Our small town in the northeastern corner of Nova Scotia (pop 5,195) is a hub and service center for the rural communities surrounding it. With a diverse and growing population, Antigonish is a family friendly town with lots of opportunity, access to good education at all levels, recreation, sports and culture activities. It is surrounded by rolling countryside with hiking and beautiful beaches.
Antigonish is home of St Francis Xavier University which has a strong reputation across Canada and internationally. StFX is well known for its school spirit and the “X-Ring”. Alumni around the world celebrate their connections to the university and the town. The University brings a wealth of expertise and diversity to the community through its faculty and students and doubles our population during the school session.
The Antigonish Movement which began in the 1930s as a co-operative movement of local fishermen and farmers has now spread around the globe through The Coady International Institute. Antigonish hosts hundreds of international participants yearly for courses in leadership and development.
We enjoy a vibrant culture in the arts with music, performing arts, visual arts and crafts, and fabulous festivals throughout the year. Gaelic culture is strong in the area and the Antigonish Highland Games have been celebrated here for over 150 years.
The People’s Place Library is a hub of community life. There is always something going on whatever your interest and the friendly and helpful staff are eager to answer your questions. It won the Canada Great Places award in 2014 for Great Public Spaces.
Enjoy the small town charms but the lively life of a larger community. There are numerous community groups to get involved in community development, the arts, sustainable communities, energy and conservation. Sports and recreation opportunities are numerous with several arenas and sports fields, and teams involved at the local, regional and national level.
The competitive business environment, state of the art educational facilities, regional healthcare facilities and our location all invite you to enjoy Antigonish.
The Town of Antigonish works collaboratively with the Municipality (County) of Antigonish to improve access to services and to further the joint interests of the Town and County.
Business groups offer educational opportunities, networking, business development advice and opportunities for marketing and HR development for staffing.
Blessed with natural beauty, outdoor enthusiasts have a lot to choose from in the Antigonish area—from beaches along the Northumberland shore to hiking through rolling countryside, coastal trails and woodlands.