Merredin
Statistical Area - sa2

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 AreaSearch's analysis, Merredin's population is around 5255 as of August 2025. This reflects an increase of 362 people, a growth rate of 7.4%, since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 4893 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 5249 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional seven validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 0.50 persons per square kilometer. Merredin's growth rate positions it within 1.2 percentage points of the national average (8.6%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 81.1% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, and to estimate growth across all areas post-2032, AreaSearch utilises the growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). According to these trends, an above median population growth is projected for Australia's non-metropolitan areas. The area is expected to expand by 823 persons to reach a total of 6116 people by 2041, recording a gain of 15.6% in total over the 17-year period.

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

Merredin has seen approximately five new homes approved annually. Development approval data is produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on a financial year basis, with 26 approvals recorded across the past five financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25), and one approval so far in FY-26. On average, around 5.8 people have moved to the area each year for every dwelling built over these five financial years, indicating substantial demand outstripping supply, which typically leads to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $403,000, aligning with broader regional development trends.

This financial year has seen $16.7 million in commercial development approvals recorded, reflecting moderate levels of commercial development activity. Compared to the Rest of WA, Merredin records notably lower building activity, 83.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new homes typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties, although building activity has accelerated in recent years. The area's building activity is also below national averages, reflecting its maturity and potentially indicating planning constraints. Recent building activity consists entirely of detached houses, preserving Merredin's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 804 people, reflecting the quiet, low-activity development environment. Future projections suggest Merredin will add 817 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing buyer competition and supporting stronger price growth.

Merredin has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 25thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects that may impact this region: Moon Village, Great Eastern Highway Improvements, Western Australia Agricultural Supply Chain Improvements, and King Rocks Wind Farm. Details about these projects are provided below.

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

The labour market in Merredin shows considerable strength compared to most other Australian regions

Merredin's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs with varied sector representation. Its unemployment rate was 1.8% as of June 2025.

This rate is below the Rest of WA's 3.2%, with a participation rate at 57.4%. Key sectors include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Agriculture, forestry & fishing dominate locally, at 2.8 times the regional level, while mining is lower at 3.0% compared to the regional average of 11.7%. Many residents commute for work based on census data.

In the year ending June 2025, employment increased by 0.6%, labour force decreased by 1.7%, and unemployment fell by 2.2 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, published in May 2025, project a 6.6% growth over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Merredin's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.2% over five years and 11.4% over ten years.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

Merredin's median taxpayer income was $53,395 and average income was $66,262 in financial year 2022. This is slightly above the national average. Rest of WA had a median income of $57,323 and an average income of $71,163 during the same period. By March 2025, estimates suggest Merredin's median income will be approximately $59,594 and average income $73,955, accounting for Wage Price Index growth of 11.61%. According to the 2021 Census, personal income ranked at the 49th percentile ($796 weekly) and household income at the 28th percentile in Merredin. The earnings profile shows that 30.8% of individuals earn between $1,500 - 2,999 annually (1,618 individuals), which is consistent with the surrounding region's 31.1%. Housing costs take up a manageable 91.6%, but disposable income ranks below average at the 37th percentile.

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

In Merredin, as per the latest Census evaluation, 93.9% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 6.1% comprising semi-detached houses, apartments, and other dwelling types. This compares to Non-Metro WA's figures of 95.6% houses and 4.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Merredin stood at 44.0%, aligning with the Non-Metro WA average. Mortgaged dwellings accounted for 27.7% while rented dwellings made up 28.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $927, lower than Non-Metro WA's average of $1,425 and significantly below the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent in Merredin was $200, compared to Non-Metro WA's $231 and the national figure of $375.

Merredin features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 67.2% of all households, including 26.5% couples with children, 31.8% couples without children, and 8.3% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 32.8%, with lone person households at 30.3% and group households making up 2.6%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which aligns with the average for the Rest of WA.

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

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 15.5%, significantly below Australia's average of 30.4%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.0%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 38.0% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (7.8%) and certificates (30.2%).

Educational participation is high, with 30.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 13.5% in primary education, 9.8% in secondary education, and 1.9% pursuing tertiary education. Merredin's five schools have a combined enrollment of 886 students as of the latest data point. The area demonstrates typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 975) with balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes two primary schools and three K-12 schools. School capacity exceeds typical residential needs, with 16.9 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 12.2, indicating that Merredin serves as an educational center for the broader region.

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

Public transport analysis reveals four active transport stops operating within Merredin. These stops are serviced by two individual routes, collectively providing twelve weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents typically located 15572 meters from the nearest transport stop.

Service frequency averages one trip per day across all routes, equating to approximately three weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Merredin faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is approximately 52% of the total population (~2,753 people), leading that of the average SA2 area. The most common medical conditions were arthritis and asthma, impacting 9.8 and 8.7% of residents respectively. A total of 65.5% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 64.7% across Rest of WA. As of 2016 (the latest available data), 20.3% of residents were aged 65 and over (1,066 people), lower than the 21.7% in Rest of WA. Health outcomes among seniors in Merredin are above average, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

Merredin is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Merredin's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 83.3% of its population being citizens born in Australia who speak English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Merredin, comprising 50.4% of the population compared to 49.0% across the Rest of WA. The top three ancestry groups are English (34.0%), Australian (32.1%), and Scottish (7.5%).

Notably, Italian (4.0%) is overrepresented in Merredin compared to regionally (2.2%), while Australian Aboriginal (3.4%) and Maori (0.6%) have similar representations as the regional averages of 3.4% and 0.5%, respectively.

Merredin hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Merredin as of 2021 is 42 years, which is slightly higher than the Rest of WA's average of 40 years and considerably older than Australia's average of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of WA, Merredin has a higher percentage of residents aged 15-24 (12.9%) but fewer residents aged 45-54 (10.2%). Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Merredin's median age decreased by 1.4 years from 43 to 42, indicating a shift towards a younger demographic. The 15 to 24 age group grew from 9.7% to 12.9%, while the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 11.2% to 12.5%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort declined from 12.6% to 10.2% and the 55 to 64 group dropped from 14.6% to 12.6%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Merredin's age profile. The 25 to 34 age cohort is projected to increase markedly, growing by 531 people (78%) from 682 to 1,214. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 5 to 14 and 85+ cohorts.