All Countries
Nanaimo, BC
British Columbia
Nanaimo is a mid-size city in British Columbia with a population of 99,863. Residents earn $75,500 per year, which is 0% below the national average.
Discover Nanaimo, BC
Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
Use the tabs and dropdown menus below to navigate every data point we track for this city.
How Nanaimo Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
BHousing
CCrime
C+Climate
Education
CCommunity
Is Nanaimo a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Nanaimo receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment. Nanaimo has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Nanaimo is $75,500, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. At 8.4%, unemployment is notably high. 11.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Nanaimo is $600,000, making it a premium housing market at 113% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,250 per month. With a home price-to-income ratio of 7.9x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.
Safety & Crime
Property crime occurs at a rate of 106 per 100,000, 95% below the national average.
Education
14.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 30.5% have completed high school.
Climate & Weather
Nanaimo experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area gets 246 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 49.9 inches, including 23.5 inches of snow.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Nanaimo vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Nanaimo vs U.S. Average
Income: Nanaimo vs U.S.
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $75,500 |
| 0% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $46,600 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $896 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 8.4% |
| 133% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% |
| 10% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 135 |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 69 |
| Healthcare | 11 |
| Retail | 9 |
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 21.4 min |
| Drive Alone | 80.7% |
| Public Transit | 4.0% |
| Work from Home | 21.5% |
Walkability
Home Value Sources
Ownership Split
Home Values
| Census Median | $600,000 |
| 113% above US avg |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $1,250 |
| 7% above US avg | |
| Rent Burden | 24.4% |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 66.7% |
| Owner-Occupied | 66.7% |
| Renter-Occupied | 33.3% |
| Housing Units | 43,165 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: Nanaimo vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)
Violent Crime
Property Crime
| Total Property | 106.0/100K |
| 95% below US avg | |
| Burglary | 14.7/100K |
| Theft | 75.8/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 15.3/100K |
Traffic Safety
Safety Score
| Safety Grade | C+ |
| Safety Score | 2.5 / 5.0 |
Temperature
| Annual Average | 51.0°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 246 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 72 ft (22 m) |
| Area | 34.9 sq mi (90.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,860/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 49.1664°N, 123.9400°W |
| Timezone | America/Vancouver |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Tsunami History
4 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 38.0 m (125 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 2007 | CHEHALIS LAKE, CHILLIWACK | Meteorological | 38.0 m | — | 144 km |
| 1946 | BRITISH COLUMBIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 9.0 m | 1 | 106 km |
| 1891 | WASHINGTON | Eruption + Earthquake | 2.4 m | — | 134 km |
| 1958 | RIPPLE ROCK, BC | Earthquake + Landslide | 0.5 m | — | 141 km |
Nearby Volcanoes
6 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Garibaldi (102 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Garibaldi | Stratovolcano | 2,678 m (8,786 ft) | -8060 | 102 km |
| Garibaldi Lake | Volcanic field | 2,316 m (7,598 ft) | Unknown | 109 km |
| Cayley Volcanic Field | Volcanic field | 2,375 m (7,792 ft) | Unknown | 116 km |
| Baker | Stratovolcano(es) | 3,285 m (10,778 ft) | 1880 | 161 km |
| Meager | Complex | 2,680 m (8,793 ft) | -410 | 166 km |
| Bridge River Cones | Volcanic field | 2,500 m (8,202 ft) | Unknown | 186 km |
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (4°C) | 8.0 in | |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 5.3 in | |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 4.9 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 2.2 in | |
| June | 58°F (14°C) | 1.8 in | |
| July | 67°F (19°C) | 1.1 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 63°F (17°C) | 1.4 in | |
| September | 58°F (14°C) | 1.6 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 4.6 in | |
| November | 42°F (6°C) | 8.0 in | |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 8.2 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Nanaimo has a seasonal temperature swing of 29°F / from 37°F in December to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.9 inches, with December being the wettest month (8.2") and July the driest (1.1").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% |
| 56% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 30.5% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 6.9% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 2,860/sq mi |
| Total Area | 34.9 sq mi |
Services
| Healthcare Facilities | 11 |
| Restaurants | 69 |
| Retail Stores | 9 |
Commute & Transportation
| Avg Commute | 21.4 min |
| Drive Alone | 80.7% |
| Public Transit | 4.0% |
| Work from Home | 21.5% |
Colleges & Universities in Nanaimo
| Institution | Type | Enrollment | Acceptance | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy of Learning | — | — | — | — | — |
| Discovery Community College | — | — | — | — | — |
| I-Lander College | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sprott Shaw College | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sylvan Learning Centre | — | — | — | — | — |
| Vancouver Island University | — | — | — | — | — |
Schools in Nanaimo
4 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nanaimo District Secondary School | — | — | — | — |
