The 18 AFL clubs totaled 707,621 members this year, up 1.1 per cent from last year's figure of 699,684.
Of the seven clubs to build their membership base in 2012, North Melbourne and Richmond had the biggest membership climb. The Tigers had the most new members (5372) while North had the greatest percentage increase with its 3509 new members causing a 11.73 per cent spike.
Carlton, Collingwood, Geelong, Hawthorn and West Coast were the only other clubs to record membership increases.
Gold Coast had the biggest membership drop off, losing 2855 of its inaugural membership base - a total of 20.31 per cent.
With a second team introduced to Sydney this year, the Swans lost the greatest number of members despite spending much of the season on top of the ladder. The Swans had 4806 fewer members than last year, a drop off of 13.86 per cent.
Their cross-town rivals GWS had 10,241 members in its inaugural AFL season, while re-development works at the SCG may have also affected the Swans' numbers.
The statistics have been revealed after the League completed its official member audit at the end of last week.
The membership of AFL clubs comprised 650,562 club access members with match-day entry (compared to 650,373 in 2011) and 57,059 non-access members (compared to 49,311 in 2011).
Collingwood was once again the largest-supported AFL club with 72,688 members, breaking a record for any club in the competition's history. Hawthorn (60,841), West Coast (57,377) and Richmond (53,027) were the other clubs to break the 50,000 barrier.
Club membership has risen every year since 2001, with a drop coming in 2000 when the season was brought forward one month to accommodate the Sydney Olympics.
AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou said club membership remained the most vital link between supporters, clubs and the game's strength.
"In what has been a very difficult economic environment for many families across Australia, the AFL and our clubs are always appreciative of every single fan who makes the commitment to join their club, attend our matches in person or to continue to support their club and watch their games," Demetriou said in a statement released by the AFL.
"As our competition has expanded through the last two years with the introduction of the Gold Coast Suns and the GWS Giants, those two clubs have begun to build strong bases in their local communities, while our established clubs continue to service their fans and play key roles in every region of Australia."
