Saint-Cléophas-de-Brandon is a charming municipality nestled in the D'Autray Regional County Municipality, within the Lanaudière region of Quebec, Canada. This quaint locale, known simply as Saint-Cléophas before 1997, offers a rich history and picturesque landscapes that captivate visitors and residents alike.
The history of Saint-Cléophas-de-Brandon dates back to 1897 when it was formed as a separate parish from Saint-Félix-de-Valois. The name Saint Cléophas was suggested by Édouard-Charles Fabre, the Archbishop of Montreal, to honor Cléophas Beausoleil, a House of Commons member for Berthier from 1887 to 1899.
In the same year, the parish opened its post office, and a year later, the Parish Municipality of Saint-Cléophas was established. In 1997, the parish municipality transitioned to a municipality and changed its name to Saint-Cléophas-de-Brandon to distinguish it from a namesake municipality in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region. The "Brandon" part of the name refers to the geographic township of Brandon where it is located.
Saint-Cléophas-de-Brandon is beautifully inserted between Saint-Gabriel-de-Brandon to the north and Saint-Norbert to the east. It lies along the Bayonne River, between the edge of the Laurentians and Saint-Félix-de-Valois. The municipality is characterized by a landscape of rolling hills and expansive plains, offering a serene and scenic environment.
The population of Saint-Cléophas-de-Brandon has seen a steady trend over the years. As of 2021, the population stands at 254, marking an 11.9% increase from 2016. The population in 2016 was 227, slightly down from 276 in 2011. The population in 2006 and 2001 was 284 and 285 respectively, with 283 in 1996 and 262 in 1991.
The municipality comprises 105 private dwellings occupied by usual residents out of a total of 112 dwellings. The mother tongue of the residents is predominantly French, with 100% of the population speaking French as their first language. English, both English and French, or any other language as a first language is not reported in the community.
