{{Use Canadian English|date=December 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Tignish | official_name = Town of Tignish | other_name = | native_name = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English --> | nickname = | settlement_type = Town | motto = "Cherishing Our Heritage" | image_skyline = Tignish, PEI.jpg | imagesize = | image_caption = Aerial view | pushpin_map = PEI | pushpin_label_position = none<!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none --> | pushpin_map_caption = Tignish in Prince Edward Island | pushpin_mapsize = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Canada | subdivision_type1 = Province | subdivision_name1 = Prince Edward Island | subdivision_type2 = County | subdivision_name2 = Prince County | subdivision_type3 = Parish | subdivision_name3 = North Parish | subdivision_type4 = Township | subdivision_name4 = Lot 1 | government_footnotes= | government_type = Town council | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = Allan McInnis | established_title = Founded | established_date = 1799 | established_title2 = Village | established_date2 = 1952 | established_title3 = Town | established_date3 = 2017 | area_footnotes = (2016)<ref name=2016StatCanPE/> | area_total_km2 = | area_land_km2 = 5.87 | area_water_km2 = | population_as_of = 2016 | population_footnotes = <ref name=2016StatCanPE>{{cite web | url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/hlt-fst/pd-pl/Table.cfm?Lang=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=86&O=A&RPP=9999&PR=11 | title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Prince Edward Island) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=6 February 2017 | access-date=11 February 2017}}</ref> | population_note = | population_total = 719 <!-- 2016 StatCan population only per WP:CANPOP; do not replace with latest estimate; this estimate can go in the population_blank1_title and population_blank1 parameters further below and can be noted in the article body (so long as it doesn't replace the 2016 StatCan population in the body). --> | population_density_km2 = 122.5 | timezone = AST | utc_offset = -4 | timezone_DST = ADT | utc_offset_DST = -3 | coordinates = {{coord|46.95050|-64.03356|region:CA-PE|display=inline,title}} | elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags--> | elevation_m = 15 | postal_code_type = Canadian postal code | postal_code = C0B 2B0 | area_code = 902 | blank_name = Telephone Exchange | blank_info = 775 806 882 | blank1_name = NTS Map | blank1_info = {{Canada NTS Map Sheet|21|I|16}} | blank2_name = GNBC Code | blank2_info = BAEGT | website ={{URL|https://townoftignish.ca/}} | footnotes = }}
'''Tignish''' is a Canadian town located in Prince County, Prince Edward Island.<ref name=MuniDirectory>{{cite web | url=https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/sites/default/files/publications/municipal_directory.pdf | title=Municipal Councils and Contact Information | publisher=Government of Prince Edward Island | date=27 January 2017 | access-date=4 February 2017}}</ref>
It is located approximately {{convert|50|mi|km}} northwest of the city of Summerside, and {{convert|90|mi|km}} northwest of the city of Charlottetown.<ref>[http://www.gov.pe.ca/mapguide/mapwindow.php3 Government–sponsored `MapGuide` map of PEI]. Retrieved on 28 March 2007.</ref> It has a population of 719.<ref name=2016StatCanPE/> The name "Tignish" is derived from the Mi'kmaq "Mtagunich", meaning "paddle".<ref>{{Cite web|title = Tignish Tellings|url = http://www.islandregister.com/tignish_history.html|website = www.islandregister.com|access-date = 4 January 2016}}</ref> The name is also believed to come from a Gaelic phrase meaning "Home Place".{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}
Tignish was founded in the late 1790s by nine francophone Acadian families, with further immigrants (mostly Irish) arriving in the 19th century and settling mostly in the nearby smaller locality of Anglo–Tignish (meaning "English Tignish"). Many of Tignish residents today are either of Acadian or Irish heritage.
