Windswept regional centre Albany, on Western Australia’s southern tip, now has only 150 residents less than Warrnambool as the population gap between the two regional centres narrows.

New ABS data shows Warrnambool is the nation’s 44th largest city by population, trailing NSW’s Dubbo (36,662 residents), WA’s Bussleton (35,513), motor racing capital Bathurst (35,391) and Nowra (35,383), both in NSW.

Warrnambool is unlikely to leapfrog Nowra into 43rd position anytime soon, with a growth rate of just 0.8 per cent per annum pushing our total resident number to 33,856. 

Albany is close behind Warrnambool at 33,709 residents, while gold mining centre Kalgoorlie-Boulder is shedding numbers to fall into 46th place at 33,037 residents. 

Mount Gambier just missed out on a spot in the nation’s 50 largest cities with a population of more than 28,000.

Albany is located 430 kilometres south-west of Perth and is noted for its whaling, convict and military history.

Albany mayor Dennis Wellington said while he was pleased his home city had moved up the national league table, he didn’t feel any sense of competition with Warrnambool.

“Our aim is sustainable growth,” Cr Wellington said. 

“Population is not the only indicator of sustainable growth but we’re pleased with the way Albany has progressed in recent times.”

Cr Wellington said the WA tourist centre had capitalised on its Anzac links as well as its popularity as a sea change destination for Perth retirees.

In Victorian urban rankings, Warrnambool is the state’s ninth-largest city, behind Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Melton, Mildura, Shepparton and Traralgon-Morwell.