Rothesay, New Brunswick
Rothesay is a small suburban town in Kings County, New Brunswick, Canada. It’s part of the Saint John metropolitan area and sits in the Kennebecasis Valley along the lower Kennebecasis River. It borders Saint John to the southwest and Quispamsis to the northeast.
As of 2021, Rothesay has 11,977 residents living in 34.59 square kilometers, giving a population density of about 346 people per square kilometer.
History: The area began as a shipbuilding center and later became a popular summer home community for Saint John’s wealthy residents after the railway arrived in 1853. The town’s name likely comes from the Duke of Rothesay, a title for the Prince of Wales, but the exact origin is unclear.
Amalgamation: On January 1, 1998, East Riverside-Kinghurst, Fairvale, Renforth, the town of Rothesay, and part of Wells joined to form the Town of Rothesay. The motto Quinque Iuncta In Uno means “Five United In One.” There have been talks of merging with nearby Quispamsis, but the two towns still operate separately and share some services.
Government: Rothesay has a town council and a mayor, currently Nancy Grant. It’s in the federal riding of Saint John—Kennebecasis and the provincial riding of Rothesay. Police services are provided by the Kennebecasis Regional Police Force. Saint John Transit serves the town.
Education: The area is in the Anglophone South School District and includes Rothesay Park School, Rothesay High School, Rothesay Netherwood School, and Fairvale Elementary School.
Landmarks and features: Key sites include the Rothesay Common, the Rothesay Yacht Club, old railway stations, and many historic homes. The town offers parks, places of worship, and convenient access to the services and shopping of nearby Saint John.
Transportation: The town sits on a Canadian National Railway line, but there is no passenger train service. Routes near Rothesay include Highways 100 and 111, with connections to Route 1. Saint John Transit serves the community.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 18:36 (CET).