Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Field Notes • Canada Places

Chicoutimi

Chicoutimi is a borough of the city of Saguenay in Quebec, Canada, and the most populous and central borough of that city.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Chicoutimi is a borough of the city of Saguenay in Quebec, Canada. It is the most populous and central borough of the city, located at the confluence of the Saguenay and Chicoutimi rivers.

What it is

Chicoutimi is a borough of Saguenay, Quebec, situated at the meeting point of the Saguenay and Chicoutimi rivers. It was an independent city until 2002 and is now the most populous borough of Saguenay, with a population of 69,004 (2021).

Why it matters

Historically, Chicoutimi developed as the main administrative and commercial centre of the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region. Its urban core remains an important part of the Saguenay metropolitan area, and the name is thought to mean 'the end of deep water' in Innu.

Key details

Chicoutimi was merged into the newly created city of Saguenay in the 2002 municipal reorganizations. It lies on the western end of the Saguenay Fjord and includes the historic core of the former city.

In short

  • Largest borough of Saguenay by population (69,004 in 2021)
  • Located at the confluence of the Saguenay and Chicoutimi rivers
  • Merged into Saguenay in 2002
  • Historically an important administrative and commercial centre
Canadian angle

Chicoutimi is an important Quebec place name and a central part of Saguenay, making it relevant to Canadian urban history, municipal reorganization, and regional identity in eastern Canada.

Quick questions

What is Chicoutimi?
Chicoutimi is a borough of the city of Saguenay in Quebec, Canada, and the city's most populous borough.
Is Chicoutimi still a separate city?
No. It was merged into the city of Saguenay in 2002 and is now a borough.
What does the name Chicoutimi mean?
It is commonly given as an Innu word meaning 'the end of deep water,' referring to the tidal limit of the river.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicoutimi
    Supports: Borough status, location, 2002 merger, population, regional role
  2. The Canadian Encyclopedia — https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/chicoutimi
    Supports: Former city status, geography, name meaning, historical development
  3. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Saguenay
    Supports: 2002 amalgamation into Saguenay and historical context
  4. Wikipedia (French) — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicoutimi
    Supports: Borough status, central and populous district, 2021 population
  5. Apple Maps — https://maps.apple.com/place?auid=10254765735134422638
    Supports: Population, location, central borough description