History

Fredericton is named after Prince Frederick, Duke of York and second son of King George III. A picture of Prince Frederick is displayed in the Council Chamber.

Fredericton was legally incorporated as a City on March 30, 1848.

City Hall was erected on Phoenix Square in 1876. The fountain in front of City Hall was constructed in 1885.

The fountain in front of City Hall was erected in 1885. That makes 'Freddie, the little nude dude'- as the ornamental cherub on top has since been nicknamed - two years older than the Statue of Liberty.

Fredericton's motto is: "Fredericopolis silvae filia nobilis" (Fredericton noble daughter of
the forest).

The History of Fredericton in Tapestries is displayed at City Hall in the Council Chamber.
 

General facts

The City of Fredericton has a population of 46,466 people.

18% of the area's residents are bilingual.

Fredericton has one of the lowest crime rates in the country.

In July, the city enjoys an average of 233 hours of sunshine

Fredericton's residential real estate prices are 24% to 50% lower than many major Canadian cities.

Fredericton has one of the lowest crime rates in the country.

Fredericton boasts the cheapest parking in Canada.

In the City of Fredericton, traffic jams are unheard of -- most Frederictonians commute to work in less than ten minutes.

Fredericton houses both the Provincial Legislature and the Provincial Court House.
 
 

Sports and Leisure

Fredericton is home to Olympic silver medalist Marianne Limpert!

Willie O'Ree of Fredericton, was the first black hockey player in Canada.

There are five golf courses within a half hour drive of downtown Fredericton.

The City of Fredericton has more tennis courts per capita than any other city in Canada.

Within City limits, anglers can fly fish for Atlantic Salmon on the Saint John or Nashwaak Rivers.
 

Arts and Crafts

With a high percentage of craftspeople and artisans in the City, Fredericton has been proclaimed as the "Craft Capital of the World".

Fredericton is home to one of North America's only Craft Colleges.

Fredericton is the pewtersmith capital of Canada, and, it has been argued, North America.

Bliss Carmen, Charles G.D. Roberts, and Francis Joseph Sherman were all born and raised here - therefore, Fredericton has been dubbed the 'Poets Corner of Canada'.

The largest public holding of paintings by Cornelius Kreighoff can be found at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.
 

Education

In the City of Fredericton, 57% of those over age 15 have some level of post-secondary training, and a full 22% holding university degrees.

The University of New Brunswick (UNB) is Canada's oldest degree granting university.

The Old Arts Building at the University of New Brunswick is the oldest university building still in use in Canada.

UNB has the only faculty status Computer Science program in North America.

John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert Kennedy both received honorary degrees from the University of New Brunswick.

Fredericton High School (FHS) is the oldest High School in Canada (est. 1785) and the largest in the British Commonwealth, with a student population of more than 3,000.

The City's high school dropout rate is the lowest in Canada - 15%; compared to 32% nationally.

Fredericton is home to fifteen business related, information technology colleges or academies.

Business

The Globe and Mail 'Report on Business Magazine' designated Fredericton as one of the 'ten smartest Canadian Cities in which to do business'

Employment turnover is the third lowest in Canada (less than 5%) and the absenteeism rate is the second lowest in the country.

More than 110 knowledge industry firms are located in the City of Fredericton.

The City of Fredericton is home to over 150 consulting companies including global engineering firms, marketing firms, management consulting and environmental consulting firms.
 

(as taken from the City of Fredericton website)