Statistics New Zealand data shows the Waitaki District gained 200 people in the year to June, boosting the total number of residents to 21,900.
After a sharp decline from 1996 to 2001 - from 22,000 to 20,500 - the Waitaki population has been slowly growing back.
Growth has sped up in the past five years, from 21,000 in 2010 to 21,900 in 2015.
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said it was ''great'' to see statistics backing up anecdotal feedback that the region's population was growing.
''We know we've been getting more people due to increased employment opportunities and by promoting our very good Waitaki lifestyle,'' he said.
''I think we're getting the mix about right, but we will continue to improve on what we're doing.''
Mr Kircher said the expansion of irrigation and supporting existing and new businesses was crucial to keep momentum going.
''Councils don't create these jobs but they set the environment for businesses to flourish or stagnate, and we will continue to work with businesses to help them grow,'' he said.
''We must keep pushing forward in these areas.''
Further afield, Statistics NZ reports Queenstown Lakes remained a star performer with growth of 4.9% in the past year, the second highest in New Zealand.
Central Otago also showed a steady growth, up from 18,850 people in 2014 to 19,200 this year.
In the Clutha district there was a 0.2% growth and in Dunedin a 0.9% rise.
The Waimate district was one of five territorial authority areas in the country to have a population decline, from 7880 in 2014 to 7870 in 2015.
