Interesting Facts:    

• 1675, the population of Witless Bay is 34.

• 1700's, Irish fishing servants begin arriving in the area and quickly start to outnumber the English

• 1755, as Roman Catholicism is still outlawed in Newfoundland, priests disguised as fishermen, minister to the spiritual needs of the community.

• 1836, the first official census of Newfoundland puts the population at 542, of which 540 were Roman Catholic.

• 1845, Roman Catholic Church opens.

• 1860, the Presentation Sisters open a convent and a school for girls.

• 1871, population reaches 928.

• 1960's, people are re-settled from Gallows Cove at the southern headland of Witless Bay to the community of Witless Bay.

• 1986, Witless Bay is incorporated

• 2006 Census Population: 1070  

• 2016 Census Population: 1619