Nearly half of Parksville is over 65. We have the third-highest per capita homelessness rate on Vancouver Island. We're short on childcare and healthcare. These aren't somebody else's problems.
Demographics, housing, health, and services across the Oceanside community.
Population approximately 15,000 (BC Stats 2024). Parksville has the highest proportion of seniors of any urban area in Canada at 46% aged 65 and over. Only 9% of the population is under 15.
What does that mean day-to-day? It means businesses can't find workers. It means longer waits to see a doctor. It means more people need sidewalks, handrails, and accessible buildings - and fewer people are paying taxes to fund them.
The Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness was formed in 2010 by the City of Parksville. Partners include the City, Town of Qualicum Beach, RDN, RCMP, Island Health, and local service organizations.
Moms Stop the Harm operates support groups in Parksville for families affected by substance use and loss.
A 19-bed treatment centre has been approved after a zoning variance passed in February 2024.
Council maintains a liaison to the Early Learning and Childcare Council in Oceanside. Childcare is a recognized need in the City's strategic plan.
The Community Centre daycare expansion has been completed, adding capacity for 91 spaces.
The City's Accessibility Advisory Committee (with councillor liaison) works alongside Access Oceanside Association to improve inclusion across the community.
The PDBA facade and accessibility rejuvenation project includes accessibility improvements throughout the downtown core.
Voluntary, anonymous counts conducted every 2-3 years across School District #69 — Nanoose Bay to Deep Bay.
| Year | Total | Sheltered | Unsheltered | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 68 | N/A | N/A | First PiT count. 43 homeless + 25 at-risk. |
| 2013 | 67 | N/A | N/A | 49 homeless + 18 at-risk. |
| 2018 | 42 | ~3 (7%) | ~39 (93%) | 73% male. 8% Indigenous. 55% mental illness, 50% addiction. |
| 2021 | 87 | ~19 (22%) | ~68 (78%) | 41% lived in community 10+ years. Significant increase. |
| 2023 | 103 | ~4 (4%) | ~99 (96%) | 30% Indigenous. 56% cited insufficient income. 82% two or more health concerns. |
| 2025 | 94 | N/A | N/A | Slight decrease from 2023. Detailed breakdown not yet published. |
Census data from 1981 to 2021, plus a 2024 estimate from BC Stats.
| Census Year | Population | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 5,216 | — |
| 1986 | 5,828 | +11.7% |
| 1991 | 7,306 | +25.4% |
| 1996 | 9,472 | +29.7% |
| 2001 | 10,323 | +9.0% |
| 2006 | 10,993 | +6.5% |
| 2011 | 11,977 | +9.0% |
| 2016 | 12,514 | +4.5% |
| 2021 | 13,642 | +9.0% |
| 2024 est. | ~14,995 | — |
That includes your 80-year-old neighbour who can't get to Nanaimo for a specialist. The young family who can't find childcare. The person sleeping in their car because there's nowhere else. A mayor doesn't fix all of that - but a mayor makes sure none of it gets ignored.
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