The Regional District of Nanaimo is a regional district located on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. It is bordered to the south by the Cowichan Valley Regional District, to the west by the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, and to the northwest by the Comox Valley Regional District. Its administration offices are located in Nanaimo. During the 2016 census, its population was established at 155,698. The Regional District of Nanaimo was incorporated on August 24, 1967. It has members that are cities, towns, districts, and seven electoral areas that contain unincorporated communities. The region owns and operates the Nanaimo Regional Transit System, which provides conventional local bus routes and special needs paratransit services. Incorporated municipalities Electoral areas Electoral areas have no administrative or governmental function, and are used only to select rural representatives to the Regional District board. Area A (Cassidy/Cedar) This electoral area is located on Vancouver Island, on the Stuart Channel southeast of Nanaimo. According to the Canada 2016 Census: Population: 7,058 (exclusive of any residents of Indian Reserves) % Change (2011-2016): 2.2 Dwellings: 3,116 Area (km²): 60.31 Density (persons per km²): 117.0 Contains the communities of Cassidy, Cedar, and South Wellington. Nanaimo Airport is also located here. Area B (Gabriola Island) This electoral area contains DeCourcy Island, Gabriola Island and Mudge Island. According to the Canada 2016 Census: Population: 4,033 (exclusive of any residents of Indian Reserves) % Change (2011-2016): -0.3 Dwellings: 2,987 Area (km²): 57.76 Density (persons per km²): 69.8 Area C (Arrowsmith/Benson) This electoral area is located on Vancouver Island, to the southwest of Nanaimo. It contains the upper Nanaimo River, the Nanaimo Lakes, Mount Benson and Mount Arrowsmith. According to the Canada 2016 Census: Population: 2,808 (exclusive of any residents of Indian Reserves) % Change (2011-2016): -0.9 Dwellings: 1,097 Area (km²): 1,098.94 Density (persons per km²): 2.6 Contains the community of Extension. Area E (Nanoose Bay) This electoral area is located on Vancouver Island, on the shore of the Strait of Georgia, between Lantzville and Parksville. It is co-extensive with the community of Nanoose Bay. According to the Canada 2016 Census: Population: 6,125 (exclusive of any residents of Indian Reserves) % Change (2011-2016): 7.9 Dwellings: 3,066 Area (km²): 75.08 Density (persons per km²): 81.6 Area F (Alberni Highway) This electoral area is located on Vancouver Island, to the west of Qualicum Beach and Parksville. British Columbia Highway 4 runs the length of