It was also the fifth highest town or suburb across the state for the number of babies born according to the mother’s address at the time of birth.

Information recently released by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages showed there were 588 babies born to Orange mothers last year.

However, hospital figures show there were 1033 babies born at Orange hospital in 2014, one fewer than the previous year.

Orange hospital clinical midwifery educator Michelle Johnston said she was surprised by the figure and felt it should be higher, due to how busy  the ward gets.

“We had three [births] already on Monday,” she said.

“If it takes it down to postcode it makes more sense.”

Mrs Johnston said more than 50 per cent of women who gave birth at the hospital were from Orange, but women also came from Bathurst, Parkes, Forbes, Cowra, West Wyalong and Lake Cargelligo.

She said the high number of babies born at the hospital was because Orange was a referral hospital and catered for higher risk pregnancies such as babies born from 34 weeks onwards and mothers who had diabetes or a high body mass index.

Regarding the high number of Orange women giving birth, she said factors including the mining industry brought more couples of childbearing age to the city.

Last year was the fourth time in four years Orange had the fifth highest number of babies by town.

The most babies, 846, were born to mothers living in Blacktown.

Dubbo came in sixth with 579 babies born, while Bathurst was 68th on the list with 216 babies born.

The only year since 2006 when Orange has had less than 530 babies born was in 2010 when it was ranked ninth with 437 babies.

tanya.marschke@fairfaxmedia.com.au