Population Statistics

Population Statistics

Statistics Canada produces statistics that help Canadians better understand their country—its population, resources, economy, society and culture. On February 9, 2022 Statistics Canada released the 2021 Population Statistics.

The 2021 Census population for the Regional District of Nanaimo is 170,367. Of this number, 26 per cent (43,745) live in electoral areas and First Nation communities and the remaining 74 per cent (126,625) live in municipalities. Click on the Populations Statistics tab below to see a full breakdown of the population within the Regional District of Nanaimo.

Population Statistics

Population Statistics 
Population Statistics
Area Population  
Electoral Area 2001 2006 2011 2016 2021 2001-2006
% change
2006-2011
% change
2011-2016
% change
2016-2021
% change
A 6,423 6,751 6,908 7,058 7,481 5.1% 2.3% 2.2% 6.0%
B 3,522 4,050 4,045 4,033 4,500 15.0% -0.1% -0.3% 11.6%
C a 1,932 2,508 2,834 2,808 3,344 29.8% 13.0% -0.9% 19.1%
E 4,820 5,462 5,674 6,125 6,765 13.3% 3.9% 7.9% 10.4%
F 5,546 6,680 7,422 7,724 8,216 20.4% 11.1% 4.1% 6.4%
G b 6,113 7,023 7,158 7,465 8,109 14.9% 1.9% 4.3% 8.6%
H 3,108 3,474 3,509 3,884 4,291 11.8% 1.0% 10.7% 10.5%
Electoral Area Total 31,464 35,948 37,550 39,097 42,709 14.3% 4.5% 4.1% 9.2%
 
Population statistics
Area Population  
Municipalities 2001 2006 2011 2016 2021 2001-2006
% change
2006-2011
% change
2011-2016
% change
2016-2021
% change
Nanaimo 73,000 78,692 83,810 90,504 99,863 7.8% 6.5% 8.0% 10.3%
Parksville 10,323 10,993 11,977 12,514 13,642 6.5% 9.0% 4.5% 9.0%
Lantzville a 3,653 3,661 3,601 3,605 3,817 0.2% -1.6% 0.1% 5.9%
Qualicum Beach b 7,849 8,502 8,687 8,943 9,303 8.3% 2.2% 2.9% 4.0%
Municipalities Total 94,825 101,848 108,075 115,566 126,625 7.4% 6.1% 6.9% 9.6%
 
Population statistics
Area Population  
First Nation Reserves 2001 2006 2011 2016 2021 2001-2006
% change
2006-2011
% change
2011-2016
% change
2016-2021
% change
Snuyneymuxw 1 238 279 377 360 386 17.2% 35.1% -4.5% 7.2%
Snuyneymuxw 2 20 21 26 20 37 5.0% 23.8% -23.1% 85.0%
Snuyneymuxw 3 33 50 81 92 67 51.5% 62.0% 13.6% -27.2%
Snuyneymuxw 4 158 208 180 259 219 31.6% -13.5% 43.9% -15.4%
Nanoose 207 191 204 230 245 -7.7% 6.8% 12.7% 6.5%
Qualicum 71 86 81 74 82 21.1% -5.8% -8.6% 10.8%
First Nations Total 727 835 949 1,035 1,036 14.9% 13.7% 9.1% 0.1%
 
Population statistics
Area                  
RDN 2001 2006 2011 2016 2021 2001-2006
% change
2006-2011
% change
2011-2016
% change
2016-2021
% change
Total Population c 127,016 138,631 146,574 155,698 170,367 9.1% 5.7% 6.2% 9.4%
 

Source: Statistics Canada, www.statcan.gc.ca (2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021 Canadian Census)

The 2001 population is adjusted to reflect that Area D was incorporated into Area C and Lantzville. The 2001 population is adjusted to take into account boundary changes between the 2001 and 2006 Censuses 

Population Growth Chart

popgrowth

Census Profiles 

Population Growth 1981-2021 

The population of the region increased from 77,624 residents in 1981 to 170,367 residents in 2021. This means an increase of 119% during that time at a growth rate of approximately 3 per cent per year, on average.

Population growth rates in the Regional District have fluctuated over the past 40 years during different census periods. These highs and lows are the result of a range of factors including migration, aging as well as births and deaths.

