Merbein, VIC: suburb profile

The population of Merbein VIC is 2,770 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Merbein is $608 per week ($31,616 per year). Median rent in Merbein is $210 per week ($910 per month). Merbein has a median age of 44 years, older than the national median of 38. Merbein has a population density of 81 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Merbein is England. The most common religion is No religion (49.5% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Thai. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Merbein is $1,025.

There were 190 recorded offences in Merbein in 2025-25, a rate of 69 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was assault (55 offences).

Population
2,770
Census 2021
Median income
$608/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$210/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
44years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from Crime Statistics Agency Victoria (crimestatistics.vic.gov.au), 2025-25.

Merbein vs the typical VIC suburb

The median personal income in Merbein is $608 a week, 21% below the typical VIC suburb ($767). That ranks 1,092nd of 1,274 VIC suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $210 a week, $106 less than the typical VIC suburb. Rent takes 18.3% of the median household income here, against 19.1% in the typical VIC suburb. The median resident is 44, 1 year older than in the typical VIC suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureMerbeinTypical VICDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$608/wk$767/wk −21%$766/wk
Household income$1,147/wk$1,687/wk −32%$1,637/wk
Rent$210/wk$316/wk −34%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,025/mo$1,723/mo −41%$1,733/mo
Median age4443 +1 yrs42
Rent share of household income18.3%19.1% −0.8 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Merbein, the typical VIC suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Merbein Population

2,770 residents at the 2021 Census.

Merbein Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$608/wk
$31,616 per year
Ranked 6,961 of 14,663
Median Rent
$210/wk
$910 per month
Ranked 7,231 of 14,663
Median Age
44years
6 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,025/mo
Avg household size: 2.3 · 0.8 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Merbein Rent Prices & Affordability

18% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: affordable.

Household income $1,147/wk
Median rent $210/wk
Rent to income 18.3%

Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.

Median rent in Merbein against your income

About $4,970 a month
Median rent $210/wk
Left after rent $937/wk
Rent share 18.3%

Merbein Schools

2
schools nearby
1
government
975
avg ICSEA score
797
total students
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 153 students
1006
ICSEA
Merbein P-10 College Government
Combined · Prep-10 · 644 students
944
ICSEA

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Merbein, with a map

Merbein Map

Merbein, Victoria Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Merbein, Victoria: 34.1609°S, 142.0513°E

Merbein Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (2)

People in Merbein

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 49.5% (1,369) Female 50.5% (1,397)

Population Density

81
people per km²
2,770 people · 34.4 km²

Households

2.3
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$1,477
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
1.2%
New Zealand
0.9%
Thailand
0.4%
Scotland
0.4%
Netherlands
0.3%
Malaysia
0.3%
Germany
0.2%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Thai
0.4%
Greek
0.3%
Mandarin
0.2%
Croatian
0.2%
Italian
0.2%
Punjabi
0.2%
Arabic
0.1%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

English
43.9%
Australian
41.4%
Scottish
10.0%
Irish
9.7%
German
5.6%
Australian Aboriginal
5.5%
Italian
3.8%
Croatian
0.9%
Dutch
0.8%
Greek
0.7%
French
0.5%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

No religion
49.5%
Catholic
14.8%
Anglican
10.4%
Not stated
10.2%
Uniting Church
6.2%
Christian (other)
1.8%
Lutheran
1.3%
Presbyterian and Reformed
1.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

6.0%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
42.5% 955
Separated
5.0% 113
Divorced
10.0% 225
Widowed
8.3% 187
Never married
34.1% 765

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
37.5%
Couple: no children
30.2%
One parent: children under 15
13.6%
Couple: no children under 15
12.9%
One parent: no children under 15
5.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
31.2%
2 persons
34.7%
3 persons
14.7%
4 persons
11.0%
5 persons
6.2%
6+ persons
2.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Merbein

Housing Tenure

Of the 1,050 occupied private dwellings in Merbein at the 2021 Census, 21.5% were rented, 32.5% owned outright and 41.0% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
2.3% 24 dwellings
Owned outright
32.5% 341 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
41.0% 430 dwellings
Rented
21.5% 226 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
3.1% 33 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
93.8%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
5.8%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
0.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
4.5%
2 bedrooms
18.4%
3 bedrooms
53.7%
4 bedrooms
19.6%
5 bedrooms
3.4%
6+ bedrooms
0.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
4.4%
$300-$449/mo
4.9%
$450-$599/mo
3.1%
$600-$799/mo
15.8%
$800-$999/mo
19.1%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
32.6%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
13.7%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
5.4%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
1.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
5.6%
1 vehicle
33.0%
2 vehicles
36.7%
3 vehicles
16.6%
4+ vehicles
8.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Merbein

