A breakdown of recently released Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures, shows between 2013 and 2018, Tamworth and its the surround villages, Gunnedah and Armidale all saw steady population increases.

However, Moree, Tenterfield, Walcha and Glen Innes all experienced population decline, while Narrabri and Quirindi's population grew by less than 1 per cent in six years.

Overall, the New England and North West grew by almost 3000 people, a rate of 1.61 per cent.

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The region's growth has been propped up by Tamworth (2008 people), Tamworth region (831 people), Armidale (784 people), Gunnedah city (356 people) and Inverell West Region (278 people).

Inverell, Quirindi (both 76) and Narrabri (66) were the only other places to experience growth, with all other towns and regions suffering a decline.

The region surrounding Gunnedah was the hardest hit, losing 373 people in six years, or 8.35 per cent of its population, while Moree and its surrounding region lost a combined 537 people.

When contacted for comment, Western NSW Minister and Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall pointed out that since the 2016 census, his electorate had seen an overall population growth of 2.5 per cent or almost 2000 people.