Fredericton

Fredericton
The City of Fredericton
From top to bottom; left to right: Fredericton skyline, Pedestrian bridge of the Nashwaak River, Christ Church Cathedral, New Brunswick Legislative Building
Nicknames: 
Freddy, Freddy Beach
Motto(s): 
"Fredericopolis, silvae filia nobilis"  (Latin)
"Fredericton, noble daughter of the forest"
Interactive map of Fredericton
Fredericton
Location within New Brunswick
Fredericton
Location within Canada
Coordinates: 45°56′43″N 66°40′00″W / 45.94528°N 66.66667°W / 45.94528; -66.66667
CountryCanada
ProvinceNew Brunswick
County(s)York, Sunbury
Metropolitan areaGreater Fredericton
Erected1786
Incorporated1848
Named afterPrince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany
Government
 • TypeFredericton City Council
 • MayorKate Rogers
 • MPsDavid Myles (Lib.)
Richard Bragdon (Con.)
 • MLAsLuke Randall (Lib)
David Coon (Green)
Kris Austin (PC)
Susan Holt (Lib)
Ryan Cullins (PC)
Area
 • City
133.93 km2 (51.71 sq mi)
 • Metro
6,014.66 km2 (2,322.27 sq mi)
Elevation
20–100 m (66–328 ft)
Population
 (2021)
 • City
63,116
 • Density471.3/km2 (1,221/sq mi)
 • Metro
108,610
 • Metro density18.1/km2 (47/sq mi)
DemonymFrederictonian
Time zoneUTC−04:00 (AST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−03:00 (ADT)
Postal code(s)
Area code506 and 428
NTS Map21G15 Fredericton
GNBC CodeDAFMJ
Websitefredericton.ca/en

Fredericton (/ˈfrɛ.drɪk.tən/; French pronunciation: [fʁedeʁiktœn]) is the capital city of the Canadian province of New Brunswick. The city is situated in the west-central portion of the province along the Saint John River, also known by its Indigenous name of Wolastoq, which flows west to east as it bisects the city. The river is the dominant natural feature of the area. One of the main urban centres in New Brunswick, as of 2026, according to the city's update on building development, it has a population of approximately 79,000 with the metropolitan population in 2025 estimated at 125,303. It is the third-largest city in the province, after Moncton and Saint John.

An important cultural, artistic, and educational centre for the province, Fredericton is home to two universities, The University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University, as well as the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, New Brunswick Community College and cultural institutions such as the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, the Fredericton Region Museum, and The Playhouse, a performing arts venue. The city hosts the annual Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, attracting regional and international jazz, blues, rock, and world artists. The city also hosts the Garrison Night Market during the summer months which showcases many local vendors, artists, and musicians. Fredericton is also an important and vibrant centre for the region's top visual artists with artists such as Goodridge Roberts, and Molly and Bruno Bobak having lived and worked here.

As a provincial capital, its economy is tied to the public sector; however, the city also has a growing IT and commercial sector. The city has the highest percentage of residents with post-secondary education in the province and the highest per capita income of any city in New Brunswick.