Meringandan West

Meringandan West lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, the estimated population of the Meringandan West statistical area (Lv2) as of Nov 2025 is around 3,009. This reflects an increase of 521 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,488 people in the Meringandan West (SA2). The change is inferred from the resident population of 2,999 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 231 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 180 persons per square kilometer. The Meringandan West's 20.9% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the non-metro area's 8.8%, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 59.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including natural growth and overseas migration were positive factors.

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 and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. These state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data are applied where utilised. Moving forward, an above median population growth of Australia's non-metropolitan areas is projected for the Meringandan West (SA2), expected to grow by 585 persons to 2041 reflecting an increase of 11.6% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Meringandan West among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, indicates Meringandan West recorded around 45 residential properties granted approval per year over the past 5 financial years ending FY-25. This totals an estimated 229 homes. As of FY-26, 17 approvals have been recorded. Between FY-21 and FY-25, an average of 1.3 people moved to the area for each dwelling built.

The average value of new homes built is $469,000, slightly above the regional average. In FY-26, $583,000 in commercial approvals have been registered. Compared to Rest of Qld, Meringandan West records 220.0% more new home approvals per person. New development consists of 96.0% detached houses and 4.0% medium and high-density housing. AreaSearch estimates Meringandan West will gain 350 residents by 2041, with current development rates comfortably meeting demand.

Population forecasts indicate Meringandan West will gain 350 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Meringandan West has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

No changes have been identified by AreaSearch that will impact the area's performance more than alterations to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. Zero projects in total have been pinpointed as potentially influencing the area. Key projects include Toowoomba Second Range Crossing (TSRC), Central Highfields Activation Project (Infrastructure), Toowoomba Day Surgery Theatre, and Clifford Park Special School - Relocation of Denise Kable Centre. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

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AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Meringandan West performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Meringandan West has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 1.2% in the past year, showing an estimated employment growth of 5.3%.

As of September 2025, 1,581 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.9%, below Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation is high at 76.3%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. Manufacturing employment levels are notably concentrated, at 1.5 times the regional average.

Conversely, accommodation & food services show lower representation at 4.8% versus the regional average of 8.3%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by Census data on working population vs resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 5.3%, labour force by 4.8%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of Qld recorded employment growth of 1.7% with a slight rise in unemployment. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows Queensland employment contracted by 0.01%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary between sectors. Applying these projections to Meringandan West's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.3% over ten years.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ending June 2023, median income among taxpayers in Meringandan West was $60,308. Average income stood at $71,698. This is higher than national averages and compares to levels of $53,146 and $66,593 across Rest of Qld respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year ending June 2023, current estimates would be approximately $66,285 (median) and $78,803 (average) as of September 2025. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics Census figures from 2021, household, family and personal incomes in Meringandan West rank highly nationally, between the 76th and 77th percentiles. Distribution data shows 45.2% of population (1,360 individuals) fall within $1,500 - 2,999 income range. Housing accounts for 13.5% of income. Residents rank in the 80th percentile for disposable income. Area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Meringandan West is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Dwelling structure in Meringandan West, as evaluated at the latest Census on 27 June 2016, comprised 99.6% houses and 0.4% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 81.4% houses and 18.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Meringandan West was at 22.9%, with the remainder either mortgaged (67.2%) or rented (9.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,650, while the median weekly rent figure was $400. Nationally, mortgage repayments were $1,863 and rents were $375.

Meringandan West features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 88.0% of all households, including 51.3% couples with children, 27.9% couples without children, and 7.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 12.0%, with lone person households at 11.7% and group households comprising 0.8%. The median household size is 3.1 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 17.5%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.1%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 48.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (12.0%) and certificates (36.8%).

Educational participation is high, with 34.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 15.5% in primary, 10.8% in secondary, and 2.7% in tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Meringandan West's residents are extremely healthy with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Meringandan West. Prevalence of common health conditions is low among the general population but higher than the national average among older, at-risk cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is very high, approximately 56% of the total population (around 1,673 people), compared to 51.5% across the rest of Queensland. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, impacting 8.1 and 7.7% of residents respectively. A total of 73.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 65.3% across the rest of Queensland. The area has 9.2% of residents aged 65 and over (276 people), lower than the 18.8% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, requiring more attention than the broader population.

The latest Census data sees Meringandan West placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Meringandan West had low cultural diversity, with 91.7% born in Australia, 95.4% being citizens, and 98.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion at 59.6%, slightly higher than Rest of Qld's 58.8%. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (34.2%), English (29.4%), and German (8.7%).

Notably, South African ancestry was overrepresented at 0.7% compared to the regional average of 0.3%, as were Welsh (0.6%) and Dutch (1.4%).

Meringandan West hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

At 32 years, Meringandan West's median age is considerably lower than the Rest of Qld average of 41 years, and substantially under the Australian median of 38 years. Relative to Rest of Qld, Meringandan West has a higher concentration of 5-14 residents at 18.8%, but fewer 75-84 year-olds at 2.1%. This 5-14 concentration is well above the national average of 12.2%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 11.0% to 12.4%, while the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 20.8% to 18.8%, and the 45 to 54 group dropped from 11.2% to 9.5%. Demographic modeling suggests Meringandan West's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 25 to 34 cohort is projected to grow strongly at 26%, adding 116 residents to reach 574. Conversely, both the 45 to 54 and 15 to 24 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.