More people are coming to Nanaimo and the surrounding area, albeit at a slower pace than in years past according to Statistics Canada data. (Image Credit: Dreamstime)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

stats can data

Nanaimo & Mid-Island population growth slows in latest estimates

Jan 19, 2026 | 1:52 PM

NANAIMO — Years after being labelled as one of the fastest-growing areas in the country, population growth in the Harbour City has somewhat slowed.

Data from Statistics Canada released on Wednesday, Jan. 14 estimates the Greater Nanaimo area’s population at 129,750, as of July 1, 2025.

It’s a 1.17 per cent increase from mid-2024 and represents the lowest annual population growth in the data set, back to 2021.

The figure represents a population estimate of residents in the City of Nanaimo, as well as those in rural areas to the west, Lantzville, Cedar and Yellow Point.

A map of the Nanaimo Census Metropolitan Area (CMA). (Image Credit: Statistics Canada)

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Multiple other communities on the mid-Island experienced similar changes, with Parksville estimated to have seen a 0.22 per cent increase in population to 32,525 people as of last July.

Port Alberni saw a 0.5 per cent jump to 27,672 people, while the Courtenay/Comox Valley area had a 1.09 per cent boost to 70,323 residents.

Ladysmith was the outlier in the Statistics Canada data, showing a 0.8 per cent increase to 16,679 which outpaced a jump of roughly half the size in 2023.

Population estimates are based on the 2021 Census data, combined with the results of studies and other data points to calculate an estimated population total.

The next Census is in May 2026.

Data from communities on the mid-Island, as well as Victoria and Canadian totals. (Image Credit: Statistics Canada)

Canada’s population is estimated to be just over 41.65 million people, a 0.94 per cent growth between July 1, 2024 and July 1, 2025.

It’s the lowest growth rate in the last five years and is pacing well below the 3.03 per cent increase the country saw by July 2024.

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