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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
The median house price in Merriwa (NSW) is $440k, with units at $365k. House values have moved 8.8% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Sales Detail
Merriwa (NSW) has an estimated 1,859 residents, up from 1,825 at the 2021 Census — a change of 34 people, or 1.9%. Growth has averaged 0.6% a year over five years, slower than 81% of areas nationally. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Demographic assessments combining broader ABS updates and post-Census address validations by AreaSearch place the population of the suburb of Merriwa (NSW) at approximately 1,859 as of Aug 2026. This represents an addition of 34 people (1.9%) compared to the 2021 Census count of 1,825 people. This figure builds upon AreaSearch's June 2025 estimate of 1,857 residents from ABS ERP statistics, alongside 33 validated new addresses registered following the Census. Settlement patterns remain exceptionally low-density at 1.0 persons per square kilometer, ensuring considerable space for residents. Over the preceding ten years, the suburb of Merriwa (NSW) has achieved steady population growth with a 0.6% compound annual growth rate, exceeding the surrounding SA3 area.
Natural increase served as the primary growth driver, accounting for roughly 51.0% of total population additions in recent times. Population modelling incorporates 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 projections based on 2022 figures, supplemented by 2022 NSW State Government SA2 projections based on 2021 where necessary. Age-specific rates from these datasets are projected forward for all locations across 2032 to 2041. Based on these combined SA2 trajectories, the suburb of Merriwa (NSW) is slated for an expansion slightly beneath the national regional median, with demographic projections indicating an increase of 190 persons by 2041, representing a cumulative 10.1% growth over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building activity in the locality remains constrained, recording 1 dwelling approvals on an annual basis (equating to 7 dwellings across the five-year period). This subdued level of property development aligns with rural districts where construction is naturally limited by localized demand and existing infrastructure capacity. Given the low approval volumes, individual building applications can create pronounced variations in year-on-year metrics and growth rates. Local building activity tracks substantially below levels recorded across Rest of NSW, as well as broader national benchmarks. Recent residential construction has consisted entirely of detached houses, emphasizing standalone family residences suited to spacious rural living.
A ratio of roughly 1236 people per dwelling approval underscores the calm and quiet development environment. Demographic forecasts suggest an influx of 188 residents up to 2041 based on the most recent AreaSearch quarterly update. If construction rates remain at current levels, residential additions may fail to keep pace with population growth, potentially heightening competition for available stock and supporting property values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Merriwa (NSW)
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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 3 current infrastructure and development projects inside Merriwa (NSW), worth an estimated $2.48 billion. A further 49 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $17.1 billion. 16 are already under construction and 20 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, energy and transport & logistics. 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
Capital investments and major planning initiatives represent pivotal drivers of local economic momentum. AreaSearch has identified 4 key projects likely to shape the surrounding area, including the Merriwa Town Centre Masterplan, Merriwa Energy Hub, Goulburn River Solar Farm And Battery, and McCullys Gap BESS.
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
Merriwa Town Centre Masterplan
A strategic framework adopted by Upper Hunter Shire Council to revitalise the town centre over 15+ years, aiming to create a safe, attractive, and thriving commercial and community hub.
Merriwa Energy Hub
Merriwa Energy Hub is a large-scale renewable energy project proposed near Merriwa in the Upper Hunter. The project comprises a 550 MW solar PV farm and a 400 MW / 1600 MWh battery energy storage system, with associated grid connection infrastructure. It is listed by Valent Energy as an in-pipeline project and remains in the NSW state significant development planning process.
Goulburn River Solar Farm
The Goulburn River Solar Farm is a State Significant Development approved by the NSW Independent Planning Commission and Commonwealth DCCEEW. Developed by Lightsource bp, the project encompasses an estimated 450MW to 520MW solar PV farm paired with a utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) of up to 49MW/392MWh. It connects directly into Transgrid's existing 500kV transmission corridor between Merriwa and Wollar within the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone.
Denman to Sandy Hollow Pipeline and Denman Water Treatment Plant upgrade
Construction of the Denman to Sandy Hollow Pipeline and upgrade of the Denman Water Treatment Plant. Funded by an $18.9 million grant. Aims to provide consistent and high-quality water supply to residents and enable future development.
