Focus on Geography Series, 2021 Census of Population
Nanaimo, Regional district
7.4%
In 2021, there were 12,215 Indigenous people in Nanaimo (Regional district), making up 7.4% of the population.
54.9%
The majority of the Indigenous population reported a single Indigenous identity—either First Nations, Métis or Inuk (Inuit). Of the Indigenous population in Nanaimo (Regional district), 54.9% (6,700) were First Nations people, 39.8% (4,865) were Métis, and 0.9% (115) were Inuit.
65.1%
Within the First Nations population, 65.1% (4,355) had Registered or Treaty Indian status, as defined under the Indian Act. The other 35.0% (2,340) of the First Nations population did not have Registered or Treaty Indian status.
315
In addition to those who reported a single Indigenous identity, 315 people reported more than one Indigenous identity and 215 were defined as having an Indigenous identity that was not included elsewhere.
Total population by Indigenous identity and Registered or Treaty Indian status, Nanaimo (Regional district), 2021
| Indigenous identity | Number | Percent (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Total – Population by Indigenous identity | 166,165 | 100.0 |
| Indigenous identity | 12,215 | 7.4 |
| Single Indigenous responses | 11,680 | 7.0 |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 6,700 | 4.0 |
| First Nations (Registered or Treaty Indian) | 4,355 | 2.6 |
| First Nations (not a Registered or Treaty Indian) | 2,340 | 1.4 |
| Métis | 4,865 | 2.9 |
| Inuk (Inuit) | 115 | 0.1 |
| Multiple Indigenous responses | 315 | 0.2 |
| Indigenous responses not included elsewhere | 215 | 0.1 |
| Non-Indigenous identity | 153,955 | 92.7 |
Younger
In general, the Indigenous population in Nanaimo (Regional district) is younger than the non-Indigenous population.
23.9%
Indigenous children aged 14 and under represented 23.9% of the total Indigenous population, while non-Indigenous children aged 14 and under accounted for 12.0% of the non-Indigenous population.
34.8
The average age of the Indigenous population in Nanaimo (Regional district) was 34.8 years, compared with 48.4 years for the non-Indigenous population.
32.8
The average age was 32.8 years for First Nations people; it was 38 years for Métis; and it was 29.6 years for Inuit.
Age distribution by Indigenous identity, Nanaimo (Regional district), 2021
Selected Indigenous language indicators for First Nations people, Métis and Inuit, Nanaimo (Regional district), 2021
Indigenous population as a proportion of the total population, Nanaimo (Regional district) and higher-level geographies, 2021
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