Population: 426 (1996) includes Sibley's Cove and Lead Cove

The original name of Brownsdale, Trinity Bay was Lance Cove South. It's name was changed because there were two other Lance Coves on the Island. (one of these was on Bell Island).

One of the earliest census reports for the area was Hutchinson's Newfoundland Directory, done in 1864 in which was a commissioned census that concentrated on the Southern side of Trinity Bay.

In the Hutchinson's Census, there were nine permanent settlers listed for Lance Cove.

These settlers were listed as having the following names and given occupations:
Armstrong Edward, planter
Brown Henry, planter
Cummins Peter, planter
Evans James, planter
Head James, planter
Hopkins Thomas, planter
Johnston John, planter
Thorn William, planter
and Pike John, Planter

Earlier mentions of Lance Cove as a census reference can be found in Newfoundland Historical manuscripts, but it is unclear as to which Lance Cove these references are incurring.

The 1921 Newfoundland Census also mentions Lance Cove (Brownsdale), with the name given as Browndale so it is likely the name was changed prior to this year.

The prevalent surnames given in the 1921 census include (in the order or prevalence):
Matthews, Austin, Strong, Thorn, Brown, Pike, etc.

The reoccurance of such names from Hutchinson's Census confirms that some of these names are indeed, direct descendants from earlier settlers. Their occupations are not given in the 1921 data.