Denman Park Estate
Residential land subdivision offering vacant land and house & land packages, with 194 new homes planned. Civil works commencing Q2 2025.
West Denman Urban Release Area
Approximately 133 hectares of land zoned RU5 - Village Zone, identified as an extension to the Denman urban area to provide additional serviced land for housing, with a capacity for up to 750 residential lots. To be developed in stages.
Muswellbrook Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (Bells Mountain)
400MW/3,200MWh pumped hydro energy storage facility using existing mine void as lower reservoir and new upper reservoir at Bells Mountain. Joint venture between AGL Energy and Idemitsu Australia to provide long-duration storage for NSW grid stability. The project aims to offer 250MW of capacity and is planned near Muswellbrook, NSW, 11km north of the Liddell Power Station.
Aberdeen Valley Fair Commercial Development
The approved development comprises the demolition of existing structures and construction of a mixed-use commercial and retail centre on a 9,854 sqm site along the New England Highway. Key components include a two-storey commercial building with ground floor supermarket and retail tenancies, first-floor commercial suites, a highway service centre, quick service food outlet, and on-site parking.
816 residents of Merriwa (NSW) are employed, from a labour force of 857. Unemployment sits at 4.8%, with participation at 56.5%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 4.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. 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 local labour market features a blend of blue-collar and white-collar roles across multiple sectors, registering an unemployment rate of 4.8% alongside a 2.5% annual increase in employment according to statistical aggregations by AreaSearch. In March 2026816 residents were employed, while local unemployment sat 0.7% higher than the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%, and labour force participation was relatively low at 56.5% versus 60.6% across Regional NSW. Census data showed that 16.9% of workers operated from home, though pandemic-related movement restrictions during the survey period may have influenced this figure.
Local workforce engagement is heavily concentrated across agriculture, forestry & fishing, education & training, and health care & social assistance. Workforce specialization is especially prominent in agriculture, forestry & fishing, where local representation is 5.0 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, the health care & social assistance sector employs 8.4% of working residents, well below the 16.9% recorded across the wider region. Comparisons between resident workers and local workplace counts point to limited job opportunities within the immediate area. According to AreaSearch analysis of aggregated SALM and ABS data, the past 12-month period saw local employment rise by 2.5% and the labour force expand by 1.3%, bringing a 1.1 percentage points drop in the unemployment rate. This outperformed Regional NSW, which experienced a 0.9% drop in employment, a 0.4% contraction in the labour force, and a 0.5 percentage points increase in unemployment. Future labour demand can also be evaluated using Jobs and Skills Australia's national projections from Mar-26. Projected nationally at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, employment growth varies considerably across industries. Applying these sectoral forecasts across the local industry profile suggests employment growth of 4.7% over five years and 10.8% over ten years, assuming current industry weightings without adjusting for localized population trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Merriwa (NSW) is $1,208 a week (about $63,000 a year), with median personal income at $593 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $41,343 a year against an average of $58,515. The average runs 42% above the median, a wider spread than most areas and a sign of a concentrated group of high earners. 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
ATO taxation statistics for financial year 2023 at the postcode level indicate median taxable earnings of $41,343 and an average of $58,515 for local taxpayers, trailing the national benchmark as well as Regional NSW medians and averages of $52,390 and $65,215. Incorporating a 10.32% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of approximately $45,610 (median) and $64,554 (average) as of March 2026. The 2021 Census placed personal, family, and household income measures between the 10th and 13th percentiles nationally. Across the income spectrum, 27.7% of residents (514 individuals) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket, closely matching the 29.9% share seen regionally.
