Morwell, VIC: suburb profile

The population of Morwell VIC is 14,389 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Morwell is $522 per week ($27,144 per year). Median rent in Morwell is $215 per week ($932 per month). Morwell has a median age of 43 years, older than the national median of 38. Morwell has a population density of 321 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Morwell is England. The most common religion is No religion (44.3% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Italian. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Morwell is $953.

There were 5,452 recorded offences in Morwell in 2025-25, a rate of 379 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was justice procedures (1,539 offences).

Population
14,389
Census 2021
Median income
$522/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$215/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
43years
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.

Morwell vs the typical VIC suburb

The median personal income in Morwell is $522 a week, 32% below the typical VIC suburb ($767). That ranks 1,216th of 1,274 VIC suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $215 a week, $101 less than the typical VIC suburb. Rent takes 22.8% of the median household income here, against 19.1% in the typical VIC suburb. The median resident is 43, the same age as in the typical VIC suburb.

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureMorwellTypical VICDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$522/wk$767/wk −32%$766/wk
Household income$942/wk$1,687/wk −44%$1,637/wk
Rent$215/wk$316/wk −32%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$953/mo$1,723/mo −45%$1,733/mo
Median age4343 0 yrs42
Rent share of household income22.8%19.1% +3.7 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 Morwell, the typical VIC suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Morwell Population

14,389 residents at the 2021 Census.

Morwell Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$522/wk
$27,144 per year
Ranked 7,989 of 14,663
Median Rent
$215/wk
$932 per month
Ranked 7,179 of 14,663
Median Age
43years
5 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$953/mo
Avg household size: 2.2 · 0.7 per bedroom

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

Morwell Rent Prices & Affordability

23% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $942/wk
Median rent $215/wk
Rent to income 22.8%

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

Median rent in Morwell against your income

About $4,082 a month
Median rent $215/wk
Left after rent $727/wk
Rent share 22.8%

Morwell Schools

6
schools nearby
4
government
935
avg ICSEA score
2,370
total students
St Vincent de Paul's School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 215 students
1001
ICSEA
Sacred Heart School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 102 students
970
ICSEA
Kurnai College Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 1,302 students
917
ICSEA
Morwell Park Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 332 students
897
ICSEA
Morwell Central Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 419 students
888
ICSEA
Kurnai College - FLO Campus Government
Secondary

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

All schools near Morwell, with a map

Morwell Map

Morwell, Victoria Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Morwell, Victoria: 38.2317°S, 146.4200°E

Morwell Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (6)

People in Morwell

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 49.5% (7,117) Female 50.5% (7,266)

Population Density

321
people per km²
14,389 people · 44.8 km²

Households

2.2
Avg household size
0.7
Persons per bedroom
$1,263
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
2.4%
Italy
1.9%
Philippines
1.3%
India
1.1%
New Zealand
0.9%
Netherlands
0.7%
Malta
0.7%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Italian
2.2%
Greek
0.6%
Arabic
0.5%
Malayalam
0.5%
Tagalog
0.5%
Mandarin
0.4%
Filipino
0.3%

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

Ancestry

English
36.3%
Australian
34.3%
Scottish
9.2%
Irish
8.0%
Italian
6.7%
German
3.5%
Dutch
2.7%
Australian Aboriginal
2.7%
Maltese
2.3%
Filipino
1.5%
Indian
1.0%

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
44.3%
Catholic
19.1%
Not stated
12.1%
Anglican
9.1%
Presbyterian and Reformed
2.5%
Christian (other)
2.3%
Islam
2.1%
Uniting Church
1.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

3.1%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
35.1% 4,175
Separated
5.0% 600
Divorced
12.0% 1,431
Widowed
8.2% 978
Never married
39.6% 4,711

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
31.8%
Couple: no children
30.2%
One parent: children under 15
15.4%
Couple: no children under 15
12.5%
One parent: no children under 15
10.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
37.7%
2 persons
33.9%
3 persons
12.5%
4 persons
9.1%
5 persons
4.2%
6+ persons
2.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Morwell

Housing Tenure

Of the 5,816 occupied private dwellings in Morwell at the 2021 Census, 33.7% were rented, 37.1% owned outright and 24.9% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.0% 56 dwellings
Owned outright
37.1% 2,157 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
24.9% 1,449 dwellings
Rented
33.7% 1,962 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
3.3% 192 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
93.2%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
5.9%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
0.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
4.1%
2 bedrooms
22.4%
3 bedrooms
54.2%
4 bedrooms
16.8%
5 bedrooms
2.1%
6+ bedrooms
0.3%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
6.9%
$300-$449/mo
6.8%
$450-$599/mo
7.3%
$600-$799/mo
16.8%
$800-$999/mo
16.0%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
25.6%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
10.7%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
7.4%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
1.5%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
0.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
10.3%
1 vehicle
44.2%
2 vehicles
31.8%
3 vehicles
9.1%
4+ vehicles
4.6%

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

Work, income and education in Morwell

Employment

Employed full-time
23.8% 2,432 people
Employed part-time
18.3% 1,867 people
Unemployed
5.7% 580 people
Not in labour force
52.3% 5,347 people

