Enfield, Nova Scotia, is a vibrant urban community nestled in the Shubenacadie Valley, just 5 kilometres north of Halifax Stanfield International Airport. Straddling the border of Hants and Halifax counties, Enfield is a part of both the East Hants Municipal District and Halifax, divided by the Shubenacadie River.
The history of Enfield, Nova Scotia, dates back to 1760 when land grants were given around the area. The first grant was given to Benjamin Franklin, who hired Mr. Hall to manage the land and operate a Wayside Inn. The Grand Lake East area, another grant location, was later purchased by Norman Fitzgerald Uniacke, speculating that the newly built Shubenacadie canal would provide a strategic location for transporting goods.
Enfield was officially named in 1863, suggested by Thomas B. Donaldson, who had a fondness for the name from his time in Enfield, Connecticut. Donaldson played a significant role in the community, including drawing up plans for a church building in the village, which was erected within a year. This church, originally Methodist, later became part of the United Church of Canada and was turned over to the Women's Institute of Nova Scotia-Enfield Branch. It eventually became the home of the Enfield Heritage Centre.
The first school in Enfield was built at Horne Settlement, servicing all ages. Later, a school was built near the current location of a Chinese restaurant, which served as a school until the early 1940s. In 1942, a new school was built and gifted to the community by Edmund H Horne, serving the people of Enfield until June 2000.
Enfield, Nova Scotia, is primarily a bedroom community for those working in HRM or at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport. It is conveniently located near the halfway point between Halifax and Truro. Enfield was once home to a prominent railway station constructed by the Nova Scotia Railway and later the Intercolonial Railway and Canadian National Railway.
The Enfield Rugby Football Club, established in 2007, won the NSRFU Summer Division II Championship against the Halifax Tars after completing an undefeated 8-0 season. They were also the Truro 7's Indoor Rugby Men's Div 'A' Champions for 2009.
Enfield, Nova Scotia, experiences a humid continental climate with some marine influence, typical of Nova Scotia. The nearest station is at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport, located around 5 kilometres south of the Enfield core.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Enfield had a population of 36 living in 17 of its 18 total private dwellings, a change of -2.7% from its 2016 population of 37. With a land area of 0.12 km2, it had a population density of 300.0/km2 in 2021.
Enfield, Nova Scotia, offers a variety of dining options for residents and visitors alike. These include Shooters Bar and Grill, Irving Big Stop, Tim Hortons, Golden Harvest (Chinese Restaurant), and Burger King.
