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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Merredin has an estimated 2,844 residents, up from 2,604 at the 2021 Census — a change of 240 people, or 9.2%. Growth has averaged 0.8% a year over five years. Overseas migration accounts for 81.0% of that increase. Density is about 11 people per square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Based on evaluations of ABS population updates for the wider region, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census, Merredin's population is estimated at around 2,844 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 240 people (9.2%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,604 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 2,842, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2025) and address validation since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 11.4 persons per square kilometer, a level providing ample space per person.
Merredin's 9.2% growth since census positions it within 0.1 percentage points of the national average (9.3%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 81.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and to estimate growth across all areas in the years post-2032, AreaSearch is utilising the growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Moving forward with demographic trends, an above median population growth of regional areas across the nation is projected, with the area expected to expand by 458 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting with an increase of 16.0% in total over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
The suburb of Merredin exhibits minimal construction activity, with fewer than single-digit annual approvals for new homes, totaling 4 over the preceding five years. These low levels of construction mirror the rural character of the locality, where building is generally prompted by specific local residential requirements rather than broader market demand. It is worth noting that with such low numbers of approvals, annual growth rates and comparative shifts can fluctuate significantly based on individual projects. The suburb of Merredin exhibits much lower construction activity than the Rest of WA. The building pattern is also significantly below national benchmarks.
Furthermore, recent construction work consists entirely of single-family detached homes, preserving the rural character of the area with an emphasis on spaciousness. Having 1413 people in the locality for each home approval highlights its quiet, low-intensity development landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Merredin
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 22 current infrastructure and development projects close to Merredin, worth an estimated $7.73 billion. 5 are already under construction and 6 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans transport & logistics, residential development and communities, precincts & urban renewal. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure projects, planning initiatives, and major developments can significantly influence the performance of an area. AreaSearch has identified no projects likely to influence this location. Key initiatives include the Western Australia Agricultural Supply Chain Improvements, South West Interconnected System Transformation, WA Police Satellite Technology Upgrade, and Goldfields Pipeline Renewal (Stage 1), with details on the most relevant developments provided in the list below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Northam Hydrogen Plant - MEG HP1
Proposed green hydrogen production plant and solar farm expansion near Northam. The project proposes a 10 MW electrolyser plant using power from the existing Northam Solar Farm and up to 13 MW of additional solar panels, producing about 4 tonnes of gaseous hydrogen per day for light and heavy vehicle transport. Public consultation closed on 27 February 2025 and the Part 11B significant development application remains under assessment by the WA planning pathway pending a WAPC determination.
Northam Boulevard Shopping Centre Redevelopment
Redevelopment of the Northam Boulevard shopping centre into a regional retail and community hub, incorporating over 2200 solar panels generating 40% of its electricity, merging with Northam Arcade, and featuring anchors Woolworths and Kmart plus over 22 specialty stores.
Narrogin Health Service Redevelopment
A $50 million major redevelopment of the Narrogin Health Service, officially opened in October 2019. The project delivered a new outpatient building, two new birthing rooms, an inpatient ward, theatre, and sterilising department. It also introduced new dental and chemotherapy services. The facility is notable for its chequerboard facade designed by Silver Thomas Hanley to represent stacked hay bales.
Narrogin Biodiesel Plant
A proposed commercial-scale renewable diesel biorefinery in the Narrogin Renewable Energy Zone. The earlier EPA assessment for the initial site was terminated in March 2025 after the original site was no longer pursued, but FutureEnergy Australia has stated the WA Future Energy Park remains active, with a new site selection process and a potential 50 percent scale increase from about 17-19 million litres to about 25 million litres of renewable fuel per year. The project is expected to produce renewable diesel plus biochar and wood vinegar by-products and support regional jobs and biomass supply chains.
Narrogin Solar Farm & BESS
Approved 200 MW DC solar farm with a co-located 200 MW / 800 MWh four-hour battery energy storage system on private land south of Narrogin. The project will connect to the Narrogin South Substation and export electricity into Western Australia's Wholesale Electricity Market. The site is intended to retain agricultural use, including sheep grazing among the solar panels. Development approval was granted by the Regional Development Assessment Panel in June 2025; the project is awaiting critical project status approval from Western Power, with construction currently indicated by the Shire as about 18 months from February 2028.