Population statistics
Census Year Estimated Population Census Period Census Period Growth Rate (%) Average Annual Growth Rate (%)
1981 77,624 1976-1981 25 5
1986 82,714 1981-1986 7 1.4
1991 102,411 1986-1991 24 4.8
1996 121,783 1991-1996 19 3.8
2001 127,016 1996-2001 4 0.8
2006 138,631 2001-2006 9 1.8
2011 146,574 2006-2011 6 1.2
2016 155,698 2011-2016 6 1.2
2021 170,367 2016-2021 9 1.8
Source: Statistics Canada

Future Population Growth 

The Regional Housing Needs Report, completed in 2020, includes population growth for the region over the next 20 years. The original projections were based on the 2016 Census Year and has since been updated given the release of 2021 Census Year data.

These projects represent the region’s current growth path allowing for some adjustments in national growth. Given annual growth rates may vary between rural and urban areas, a baseline and High Growth Scenario is provided, The Baseline Scenario is considered representative of the region.

Baseline Scenario is based on 1.1 % growth per year, showing an increase from 172,453 people in 2021 to 185,819 in 2026, and an estimated 216,008 people by 2041. 

High Growth Scenario assumes a higher rate of net migration with a growth rate of 1.7 per cent annually. Under this scenario, the region’s population is estimated to increase from 172,453 people in 2021 to 190,640 in 2026, and to an estimated 239,476 people by 2041.

Note, the population projections are based on the 2021 Census Year, adjusted to account for “net Census undercoverage”. Undercoverage is the percentage of the population that is missed by the Census (balanced against those who are double counted).

Updated population projections (2021-2041) prepared by Vann Struth Consulting Group for the RDN:

Baseline Scenario

  2021 2026 2031 2036 2041 Growth, 2021-2041 Average Annual Change, 2021-2041 Average Annual Growth Rate
Population 172,453

185,819

196,752 206,715 216,008 43,55 2,178 1.1%
Age 0 to 14 21,367 22,254 22,286 22,639 23,220 1,853 93 0.4%
Age 15 to 24 15,529 16,432 18,353 19,035 19,366 3,837 192 1.1%
Age 25 to 34 18,541 18,613 17,807 18,685 20,780 2,239 112 0.6%
Age 35 to 44 19,728 23,056 24,370 24,486 23,930 4,212 221 1.0%
Age 45 to 54 19,536 20,894 24,410 27,710 29,249 9,713 486 2.0%
Age 55 to 64 27,128 25,452 24,265 25,619 29,259 2,130 107 0.4%
Age 65 to 74 29,142 31,457 31,595 30,097 29,286 144 7 0.0%
Age 75 to 84 15,720 21,100 25,300 27,324 27,324 11,604 580 2.8%
Age 85+ 5,763 6,561 8,366 11,322 13,585 7,822 391 4.4%

 High Growth Scenario

  2021 2026 2031 2036 2041 Growth, 2021-2041 Average Annual Change, 2021-2041 Average Annual Growth Rate
Population 172,453

190,640

207,786 223,987 239,476 67,023 3,351 1.7%
Age 0 to 14 21,367 23,168 24,228 25,450 26,776 5,409 270, 1.1%
Age 15 to 24 15,529 17,058 19,778 21,267 22,366 6,837 342 1.8%
Age 25 to 34 18,541 19,238 19,205 20,856 23,758 5,217 261 1.2%
Age 35 to 44 19,728 23,687 25,799 26,700 26,917 7,189 359 1.6%
Age 45 to 54 19,536 21,523 25,834 29,924 32,246 12,710 635 2.5%
Age 55 to 64 27,128 26,079 25,676 27,802 32,206 5,078 254 0.9%
Age 65 to 74 29,142 32,076 32,971 32,203 32,107 2,965 148 0.5%
Age 75 to 84 15,720 21,250 25,928 28,371 29,165 13,445 672 3.1%
Age 85+ 5,763 6,561 8,366 11,414 13,935 8,173 409 4.5%

Additional Information and Resources 

 
Phone: 250-390-6510 | Toll Free: 1-877-607-4111
Fax: 250-390-7511 | E-mail: askplanning [at] rdn.bc.ca