Kelowna vs Nanaimo: Population & Income Compared

Choosing between Kelowna and Nanaimo in British Columbia? These metrics — population, growth, median after-tax household income, and average age — offer a factual starting point. Here is a clear head-to-head.

Population & growth

Kelowna counted 144,576 residents in 2021, compared with Nanaimo at 99,863. Size, however, is not the same as momentum. Kelowna's population rose 13.5% from 2016 to 2021, while Nanaimo grew 10.3% over the same period.

In short: Kelowna leads on municipal population; Kelowna grew faster during the last census cycle.

Income

Median after-tax household income tells another part of the story. Kelowna households sat at $73,500 (median after tax), versus $68,500 in Nanaimo. That gap matters for cost-of-living and labour-market conversations across the two cities.

Age profile

Average age was 43.4 years in Kelowna and 44.8 in Nanaimo. Kelowna's younger profile contrasts with Nanaimo in this census snapshot.

Quick comparison table

• Population (2021): Kelowna 144,576 · Nanaimo 99,863
• Growth 2016–2021: Kelowna 13.5% · Nanaimo 10.3%
• Median HH income (after tax): Kelowna $73,500 · Nanaimo $68,500
• Average age: Kelowna 43.4 · Nanaimo 44.8

Kelowna leads on population; Kelowna grew faster over 2016–2021; Kelowna posts higher median after-tax household income, with Kelowna slightly younger on average age.

Explore the full datasets

Dig into every section (households, labour, languages, dwellings) on the location profiles, or build your own side-by-side:

• Kelowna demographic profile
• Nanaimo demographic profile
• Location Comparison tool — select Census subdivision, then Kelowna and Nanaimo