Gidgegannup Town Site
A proposed master-planned townsite with approximately 1,500 lots. The project aims to create a sustainable land development with services including roads, water, sewer, telecommunications, and power. The land is currently for sale and seeking a developer.
EastLink WA
EastLink WA is a long-term corridor project that will provide a safer and more efficient route between Perth and Northam. Planning and development for the full corridor has been completed, including the Ultimate Design Concept and land protection requirements. Construction is underway on associated Reid Highway interchanges at Altone Road and Daviot Road/Drumpellier Drive, with a further Henley Brook Avenue interchange funded. The broader EastLink WA mainline remains unfunded and is awaiting future business case and government investment decisions.
Gidgegannup Showgrounds Upgrade
Upgrades to the Gidgegannup Showgrounds including the hall, Burgo's bar, paving, car park, toilets, and arena. The project also includes a new sports pavilion, an advanced skate park, and remodelled BMX jumps.
1,454 residents of Merredin are employed, from a labour force of 1,512. Unemployment sits at 3.9%, with participation at 66.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.8% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,144, about 75% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The workforce of the suburb of Merredin is balanced across professional and trade roles, with diverse representation across industries and an unemployment rate of only 3.9%, according to AreaSearch aggregates of local data. As of March 2026, 1,454 residents are employed, which is 0.4% higher than the Regional WA unemployment rate of 3.5%, while the workforce participation rate aligns closely with the Regional WA figure of 65.6%. Census figures indicate that a low 4.2% of residents worked from home, though this may have been influenced by COVID-19 restrictions. The principal sectors employing residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training.
The area exhibits a strong concentration in wholesale trade, with an employment share that is 3.5 times the regional proportion. In contrast, mining represents 3.5% of employment compared to the regional average of 11.7%. The comparison between the Census working population and the resident population suggests that local employment options within the area are relatively limited. Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, aggregated from broader statistical areas, the 12-month period saw labour force decreasing by 4.7% alongside a 6.6% employment decline, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.9 percentage points. This contrasts with Regional WA, where employment contracted by 0.1%, the labour force grew by 0.3%, and unemployment rose 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Merredin. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Merredin's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.8% over five years and 12.4% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Merredin is $1,396 a week (about $73,000 a year), with median personal income at $756 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $50,711 a year against an average of $62,932. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
The level of income in the suburb of Merredin is below the national average according to aggregated ATO data for the financial year 2023. Taxpayers in the suburb of Merredin have a median income of $50,711 and an average income of $62,932, compared to $59,973 and $74,392 respectively in Regional WA. Factoring in a Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since the financial year 2023, current estimates correspond to approximately $56,254 for the median and $69,810 for the average as of March 2026. According to Census records, family, household, and individual earnings in the suburb of Merredin rank modestly, placing between the 28th and 39th percentiles.
Income distribution figures show that the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly wage bracket accounts for 31.9% of the local population (907 individuals), which is consistent with the surrounding region where 31.1% of residents fall into this category. Housing expenses are manageable, with residents keeping 88.7% of their earnings, though disposable income is below the national benchmark at the 34th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Merredin had 978 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 95% detached houses and 0% apartments. 33% are owned with a mortgage, 34% rented and 33% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $220 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,074 a month. Rent absorbs 15.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 17.8%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential structures in the suburb of Merredin at the time of the latest Census consisted of 94.5% standalone houses and 5.5% alternative housing types such as duplexes, apartments, and other dwellings, compared to Regional WA where standalone houses made up 88.5% and alternative dwellings accounted for 11.6%. The rate of home ownership in the suburb of Merredin matched the regional level at 32.5%, while the remaining properties were either mortgaged (33.2%) or occupied by tenants (34.3%). The median monthly payment for home loans in the area was $1,074, which is significantly lower than the Regional WA average of $1,560, and the median weekly rent was $220, compared to the regional figure of $265.
