WA population passes 2.5m

Interstate migrants are turning their backs on WA but overseas migrants still can't get enough of the place, pushing the State's population beyond 2.5 million.

Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal WA added more than 76,000 residents over the 12 months to the end of September. WA remains the fastest growing State or Territory, expanding its population by 3.1 per cent.

In the September quarter, net interstate migration added just 578 residents but overseas migration added almost 11,000, while natural growth through births minus deaths added 4811.