Cornwall is a vibrant, fast-growing community located just west of Charlottetown at 15 Mercedes Drive off Main Street (formerly the Trans Canada Highway). Bordered by the North and West Rivers, Cornwall offers strong opportunities for residential growth, retail, tourism, and light industry, with easy access to all major Island entry points within 30 to 90 minutes.
Since amalgamating in 1995, Cornwall has experienced steady population growth, reaching 6,574 residents in 2021 — making it one of the fastest-growing communities in PEI and Canada.
Visitors and residents enjoy Cornwall’s welcoming atmosphere, local restaurants and accommodations, scenic walking trails like Hyde Park, convenient transit access to Charlottetown and Stratford, and a variety of community events throughout the year.
Community Profile
The Town of Cornwall is located in Queens County immediately to the west of Prince Edward Island’s capital and largest city, Charlottetown. The terrain tends to be gently rolling and the landscape is highlighted by dramatic water views over the North River to the east and the West River to the south and west.
History
Cornwall’s history dates back to the mid-1700s, when French farmers first settled in the North River area. English-speaking settlers arrived in 1790, and farming remained the area’s main industry for many years. In the early 1800s, North River also became known for its thriving shipbuilding industry, which lasted over a century.
Early travel to Charlottetown was challenging until bridges and roads improved access throughout the 1800s and early 1900s. The name Cornwall was adopted by English settlers from Cornwall, England, while nearby Eliot River was also settled by farming families during this time.
Cornwall was incorporated as a Village in 1966, with surrounding communities later joining through municipal growth and restructuring over the following decades.
Town Crest & Flag
The Town of Cornwall Crest
Maple Leaf symbolizes Cornwall is a Town in Canada (A link to Cornwall in another part of Canada and England).
Confederation Bridge or North River Bridge (bridge to Island from mainland or bridge from Charlottetown) going across the water to get to Cornwall.
Green represents Rural Community. Blue Buildings represents:
- House – Urban/rural area
- Silo/farm building – Agricultural Area.
York River and Eliot River (West River) bordering on Community.
The Town of Cornwall Flag
The two blue rectangles represent the North River and the West River with the land (green) in the middle and the Town crest to represent Cornwall in the centre. The white strip through the centre represents the highway that intercepts the Town.
The Town hosted a flag design contest in 2006. Lori Bernard, a resident of Cornwall, submitted the winning flag design entry.
Amalgamation
In 1993, PEI’s Municipal Reform process led local communities to propose a western municipality that would unite North River, Cornwall, and Eliot River based on shared geography, services, and long-standing cooperation. The proposal received strong public support and was accepted by the Moase Commission and Provincial Government.
On April 1, 1995, the new municipality was officially created under the Charlottetown Area Municipalities Act. Shortly afterward, residents chose the name Cornwall through a public plebiscite.
Locator Map
Prince Edward Island is located on Canada’s east coast in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, alongside New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Town of Cornwall is situated just west of Charlottetown, PEI’s capital city.