Nanaimo Population 2026
Nanaimo has a population of 90,504, making it the #77 biggest city in 🇨🇦 Canada, located in British Columbia. Roughly 0.2% of Canada's population lives here. It is about 31× smaller than Toronto, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
90,504
Rank in Canada
#77
Coordinates
49.17°N, 123.94°W
~16 m elevation · America/Vancouver
Distance to capital (Ottawa)
3,600 km
2,236 miles, straight line
Other big cities in British Columbia
Cities near Nanaimo
- Harewood8,769 people · ~2 km away
- North Cowichan29,676 people · ~41 km away
- Duncan22,199 people · ~46 km away
- Richmond209,937 people · ~58 km away
- Vancouver662,248 people · ~60 km away
- Port Alberni20,712 people · ~63 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Nanaimo?
Nanaimo has a population of 90,504 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #77 biggest city in Canada.
What region is Nanaimo in?
Nanaimo is located in British Columbia, Canada.
Is Nanaimo the capital of Canada?
No, the capital of Canada is Ottawa, about 3,600 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.