Median house price
$339k
-4.7% change
NSW · Upper Hunter Shire Council
Merriwa, 2329
Est. population · Jun 2025
2,012
Growth (1 yr)
+0.4%
Growth (5 yr)
+2.1%
Median age
45
Median income
$1,208/wk
Employment rate
50.2%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$339,000
Languages at home
2.1%non-English
Most common: Nepali
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- National parks
- Heritage area
Suburb profile
Merriwa offers a slower smaller community life in Upper Hunter Shire Council, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. The area suits established families and long-term locals, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Life here is grounded in local routine rather than big-city choice.
Green space punches above what many regional towns offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Buses are a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods. Purchase and rent costs sit on the more affordable side of the local range.
Crime reports are up on the previous period. This is a mature, settled pocket where the existing streetscape still defines the local character.
The desirability picture is below average, weighed down by softer local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus community and employment relative to similar regional towns. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Merriwa snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$395/wk
Population (ERP)
2,012
+0.4% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
16.2%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#337
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
45th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
47th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
2/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
27th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 32.8/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5087th in Australia
- State rank
- 1632nd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #337 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #666 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 93%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $395
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $339,000
- Median price change
- -4.7%
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent and sales tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · January to March 2026; October to December 2025 · Updated · Quarterly releases
Population
Estimated resident population
2,012(June 2025)
+0.4% annual · +2.1% over 5 years · 47th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.4%
- 5-year growth
- +2.1%
- Change in 1 year
- +8
- Change in 5 years
- +41
- Growth rank in NSW
- 47th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~2,050), extrapolated at +0.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,825
- Median age
- 45
- Median household income / week
- $1,208
- Dwelling vacancy
- 16.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 128 of 790
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,235
- Employment rate
- 50.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 633 / 20 / 4 (+ 4 other)
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 126
- Against the person
- 58
- Against property
- 39
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 62.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 31 residents
- State safety percentile
- 45.1th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +21.5%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order9
- Domestic Violence Related Assault17
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment32
- Malicious Damage To Property17
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault11
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated · Rolling 12-month windows
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 2
- Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
- 939.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 27th
School list
- Merriwa Central SchoolCombined · Government · ICSEA 879 · 7th percentile · LBOTE 2% · 221 students · Top SEA quarter 1%View on My School →
- St Joseph's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1000 · 47th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 49 students · Top SEA quarter 12%View on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Public transport
113 public transport stops in this suburb
- 3 King George V Av
- 44 Prices Lane
- Golden Hwy Opp 6507
- King George V Av Opp 3
- Macartney St At Scone Rd
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · current · Updated · Nightly GTFS feed
Amenities
No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Parks & reserves
5 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Apex OvalPark
- Apex ParkPark
- Lions ParkPark
- Memorial ParkPark
- Rotary ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 361
- Parks (OSM)
- 7
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 2
- Nearest hospital
- Merriwa Multi Purpose Service (7.3 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- On site
- Merriwa Multi Purpose ServiceHospital
- Merriwa PharmacyBettington StreetPharmacy
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 44
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 21.9
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 30° / 16°
- Rainfall
- 230 mm · ~29 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 150 mm · ~19 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 16° / 3°
- Rainfall
- 122 mm · ~15 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 24° / 9°
- Rainfall
- 168 mm · ~21 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal.
2026· 8 proposals
July 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1199 CULLINGRAL ROAD MERRIWA 2329Under Assessment
June 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure106 LAWLERS LANE MERRIWA 2329Determined
May 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure65 VENNACHER STREET MERRIWA 2329Determined
April 2026
- Hostel; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia14 MARQUET STREET MERRIWA 2329Determined
- Demolition; Commercial development; Advertising and signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Vehicle repair station141 BETTINGTON STREET MERRIWA 2329Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Waste or resource transfer station96 DEPOT ROAD MERRIWA 2329Determined
February 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool10-12 FLAGGS ROAD MERRIWA 2329Determined
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure62-66 BETTINGTON STREET MERRIWA 2329Determined
2025· 19 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Carport6153 GOLDEN HIGHWAY MERRIWA 2329Determined
November 2025
- Subdivision10 PRICES LANE MERRIWA 2329Determined
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure108 BETTINGTON STREET MERRIWA 2329Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house100 HAMPSHIRE ROAD MERRIWA 2329Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure21 KING GEORGE V AVENUE MERRIWA 2329Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Other Infrastructure4458 Golden Highway, Merriwa, NSW 2329Determined
August 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure17 MACKENZIE STREET MERRIWA 2329Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure35-37 MARQUET STREET MERRIWA 2329Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure21 KING GEORGE V AVENUE MERRIWA 2329Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2350 CULLINGRAL ROAD MERRIWA 2329Determined
June 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Community facility857 ROMA ROAD MERRIWA 2329Determined
May 2025
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure12 SCONE ROAD MERRIWA 2329Determined
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing100 MACKENZIE STREET MERRIWA 2329Determined
April 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Landscaping structures65 VENNACHER STREET MERRIWA 2329Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure55 PRICES LANE MERRIWA 2329Determined
March 2025
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure67A VENNACHER STREET MERRIWA 2329Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure65 VENNACHER STREET MERRIWA 2329Determined
January 2025
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure100 MACKENZIE STREET MERRIWA 2329Determined
- Subdivision4 KING GEORGE V AVENUE MERRIWA 2329Determined
2024· 14 proposals
December 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential AccommodationBLAXLAND STREET MERRIWA 2329Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space44 PRICES LANE MERRIWA 2329Determined
October 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure49-51 VENNACHER STREET MERRIWA 2329Determined
- Subdivision2613 COULSONS CREEK ROAD MERRIWA 2329Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space13 ELIZABETH STREET MERRIWA 2329Withdrawn
- Subdivision154 ALYNDALE ROAD MERRIWA 2329Determined
August 2024
- Subdivision11 MCRAE STREET MERRIWA 2329Under Assessment
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure100 MACKENZIE STREET MERRIWA 2329Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Moveable dwelling3 GLEBE STREET MERRIWA 2329Determined
July 2024
- Subdivision6201 SCONE ROAD MERRIWA 2329Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool2968/-/1282595Determined
- Subdivision6227 SCONE ROAD MERRIWA 2329Determined
June 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure234 POSSUM SPRINGS ROAD MERRIWA 2329Determined
May 2024
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Feedlot6210-6212 GOLDEN HIGHWAY MERRIWA 2329Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · 2026 · Updated · Daily feed (from Oct 2018)
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- RoadworksGolden Highway, Barnett Street13 Apr 2026 – 24 Dec 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Heritage
1 heritage place
- Cottage MuseumBow Street, MerriwaSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- New England
- Member of Parliament
- Barnaby JOYCE (The Nationals)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 131,238
- Turnout (2025)
- 91.6%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- -1.9 pp toward Coalition
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 67.1%Labor 32.9%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 53.4 km away).
Coalition 62.6%Labor 37.4%
4.5 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +6.7 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- MerriwaLabor 37.9% · Coalition 62.1% TPP (2025)4.5 km away
- CassilisLabor 29.1% · Coalition 70.9% TPP (2025)34.1 km away
- Sandy HollowLabor 35.8% · Coalition 64.2% TPP (2025)34.2 km away
- DenmanLabor 40.6% · Coalition 59.4% TPP (2025)46.6 km away
- SconeLabor 29.5% · Coalition 70.5% TPP (2025)52.3 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 2/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Upper Hunter Shire Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.