One of the town's most popular and defining structures is the local Catholic church, St. Simon & St. Jude Catholic Church, which was among the first major structures built in Tignish, constructed between 1857 and 1860. Tignish was designated a community or village in 1952. It changed its status to a town in 2017.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-tignish-town-1.4045932 | title=Tignish to become a town | publisher=CBC | author=Kevin Yarr | date=29 March 2017 | access-date=25 December 2017}}</ref>
== Demographics == {{stack|{{Historical populations | title = Federal census population history of Tignish | type = Canada | align = right | width = | state = | shading = | percentages = |1956|914 |1961|994 |1966|982 |1971|1060 |1976|1077 |1981|982 |1986|960 |1991|893 |1996|839 |2001|831 |2006|758 |2011|779 |2016|719 |2021|744 | footnote = | source = Statistics Canada<br/><ref name=1961census>{{cite book | url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/statcan/CS92-539-1961.pdf | title=1961 Census of Canada | series=Series 1.1: Historical, 1901–1961 | volume=I: Population | publisher=Dominion Bureau of Statistics | location=Ottawa | chapter=Table 6: Population by census subdivisions, 1901–1961 | date=March 8, 1963 | accessdate=February 2, 2022}}</ref><ref name=1971census>{{cite book | url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/statcan/CS92-702-1971.pdf | title=1971 Census of Canada | series=Population | volume=Census Subdivisions (Historical) | publisher=Statistics Canada | location=Ottawa | chapter=Table 2: Population of Census Subdivisions, 1921–1971 | date=July 1973 | accessdate=February 2, 2022}}</ref><ref name=1976census>{{cite web | url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/statcan/CS92-805-1976.pdf | title=1976 Census of Canada: Population - Geographic Distributions | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=June 1977 | accessdate=February 2, 2022}}</ref><ref name=1981census>{{cite web | url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/statcan/CS94-905-1981.pdf | title=1981 Census of Canada: Census subdivisions in decreasing population order | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=May 1992 | accessdate=February 2, 2021}}</ref><ref name=1986census>{{cite web | url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2013/statcan/rh-hc/CS92-101-1987.pdf | title=1986 Census: Population - Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=September 1987 | accessdate=February 2, 2022}}</ref><ref name=1991census>{{cite web | url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2013/statcan/rh-hc/CS93-304-1992.pdf | title=91 Census: Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions - Population and Dwelling Counts | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=April 1992 | accessdate=February 2, 2022}}</ref><ref name=1996census>{{cite web | url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2012/statcan/rh-hc/CS93-357-1997.pdf | title=96 Census: A National Overview - Population and Dwelling Counts | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=April 1997 | accessdate=February 2, 2022}}</ref><ref name=2001census>{{cite web | url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/census01/products/standard/popdwell/Table-CSD-P.cfm?T=1&SR=1&S=1&O=A&PR=11 | title=Population and Dwelling Counts, for Canada, Provinces and Territories, and Census Subdivisions (Municipalities), 2001 and 1996 Censuses - 100% Data (Prince Edward Island) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=August 15, 2012 | accessdate=February 2, 2022}}</ref><ref name=2006census>{{cite web | url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/hlt/97-550/Index.cfm?TPL=P1C&Page=RETR&LANG=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=1&O=A&RPP=9999&CMA=0&PR=11 | title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data (Prince Edward Island) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=August 20, 2021 | accessdate=February 2, 2022}}</ref><ref name=2011census>{{cite web | url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/hlt-fst/pd-pl/Table-Tableau.cfm?LANG=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=51&O=A&RPP=9999&CMA=0&PR=11 | title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses (Prince Edward Island) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=July 25, 2021 | accessdate=February 2, 2022}}</ref><ref name=2016census>{{cite web | url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/hlt-fst/pd-pl/Table.cfm?Lang=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=86&O=A&RPP=9999&PR=11 | title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Prince Edward Island) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=February 8, 2017 | accessdate=February 2, 2022}}</ref><ref name=2021census/> }}}}
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Tignish had a population of {{val|744|fmt=commas}} living in {{val|348|fmt=commas}} of its {{val|368|fmt=commas}} total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:744-719}}|719|1}} from its 2016 population of {{val|719|fmt=commas}}. With a land area of {{convert|5.87|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|744|5.87|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.<ref name=2021census>{{cite web | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000202&geocode=A000211 | title=Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), Prince Edward Island | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=February 9, 2022 | accessdate=March 3, 2022}}</ref>
== History ==
Tignish was settled in 1799 by eight Acadian families. Two Irish families joined them in 1811.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.townoftignish.ca/historic-tignish | title=The Town of Tignish | publisher=The Town of Tignish | accessdate=April 20, 2025}}</ref>
Tignish was once the western terminus of the Prince Edward Island Railway. Rail service to the town was abandoned in 1989.
== Community == left|thumb|Famed landmark, St. Simon & St. Jude Church. Fishing is one of the most important aspects of daily life and employment in Tignish, with many local families depending on this industry for income. There are three functioning harbors located in the Tignish area: the Tignish harbour, the Skinner's Pond harbour, and the Seacow Pond harbour.
