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

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.

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

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.

Merredin has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 10thth percentile nationally

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.

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.

Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 3.9%, Merredin has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally

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).

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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).

Merredin's population is slightly older than the national pattern

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.