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Regional District of Nanaimo facts for kids

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Nanaimo
Regional district
Regional District of Nanaimo
Nanaimo Bastion
Nanaimo Bastion
Official logo of Nanaimo
Logo
A map of British Columbia depicting its 29 regional districts and equivalent municipalities. One is highlighted in red.
Location in British Columbia
Country Canada
Province British Columbia
Administrative office location Nanaimo
Government
 • Type Regional district
 • Body Board of Directors
Area
 • Land 2,038.04 km2 (786.89 sq mi)
Population
 (2016)
 • Total 155,698
 • Density 76.4/km2 (198/sq mi)
Website rdn.bc.ca

The Regional District of Nanaimo is a regional district located on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. It is bordered to the south by the Cowichan Valley Regional District, to the west by the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, and to the northwest by the Comox Valley Regional District. Its administration offices are located in Nanaimo. During the 2016 census, its population was established at 155,698.

The Regional District of Nanaimo was incorporated on August 24, 1967. It has members that are cities, towns, districts, and seven electoral areas that contain unincorporated communities.

The region owns and operates the Nanaimo Regional Transit System, which provides conventional local bus routes and special needs paratransit services.

Incorporated municipalities

Municipality Government Type Population
Nanaimo city 90,504
Parksville city 12,514
Qualicum Beach town 8,687
Lantzville district municipality 3,601

Electoral areas

Electoral areas have no administrative or governmental function, and are used only to select rural representatives to the Regional District board.

Area A (Cassidy/Cedar)

This electoral area is located on Vancouver Island, on the Stuart Channel southeast of Nanaimo.

According to the Canada 2016 Census:

  • Population: 7,058 (exclusive of any residents of Indian Reserves)
  • % Change (2011-2016): 2.2
  • Dwellings: 3,116
  • Area (km²): 60.31
  • Density (persons per km²): 117.0

Contains the communities of Cassidy, Cedar, and South Wellington. Nanaimo Airport is also located here.

Area B (Gabriola Island)

This electoral area contains DeCourcy Island, Gabriola Island and Mudge Island.

According to the Canada 2016 Census:

  • Population: 4,033 (exclusive of any residents of Indian Reserves)
  • % Change (2011-2016): -0.3
  • Dwellings: 2,987
  • Area (km²): 57.76
  • Density (persons per km²): 69.8

Area C (Arrowsmith/Benson)

This electoral area is located on Vancouver Island, to the southwest of Nanaimo. It contains the upper Nanaimo River, the Nanaimo Lakes, Mount Benson and Mount Arrowsmith.

According to the Canada 2016 Census:

  • Population: 2,808 (exclusive of any residents of Indian Reserves)
  • % Change (2011-2016): -0.9
  • Dwellings: 1,097
  • Area (km²): 1,098.94
  • Density (persons per km²): 2.6

Contains the community of Extension.

Area E (Nanoose Bay)

This electoral area is located on Vancouver Island, on the shore of the Strait of Georgia, between Lantzville and Parksville. It is co-extensive with the community of Nanoose Bay.

According to the Canada 2016 Census:

  • Population: 6,125 (exclusive of any residents of Indian Reserves)
  • % Change (2011-2016): 7.9
  • Dwellings: 3,066
  • Area (km²): 75.08
  • Density (persons per km²): 81.6

Area F (Alberni Highway)

This electoral area is located on Vancouver Island, to the west of Qualicum Beach and Parksville. British Columbia Highway 4 runs the length of the area.

According to the Canada 2016 Census:

  • Population: 7,724 (exclusive of any residents of Indian Reserves)
  • % Change (2011-2016): 4.1
  • Dwellings: 3,530
  • Area (km²): 264.36
  • Density (persons per km²): 29.2

Includes the communities of Coombs, Errington, Hilliers, Meadowood and Whiskey Creek, as well as Cameron Lake and Cathedral Grove.

Area G (Mid-Oceanside)

This electoral area is located on Vancouver Island, on the shore of the Strait of Georgia, surrounding Qualicum Beach and almost surrounding Parksville.

According to the Canada 2016 Census:

  • Population: 7,465 (exclusive of any residents of Indian Reserves)
  • % Change (1996-2001): 4.3
  • Dwellings: 3,553
  • Area (km²): 49.32
  • Density (persons per km²): 151.4

Contains the communities of Dashwood and French Creek.

Area H (Lighthouse Country)

This electoral area is located on Vancouver Island, on the shore of the Strait of Georgia at the southern entrance to Baynes Sound, northwest of Qualicum Beach.

According to the Canada 2016 Census:

  • Population: 3,884 (exclusive of any residents of Indian Reserves)
  • % Change (1996-2001): 10.7
  • Dwellings: 2,436
  • Area (km²): 277.41
  • Density (persons per km²): 14.0

Contains the communities of Bowser, Deep Bay, Dunsmuir and Horne Lake, as well as the Shaw Hill area in its southeastern part.

Demographics

Ethnic groups in Nanaimo RD (2016)
Source: [1]
Population  %
Ethnic group European 124,015 81.8%
Aboriginal 12,290 8.1%
Chinese 2,695 1.8%
South Asian 2,255 1.5%
Filipino 1,290 0.9%
Southeast Asian 985 0.6%
Black 950 0.6%
Japanese 725 0.5%
Latin American 565 0.4%
Korean 465 0.3%
Arab 270 0.2%
West Asian 195 0.1%
Multiple minorities 345 0.2%
Visible minority, n.i.e. 110 0.1%
Total population 155,698 100%

Administrative role

The Regional District of Nanaimo categorizes its responsibilities into five "action areas":

  • The Regional Federation
  • Strategic and Community Development
  • Transportation and Solid Waste
  • Regional and Community Utilities
  • Recreation and Parks

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Distrito regional de Nanaimo para niños

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