Citizens of Tignish celebrated the bicentennial of Tignish in 1999. Among local festivities were Acadian music, local parties, carnivals, and the creation of a local music CD rich with the voices of Tignish residents. In addition, each summer there is a bluegrass festival that is held in Tignish.
== Education == Kindergarten–12 students in the Tignish area mostly attend Tignish Elementary School from grades K–6, followed by Merritt E. Callaghan Intermediate school for grades 7–9 and Westisle Composite High school for grades 10–12.
== Government == Tignish is within district #27 of PEI's electoral boundaries, which is labeled Tignish–Palmer Road. There is a polling station at the Tignish fire hall, and others located elsewhere in Tignish as well as in St. Felix and Palmer Road. The name of the district used to be "Tignish–DeBlois", but was changed to "Tignish–Palmer Road" before the 2007 provincial election with slight boundary changes. As of the 2011 provincial election, Hal Perry is the MLA for the region. Perry left the PCs and joined the Liberals on 3 October 2013. As a Liberal, Perry won re-election in 2015, 2019 and 2023.
{|class="wikitable" style="width:400; font-size:90%; margin-left:1em;" |+'''Tignish federal election results'''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=rep/off/44gedata&document=bypro&lang=e |title=Official Voting Results Raw Data (poll by poll results in block 137)|date=April 7, 2022 |publisher=Elections Canada |access-date=April 19, 2025}}</ref> ! colspan="2" scope="col" | Year ! colspan="2" scope="col" | Liberal ! colspan="2" scope="col" | Conservative ! colspan="2" scope="col" | New Democratic ! colspan="2" scope="col" | Green |- | rowspan="2" style="width: 0.25em; background-color: {{Canadian party colour|CA|Liberal}}| ! 2021 | {{Canadian party colour|CA|Liberal|background}} | '''59%''' | style="text-align:right; background:#EA6D6A;"| 224 | {{Canadian party colour|CA|Conservative|background}} | 34% | style="text-align:right; background:#6495ED;"| 128 | {{Canadian party colour|CA|NDP|background}} | 3% | style="text-align:right; background:#F4A460;"| 11 | {{Canadian party colour|CA|Green|background}} | 2% | style="text-align:right; background:#99C955;"| 8 |- ! 2019 | {{Canadian party colour|CA|Liberal|background}} | '''52%''' | style="text-align:right; background:#EA6D6A;"| 224 | {{Canadian party colour|CA|Conservative|background}} | 38% | style="text-align:right; background:#6495ED;"| 164 | {{Canadian party colour|CA|NDP|background}} | 5% | style="text-align:right; background:#F4A460;"| 21 | {{Canadian party colour|CA|Green|background}} | 5% | style="text-align:right; background:#99C955;"| 20 |- |}{{Clear}}
{|class="wikitable" style="width:400; font-size:90%; margin-left:1em;" |+'''Tignish provincial election results'''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.electionspei.ca/provincial-elections/feature/election-result-map#/service/ElectionResultMap/ElectionResultMap |title=Official Voting Results by polling station (poll by poll results in block 137)|publisher=Elections PEI |access-date=April 19, 2025}}</ref> ! colspan="2" scope="col" | Year ! colspan="2" scope="col" | PC ! colspan="2" scope="col" | Liberal ! colspan="2" scope="col" | Green |- | rowspan="2" style="width: 0.25em; background-color: {{Canadian party colour|PE|Liberal}}| ! 2019 | {{Canadian party colour|PE|PC|background}} | 32% | style="text-align:right; background:#9999FF;"| 96 | {{Canadian party colour|PE|Liberal|background}} | '''47%''' | style="text-align:right; background:#EA6D6A;"| 141 | {{Canadian party colour|PE|Green|background}} | 21% | style="text-align:right; background:#99C955;"| 64 |- ! 2015 | {{Canadian party colour|PE|PC|background}} | 30% | style="text-align:right; background:#9999FF;"| 118 | {{Canadian party colour|PE|Liberal|background}} | '''62%''' | style="text-align:right; background:#EA6D6A;"| 248 | {{Canadian party colour|PE|Green|background}} | 6% | style="text-align:right; background:#99C955;"| 24 |- |}{{Clear}}
