Merredin

Merredin is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

The population of the Merredin statistical area (Lv2) is estimated to be around 2,856 as of November 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 252 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,604 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 2,823 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 2 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 11.4 persons per square kilometer. The Merredin (SA2) experienced a growth rate of 9.7% since the 2021 census, exceeding the SA4 region's growth rate of 9.4%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 81.0% of overall population gains during recent periods in the area.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and to estimate growth post-2032, AreaSearch utilises growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). According to demographic trends, an above median population growth is projected for Australia's non-metropolitan areas. The Merredin (SA2) is expected to grow by 490 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 15.7% over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Merredin according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Merredin experienced limited development activity from 2016 to 2020 with an average of one approval per year. This resulted in eight dwellings over the five-year period. The low development levels reflect Merredin's rural nature, where housing needs drive development rather than broad market demand.

Note that individual projects can significantly impact annual growth and relativity statistics due to the small number of approvals. Compared to Rest of WA and national patterns, Merredin shows less construction activity. Recent building activity consists solely of standalone homes, favoring family homes suited for rural lifestyle seekers. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 794 people, indicating quiet development.

From the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Merredin's population is forecast to grow by 448 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Merredin has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 12thth percentile nationally

No changes can significantly affect a region's performance like modifications to local infrastructure, large-scale projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has pinpointed zero projects expected to impact this area. Notable projects are Western Australia Agricultural Supply Chain Improvements, South West Interconnected System Transformation, WA Police Satellite Technology Upgrade, and Goldfields Pipeline Renewal (Stage 1), with the following list highlighting those most pertinent.

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 labour market in Merredin demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Merredin's workforce comprises both white and blue-collar jobs across various sectors. Its unemployment rate is 2.6%, as per AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation in September 2025.

In this month, 1,479 residents are employed with an unemployment rate of 0.7% below Rest of WA's rate of 3.3%. Workforce participation is similar to Rest of WA's 59.4%. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. Wholesale trade has a high representation at 3.5 times the regional level, while mining shows lower representation at 3.5% compared to the regional average of 11.7%.

The area may offer limited local employment opportunities as Census working population vs resident population indicates. Between September 2024 and September 2025, Merredin's labour force decreased by 4.0%, while employment declined by 3.1%, reducing the unemployment rate by 1.0 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of WA saw employment rise by 1.4% and a labour force growth of 1.2%, with unemployment falling by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth in Merredin: 5.8% over five years, and 12.4% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023, Merredin had a median income among taxpayers of $50,711. The average income stood at $62,932. This is lower than the national average and compares to levels of $59,973 and $74,392 across Rest of WA respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Merredin's median income would be approximately $55,589 as of September 2025, with the average estimated at $68,986 during the same period. Census data reveals that household, family and personal incomes in Merredin rank modestly, between the 28th and 39th percentiles. Income analysis shows that the $1,500 - $2,999 earnings band captures 31.9% of Merredin's community, with 911 individuals falling into this bracket. This mirrors the broader area where 31.1% occupy this income bracket. Housing costs in Merredin are manageable with 88.7% retained by residents. However, disposable income ranks below average at the 34th percentile.

Merredin is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Merredin's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 94.5% houses and 5.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro WA's 95.6% houses and 4.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Merredin was at 32.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.2% and rented ones at 34.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,074, below Non-Metro WA's average of $1,425. Median weekly rent in Merredin was $220, compared to Non-Metro WA's $231. Nationally, Merredin's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Merredin features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 64.1% of all households, including 25.0% couples with children, 28.5% couples without children, and 10.5% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 35.9%, consisting of 32.9% lone person households and 2.8% group households. The median household size is 2.3 people, which aligns with the average for the Rest of WA.

Educational outcomes in Merredin fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 13.1%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 9.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 40.6% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 7.4% and certificates at 33.2%. Educational participation is high, with 30.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 12.3% in primary education, 10.6% in secondary education, and 2.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Merredin has two active public transport stops operating, both of which are mixed bus routes. These stops are serviced by two individual routes that collectively provide twelve weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is limited in Merredin, with residents typically located 959 meters from the nearest transport stop.

Service frequency averages one trip per day across all routes, equating to approximately six weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Merredin is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Merredin faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is approximately 52% of the total population (~1,490 people), leading that of the average SA2 area but slightly lower than the Rest of WA's 54.4%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, impacting 9.2 and 8.7% of residents respectively. A total of 66.1% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 64.7% across the Rest of WA. As of 2016 data, 16.8% of residents are aged 65 and over (479 people), which is lower than the Rest of WA's 21.7%. Health outcomes among seniors in Merredin are above average, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Merredin's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 84.9% of its population being Australian citizens, 86.4% born in Australia, and 94.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Merredin, accounting for 46.8% of the population, compared to 49.0% across the rest of WA. The top three ancestry groups in Merredin are Australian (33.4%), English (32.1%), and Scottish (7.1%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation is higher than average at 4.1%, while New Zealand and Italian representations are similar to regional averages at 0.8% and 4.0% respectively.

Merredin's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Merredin was 39 years as of the 2021 Census, similar to Rest of WA's average of 40 years and close to Australia's median age of 38 years. The 15-24 age group constituted 14.6% of Merredin's population, higher than Rest of WA's figure, while the 45-54 cohort made up 9.5%, lower than Rest of WA's average. Post-Census data showed a decrease in median age to 39 years from 40 years between 2016 and 2021. The 15-24 age group grew from 11.5% to 14.6%, and the 25-34 cohort increased from 12.7% to 14.1%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort declined from 12.0% to 9.5%, and the 55-64 group decreased from 13.9% to 11.7%. By 2041, Merredin's age composition is projected to change significantly. The 25-34 age cohort is expected to increase by 312 people (78%), from 402 to 715. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 5-14 and 85+ cohorts.