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

Occupation

Technicians & Trade Workers
20.4%
Community & Personal Service
18.8%
Professionals
18.6%
Clerical & Administrative
12.3%
Labourers
9.3%
Managers
7.9%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
6.9%
Sales Workers
5.8%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
2.5%
$1-$149/wk
0.8%
$150-$299/wk
2.7%
$300-$399/wk
5.3%
$400-$499/wk
13.1%
$500-$649/wk
7.9%
$650-$799/wk
10.6%
$800-$999/wk
10.1%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
9.5%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.3%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.2%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.1%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
7.0%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
4.1%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
3.1%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
1.5%
$4,000+/wk
3.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
11.3%
$1-$149/wk
3.7%
$150-$299/wk
10.0%
$300-$399/wk
8.8%
$400-$499/wk
8.1%
$500-$649/wk
5.3%
$650-$799/wk
10.9%
$800-$999/wk
12.1%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
10.2%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
6.3%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
4.4%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
2.8%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
4.0%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
0.7%
$3,500+/wk
1.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
74.6%
Did not go to work
13.1%
Car (passenger)
6.5%
Walked only
2.4%
Bus
1.1%
Other
0.7%
Bicycle
0.6%
Truck
0.5%
Train
0.3%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.2%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.1%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
42.4%
Year 10 or equivalent
25.8%
Year 11 or equivalent
19.8%
Year 9 or equivalent
12.1%

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
57.2%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
16.7%
Bachelor Degree
15.3%
Certificate I/II
4.3%
Postgraduate Degree
3.5%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
3.0%

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

Field of Study

Society & Culture
19.9%
Engineering
19.0%
Management & Commerce
15.9%
Health
10.3%
Education
8.5%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
8.4%
Architecture & Building
8.0%
Information Technology
3.4%
Creative Arts
2.4%
Agriculture & Environment
2.3%
Natural & Physical Sciences
1.9%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
30.9%
Secondary: Government
25.0%
Vocational Education
13.6%
Primary: Catholic
11.9%
Pre-school
10.1%
Secondary: Catholic
5.4%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
2.0%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
1.3%

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
78.0%
Has need for assistance
11.1%
Need for assistance not stated
10.9%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
2,081
Arthritis
746
Asthma
688
Diabetes
579
Lung condition
572
Heart disease
512
Kidney disease
244
Stroke
238
Cancer
219
Dementia
49

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
15.3% 1,613
Did not provide
84.7% 8,901

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
11.9% 1,255
Not a volunteer
88.1% 9,325

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.1% 8
Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 6
Previously served
3.1% 331
Never served
96.8% 10,322

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
29.3%
1 child
11.4%
2 children
27.4%
3 children
19.7%
4 children
8.8%
5+ children
3.4%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
73
1951: 1960
433
1961: 1970
410
1971: 1980
193
1981: 1990
183
1991: 2000
108
2001: 2010
289
2011: 2015
261
2016
39
2017
37
2018
47
2019
75
2020
35
2021
5

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

Population Mobility

12.8%
moved in the last year
37.0%
moved in the last 5 years
11.0%
unemployment rate (Census)
44.4%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
10,937
Moved from VIC
881
Moved: same area (SA2)
587
Moved from overseas
35
Moved from NSW
24
Moved from SA
15
Moved from QLD
14
Moved from NT
12
Moved from WA
10
Moved from TAS
4

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
17.3%
5: 14 hours
24.2%
15: 29 hours
11.6%
30+ hours
10.6%
Did not do domestic work
36.3%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
79.2%
Step family: no other children
11.0%
Blended family: no other children
7.1%
Other couple: children only
1.4%
Intact family: other children present
1.0%
Step family: other children present
0.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Morwell Crime Statistics

5,452 reported offences in 2025-25, by category.

Justice Procedures
1,539
Theft
1,232
Assault
1,157
Property Damage
491
Break & Enter
308
Drug Offences
283
Fraud
154
Weapons
149
Public Order
109
Robbery
21
Other
6
Traffic
3

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

Merbein
Income: $608/wk Rent: $210/wk $5/wk less rent
Moe
Income: $541/wk Rent: $200/wk $15/wk less rent
Heyfield
Income: $530/wk Rent: $210/wk $5/wk less rent
Heywood
Income: $622/wk Rent: $180/wk $35/wk less rent
Numurkah
Income: $613/wk Rent: $210/wk $5/wk less rent
Kerang
Income: $573/wk Rent: $200/wk $15/wk less rent
Avoca (Vic.)
Income: $503/wk Rent: $210/wk $5/wk less rent
Ouyen
Income: $614/wk Rent: $165/wk $50/wk less rent

Suburbs near Morwell

The closest suburb to Morwell is Hazelwood North, 6.3 km away.

Hazelwood North
6.3 km away · income $855/wk · rent $235/wk
Traralgon
8.9 km away · income $767/wk · rent $275/wk
Churchill (Vic.)
9.3 km away · income $577/wk · rent $230/wk
Yallourn North
12.0 km away · income $659/wk · rent $220/wk
Newborough
12.6 km away · income $626/wk · rent $230/wk
Yinnar
13.4 km away · income $749/wk · rent $245/wk

Compare Morwell

Frequently Asked Questions About Morwell

What is the population of Morwell VIC?

The population of Morwell VIC is 14,389 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 321 people per km². Morwell is ranked #308 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Morwell?

The median personal income in Morwell VIC is $522 per week, or $27,144 per year. The median household income is $942 per week. Family income is $1,263 per week. Morwell is ranked #7,989 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Morwell?

Median rent in Morwell VIC is $215 per week ($932 per month). Rent represents 22.8% of household income, which is considered affordable. Morwell ranks #7,179 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Morwell?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Morwell VIC is $953. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Morwell?

The median age in Morwell VIC is 43 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Morwell a good suburb to live in?

Morwell is a suburb in Victoria with a population of 14,389. The median income is $522/wk, which is below the typical VIC suburb ($767/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (22.8% 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: 21769. All dollar figures in AUD.