As southern cities see population increases in excess of 100,000 a year, the Northern Territory's capital of Darwin is struggling to break even.

Key points: The NT Government has spent millions trying to attract new residents to the region

The NT Government has spent millions trying to attract new residents to the region Darwin's population has fallen for the first time since 2002

Darwin's population has fallen for the first time since 2002 But populations across some of the Territory's regional areas has risen sharply

It is the only capital city in Australia that experienced a population decline in 2017-18, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

ABS demographer Andrew Howe said it was also the first time in over 15 years that the tropical capital city had dropped into the negatives.

"It's the first population loss for any capital city for several years, it's Darwin's first population loss in 15 years, looking back over the records," he said.

"Very rarely does Darwin lose population over a financial year.

"It last happened in 2002-2003 and of course if we go back to the mid-70s Cyclone Tracy, there was a loss back then."

ABS data for regional population growth within Australia for 2017-18 showed capital cities accounted for 79 per cent of Australia's total population growth.

While Sydney and Melbourne grew by 93,411 and 119,421 respectively, Darwin came in with minus 360.

The overall loss of 0.2 per cent, while a relatively small drop, comes as another blow to ongoing efforts to liven up the CBD and bring more people into the Top End.

Population fell in Darwin during the 2017-2018 year. ( Supplied: ABS )

'This is a concern'

Millions have been spent on initiatives and programs to draw people into both the Darwin area and the Territory more broadly.

The NT Government set aside $2.17 million last financial year for its Boundless Possible Masterbrand campaign to incentivise people to move to the Territory, with another $2.97 million put aside this financial year for the strategy.

NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner said he was concerned about the findings but was quick to point the finger again at the wrap-up of the Inpex gas project's construction phase.

"We are worried about population and we have been for a while," he said.

"This is a concern. 10,000 workers off the Inpex site obviously added to it.

"Half of those were fly-in fly-out, but a significant chunk of those jobs were locals.

"We've got to make sure we address our population issues."

The long-awaited $200 million Darwin City Deal has also been touted as a life raft for the ailing town, after the federal and NT governments and Darwin City Council signed off on the deal late last year.

All three levels of government are expected to release an Implementation Plan by mid-2019.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 1 minute 54 seconds 1 m 54 s 'Boundless Possible' population campaign launch

'Now I hate everything about this place'

Those projects may come too late for hundreds of Territorians who responded to an ABC Darwin Facebook question in droves, saying that they had either started thinking about leaving town or had already jumped ship.

YES!!! I was born in Darwin and now I hate everything about this place. Darwin used to be full of family-owned businesses and now they are closing. It's so sad to see this happening. The crime is unreal, so many kids running around the streets day and night breaking into people's cars and houses. People being attacked is happening more and more. To be honest I am ashamed to say that I live in Darwin. — Amz Challen

Out of work for 6 months, can't afford to stay here with no work. Interstate people being paid 15k to move here for jobs I am qualified for. What is the point of staying? — Michael Mower

Thought about it. In the past five years so much has been lost. So much culture gone. So many people that came from every corner of the globe have left. More immigration is needed to make Darwin what it used to be. — Jimmy J Jason

Paid $54,000 to local uni to do masters, finished and applying for jobs for past 1.5 years … no luck yet … tell me why should I stay? — Tawnid Tirtho

We will be leaving Darwin as soon as we get enough money to leave the place. Sick of everything being over-priced, the crime is getting out of control. — Mary Kibble

Have thought about leaving but can't afford to with the drop in house prices, so we are stuck until the market picks up again. — David Tomic

Growth in the regions

While the overall population figures are down, there are positive signs for other parts of the Territory, with some areas experiencing sharp increases.

The south of Palmerston, including the suburbs of Zuccoli and Johnston, had the fourth-highest percentage increase in population in the country, with a 21.6 per cent spike in residents.

The Territory is also kicking another trend: while the rest of the country saw the greatest influx of residents coming to their city centres, Territorians both old and new have been heading out to regional and remote areas.

The number living outside the NT capital city increased by 170 people, an increase of 0.2 per cent.

Mr Howe said this was a unique situation for the NT.

"Generally speaking, capital cities are growing faster than the rest of the country," he said.

"In that sense, the Northern Territory is a little bit different for 2017-18 where we've got population loss in the capital compared to the rest of the Territory.

"It's not normal."

There were some people holding fast against the downturn, with several die-hard Territorians telling ABC Darwin on Facebook that nothing would scare them from their Top End town.

No … not ever … love this place, no matter what. — Fran Cooper

I love Darwin, my family are here, my grandson, I love hopping to Bali. I love my topical garden, walks to the beach, walking my dogs, walks to work, the wonderful veg markets. My family from Wales love coming to stay. I love my work here. It's the third time I have lived here and I am here 13 years and staying! — Sara Griffiths