== Surrounding communities == Nearby smaller localities, considered to be "part of" Tignish due to their proximity, include: {{colbegin|colwidth=25em}} *Ascension (2 mi NW of Tignish) *St. Felix (2 mi S) *Harper (2 mi SW) *Leoville (3.5 mi SW) *Peterville (2.5 mi SW) *Nail Pond (3 mi N) *Greenmount (3.5 mi S) *Skinner's Pond (5 mi NW) *St. Peter and St. Paul (3 mi S) *Kildare North (4 mi SE) *Tignish Shore (2 mi E) *Anglo Tignish (2 mi NE) *Seacow Pond (5 mi NE) *Norway (6 mi NE) *Christopher's Cross (1 mile NE) {{colend}}
== Mars crater namesake == The name "Tignish" has been adopted by the International Astronomical Union for a crater on the surface of Mars. The crater is located at −30.71 degrees south by 86.9 degrees east on the Martian surface. It was officially adopted by the IAU/WGPSN in 1991, and has a diameter of {{convert|13.7|mi|km}}.<ref>[http://www2.canada.com/globaltv/national/news/story.html?id=489cc554-964e-41ca-b70a-76eac7307af0 A Little Bit of Canada on the Red Planet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331144500/http://www2.canada.com/globaltv/national/news/story.html?id=489cc554-964e-41ca-b70a-76eac7307af0 |date=31 March 2015 }}</ref>
== Climate == Tignish experiences a humid continental climate (Koppen: Dfb) with four seasons, with winter being the longest. Summers are very mild to warm due to the Gulf of St Lawrence moderating temperatures during the warmer months. Wintertime is very cold with daily highs often below freezing.{{Weather box |location = Tignish |metric first = yes |single line = yes |Jan record high C = 12.5 |Feb record high C = 11.1 |Mar record high C = 16.5 |Apr record high C = 23 |May record high C = 36.1 |Jun record high C = 33 |Jul record high C = 33.5 |Aug record high C = 33 |Sep record high C = 30 |Oct record high C = 25 |Nov record high C = 22 |Dec record high C = 15 |Jan high C = -4.3 |Feb high C = -3.8 |Mar high C = 0.8 |Apr high C = 6.2 |May high C = 13.9 |Jun high C = 19.6 |Jul high C = 23.4 |Aug high C = 22.9 |Sep high C = 17.8 |Oct high C = 11.7 |Nov high C = 5.5 |Dec high C = -0.8 |year high C = 9.4 |Jan low C = -12.8 |Feb low C = -12.5 |Mar low C = -7.4 |Apr low C = -1.7 |May low C = 3.8 |Jun low C = 9.6 |Jul low C = 13.6 |Aug low C = 13.4 |Sep low C = 9.1 |Oct low C = 4 |Nov low C = -1 |Dec low C = -8.2 |year low C = 0.8 |Jan record low C = -30 |Feb record low C = -27 |Mar record low C = -24 |Apr record low C = -12.5 |May record low C = -6.7 |Jun record low C = -1.5 |Jul record low C = 4 |Aug record low C = 3.9 |Sep record low C = -2 |Oct record low C = -6.5 |Nov record low C = -14 |Dec record low C = -24 |precipitation colour=green |Jan precipitation mm = 105.5 |Feb precipitation mm = 80.4 |Mar precipitation mm = 80.6 |Apr precipitation mm = 82.5 |May precipitation mm = 83.6 |Jun precipitation mm = 79.1 |Jul precipitation mm = 96 |Aug precipitation mm = 81 |Sep precipitation mm = 83.6 |Oct precipitation mm = 109.1 |Nov precipitation mm = 107.4 |Dec precipitation mm = 116.9 |year precipitation mm = 1105.6 |source 1 = Environment Canada<ref name= "climate">Environment Canada [http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?Province=PEI%20&StationName=&SearchType=&LocateBy=Province&Proximity=25&ProximityFrom=City&StationNumber=&IDType=MSC&CityName=&ParkName=&LatitudeDegrees=&LatitudeMinutes=&LongitudeDegrees=&LongitudeMinutes=&NormalsClass=A&SelNormals=&StnId=6548& Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000], accessed 15 July 2009</ref> |date=August 2010 }}
== See also == *List of communities in Prince Edward Island
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category}} *{{official|https://www.townoftignish.ca}}
{{Subdivisions of Prince Edward Island}}
Category:Communities in Prince County, Prince Edward Island Category:Populated places established in 1799 Category:Towns in Prince Edward Island Category:Populated coastal places in Canada