| Brechin Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
| Fairview Community School | — | — | — | — |
| École Pauline Haarer | — | — | — | — |
Radio Stations near Nanaimo
7 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CKAY 91.7 "Coast FM" Nanaimo, BC | hits, nanaimo | AAC+ 57 kbps | |
| CJSU-FM 89.7 "Sun FM" Duncan, BC | adult hits | AAC+ 57 kbps | |
| CHWF-FM "The Wolf 106.9" Nanaimo, BC | active rock | AAC+ 48 kbps | |
| CKWV-FM 102.3 "The Wave" Nanaimo, BC | hot adult contemporary | AAC+ 48 kbps | |
| The Lounge CHPQ-FM 99.9 Parksville | — | AAC+ 48 kbps | |
| CIBH 88.5 "The Beach" Parksville, BC | adult contemporary | AAC+ 48 kbps | |
| CHPQ-FM "The Lounge 99.9" Parksville, BC | adult standards, classic hits | AAC+ 48 kbps |
Museums in Nanaimo
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemainus Valley Museum | ||||
| Gabriola Museum | ||||
| Harbour Heritage Centre | ||||
| Ladysmith Maritime Society Museum | ||||
| Ladysmith Museum | ||||
| Museum of Natural History | ||||
| Nanaimo Museum | ||||
| Nanaimo Museum | ||||
| Protection Island Museum | ||||
| Vancouver Island Military Museum |
Libraries in Nanaimo
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 305 - Library | 0.0 | |||||
| VIRL: Chemainus Branch | 0.0 | |||||
| VIRL: Gabriola Island Branch | 0.0 | |||||
| VIRL: Ladysmith Branch | 0.0 | |||||
| VIRL: Nanaimo Harbourfront Branch | 0.0 | |||||
| VIRL: Nanaimo North Branch | 0.0 | |||||
| VIRL: Nanaimo Wellington Branch | 0.0 |
Farmers Markets in Nanaimo
| Name | Address | Season | Hours | Organic | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Farmers Market | |||||
| Chemainus Public Market | |||||
| Gabriola Agricultural Co-op Farmers Market | |||||
| Island Roots |
Hotels in Nanaimo
5 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Cafes in Nanaimo
12 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Clinics in Nanaimo
16 clinics within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Dentists in Nanaimo
4 dentists within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Veterinaries in Nanaimo
1 veterinaries within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Nanaimo
4 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Banks in Nanaimo
2 banks within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Gyms in Nanaimo
4 gyms within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Breweries in Nanaimo
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longwood Brewery | ||||
| Serious Brewing | ||||
| White Sails Brewery | ||||
| Wolf Brewery |
Ski Resorts Near Nanaimo
1 ski resorts within range.
| Resort | Slopes (km) | Lifts | Peak (m) | Price | Season | Night | Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota Ridge Recreation Site | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
Airports Near Nanaimo
11 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria International Airport | YYJ | Large Airport |
| Nanaimo Airport | YCD | Medium Airport |
| Powell River Airport | YPW | Medium Airport |
| Qualicum Beach Airport | XQU | Medium Airport |
| Duncan Airport | DUQ | Small Airport |
| Long Harbour Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Michell Airpark | — | Small Airport |
| Quamichan Lake (Raven Field) Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Sechelt-Gibsons Airport | YHS | Small Airport |
| Stuart Island West Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Texada Gillies Bay Airport | YGB | Small Airport |
Post Offices in Nanaimo
1 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| Downtown Nanaimo |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Nanaimo
6 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Khalsa Diwan Society Nanaimo | |
| Saint Andrew's United Church | |
| Saint Paul's Anglican Church | |
| Saint Peter's Catholic Church | |
| Unitarian Fellowship of Nanaimo | |
| Wakesiah Gospel Chapel |
Explore Near Nanaimo
Download Full City Report
Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Nanaimo.
Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Nanaimo
What is the population of Nanaimo?
Nanaimo has a population of 99,863 residents and is located in British Columbia. The population density is 2,860 people per square mile, spread across 34.9 square miles. The median age of residents is 45.2 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 51.7% female and 48.3% male.
Is Nanaimo expensive to live in?
The median household income is $75,500, 0% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $600,000 (113% above the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,250 per month. The home price-to-income ratio is 7.9x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.
Is Nanaimo safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 106 per 100,000 (below the national average). Overall, Nanaimo receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Nanaimo?
Nanaimo has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winter temperatures average 40°F in January, while summers reach an average of 67°F in July. The area receives 246 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 49.9 inches, with 23.5 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Nanaimo?
The job market in Nanaimo faces challenges, with unemployment at 8.4% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $896. There are 135 business establishments in the area, including 69 restaurants and food service locations. The average commute time is 21 minutes, and 21.5% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in Nanaimo?
The median home value in Nanaimo is $600,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,250. The homeownership rate is 66.7%.
How are the schools in Nanaimo?
14.7% of adults in Nanaimo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 30.5% have completed high school. 6.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.
What is transportation like in Nanaimo?
The average commute in Nanaimo is 21 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 80.7% of workers drive alone to work, 4% use public transit, and 21.5% work from home.
What are the demographics of Nanaimo?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Nanaimo is 86.3% White, 1.2% Black or African American, 0.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.3% Asian. 90.9% of residents speak only English at home.