In mice, the ventricular–subventricular zone (V–SVZ) continuously produces neural stem cells (NSCs). Proopiomelanocortin-expressing (POMC+) neurons of the hypothalamus were found to project selectively to anterior ventral (AV) regions of the V–SVZ. Ablation of these neurons decreased NSC proliferation selectively in the AV V–SVZ, and chemogenetic activation of these cells increased NSC proliferation. In the fasted state, both hypothalamic POMC+ neuronal activity and proliferation of NKX2.1+ NSCs were reduced to around half of that in controls. Thus, POMC+ neurons regulate NSC proliferation in a region-specific manner that changes depending on feeding status.