June 1977. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  7. "1981 Census of Canada: Census subdivisions in decreasing population order" (PDF). Statistics Canada. May 1992. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  8. "1986 Census: Population - Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions" (PDF). Statistics Canada. September 1987. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  9. "91 Census: Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions - Population and Dwelling Counts" (PDF). Statistics Canada. April 1992. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  10. "96 Census: A National Overview - Population and Dwelling Counts" (PDF). Statistics Canada. April 1997. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  11. "Population and Dwelling Counts, for Canada, Provinces and Territories, and Census Subdivisions (Municipalities), 2001 and 1996 Censuses - 100% Data (Prince Edward Island)". Statistics Canada. August 15, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  12. "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data (Prince Edward Island)". Statistics Canada. August 20, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  13. "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses (Prince Edward Island)". Statistics Canada. July 25, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  14. "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Prince Edward Island)". Statistics Canada. February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  15. "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), Prince Edward Island". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  16. "Census Profile, 2016 Census: North Rustico, Community [Census subdivision], Prince Edward Island". Statistics Canada. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  17. "Fisherman's Wharf Lobster Supper, Restaurant & Gift Shop". Fisherman's Wharf Lobster Supper, Restaurant & Gift Shop. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
  18. "Blue Mussel Cafe". bluemusselcafe.com. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
  19. "North Star Arena". northstararena.com. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
  20. Canada, Province of Prince Edward Island. "Government of PEI: What's the weather like?". www.gov.pe.ca. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
  21. "Gulf Shore Consolidated School". edu.princeedwardisland.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  22. "École Saint-Augustin". Conseil Acadien de Rustico. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Cavendish and Rustico Harbour.
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