Although low housing overheads allow households to keep 88.0% of their earnings, overall disposable income sits at the 18th percentile across Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Merriwa (NSW) had 664 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 96% detached houses and 1% apartments. 28% are owned with a mortgage, 26% rented and 46% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $245 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,235 a month. Rent absorbs 20.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 23.6%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The local housing stock at the most recent Census was dominated by separate houses at 95.8%, with 4.2% classified as other dwellings including apartments and semi-detached units, compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings across Regional NSW. Fully owned properties accounted for 45.7% of homes, substantially exceeding regional ownership rates, while 28.0% carried a mortgage and 26.3% were rental accommodations. Typical housing expenses are comparatively low, with median monthly mortgage payments of $1,235 and median weekly rents of $245, well below the respective Regional NSW figures of $1,733 and $330, as well as broader national medians of $1,863 for mortgages and $375 for rent.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Merriwa (NSW) counted 664 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.4 people each. 25% are couples with children, against 31% couples without children. 30% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.2 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute the majority of living arrangements at 67.3%, consisting of couples without children (31.1%), couples with children (24.8%), and single-parent households (10.7%). Non-family living situations account for the remaining 32.7%, primarily comprising single-person households at 30.4% and group shared arrangements at 2.1%. The area records an average household size of 2.4 people, matching the broader Regional NSW benchmark.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
13.6% of adults in Merriwa (NSW) hold a university qualification, including 11.4% with a bachelor degree and 1.3% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 90% of areas nationally. A further 32.1% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 268 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 933 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
Tertiary qualification levels remain relatively low, with 13.6% of residents holding a higher education degree compared to the statewide figure of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees represent the largest proportion at 11.4%, alongside postgraduate degrees at 1.3% and graduate diplomas at 0.9%. Conversely, vocational and technical qualifications are widespread, with 40.3% of individuals aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, including certificate-level awards (32.1%) and advanced diplomas (8.2%). General educational engagement is strong, with 30.2% of the local population participating in study programs. This cohort includes 13.3% attending primary school, 9.6% enrolled in secondary education, and 2.0% undertaking tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Merriwa (NSW) means driving: households keep an average of 1.6 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
Public transit networks in the locality include 62 active transport stops served by bus networks. A total of 8 distinct routes operate across these stops, delivering 80 weekly passenger trips in aggregate. Access to services is favorable, with residents living an average distance of 376 meters from a boarding point. As an outward-commuting residential population, private vehicles account for 86% of travel journeys, while 11% walk. Households maintain an average of 1.6 vehicles, and 16.9% of workers operated from home at the 2021 Census, which coincided with pandemic restrictions. Transit schedules provide an average of 11 trips per day across all services, translating to roughly 1 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
62.6% of residents in Merriwa (NSW) report no long-term health condition. 6.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch evaluations of chronic illnesses and mortality indicate notable health considerations locally, with medical conditions occurring regularly across the community, particularly within older cohorts. Private health insurance uptake is comparatively low, covering roughly 50% of residents (~931 people) against a national benchmark of 55.7%. Asthma and arthritis constitute the most prevalent diagnosed conditions, affecting 9.8% and 9.9% of the population respectively, while 62.6% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, comparable to the 63.3% figure across Regional NSW. Working-age residents display standard health profiles. The community includes 496 people aged 65 and over, making up 26.7% of the population compared to 23.3% in Regional NSW, with senior health indicators presenting certain challenges despite ranking lower nationally than the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Merriwa (NSW) is largely Australian-born, at 92.5% of residents, with 2.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (36.8%) and English (31.1%). 5.1% 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
Cultural diversity measures are comparatively low, with Australian citizens comprising 88.0% of the community, 92.5% born domestically, and 97.9% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religious affiliation, representing 76.5% of residents compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. Regarding ancestral backgrounds, Australian heritage is the most common at 36.8% of residents (exceeding the regional share of 30.0%), followed by English at 31.1% and Irish at 8.7%. Additional cultural backgrounds include Scottish at 8.0% (matching the regional 8.0%), Australian Aboriginal representation at 5.1% (compared to 4.6% regionally), and Welsh at 0.5% (aligning with the regional 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Merriwa (NSW) is 45, older than 80% of areas nationally. 20.4% 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
Age distributions closely mirror broader regional patterns, with every major cohort falling within 3.4 percentage points of the Regional NSW benchmark. The median age is an estimated 45 as at August 2026, holding steady from the 2021 Census and sitting 2 years above the Regional NSW median of 43 at that Census, while the national figure was 38. Residents aged 65+ have increased from 24.5% at the Census to an estimated 26.7%. Projections to 2041 indicate seniors will drive the bulk of population growth, expanding by 138 residents (28%) to total 634, whereas younger demographics and children are forecast to diminish.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Merriwa (NSW)
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 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) | Aug 2026 2 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| 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 Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Sep 2026 last month all 3 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 Sep 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 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) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 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 — 33 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (1,825 at the 2021 Census → 1,859 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 Aug 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 (SAL12596). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.