Merimbula

Population growth drivers in Merimbula are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of Nov 2025, Merimbula's population is estimated at around 3820 people, reflecting a decrease of 1 person since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 3821. This change is inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 3814 following examination of the latest ERP data release by ABS in June 2024 and an additional 22 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 211 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Merimbula has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 63% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Considering projected demographic shifts, an above median population growth is projected for the suburb, expected to expand by 626 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a total increase of 17.8% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Merimbula recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates Merimbula averaged around 14 new dwelling approvals per year. Between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 72 homes were approved, with a further 3 approved in FY-26 to date. This translates to an average of 1.7 people moving to the area for each dwelling built over these years, suggesting stable market conditions due to balanced supply and demand. However, recent data shows this ratio has moderated to 0.9 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating improved supply-demand balance.

New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $526,000. In FY-26, $2.9 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting limited focus on commercial development compared to residential. Compared to Rest of NSW, Merimbula shows approximately 65% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 68th percentile nationally, though recent data indicates intensifying construction activity. New developments consist of equal parts detached houses (50%) and medium to high-density housing (50%), catering to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers seeking accessible entry options.

With around 199 people per approval, Merimbula reflects a low density area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Merimbula is forecasted to gain 678 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

Merimbula has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 12 projects likely impacting the area. Notable ones include Club Sapphire Hotel and Conference Centre, Templo Merimbula, Lakewood Lifestyle Village, and Ocean Drive Townhouse and Apartment Complex. The following list details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

The employment landscape in Merimbula presents a mixed picture: unemployment remains low at 3.3%, yet recent job losses have affected its comparative national standing

Merimbula has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 3.3% as of June 2025, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

This rate is 0.3% lower than the Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation in Merimbula was somewhat below standard at 51.4%, compared to the Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Employment among residents is concentrated in health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. The area has a particular employment specialization in accommodation & food, with an employment share of 2.2 times the regional level.

Meanwhile, agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence with 1.5% employment compared to 5.3% regionally. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. In the 12-month period ending Sep-22, labour force decreased by 3.4% and employment declined by 4.6%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.1 percentage points in Merimbula. This contrasts with the Rest of NSW where employment fell by 0.1%, labour force expanded by 0.3%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest that national employment is expected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Merimbula's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 indicates Merimbula's median income among taxpayers is $46,125. The average income is $59,827. Both figures are below the national average. In comparison, Rest of NSW has a median income of $49,459 and an average of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Merimbula's median income would be approximately $51,941 and the average would be around $67,371 by September 2025. According to Census 2021 income data, household incomes in Merimbula are at the 9th percentile, while personal incomes perform better at the 30th percentile. Income analysis shows that 27.8% of the community (1,061 individuals) falls within the $400 - 799 earnings band, which differs from regional levels where the $1,500 - 2,999 category is predominant at 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Merimbula, with only 83.9% of income remaining, ranking at the 11th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

Merimbula displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Merimbula, as per the latest Census evaluation, 59.4% of dwellings were houses while 40.6% consisted of other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This contrasts with Non-Metro NSW's figures of 84.3% houses and 15.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Merimbula stood at 43.3%, with mortgaged properties accounting for 23.6% and rented dwellings making up 33.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,517, aligning with Non-Metro NSW's average. Weekly rent median was $310 compared to Non-Metro NSW's figures of $1,517 and $320 respectively. Nationally, Merimbula's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Merimbula features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 55.7% of all households, including 14.4% couples with children, 31.9% couples without children, and 8.8% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 44.3%, with lone person households at 41.0% and group households comprising 3.1%. The median household size is 2.0 people, smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.2.

Educational attainment in Merimbula aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

Merimbula's educational qualifications lag behind state averages, with 23.6% of residents aged 15+ holding university degrees compared to NSW's 32.2%. This gap suggests potential for educational development and skills enhancement. Bachelor degrees are the most common (16.1%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.4%) and graduate diplomas (3.1%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 40.2% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas at 12.1% and certificates at 28.1%.

A significant 21.0% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 7.5% in primary, 6.1% in secondary, and 1.7% in tertiary education. Merimbula Public School serves the local area with an enrollment of 423 students as of the latest data (2021). The school focuses on primary education, with ICSEA score of 999 indicating typical Australian school conditions and balanced educational opportunities. Secondary options are available in nearby areas.

Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

The analysis of public transport in Merimbula shows that there are currently 57 active transport stops operating within the area. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 30 individual routes providing service to these locations. Collectively, these routes facilitate 322 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport in Merimbula is rated as excellent, with residents typically located approximately 155 meters from their nearest transport stop. On average, there are 46 trips per day across all routes, which equates to roughly five weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Merimbula is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Merimbula faces significant health challenges, as indicated by health data. Both younger and older age groups have notable prevalence of common health conditions.

Private health cover is relatively low, with approximately 51% of Merimbula's total population (~1,933 people) having it, compared to 47.0% in the rest of NSW. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 12.1% of residents) and mental health issues (8.9%). Conversely, 59.2% of residents report being completely free from medical ailments, similar to the 59.6% figure for the rest of NSW. Merimbula has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, with 33.2% (1,268 people) compared to 31.7% in the rest of NSW. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Merimbula are above average and outperform general population metrics.

Merimbula ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Merimbula's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 82.4% of its population born in Australia, 89.1% being citizens, and 94.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Merimbula, making up 45.6% of people there. However, Judaism is notably overrepresented, comprising 0.3% of Merimbula's population compared to 0.1% across the Rest of NSW.

The top three ancestry groups in Merimbula are English (34.3%), Australian (26.3%), and Irish (10.1%). There are also notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Dutch is overrepresented at 2.0% compared to 1.4% regionally, Welsh at 0.7% versus 0.5%, and Hungarian at 0.3% compared to 0.2%.

Merimbula ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Merimbula has a median age of 53, which is higher than the Rest of NSW figure of 43 and substantially exceeds the national norm of 38. Compared to Rest of NSW, Merimbula has a higher concentration of residents aged 75-84 (12.6%), but fewer residents aged 5-14 (7.6%). This 75-84 concentration is well above the national figure of 6.0%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the population aged 35 to 44 has grown from 8.6% to 10.2%, while the 75 to 84 cohort increased from 11.3% to 12.6%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 16.8% to 14.5%, and the 65 to 74 group dropped from 17.3% to 16.0%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Merimbula's age structure. The 85+ group is projected to grow by 106% (186 people), reaching 362 from 175. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 cohort is projected to decline by 5 people.