Young people become fastest growing age group in Nanaimo, B.C.
In the City of Nanaimo, there's a change in the air. Young, working adults are choosing to call the Mid-Island city home at a quickly rising rate.
The city's latest economic snapshot shows that 25 to 44-year-olds will be the fastest growing age group in Nanaimo over the next decade. It's the first time this demographic has surged past the 65+ cohort in years.
"Coming from North Van, that was the reason we moved in the first place, because we could actually buy something," said one young family that spoke with CTV News in Nanaimo on Tuesday.
Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog says the recent data is exciting for the Harbour City.
"It clearly shows people have confidence in Nanaimo," he said.
"People want to live here and the construction industry is booming, responding to all the folks who are making that decision."
The highest number of business licenses dolled out in Nanaimo last year went to the construction sector, and new housing starts rose by 50 per cent in 2021.
But, some community members warn that more needs to be done to address affordability in the region as it grows.
"Every day that I've come here there's been people hanging around to see if there's a bed that comes open for them," said Paul Manly with the Nanaimo Unitarian Shelter.
"We have people that use the shelter who have jobs, who are in school, and just can't find affordable housing in the community," he said.
Nanaimo's mayor says he hopes the province will help contribute to the housing situation as population grows.
"I don't want people to come to Nanaimo and discover or believe that it's not what it's cracked up to be and move on," said Krog.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.