Merriwa, WA: suburb profile

The population of Merriwa WA is 5,587 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Merriwa is $636 per week ($33,072 per year). Median rent in Merriwa is $330 per week ($1,430 per month). Merriwa has a median age of 40 years, older than the national median of 38. Merriwa has a population density of 2,438 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Merriwa is England. The most common religion is No religion (45.4% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Afrikaans. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Merriwa is $1,500.

Population
5,587
Census 2021
Median income
$636/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$330/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
40years
Census 2021

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

Merriwa vs the typical WA suburb

The median personal income in Merriwa is $636 a week, 21% below the typical WA suburb ($806). That ranks 570th of 701 WA suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $330 a week, $10 more than the typical WA suburb. Rent takes 26.3% of the median household income here, against 18.6% in the typical WA suburb. The median resident is 40, 1 year younger than in the typical WA suburb (41).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureMerriwaTypical WADifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$636/wk$806/wk −21%$766/wk
Household income$1,255/wk$1,722/wk −27%$1,637/wk
Rent$330/wk$320/wk +3%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,500/mo$1,759/mo −15%$1,733/mo
Median age4041 −1 yrs42
Rent share of household income26.3%18.6% +7.7 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 Merriwa, the typical WA suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Merriwa Population

5,587 residents at the 2021 Census.

Merriwa Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$636/wk
$33,072 per year
Ranked 6,506 of 14,663
Median Rent
$330/wk
$1,430 per month
Ranked 3,803 of 14,663
Median Age
40years
2 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,500/mo
Avg household size: 2.5 · 0.7 per bedroom

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

Merriwa Rent Prices & Affordability

26% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,255/wk
Median rent $330/wk
Rent to income 26.3%

Rent is between 25% and 35% of household income: moderate housing costs.

Median rent in Merriwa against your income

About $5,438 a month
Median rent $330/wk
Left after rent $925/wk
Rent share 26.3%

Merriwa Schools

22
schools nearby
13
government
997
avg ICSEA score
10,242
total students
Peter Moyes Anglican Community School Independent
Combined · PP-12 · 1,441 students
1084
ICSEA
Quinns Baptist College Independent
Combined · PP-12 · 1,101 students
1061
ICSEA
Mindarie Primary School Government
Primary · K-6 · 735 students
1052
ICSEA
St Andrew's Catholic Primary School Catholic
Primary · PP-6 · 327 students
1046
ICSEA
Mindarie Senior College Government
Secondary · 11-12 · 754 students
1045
ICSEA
Alkimos Baptist College Independent
Combined · PP-12 · 368 students
1038
ICSEA
St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School Catholic
Primary · PP-6 · 411 students
1030
ICSEA
Quinns Rocks Primary School Government
Primary · K-6 · 358 students
1014
ICSEA
Irene McCormack Catholic College Catholic
Secondary · 7-12 · 665 students
1013
ICSEA
Butler Primary School Government
Primary · K-6 · 530 students
984
ICSEA
Merriwa Education Support Centre Government
Primary · K-6 · 106 students
983
ICSEA
Somerly Primary School Government
Primary · K-6 · 454 students
975
ICSEA
East Butler Primary School Government
Primary · K-6 · 244 students
972
ICSEA
Quinns Beach Primary School Government
Primary · K-6 · 385 students
970
ICSEA
Butler College Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 1,039 students
965
ICSEA

Showing 15 of 22 schools.

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

All schools near Merriwa, with a map

Merriwa Map

Merriwa, Western Australia Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

People in Merriwa

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 48.4% (2,705) Female 51.6% (2,884)

Population Density

2,438
people per km²
5,587 people · 2.3 km²

Households

2.5
Avg household size
0.7
Persons per bedroom
$1,489
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
12.1%
New Zealand
4.4%
South Africa
2.5%
Philippines
1.3%
Scotland
1.1%
India
1.0%
Ireland
0.9%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Afrikaans
1.2%
Filipino
0.5%
Tagalog
0.5%
Khmer
0.5%
Italian
0.4%
Thai
0.4%
Southeast Asian Austronesian languages: Other
0.4%

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

Ancestry

English
44.0%
Australian
31.1%
Scottish
8.7%
Irish
8.6%
Italian
3.3%
Australian Aboriginal
3.0%
German
2.8%
Maori
2.6%
South African
1.9%
Dutch
1.7%
New Zealander
1.7%

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
45.4%
Catholic
14.6%
Anglican
13.3%
Not stated
8.2%
Christian (other)
3.9%
Baptist
2.0%
Presbyterian and Reformed
1.6%
Buddhism
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

2.9%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
41.7% 1,871
Separated
4.4% 196
Divorced
10.3% 461
Widowed
10.0% 447
Never married
33.7% 1,513

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
38.1%
Couple: no children
26.4%
One parent: children under 15
15.1%
Couple: no children under 15
11.8%
One parent: no children under 15
8.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
28.6%
2 persons
34.0%
3 persons
14.4%
4 persons
13.3%
5 persons
6.4%
6+ persons
3.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Merriwa

Housing Tenure

Of the 2,053 occupied private dwellings in Merriwa at the 2021 Census, 24.0% were rented, 15.6% owned outright and 41.7% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
16.6% 340 dwellings
Owned outright
15.6% 320 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
41.7% 857 dwellings
Rented
24.0% 492 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.9% 38 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
75.9%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
22.7%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
1.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
1.3%
2 bedrooms
13.2%
3 bedrooms
34.7%
4 bedrooms
46.5%
5 bedrooms
3.7%
6+ bedrooms
0.6%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
4.7%
$300-$449/mo
3.1%
$450-$599/mo
2.3%
$600-$799/mo
4.1%
$800-$999/mo
5.7%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
23.9%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
31.1%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
19.2%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
4.6%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
1.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
7.9%
1 vehicle
43.1%
2 vehicles
32.9%
3 vehicles
10.3%
4+ vehicles
5.8%

