Merimbula

Population growth drivers in Merimbula are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, as of Nov 2025, Merimbula's estimated population is around 3,905. This reflects an increase of 84 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,821. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 3,775 in Jun 2024 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to 216 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Merimbula has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. Interstate migration contributed approximately 63.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas from these aggregations for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends project an above median growth of Australian non-metropolitan areas, with Merimbula expected to grow by 629 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 15.3% 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, allocated from statistical area data, shows Merimbula has experienced around 14 dwellings receiving development approval annually. Approximately 71 homes were approved over the past five financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, with an additional three approved so far in FY-26. On average, about 1.7 new residents arrive per year for each new home constructed over the past five financial years. However, this number has decreased to 0.9 people per dwelling over the past two financial years.

New properties are constructed at an average expected construction cost value of $526,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. This year alone, $3.6 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, reflecting the area's primarily residential nature. When compared to the Rest of NSW, Merimbula shows approximately 64% of the construction activity per person. Nationally, it places among the 71st percentile of areas assessed. However, building activity has accelerated in recent years.

New building activity is composed of 43.0% detached houses and 57.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a significant shift from existing housing patterns, which are currently 59.0% houses. This focus on higher-density living creates more affordable entry points and caters to downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. At around 184 people per approval, Merimbula reflects a low density area. Future projections show Merimbula adding approximately 596 residents by 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. If current development rates continue, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Merimbula has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 47thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 12 projects likely impacting the region. Notable ones include Club Sapphire Hotel and Conference Centre, Templo Merimbula, Lakewood Lifestyle Village, 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.

While Merimbula retains a healthy unemployment rate of 2.8%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking

Merimbula has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. As of September 2025, the unemployment rate is 2.8%.

This figure is based on AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data and is 1.0% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation in Merimbula stands at 51.4%, somewhat below Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key industries of employment among residents are health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. Notably, accommodation & food employs a significantly higher proportion of workers compared to the regional level, with an employment share 2.2 times greater.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 1.5% of local workers, lower than Rest of NSW's 5.3%. Over the year ending September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 5.3%, and employment declined by 5.6%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of NSW where employment contracted by 0.5%, labour force fell by 0.1%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data from 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate is 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 indicate potential future demand within Merimbula. 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, assuming constant population projections.

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

In financial year 2023, Merimbula had a median taxpayer income of $46,125 and an average income of $59,827. These figures are lower than the national averages of $52,390 and $65,215 for Rest of NSW respectively. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $50,212 (median) and $65,128 (average), based on an 8.86% growth in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023. Census data shows household incomes are at the 9th percentile while personal income is at the 30th percentile. Income distribution reveals that 27.8% of Merimbula residents earn between $400 and $799, compared to a regional dominance of earnings between $1,500 and $2,999 at 29.9%. Housing affordability is severe in Merimbula, with only 83.9% of income remaining after housing costs, 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, with the remaining 40.6% being semi-detached, apartments, and other types. This differs from Non-Metro NSW's dwelling structure, which was 84.3% houses and 15.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Merimbula stood at 43.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.6% and rented ones at 33.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,517, aligning with Non-Metro NSW's average. However, the median weekly rent figure was $310, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $320. Nationally, Merimbula's median monthly mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and 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 constitute 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, which is 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 regional averages. Among residents aged 15+, 23.6% hold university degrees compared to NSW's 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 16.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.4%) and graduate diplomas (3.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, 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.

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

Merimbula has 58 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. There are 27 different bus routes serving these stops, together offering 256 weekly passenger trips. The average distance residents live from the nearest stop is 159 meters, indicating excellent transport accessibility.

On average, there are 36 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately four 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

Health data indicates significant challenges for Merimbula regarding common health conditions, affecting both younger and older age groups. Approximately 51% (~1,976 people) have private health cover, lower than Rest of NSW's 47.3%, but below the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (12.1%) and mental health issues (8.9%).

However, 59.2% report no medical ailments, slightly less than Rest of NSW's 59.6%. Merimbula has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 33.3% (1,300 people), compared to Rest of NSW's 31.7%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Merimbula are above average and better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Merimbula, surveyed in June 2016, showed low cultural diversity with 82.4% born in Australia, 89.1% being citizens, and 94.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion at 45.6%. Judaism, though small, was overrepresented at 0.3%, compared to 0.1% regionally.

Top ancestry groups were English (34.3%), Australian (26.3%), and Irish (10.1%). Notable divergences included Dutch at 2.0% vs regional 1.4%, Welsh at 0.7% vs 0.5%, and Hungarian at 0.3% vs 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 (12.7%), but fewer residents aged 5-14 (7.6%). This concentration of 75-84 year-olds 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 those aged 75 to 84 increased from 11.3% to 12.7%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 age group has declined from 16.8% to 14.5%, and the 65 to 74 cohort dropped from 17.3% to 16.0%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Merimbula's age structure. The 85+ group is projected to grow by 103% (184 people), reaching 364 from 179. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 cohort is expected to decline by 8 people.