Carignan is a suburban municipality nestled in southwestern Quebec, Canada. It is situated on the Richelieu River in La Vallée-du-Richelieu Regional County Municipality, approximately 27 km (17 mi) from Montreal. As of the Canada 2021 Census, Carignan is home to 11,740 residents. Originally known as the Village Municipality of Chambly, it was renamed Carignan in 1965 to honor the Carignan-Salières Regiment.
Carignan, Quebec is characterized by small urban blocks enveloped by agricultural land. The primary crops grown here include corn, wheat, and soybeans. The municipality is bordered by the Acadia and Richelieu rivers, which merge to form a small delta. At the tip of this delta lies Île Goyer, one of the city's four islands and the largest among them. Other islands include Île Demers and Île Aux Lièvres. These islands are separated by channels that house unique flora and fauna. Interestingly, the municipality is bisected by the city of Chambly, creating two non-contiguous portions.
The city of Carignan was established on July 1, 1855, on a territory formerly known as Chambly. Initially named Saint-Joseph-de-Chambly, the city retained this name for over a century. On June 6, 1871, a significant portion of Saint-Joseph-de-Chambly, along with a section of Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, broke away to form the new town of Saint-Basile-le-Grand. Finally, on December 31, 1965, the name Saint-Joseph-de-Chambly was replaced with the new city of Carignan.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Carignan had a population of 11,740 living in 4,274 of its 4,375 total private dwellings. This represents a 24.1% increase from its 2016 population of 9,462. With a land area of 62.07 km2 (23.97 sq mi), Carignan had a population density of 189.1/km2 (489.9/sq mi) in 2021.
The CIT Chambly-Richelieu-Carignan provides both commuter and local bus services, ensuring easy and convenient transportation for residents and visitors alike in Carignan, Quebec.
