The NDP saw much of its support in West Dartmouth, around Topsail Lake, the northern part of Cole Harbour, and the communities of Imperoyal and Woodside as well as the Cole Harbour 30 Indian Reserve.

The Liberals dominated in Central, Eastern and Northern Dartmouth and in southern Cole Harbour.

The district consisted of the Dartmouth area, Bedford and most of eastern Halifax County.

The electoral district of Dartmouth—Cole Harbour in 2004 was created from 86.8% of the population of the new riding came from Dartmouth, and 13.2% from Sackville—Musquodoboit Valley—Eastern Shore.

Note that the Conservatives did not run a candidate in Dartmouth—Cole Harbour in the 2021 election, as their nominee withdrew shortly before the registration deadline.