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

Work, income and education in Merriwa

Employment

Employed full-time
30.5% 1,230 people
Employed part-time
17.8% 718 people
Unemployed
4.6% 187 people
Not in labour force
47.1% 1,902 people

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

Occupation

Technicians & Trade Workers
23.2%
Community & Personal Service
18.3%
Professionals
14.9%
Clerical & Administrative
12.4%
Labourers
9.6%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
8.3%
Managers
7.6%
Sales Workers
5.7%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.6%
$1-$149/wk
0.8%
$150-$299/wk
1.1%
$300-$399/wk
3.2%
$400-$499/wk
9.7%
$500-$649/wk
6.4%
$650-$799/wk
8.7%
$800-$999/wk
9.7%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
8.0%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
10.0%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.5%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.5%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
10.1%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
6.7%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
4.2%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
3.0%
$4,000+/wk
3.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
11.2%
$1-$149/wk
4.0%
$150-$299/wk
7.3%
$300-$399/wk
6.4%
$400-$499/wk
5.3%
$500-$649/wk
3.7%
$650-$799/wk
12.5%
$800-$999/wk
12.0%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
11.3%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.8%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.5%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
4.1%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
5.6%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
1.2%
$3,500+/wk
1.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
71.8%
Did not go to work
12.6%
Car (passenger)
6.2%
Train
2.6%
Bus
1.8%
Other
1.7%
Walked only
1.6%
Truck
0.9%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.4%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.2%
Bicycle
0.2%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
51.2%
Year 10 or equivalent
28.6%
Year 11 or equivalent
13.0%
Year 9 or equivalent
7.2%

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
53.5%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
21.0%
Bachelor Degree
15.2%
Certificate I/II
4.2%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
3.1%
Postgraduate Degree
3.0%

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

Field of Study

Engineering
21.5%
Management & Commerce
17.3%
Society & Culture
14.4%
Health
10.2%
Education
9.1%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
8.8%
Architecture & Building
7.6%
Creative Arts
3.4%
Information Technology
3.1%
Agriculture & Environment
2.5%
Natural & Physical Sciences
2.0%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
34.2%
Secondary: Government
22.7%
Vocational Education
12.2%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
6.9%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
6.8%
Pre-school
6.6%
Primary: Catholic
5.7%
Secondary: Catholic
5.0%

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
82.6%
Has need for assistance
10.2%
Need for assistance not stated
7.2%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
629
Asthma
211
Arthritis
210
Diabetes
199
Heart disease
189
Lung condition
154
Cancer
100
Stroke
82
Kidney disease
79
Dementia
44

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
12.6% 522
Did not provide
87.4% 3,613

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
13.1% 544
Not a volunteer
86.9% 3,596

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 4
Previously served
4.8% 197
Never served
95.2% 3,945

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
25.4%
1 child
14.5%
2 children
29.4%
3 children
20.4%
4 children
7.5%
5+ children
2.9%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
21
1951: 1960
41
1961: 1970
189
1971: 1980
195
1981: 1990
240
1991: 2000
219
2001: 2010
536
2011: 2015
221
2016
30
2017
27
2018
16
2019
31
2020
18
2021
5

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

Population Mobility

12.9%
moved in the last year
38.0%
moved in the last 5 years
8.3%
unemployment rate (Census)
50.7%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
4,460
Moved from WA
447
Moved: same area (SA2)
119
Moved from overseas
27
Moved from NSW
13
Moved from QLD
7
Moved from SA
4
Moved from VIC
4

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
18.1%
5: 14 hours
26.1%
15: 29 hours
11.6%
30+ hours
9.3%
Did not do domestic work
34.9%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
69.4%
Step family: no other children
17.3%
Blended family: no other children
11.3%
Intact family: other children present
1.2%
Other couple: children only
0.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Suburbs near Merriwa

The closest suburb to Merriwa is Ridgewood (WA), 1.0 km away.

Ridgewood (WA)
1.0 km away · income $718/wk · rent $350/wk
Quinns Rocks
1.4 km away · income $865/wk · rent $360/wk
Butler (WA)
2.5 km away · income $785/wk · rent $340/wk
Clarkson
2.6 km away · income $828/wk · rent $350/wk
Mindarie (WA)
3.0 km away · income $925/wk · rent $500/wk
Jindalee (WA)
3.7 km away · income $1,062/wk · rent $425/wk

Frequently Asked Questions About Merriwa

What is the population of Merriwa WA?

The population of Merriwa WA is 5,587 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 2,438 people per km². Merriwa is ranked #1,417 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Merriwa?

The median personal income in Merriwa WA is $636 per week, or $33,072 per year. The median household income is $1,255 per week. Family income is $1,489 per week. Merriwa is ranked #6,506 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Merriwa?

Median rent in Merriwa WA is $330 per week ($1,430 per month). Rent represents 26.3% of household income, which is considered moderate. Merriwa ranks #3,803 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Merriwa?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Merriwa WA is $1,500. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Merriwa?

The median age in Merriwa WA is 40 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Merriwa a good suburb to live in?

Merriwa is a suburb in Western Australia with a population of 5,587. The median income is $636/wk, which is below the typical WA suburb ($806/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (26.3% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 50939. All dollar figures in AUD.