Locally, mortgage obligations are well below the Australian average of $1,863, and typical rent costs are similarly below the national average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Merredin counted 978 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 1,068 today, averaging 2.3 people each. 25% are couples with children, against 29% couples without children. 33% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of local households at 64.1%, which consists of couples with children at 25.0%, couples without children at 28.5%, and single parent homes at 10.5%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 35.9%, with single-person households representing 32.9% and group households making up 2.8% of the total. The median household size of 2.3 individuals is slightly smaller than the Regional WA median of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
13.1% of adults in Merredin hold a university qualification, including 9.3% with a bachelor degree and 2.4% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 75% of areas nationally. A further 33.2% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 640 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 972 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment in the area shows room for growth, as the proportion of residents with a university qualification (13.1%) is lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Among tertiary degrees, bachelor qualifications are held by 9.3% of the community, postgraduate qualifications by 2.4%, and graduate diplomas by 1.4%. Vocational and technical training are highly represented, with 40.6% of residents aged 15 and over holding trade certifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (7.4%) and certificate credentials (33.2%). A high percentage of residents are actively participating in education, with 30.6% of the local population currently enrolled in a course of study.
This cohort includes 12.3% attending primary school, 10.6% in secondary school, and 2.0% enrolled in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Merredin means driving: households keep an average of 1.4 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Analysis of local transit indicates there are 2 transport stops operating in the suburb of Merredin, which are served by buses. These stops are serviced by 2 routes that provide a combined 12 passenger trips per week. Transport links are classified as limited, with residents living an average of 959 meters from the nearest stop. The locality is primarily residential, leading to outward commutes where private cars are the primary travel method at 89%, while 7% of residents walk. The average number of vehicles per household is 1.4, which is lower than the regional average.
A low 4.2% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-related conditions. Service schedules average 1 trip per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 6 trips per week for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
66.1% of residents in Merredin report no long-term health condition. 5.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 52.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.8 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Based on AreaSearch assessments of mortality and chronic disease prevalence, the suburb of Merredin faces notable public health challenges, with standard medical issues appearing across both younger and older cohorts, while the proportion of residents with private health insurance is slightly higher than the average SA2 region at approximately 52% of the population (~1,484 people). This is below the private coverage rate of 56.4% recorded across Regional WA. Arthritis and asthma are the most prevalent medical issues in the locality, affecting 9.2% and 8.7% of residents respectively, whereas 66.1% of the population reported no chronic conditions, compared to 69.3% across Regional WA.
Working-age residents experience clear health challenges with higher rates of chronic illness. The suburb of Merredin has 17.1% of its population aged 65 and over (486 people), which is lower than the Regional WA proportion of 19.2%. Senior citizens in the area enjoy above-average health outcomes, ranking higher nationally than the general local population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Merredin is largely Australian-born, at 86.4% of residents, with 6.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (33.4%) and English (32.1%). 4.1% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The suburb of Merredin has a lower level of cultural diversity than the national average, with citizens making up 84.9% of the population, 86.4% of residents born in Australia, and 94.0% speaking only English at home. The predominant religious affiliation is Christianity, followed by 46.8% of residents, compared to 44.6% across Regional WA. In terms of parent country of birth, the three largest ancestry groups in the suburb of Merredin are Australian at 33.4% of the population (which is higher than the regional average of 28.4%), English at 32.1%, and Scottish at 7.1%.
There are also notable differences in other backgrounds, with Australian Aboriginal ancestry representing 4.1% of the population (compared to 6.1% regionally), New Zealand ancestry at 0.8% (compared to 0.9% regionally), and Italian ancestry at 4.0% (compared to 3.0% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Merredin is 38. That is 2 years younger than at the 2021 Census. 29.2% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age of 38 years in the suburb of Merredin is slightly below the Regional WA average of 40, though it matches the national median of 38. Compared to Regional WA, the local area has a higher representation of young people aged 15 - 24 (14.1% locally), while residents aged 45 - 54 are less represented (9.6%). Since the 2021 Census, younger arrivals have lowered the median age by 1.5 years to 38. Specifically, the 15 to 24 age bracket rose from 11.5% to 14.1% of the population, and the 25 to 34 age group grew from 12.7% to 15.1%.
In contrast, the 55 to 64 group fell from 13.9% to 11.3%, and the 45 to 54 group dropped from 12.0% to 9.6%. Demographic projections suggest the age profile of the suburb of Merredin will change significantly by 2041, with the 25 to 34 cohort projected to grow by 62%, adding 264 residents to reach 694, while the 85+ and 75 to 84 cohorts are expected to decrease in size.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Merredin
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | May 2026 3 months ago all 13 measures |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,604 at the 2021 Census → 2,844 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL50938). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.