Deer Lake, a charming town nestled in the western part of the island of Newfoundland, is a part of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Named after the lake it borders, Deer Lake is situated at the outlet of the upper Humber River at the northeastern end of the lake.
The first settlers in Deer Lake arrived from Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia in 1864. Initially loggers and trappers, these settlers later transitioned into farming. In 1922, a work camp was established to support the International Pulp and Paper company. This camp eventually evolved into the town of Deer Lake. A formal townsite was constructed in 1925, complete with a railway terminal, churches, and a small hospital. The town was officially incorporated in 1950, with Phil Hodder serving as its first mayor.
The town's name has an interesting origin story. Early settlers observed caribou crossing the lake in large numbers. Having never seen caribou before, they referred to them as 'deer'. In older times, 'deer' could simply mean any animal, and thus, the town was named accordingly.
Deer Lake offers a variety of accommodations for tourists, along with restaurants, supermarkets, convenience stores, and gas stations. The Hodder Memorial Recreational Complex houses a stadium, swimming pool, and a bowling alley. Visitors can also explore St. Paul's United Church, a wooden church dating from 1955, and the modern Salvation Army building. A stroll down the Main Street offers a scenic view of the lake.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Deer Lake had a population of 4,864 living in 2,139 of its 2,309 total private dwellings. This represented a change of -7.3% from its 2016 population of 5,249. With a land area of 73.26 km2 (28.29 sq mi), it had a population density of 66.4/km2 (172.0/sq mi) in 2021.
Deer Lake experiences a humid continental climate (Dfb) with moderately warm summers that are relatively short, and quite long and cold winters that are moderated by its proximity to a large body of water. With high precipitation year-round, Deer Lake receives plenty of snowfall in winters.
Deer Lake is served by the Deer Lake Regional Airport, the nearest airport to Corner Brook and the busiest airport in the western part of the island. The airport serves an area stretching from Port Aux Basques on the southern tip, the Northern Peninsula, and eastward towards the island's centre, catering to a population of approximately 100,000 people.
