New Richmond, Quebec, is a charming municipality nestled on the southern coast of the Gaspé Peninsula. It is strategically located between the municipalities of Maria and Caplan. The town is bordered on the west by the Grand Cascapedia River, while the Little Cascapedia River runs to the east. The territory of New Richmond also encompasses the communities of Black Cape and Saint-Edgar.
The history of New Richmond, Quebec, dates back to 1755 when the first European settlers, the Duthie brothers from Scotland, arrived. Their descendants still live in the area today, making New Richmond one of the few municipalities on the Gaspé Peninsula with a significant English-speaking population. The town was initially a hub for farming, logging, and shipbuilding.
New Richmond, Quebec, witnessed substantial growth in the 1960s with the establishment of a linerboard paper mill by Bathurst paper. The company underwent several name changes, eventually becoming Smurfit Stone. However, economic downturns led to a reduction in mill operations, and many residents relocated to other regions. By 2005, the mill had completely shut down, leaving the town without a major industry.
Today, a large wharf, initially built to service cargo ships loaded with kraft paper or bunker oil, stands to the east of the town. It now serves mainly recreational purposes.
Despite the industrial downturn, New Richmond, Quebec, has managed to retain its charm. The town boasts a British Heritage Museum, a small shopping center, an indoor swimming pool, a hockey arena, and a theatre, offering a variety of recreational activities for residents and visitors alike.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, New Richmond, Quebec, had a population of 3,683 living in 1,715 of its 1,805 total private dwellings. This represented a slight decrease of -0.6% from its 2016 population of 3,706. With a land area of 172.5 km2 (66.6 sq mi), the town had a population density of 21.4/km2 (55.3/sq mi) in 2021.
