Economy

The Municipality of East Hants was founded on April 1, 1879. It is centrally located on mainland Nova Scotia and covers 466,426 acres (188,760 hectares) or 737 square miles. East Hants is a combined rural / urban Municipality adjacent to the Municipalities of Colchester, West Hants and the Halifax Regional Municipality.

There are approximately 23,000 people in 9,281 households. The majority of this population is located along two key transportation routes running from Halifax to Truro (Hwy 102 & Hwy 2) and from Halifax to Windsor (Hwy 101 & Hwy 1).

The northern and central parts of the Municipality are dominated by vast areas of forest, dotted with small communities and villages. Two primary industries in East Hants are agriculture and forestry, with agriculture being the most prominent. Federal statistics of 2006 indicate that there are 179 farms operating within the Municipality, which represents 5% of the total farms operating across the province. The majority of these are dairy farms and are operated as sole proprietors.

The south-eastern portion of the Municipality, generally referred to as the “Corridor”, has experienced significant residential growth over the previous two decades. This region, which includes the communities of Enfield, Elmsdale, Lantz, Milford and Shubenacadie, is the most densely populated area of the Municipality.

East Hants has a well-educated population with 70% of its population having achieved more than high school education. Fifteen percent of the population have apprenticeships, trade certificates or diplomas. This is greater than the provincial average of 12% (Source: 2006 Statistics Canada report). In terms of employment, 64% of the East Hants labour force in 2006 worked in sales, trades or business / finance / administration.

East Hants is recognized as a bedroom community of the Halifax area. According to Statistics Canada, 52% of our workforce, which consists of 10,910, were employed outside of East Hants in 2006. In terms of income, the median for East Hants’ workers was $25,308 in 2005, slightly higher than the provincial average of $22,815.

Homes in East Hants are spread disproportionately across the vast land mass:

                                                                                                Homes             % of Total

Communities / Districts of Enfield, Elmsdale, Lantz                      3,474                   38%

Communities / Districts of Mt. Uniacke, Rawdon                           2,218                   24%

Communities / Districts of Milford, Shubenacadie                         1,371                   15%

Communities of Maitland, Gore, Walton, Kennetcook, Noel, etc.    2,081                   23%

            Total                                                                            9,144