Launceston and the wider North gained 570 people in the year to June 30 last year, the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimated.

That was much more than the growth of 240 the ABS estimated for the previous year.

Hobart and the wider South gained 2662 people in the year to June 30, nearly five times the North’s growth.

Meanwhile, population growth in the combined North-West and West virtually stalled.

That region added just 57 people for the year, with all the growth at the Central Coast-Devonport-Latrobe end.

Past Fairfax research showed Tasmanian population growth or decline was closely related to increases or decreases in job numbers.

The population figures suggest that is also the case at regional level.

Separate ABS data showed the North-West and West averaged 1500 fewer jobs per month in the year to the end of February than in the previous year.

On the same measure, Hobart and the wider South added 6200 jobs and Launceston and the North, with a recovering job market, gained 2800.

The population figures showed West Tamar added 369 people for the year.

That was the strongest growth of any Northern council area.

Launceston gained 140 people and Northern Midlands gained 85.

George Town’s population increased by 29 and Flinders added 17.

Dorset shed 31 residents, Meander Valley lost 13 and Break O’Day lost 26.

Clarence had the biggest gain statewide (574), with Kingborough (471), Hobart (441) and Glenorchy (393) also strong.