Mernda - North

Mernda - North lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Mernda - North's population was approximately 12,235 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 808 people, a 7.1% rise from the 2021 Census which reported a population of 11,427. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 12,038 in June 2024 and an additional 106 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 804 persons per square kilometer, roughly aligning with averages across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Mernda - North exhibited resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%, surpassing the SA3 area's growth. Natural growth contributed approximately 52.7% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is employing 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 uses the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusting using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels and applying growth rates by age group for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends predict exceptional growth, placing Mernda - North in the top 10 percent of Australian statistical areas. By 2041, the area is expected to grow by 7,880 persons, reflecting a total increase of 62.8% over the 17-year period based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Mernda - North when compared nationally

Mernda - North has seen approximately 35 new homes approved each year. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around 176 homes were approved, with an additional 9 approved so far in FY26. On average, about 5.3 new residents have arrived annually per dwelling constructed during this period.

This indicates that demand for housing significantly outpaces supply, which typically exerts upward pressure on prices and intensifies competition among buyers. The average expected construction cost of these dwellings is $143,000, which is below regional levels, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers. In FY26, commercial approvals totaling $147,000 have been registered, indicating minimal commercial development activity in the area. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Mernda - North has recorded significantly lower building activity, 78.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new homes tends to strengthen demand and prices for existing properties. Moreover, this activity is also below national averages, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. The current development trend shows a focus on higher-density living, with 56.0% townhouses or apartments and 44.0% standalone homes.

This shift from the area's existing housing composition (currently 84.0% houses) indicates decreasing availability of developable sites and reflects changing lifestyles and the need for more diverse, affordable housing options. The estimated population per dwelling approval in Mernda - North is 1668 people. According to AreaSearch quarterly estimates, the area is forecasted to gain approximately 7683 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, there may not be sufficient new housing supply to keep pace with this population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Mernda - North has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 21 projects likely impacting the region. Notable initiatives are Mernda Town Centre, Mernda Community Hospital, Regional Sports Precinct Mernda, and Mernda Rise Estate. The following details projects deemed most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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AreaSearch analysis indicates Mernda - North maintains employment conditions that align with national benchmarks

Mernda - North has a well-educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 4.0% and it experienced an estimated employment growth of 1.1% over the past year.

As of September 2025, there are 6,553 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.7% below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%. Workforce participation in Mernda - North is 68.8%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Employment among residents is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. Notably, health care & social assistance has an employment share that is 1.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, professional & technical services have lower representation at 5.5% compared to the regional average of 10.1%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data analysis. From September 2024 to September 2025, employment levels increased by 1.1% and labour force grew by 0.5%, resulting in a 0.6 percentage point decrease in unemployment rate. In comparison, Greater Melbourne experienced employment growth of 3.0% and labour force growth of 3.3%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. State-level data from 25-Nov-25 shows Victoria's employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, adding 41,950 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 4.7%. National employment forecasts from May-25 indicate national employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Mernda - North's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Mernda - North SA2 had a median income of $53,494 and an average of $61,422. These figures are below the national averages. In comparison, Greater Melbourne had a median income of $54,892 and an average of $73,761. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $59,999 (median) and $68,891 (average). Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Mernda - North cluster around the 59th percentile nationally. Income distribution shows that 39.0% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999, mirroring regional levels where 32.8% fall into this bracket. High housing costs consume 18.4% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 56th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

Mernda - North's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 83.8% houses and 16.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Melbourne metro's 87.2% houses and 12.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mernda - North was at 16.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 54.6% and rented ones at 28.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,900, aligning with Melbourne metro's average, while the median weekly rent was $378, compared to Melbourne metro's $1,900 and $371 respectively. Nationally, Mernda - North's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, and rents surpassed the national figure of $375.

Mernda - North features high concentrations of family households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 80.2% of all households, including 44.4% that are couples with children, 21.0% that are couples without children, and 13.9% that are single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 19.8%, with lone person households making up 18.1% and group households comprising 1.8%. The median household size is 2.9 people, which aligns with the Greater Melbourne average.

Mernda - North shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Mernda's residents aged 15+ have a university degree rate of 31.1%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 19.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational credentials are held by 33.3% of residents, with advanced diplomas at 12.7% and certificates at 20.6%. Educational participation is high, with 33.3% currently enrolled in formal education: primary (13.1%), secondary (7.4%), and tertiary (4.2%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 33.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.1% in primary education, 7.4% in secondary education, and 4.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis shows that as of October 2021, there are 35 active public transport stops in Mernda - North. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 7 individual routes operating. Collectively, these routes provide 4,790 weekly passenger trips.

The report rates the area's transport accessibility as good, with residents typically located approximately 269 meters from their nearest transport stop. On average, service frequency across all routes is 684 trips per day, which equates to about 136 weekly trips per individual stop.

Mernda - North's residents are extremely healthy with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Analysis of health metrics indicates strong performance across Mernda - North.

Prevalence of common health conditions is low among the general population but higher than the national average among older and at-risk cohorts. Approximately 51% (~6,190 people) of the total population has private health cover. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (7.4%) and mental health issues (7.0%). Around 74.8% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.0% in Greater Melbourne. Mernda - North has 12.0% (1,470 people) of its population aged 65 and over, lower than the 13.2% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those in the broader population.

Mernda - North was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Mernda-North scores highly in cultural diversity, with 35.6% of its population born overseas and 38.5% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Mernda-North, accounting for 47.8% of people. Hinduism is overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne, comprising 9.5% of Mernda-North's population versus 6.3%.

The top three ancestry groups are Australian (18.7%), English (18.1%), and Other (17.6%). Notably, Macedonian (2.5%) and Indian (7.6%) are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 4.6% and 6.2%, respectively. Sri Lankan ancestry is also slightly higher at 0.9%.

Mernda - North hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

Mernda - North's median age is 35 years, slightly younger than Greater Melbourne's 37 and the national average of 38. The 35-44 age group comprises 20.9%, higher than Greater Melbourne but lower than the national 14.2%. The 25-34 cohort stands at 12.6%. Between 2021 and present, the 15 to 24 age group grew from 9.9% to 11.6%, while the 75 to 84 cohort increased from 3.1% to 4.8%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 cohort declined from 15.9% to 12.6%, and the 0 to 4 group dropped from 9.2% to 7.3%. By 2041, forecasts suggest significant demographic shifts in Mernda - North, with the 45 to 54 age cohort projected to grow by 1,553 people (102%), from 1,525 to 3,079.