About the Greater Saint John Region
The Greater Saint John region is one of the best kept secrets in Atlantic Canada. We are home to the highest tides in the world. In minutes you can go from the majestic views of the Bay of Fundy to breathtaking valley views along the Kennebecasis and Saint John Rivers. Green space and nature are never far in our five vibrant communities.
The Greater Saint John region is made up of the City of Saint John and the Towns of Grand Bay-Westfield, Quispamsis, Rothesay and the village of St Martins. The entire region stretches 3,362.95 square kilometres (1,298.44 sq mi)
The region is situated on Canada’s Atlantic seaboard on the southern coast of New Brunswick, about 1 hour from the U.S. border at Calais, Maine. This strategic location provides ready access to major markets in Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario, and the northeastern United States.
Saint John’s Census Metro Area (CMA) population is 127,761.
City of Saint John: The city is the oldest “incorporated city” in Canada (1785). It is home to an *uptown core, where historic buildings dot the banks of the St. John River and the Saint John Harbour – the Bay of Fundy is its front door. A city of neighbourhoods, citizens enjoy a unique quality of life with an abundance of housing options, libraries, a thriving arts and cultural community. There is easy access to a variety of elementary, middle and high schools, boutiques, theatres, malls, restaurants, large recreational facilities and green spaces.
Saint John is centrally located on the southern New Brunswick Coast and the only city on the Bay of Fundy. Saint John is the biggest municipality in the region and one of the largest cities in New Brunswick with a population of approximately 67,000.
You can take a 15-minute free ferry ride from Saint John to Kingston Peninsula where there are year-round homes, summer homes and several campgrounds.
*FUN FACT- According to the Oxford Dictionary, cities traditionally define their downtown by their business district and the uptown as their residential area. In Saint John, our business district is very closely connected to multiple residential neighbourhoods. Also, from the harbour or waterfront, you move up a hill to the uptown core and business district.
Town of Grand Bay-Westfield: The Town of Grand Bay-Westfield, incorporated in 1998, is comprised of the former Town of Grand Bay and the former Village of Westfield. Grand Bay-Westfield is located in southwestern New Brunswick along the Saint John River, a 20-minute drive west of the City of Saint John. The River Valley Scenic Drive is one of the provincially designated scenic routes, and is home to a community of approximately 5,000 residents. You can take a 5-minute free ferry ride from Grand Bay-Westfield to Kingston Peninsula, where there are year-round homes, summer homes and several campgrounds. Grand Bay-Westfield
Town of Rothesay: Rothesay is situated in the Kennebecasis Valley, along the Kennebecasis River and a 15-minute drive east from the City of Saint John. There is a retail district, elementary, middle and high schools, churches, a regional library and three arenas. The Town is home to approximately 11,659 people. There are two boating clubs and a rowing club in the area that make extensive use of the river and provide the citizens of Rothesay access to the waterways in and around the St. John River valley. Rothesay
Town of Quispamsis: situated along the Kennebecasis and Hammond River waterways. The community is a 15-minute drive northeast of the City of Saint John. It has a retail district, elementary, middle and high schools. It also has one arena and the Qplex, a multi-purpose recreation and conference centre. With a population with more than 18,000 people, Quispamsis is the sixth-largest municipality in New Brunswick. Quispamsis also connects to the Kingston Peninsula through a 5-minute free ferry ride. Quispamsis
Village of St. Martins:
St. Martins is a place of natural beauty and the gateway to the Fundy Trail, the last undeveloped stretch of wilderness coastline in North America. Walking trails and a low speed roadway wind along the coast past waterfalls, secluded beaches, picnic areas and breathtaking vistas across the Bay to Nova Scotia. It is a major tourist attraction because of its sweeping scenery and famous St. Martins sea caves. It is a 44-minute drive east of the City of Saint John and is home to about 276 people. Village of St. Martins.