Employment

Employed full-time
32.1% 619 people
Employed part-time
20.3% 391 people
Unemployed
3.2% 62 people
Not in labour force
44.3% 854 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
18.9%
Community & Personal Service
18.5%
Technicians & Trade Workers
18.0%
Managers
12.9%
Clerical & Administrative
9.6%
Labourers
9.0%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
8.0%
Sales Workers
5.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
2.1%
$1-$149/wk
1.2%
$150-$299/wk
2.0%
$300-$399/wk
4.3%
$400-$499/wk
9.8%
$500-$649/wk
6.9%
$650-$799/wk
8.4%
$800-$999/wk
9.1%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
11.0%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.2%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
8.2%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.8%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
9.5%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
6.0%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
3.7%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
1.3%
$4,000+/wk
2.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
10.0%
$1-$149/wk
3.8%
$150-$299/wk
6.6%
$300-$399/wk
7.5%
$400-$499/wk
7.2%
$500-$649/wk
4.5%
$650-$799/wk
11.7%
$800-$999/wk
12.5%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
14.4%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.3%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.1%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
3.5%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
3.5%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
0.6%
$3,500+/wk
0.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
79.1%
Did not go to work
10.7%
Car (passenger)
4.8%
Walked only
3.3%
Motorbike/Scooter
1.0%
Other
0.6%
Bus
0.3%
Ferry
0.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
38.4%
Year 10 or equivalent
29.6%
Year 11 or equivalent
19.3%
Year 9 or equivalent
12.7%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Certificate III/IV
57.0%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
18.0%
Bachelor Degree
15.3%
Certificate I/II
4.7%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
3.3%
Postgraduate Degree
1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Engineering
18.8%
Society & Culture
17.0%
Management & Commerce
14.7%
Health
11.7%
Education
9.7%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
8.4%
Agriculture & Environment
7.9%
Architecture & Building
6.6%
Creative Arts
2.1%
Natural & Physical Sciences
1.6%
Information Technology
1.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
34.2%
Secondary: Government
31.7%
Pre-school
12.6%
Vocational Education
10.7%
Primary: Catholic
7.8%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
1.9%
Secondary: Catholic
1.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
81.2%
Has need for assistance
10.1%
Need for assistance not stated
8.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
341
Arthritis
151
Asthma
143
Diabetes
108
Heart disease
97
Lung condition
94
Kidney disease
54
Stroke
50
Cancer
48
Dementia
17

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
16.2% 326
Did not provide
83.8% 1,691

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
15.3% 308
Not a volunteer
84.7% 1,706

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Previously served
4.0% 80
Never served
96.0% 1,940

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
24.7%
1 child
13.2%
2 children
27.8%
3 children
21.5%
4 children
9.6%
5+ children
3.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
9
1951: 1960
19
1961: 1970
27
1971: 1980
30
1981: 1990
11
1991: 2000
11
2001: 2010
20
2011: 2015
19
2016
3
2017
4
2018
5
2020
5

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

10.3%
moved in the last year
36.0%
moved in the last 5 years
5.3%
unemployment rate (Census)
52.3%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
2,208
Moved from VIC
136
Moved: same area (SA2)
61
Moved from NSW
28
Moved from SA
19
Moved from QLD
3

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
16.7%
5: 14 hours
27.2%
15: 29 hours
14.6%
30+ hours
11.1%
Did not do domestic work
30.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
84.8%
Step family: no other children
11.0%
Blended family: no other children
4.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Merbein Crime Statistics

190 reported offences in 2025-25, by category.

Assault
55
Theft
48
Property Damage
26
Justice Procedures
22
Break & Enter
14
Drug Offences
7
Weapons
6
Public Order
6
Fraud
4
Other
2

Total offences by year

2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria (crimestatistics.vic.gov.au).

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Nathalia
Income: $628/wk Rent: $194/wk $16/wk less rent
Tongala
Income: $656/wk Rent: $200/wk $10/wk less rent
Nhill
Income: $717/wk Rent: $200/wk $10/wk less rent
Heywood
Income: $622/wk Rent: $180/wk $30/wk less rent
Warracknabeal
Income: $637/wk Rent: $180/wk $30/wk less rent
Kerang
Income: $573/wk Rent: $200/wk $10/wk less rent
Ouyen
Income: $614/wk Rent: $165/wk $45/wk less rent
Dimboola
Income: $575/wk Rent: $170/wk $40/wk less rent

Suburbs near Merbein

The closest suburb to Merbein is Mildura, 9.4 km away.

Mildura
9.4 km away · income $681/wk · rent $280/wk
Buronga
12.4 km away · income $772/wk · rent $203/wk
Irymple (Vic.)
14.1 km away · income $763/wk · rent $260/wk

Compare Merbein

Frequently Asked Questions About Merbein

What is the population of Merbein VIC?

The population of Merbein VIC is 2,770 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 81 people per km². Merbein is ranked #2,550 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Merbein?

The median personal income in Merbein VIC is $608 per week, or $31,616 per year. The median household income is $1,147 per week. Family income is $1,477 per week. Merbein is ranked #6,961 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Merbein?

Median rent in Merbein VIC is $210 per week ($910 per month). Rent represents 18.3% of household income, which is considered affordable. Merbein ranks #7,231 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Merbein?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Merbein VIC is $1,025. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Merbein?

The median age in Merbein VIC is 44 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Merbein a good suburb to live in?

Merbein is a suburb in Victoria with a population of 2,770. The median income is $608/wk, which is below the typical VIC suburb ($767/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (18.3% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

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Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Melbourne Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 21653. All dollar figures in AUD.