The Western Australia property market is in decline but the state is still leading the nation in population growth rates. The latest ABS data shows that WA?s population grew 2.4% in the year to September 2007, ahead of Queensland and the Northern Territory, which both grew 2.2%.

Other parts of Australia are a long way behind the leading three areas. Victoria and the ACT both grew 1.5%, which is also the national average. NSW, South Australia and Tasmania all grew at rates below the national average, with Tasmania the worst performer with just 0.8% population increase.

Queensland remains No.1 in terms of the actual increase in numbers. Its population increased 90,600, ahead of Victoria which added 78,100. The Northern Territory has a high growth rate, from a low base, but its population grew only 4,600 over the year. Only Tasmania had a smaller increase, adding just 4,000 to its numbers.