Summerford, Newfoundland Labrador, is a quaint town nestled on the central coast of Newfoundland in Canada. This charming town, located just off Route 340 and along Route 344, is primarily situated on New World Island in Notre Dame Bay. It's just a stone's throw away from the island of Newfoundland. The town also encompasses Strong's Island, connected to New World Island by Island Drive. As of 2021, Summerford had a population of 805, a slight decrease from 906 in the 2016 Canada Census. The town is in close proximity to the neighboring communities of Virgin Arm-Carter's Cove and Cottlesville.
Summerford's history is deeply rooted in the industries of fishing and logging. In its early days, it was a prosperous town within rural, coastal Newfoundland. The community was home to three churches, which were filled every Sunday, reflecting the importance of religion in this community. Farming was also a staple, with most residents growing their own food and raising their own animals for meat.
During the global conflicts of World War I and World War II, many men from Summerford joined the British side, as Newfoundland was still a colony of Britain at the time.
In the early 1970s, despite initial resistance due to the prospect of increased taxes, the Town Hall was established. This building serves multiple purposes, functioning as a community hall, fire station, and library. The local government comprises a mayor, deputy mayor, and 6 to 8 councilors.
Recognizing the need for medical services, a clinic/house was built for a doctor in the early 1960s. As the population increased, a full clinic was established in the late 1960s. The New World Island Clinic now serves all of NWI and is an extension of the Twillingate Hospital.
Education in Summerford is primarily provided by the New World Island Academy, a K-12 school located along Route 340.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Summerford had a population of 805 living in 368 of its 432 total private dwellings. This represented a change of -11.1% from its 2016 population of 906. With a land area of 16.04 km2 (6.19 sq mi), Summerford had a population density of 50.2/km2 (130.0/sq mi) in 2021.
