Merbein

Merbein has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Merbein's population, as per AreaSearch's analysis, was approximately 4,971 as of May 2026. This figure represents a decrease of 5 people, a 0.1% drop from the 2021 Census which reported a population of 4,976. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 4,971 in June 2025 and an additional 126 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 48 persons per square kilometer. Merbein's minimal decline since the 2021 census was better than the SA4 region's decline of 1%. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration, contributing approximately 64.6% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to reach SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Looking ahead, regional areas nationally are projected to have above median population growth. For this area, an increase of 820 persons is expected by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 16.5% over the 16 years based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

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

Merbein has received approximately 25 dwelling approvals annually. Between financial years 2021 and 2025, a total of 127 homes were approved, with an additional 28 approved in the current financial year 2026. The population decline in recent years suggests that new supply has been meeting demand, providing good options for buyers.

The average expected construction cost value of new homes is $356,000. In terms of commercial development, $5.8 million in approvals have been recorded this financial year, indicating limited focus on commercial projects compared to residential ones. Merbein's construction activity per person is comparable to the rest of Victoria, suggesting market stability consistent with regional trends.

Recent construction comprises 95% detached houses and 5% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's low-density character and attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 188 people per approval, Merbein reflects a low-density residential area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Merbein is projected to add 820 residents by 2041. Building activity appears to be keeping pace with growth projections, though increased competition among buyers may arise as the population grows.

Merbein has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 46thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified eight projects likely affecting this region. Notable ones are Lake Hawthorn Foreshore Development, Mildura Airport Terminal Expansion, Sunraysia Modernisation Project 2, and Mildura Base Public Hospital Intensive Care Unit Expansion. The following list details those most relevant:.

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 exceptional employment performance in Merbein places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

Merbein's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs with diverse sector representation. The unemployment rate was 1.3% in December 2025, below Regional Vic.'s 3.7%. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 1.4%.

As of December 2025, 2,493 residents were employed, with workforce participation at 63.5%, slightly higher than Regional Vic.'s 61.0%. A low 11.3% of residents worked from home according to Census responses. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and retail trade. Agriculture, forestry & fishing showed strong specialization with an employment share 1.7 times the regional level.

Health care & social assistance had a limited presence at 14.2% compared to 16.8% regionally. Employment opportunities locally appeared limited based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. In the 12-month period ending December 2025, employment increased by 1.4%, while labour force decreased by 2.1%, causing unemployment rate to fall by 3.3 percentage points. By comparison, Regional Vic. recorded an employment decline of 0.6%, labour force decline of 0.7%, with unemployment falling by 0.1 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Merbein's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.6% over five years and 12.2% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 indicates Merbein SA2's median income among taxpayers is $48,351, with an average of $53,574. This is below the national average. Regional Vic.'s median income is $50,954 and average is $62,728. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Merbein would be approximately $53,002 (median) and $58,728 (average) as of March 2026. Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes in Merbein all fall between the 22nd and 23rd percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 31.4% of Merbein's community (1,560 individuals), similar to regional levels where 30.3% occupy this range. Housing costs are modest with 88.2% of income retained, placing total disposable income at the 28th percentile nationally.

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

Merbein's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 93.5% houses and 6.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Regional Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Merbein was at 37.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 46.2% and rented ones at 16.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,140, below Regional Vic.'s average of $1,430. Median weekly rent in Merbein was $220, compared to Regional Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Merbein's mortgage repayments are lower at $1,140 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents are lower at $220 compared to the national figure of $375.

Merbein has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 73.3% of all households, including 30.1% couples with children, 30.3% couples without children, and 11.9% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 26.7%, comprising 24.7% lone person households and 1.7% group households. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is larger than the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 12.1%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.9%, followed by graduate diplomas (2.0%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.3%) and certificates (31.5%). Educational participation is high, with 30.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 12.8% in primary, 9.8% in secondary, and 1.8% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 30.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.8% in primary education, 9.8% in secondary education, and 1.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis shows 41 active transport stops operating within Merbein. These stops are serviced by four individual routes, collectively providing 171 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 301 meters from the nearest transport stop. Most residents commute outward due to its primarily residential nature. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 94%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.9 per dwelling, above the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 11.3% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 24 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately four weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Merbein is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Merbein faces substantial health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notable across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is extremely low at approximately 47% of the total population (~2,316 people), compared to 50.5% in Regional Vic., and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, affecting 10.3 and 9.7% of residents respectively. While 62.6% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, this is slightly lower than the 63.4% in Regional Vic. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. As of 2021, 20.8% of Merbein's residents are aged 65 and over (1,035 people), which is lower than the 23.9% in Regional Vic. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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

Merbein's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 88.0% of its population being citizens, 93.2% born in Australia, and 95.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Merbein, comprising 46.5% of people, compared to 47.3% across Regional Vic. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (33.2%), English (31.2%), and Scottish (7.8%).

Notably, Italian (4.8%) was overrepresented in Merbein compared to the regional average of 2.9%, as was German at 4.3% versus 3.5%, and Croatian at 0.7% versus 0.4%.

Merbein's median age exceeds the national pattern

Merbein's median age is 42 years, similar to Regional Vic.'s average of 43, but older than Australia's 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 5-14 years are prominent at 14.0%, while the 75-84 year-olds are relatively smaller at 6.8% compared to Regional Vic. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has grown from 9.8% to 12.4%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort has declined from 13.5% to 11.1%, and the 55-64 group has dropped from 14.7% to 13.4%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Merbein, with the strongest growth projected for the 35-44 cohort at 34%, adding 198 residents to reach 776. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 55-64 and 15-24 cohorts.