Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island (PEI), often referred to as “the Island,” is the smallest province in Canada both in terms of land area and population. It spans approximately 5,660 square kilometers (2,190 square miles) and is known for its fertile red soil, which has earned it the nickname "Garden of the Gulf".^[1] The Island's population as of July 1, 2023, was 173,787, an increase of 3.9 per cent over 2022, the second highest growth among provinces and territories. As of 2024,^[2] The population of PEI is estimated to be around 177,081.^[2]

Economy: PEI’s economy is a blend of traditional and modern sectors. Agriculture, particularly potato farming, and potatoes contributed over 44% of the total farm cash receipts in Prince Edward Island.^[3] Other important industries include fisheries, tourism, aerospace, biotechnology, and renewable energy. The province has also seen growth in bioscience and advanced manufacturing.^[2]

Prince Edward Island has one national park, Prince Edward Island National Park is a major attraction, known for its sandy beaches, red cliffs, and diverse wildlife. PEI has eleven provincial camping parks and 14 day use parks.^[4] Notable provincial parks include Basin Head Provincial Park, known for its “singing sands,” and Brudenell River Provincial Park, which offers golf, horseback riding, and other recreational activities. The island is famous for its connection to the “Anne of Green Gables” novels by Lucy Maud Montgomery, with Green Gables Heritage Place being a popular tourist destination. The Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown, the island’s capital, is another cultural highlight.

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History of Prince Edward IslandHistory of Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island (PEI), known to the Mi’kmaq First Nation as “Epekwitk” or “Abegweit,” meaning “resting on the waves,” has a rich and varied history.^[5] The island was first discovered by Europeans when Jacques Cartier arrived in 1534.^[5] However, it wasn’t until the early 18th century that permanent European settlements were established by the French, who named the island Île Saint-Jean In 1763.^[5] Following the Treaty of Paris, the island was ceded to the British, who renamed it St. John’s Island. It became a separate British colony in 1769 and was renamed Prince Edward Island in 1799 to honor Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn.^[6] Despite hosting the Charlottetown Conference in 1864, which was a key event leading to Canadian Confederation,^[7] PEI did not join the Confederation until July 1, 1873, due to financial difficulties and the need for economic support.^[8]

During the colonial period, the economy of PEI was primarily based on agriculture, with early settlers focusing on subsistence farming.^[9] The fertile red soil of the island proved ideal for growing crops, particularly potatoes, which remain a significant agricultural product today.^[10]

The 19th century saw the development of shipbuilding as a major industry, with the island’s abundant timber resources being utilized to build wooden ships.^[5] This period also saw the growth of the fishing industry, particularly lobster and oyster harvesting.^[11]

The 20th century brought modernization and diversification to PEI’s economy. Agriculture continued to be a mainstay, but there was also significant growth in tourism, driven by the island’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.^[12] The latter part of the century saw the development of new industries such as aerospace,^[13] biotechnology,^[14] and renewable energy.^[15]

Demographics of Prince Edward IslandDemographics of Prince Edward Island

The demographic distribution of the Prince Edward Island population is as follows:^[16]

The largest ethnic group residing in Prince Edward Island are of Scottish descent, making up over 39% of the total population. Other ethnic groups include people of English, Irish and French descent, which make up 31.1%, 30.4% and 21.1% of the population, respectively. Other ethnic groups include German and Dutch, each which make up less than 10% of the total population. The majority of the population is white, and there are few visible minority groups. The most prominent group is Chinese Canadians, which make up just 1.3% of the population. English is primarily spoken across Prince Edward Island. However, other languages spoken in the area include French, Mandarin, Arabic, Dutch and Tagalog.

Most common surnames in Prince Edward IslandMost common surnames in Prince Edward Island

The demographic distribution of Prince Edward Island surnames is as follows:

Surname	Incidence	Frequency
MacDonald	4,250	1:36
Gallant	4,095	1:38
Arsenault	2,817	1:55
Campbell	1,520	1:102
Smith	1,446	1:107
MacLeod	1,284	1:121
MacLean	1,283	1:121
Stewart	1,102	1:141
MacKinnon	1,068	1:145
Murphy	1,067	1:145

Researching family history in Prince Edward IslandResearching family history in Prince Edward Island

Archives Prince Edward Island (ACPEI) sponsors Archives PEI digitized copies of the actual records but does provide a summary of the contents of archival holdings as well as contact information for the contributing institution. The Prince Edward Island Government has a "Public Archives Guide to Tracing Your Family History in PEI." The Library and Archive of Canada has a Genealogy and family history page. The MacNaught History Centre and Archives has a PEI collection and some online digital resources.