The latest Vital Signs report took a data-driven look at many segments of Nanaimo including population growth, affordability, housing needs, daycare spaces and much more. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

state of nanaimo

Housing and affordability highlighted in latest Nanaimo Vital Signs report

Nov 23, 2025 | 5:50 AM

NANAIMO — A new report is highlighting continued struggles for youth, seniors and other vulnerable segments of the local population.

The Nanaimo Foundation published its biannual Vital Signs report earlier in November, a bi-annual community snapshot which takes a data-driven look at how areas of the Harbour City are doing, and where improvements can be made.

Foundation CEO Tracey Brown said 2025’s report mirrors a lot of what was found in 2023: affordability and housing availability are major challenges, but also a few wins.

“We’re still not doing well with youth and seniors, and with those vulnerable populations, affordability is still an issue, especially as it relates to the demand for housing. High school graduation rates have increased, and there’s more green space in our community, but there are still those core challenges around affordability.”

The report is the end result of data collected from a host of different organizations, including local and regional government.

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Census data is also factored in, with Brown noting their next report in 2027 will be able to use fresh data from the May 2026 count.

Of concern was an apparent lower sense of community in Nanaimo than elsewhere in B.C. with 45.4 per cent of survey respondents saying then had a strong sense of belonging locally, compared to 47.9 per cent in B.C.

Fewer Nanaimo residents reported having someone to count on, or as having a hopeful outlook.

More locals said they have a higher life satisfaction than the provincial average.

Brown said the lack of a “third space” is a real challenge in Nanaimo, meaning those new to community have a tougher time making personal connections.

“Many of our newcomers are coming from places where there’s like a natural place to intersect with community and meet people, and that’s a gap in Nanaimo. We’re all out in the summer time, but there aren’t a lot of community spaces in the rainy season.”

A major gulf between available daycare spaces and demand was also highlighted with one space available for every 10 children between the ages of zero and two in Nanaimo.

Pre-K and school-aged spaces were also at a premium.

Brown said their data included only licensed spaces, meaning unlicensed, home-based daycares were not included.

She added she hopes the report acts as a guiding document to help other organizations target their efforts locally.

“It’s our vision that community members will engage with their community and empower themselves to make a difference. We hope this inspires the change makers in our community to help the charitable sector and to make our community a better place.”

The full report is available to read here.

— with files from Jordan Davidson

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