There are a variety of documents that you can read to learn more about growth management issues facing the Regional District of Nanaimo.
Summary of Key Challenges
RGS Review Background Reports
- Previously Identified Challenges and Questions
- Implications of the State of Sustainability Report for the Regional Growth Strategy Review
- Population and Housing Change in the Nanaimo Region, 2006 to 2036
- Land Inventory and Residential Capacity Analysis
Other Important Documents
- RDN Board Strategic Plan (2010-2012)
- RDN Regional Growth Strategy (2003)
- State of Sustainability Project
- RDN Board Strategic Plan (2006-2009)
- BC Climate Action Charter
- Presentation
Studies and Reports from Previous RGS Reviews
The following background reports and studies were used to inform previous reviews and implementation of the Regional Growth Strategy.- Demographic and Socioeconomic Trends in the Regional District of Nanaimo
- Land Inventory Analysis for the Regional District of Nanaimo
- Environmental Protection and the Regional District of Nanaimo;
- Economic Development Opportunities for the Regional District of Nanaimo; Assessment Report - Please visit our office to view this report
- Urban and Rural Villages Workshop; Urban and Rural Villages Workshop Report - Summary
- Land Use and Servicing Issues; Issues Associated With the Plan's Land Use and Servicing Strategies
- Economic Planning Study
- Aggregates Study
- Large Land Holdings Study
- Transportation and Mobility Study
Best Practices Brochure
- Mixed Use Centres Brochure [ 7.7mb Download ]
- Growth Management Resources
- Growth Management Links
Population
RDN Population (2001 & 2006 Census Data)
| Area | Population | |
|---|---|---|
| Electoral Area | 2001 | 2006 |
| A | 6,423 | 6,751 |
| B | 3,522 | 4,050 |
| C | 1,167 | 2,508 |
| D (* See Note below) | 4,656 | 0 |
| E | 4,820 | 5,462 |
| F | 5,546 | 6,680 |
| G | 7,041 | 7,023 |
| H | 3,108 | 3,474 |
| Sub-Total | 36,283 | 35,948 |
| Area | Population | |
|---|---|---|
| Municipality | 2001 | 2006 |
| City of Nanaimo | 73,000 | 78,692 |
| City of Parksville | 10,323 | 10,993 |
| District of Lantzville (* See Note below) | 3,661 | |
| Town of Qualicum Beach | 6,921 | 8,502 |
| Sub-Total | 90,244 | 101,848 |
*The population of Area D was incorporated into Area C and Lantzville
| Area | Population | |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Reserves | 2001 | 2006 |
| Nanaimo 1 | 238 | 279 |
| Nanaimo 2 | 20 | 21 |
| Nanaimo 3 | 33 | 50 |
| Nanaimo 4 | 158 | 208 |
| Nanoose | 207 | 191 |
| Qualicum | 71 | 86 |
| Sub-Total | 727 | 835 |
| Total Population (RDN) | 127,016 | 138,631 |
|
Source: Statistics Canada, www.statscan.ca (2001and 2006 Census Census) * Note that Urban Systems 2007 calculated 2006 regional population to be 144,317 - this is the starting point for growth projections used for the second Regional Growth Strategy Review and 2010 draft. |
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Past Population Growth
The population of the region increased from 77,624 residents in 1981 to 138,631 residents in 2006. This means the population in the region increased 79% during that time, at a rate of approximately 3% per year, on average.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 77,624 |
| 1986 | 82,714 |
| 1991 | 102,411 |
| 1996 | 121,783 |
| 2001 | 127,016 |
| 2006 | 138,631 |
| Source: Statistics Canada | |
Growth rates have varied over the last 25 years. The economic 'bust' of the early 1980s had a dramatic effect on the region, with the growth rate dropping from 25% to 7%. Economic recovery coincided with a more than doubling of the growth rate in the region in the late 1980s. Another economic downturn in the late 1990s saw growth rates fall significantly to 4%. From 2001 to 2006, the rate of population growth more than doubled to 9%.
| Census Period | Census Period Growth Rate (%) |
|---|---|
| 1976-1981 | 25 |
| 1981-1986 | 7 |
| 1986-1991 | 24 |
| 1991-1996 | 19 |
| 1996-2001 | 4 |
| 2001-2006 | 9 |
| Source: Statistics Canada | |
- View BC Statistics profile for the RDN (2001)
- View BC Statistics profile for the RDN (2006)
- View BC Statistics RDN Census Profile Map (2006)
- View BC Statistics RDN Community Facts (2010)
Future Population Growth
The population of the region is projected to increase to between 209,014 and 231,184 residents by 2036 (BC Statistics, www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca, Urban Systems 2007). Using an estimated population of 144,317 residents in 2006 (Urban Systems 2007), this represents potential increases in population ranging from 45-60% between 2006 and 2036, at a rate of approximately 1.5-2% to per year, on average.
Of more importance is the change in composition of the population. The region's population has aged significantly since 1986 with the majority of the population now over the age of 45. The fastest growing age group between 1986 and 2006 was the sector of the population over the age of 65. This trend is expected to continue which has significant implications for land use, housing, services and employment.
