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

AreaSearch's analysis indicates Mernda - North's population is approximately 12,238 as of November 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 811 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 11,427 people. 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 805 persons per square kilometer, similar to averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Mernda - North has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%, outpacing the SA3 area. Natural growth contributed approximately 52.7% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusted employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future trends predict exceptional growth, placing Mernda - North in the top 10 percent of Australian statistical areas, with an expected growth of 7,880 persons to 2041 based on latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total increase of 62.8% over the 17 years.

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

Mernda - North has seen approximately 35 new homes approved annually. Between the financial years FY21 and FY25176 homes were approved, with a further 9 approved in FY26 to date. On average, over these five years, around 5.3 new residents arrived per dwelling constructed.

This demand has outpaced supply, potentially exerting upward pressure on prices and increasing competition among buyers. The average construction cost of new dwellings was $143,000 during this period, which is below regional levels, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers. In FY26, commercial approvals totalled $147,000, indicating limited commercial development activity in the area. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Mernda - North has significantly lower building activity, 78.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new homes typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Nationally, this activity is also below average, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. The development activity shows a focus on higher-density living, with 56.0% townhouses or apartments compared to 44.0% standalone homes.

This shift from the current housing composition of 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, reflecting its quiet development environment. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the area is forecasted to gain 7,680 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Mernda - North has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 37thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 21 projects likely to impact the area. Notable projects include Mernda Town Centre, Regional Sports Precinct Mernda, Mernda Rise Estate, and River Run. The following details those 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. The unemployment rate is 4.0% and there was an estimated employment growth of 1.1% over the past year. As of September 2025, 6,553 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.7% lower than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%.

Workforce participation stands at 73.6%, slightly higher than Greater Melbourne's 71.0%. According to Census responses, 23.4% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction sectors. The area has a high specialization in health care & social assistance with an employment share 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 may offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 1.1% while labour force grew by 0.5%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment growth of 3.0% and labour force growth of 3.3%, with a slight rise in unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Mernda - North's employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

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 2023 indicates Mernda - North SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $56,680 and an average income of $65,021. This is below the national average. Greater Melbourne had a median income of $57,688 and an average income of $75,164 during this period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $61,356 (median) and $70,385 (average). Census data shows Mernda - North's household, family, and personal incomes cluster around the 59th percentile nationally. Income distribution reveals that 39.0% of individuals in this area earn between $1,500 and $2,999 annually, mirroring regional levels where 32.8% fall within this bracket. High housing costs consume 18.4% of income. Despite this, disposable income ranks 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 ownership patterns similar to the broader region

The latest Census revealed that in Mernda - North, 83.8% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 16.1% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This is compared to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mernda - North stood at 16.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 54.6% and rented ones at 28.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,900, lower than Melbourne metro's $2,000. The median weekly rent in Mernda - North was $378, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Mernda - North's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,900 against the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were also higher at $378 compared to the national figure of $375.

Mernda - North features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 80.2% of all households, including 44.4% couples with children, 21.0% couples without children, and 13.9% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 19.8%, with lone person households at 18.1% and group households comprising 1.8%. The median household size is 2.9 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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+, as of the benchmark date, had 31.1% with university degrees, compared to Greater Melbourne's 37.0%. Bachelor degrees were most prevalent at 19.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational credentials were held by 33.3% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 12.7% and certificates at 20.6%. Educational participation was 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 moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

The analysis shows that there are 35 active public transport stops in Mernda - North. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, totaling seven individual routes. Together, these routes facilitate 3,140 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility to transport is rated as good, with residents typically located 267 meters from the nearest stop. In this primarily residential area, most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport at 88%, while train usage stands at 8%.

On average, there are 1.4 vehicles per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, 23.4% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 448 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 89 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Mernda - North is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Mernda - North shows better-than-average health outcomes according to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The prevalence of common health conditions is low among its general population but higher than the national average in older, at-risk cohorts.

Private health cover stands at approximately 51% of the total population (~6,265 people), compared to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne. Asthma and mental health issues are the most common medical conditions, affecting 7.4 and 7.0% of residents respectively. 74.8% of residents report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 12.0% of residents aged 65 and over (1,471 people), lower than the 14.9% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but rank lower nationally than those of 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. The predominant religion is Christianity, comprising 47.8%. Hinduism is notably overrepresented at 9.5%, compared to the Greater Melbourne average of 4.4%.

The top three ancestry groups are Australian (18.7%), English (18.1%), and Other (17.6%). Macedonian (2.5%) and Indian (7.6%) are significantly more prevalent in Mernda-North than regionally (0.7% and 4.2%, respectively).

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

Mernda - North's median age in 2021 was 35 years, slightly younger than Greater Melbourne's 37 and the national average of 38. The 35-44 age group made up 20.9% of its population, higher than Greater Melbourne but lower than the national average of 14.2%. The 25-34 cohort was less prevalent at 12.6%. Between 2021 and the present, the 15-24 age group grew from 9.9% to 11.6%, while the 75-84 cohort increased from 3.1% to 4.8%. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort declined from 15.9% to 12.6%, and the 0-4 group dropped from 9.2% to 7.3%. Population forecasts for Mernda - North indicate significant demographic changes by 2041. The 45-54 age cohort is projected to grow exceptionally, increasing by 1,552 people (102%) from 1,526 to 3,079.