Median house price
$457k
+1.1% change
VIC · Mildura Council
Merbein, 3505
Est. population · Jun 2025
2,745
Growth (1 yr)
+1.1%
Growth (5 yr)
-0.6%
Median age
44
Median income
$1,147/wk
Employment rate
49.5%
Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025
$457,400
Languages at home
3.3%non-English
Most common: Greek, Italian, Arabic
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- National parks
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- Café precinct
Suburb profile
Away from the major hubs, Merbein is a mid-sized suburb in Mildura Council with its own quieter rhythm. Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with family life visible on every street. Fitness and outdoor sport options are a real part of local life, not just a distant club trip away.
Local parks and tree cover add a welcome outdoor dimension to suburban life. Everyday errands are walkable, and buses keep the wider city within easy reach. Housing is more affordable than in many parts of the state.
Reported crime has been rising recently. Infill and new builds are slowly updating the area without overwhelming its existing character.
Desirability sits around average overall, with community and employment the main drag compared with similar regional towns.
At a glance
Merbein snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
2,745
+1.1% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
9.8%
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
#37
among Country & regional · Established
Safety
76th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
72nd
percentile in VIC
Advantage (IRSAD)
1/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
50th
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
- 48.3/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 40% of Victoria's suburbs
- National rank
- 2400th in Australia
- State rank
- 507th in VIC
- Peer rank
- #37 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #138 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 96%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
- $457,400
- Median price change
- +1.1%
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DFFH rent report and Valuer-General property sales report — Department of Families, Fairness and Housing / Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · 4th Quarter 2025 · Updated · Quarterly releases; council median rent fallback where suburb rent unavailable
Population
Estimated resident population
2,745(June 2025)
+1.1% annual · -0.6% over 5 years · 72th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.1%
- 5-year growth
- -0.6%
- Change in 1 year
- +30
- Change in 5 years
- -17
- Growth rank in VIC
- 72th 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 (~2,800), extrapolated at +0.5% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 2,770
- Median age
- 44
- Median household income / week
- $1,147
- Dwelling vacancy
- 9.8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 114 of 1,166
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,025
- Employment rate
- 49.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 943 / 62 / 26 (+ 19 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 (2026)
- 283
- Against the person
- 72
- Against property
- 119
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 103.1
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 38 residents
- State safety percentile
- 76.4th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +42.9%
Most common offence types
- A211 Fv Serious Assault18
- B21 Criminal Damage31
- B49 Other Theft21
- E21 Breach Family Violence Order56
- Other Crimes Against The Person17
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- Recorded offences by suburb/town — Crime Statistics Agency (Victoria) · 2025 · Updated
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,006
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 50th
School list
- Our Lady of the Sacred Heart SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1006 · 50th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 153 students · Top SEA quarter 7% · 0.8 km awayView 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
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Merbein KindergartenO'Bryan Streetkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
24 public transport stops in this suburb
- Foster St/Commercial St
- Game St/Reilly St
- Mead St/Commercial St
- Merbein P-10 College/Commercial St
- River Ave/Reilly St
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Amenities
52 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
2 pubs · 1 supermarkets · 1 pharmacies · 3 fast food · 1 bakeries · 1 libraries · 2 places of worship · 1 sports centres
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Highly walkable for everyday errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 6 parks mapped in suburb
- Well connected by public transport — 24 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 10 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 82/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 2.17
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 2.17
Food & drink(6)
- Bakery Old Fashioned BreadsBakery
Commercial Street, Merbein
- GT 2 GOFast food
83 Commercial Street, Merbein
- Merbein Pizza & CaféFast food
95 Commercial Street, Merbein
- Rustey's TakeawayFast food
Commercial Street, Merbein
- G & T Schnitzel BarPub
89 Game Street, Merbein
- Merbein HotelPub
89 Game Street, Merbein
Shopping(2)
- Ritchies IGASupermarket
100-106 Commercial Street, Merbein
Community(2)
- Merbein LibraryLibrary
- Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Primary SchoolSchool
18 Box Street
Health & services(1)
- healthSAVE Keens PharmacyPharmacy
81 Commercial Street
Sport & outdoors(13)
- Apex Civic ParkPark
- Bildstien ParkPark
Box Court, Merbein
- Kenny ParkPark
- Sports centre
- cricket-footballSports field
- Kenny Memorial OvalSports field
- Sports field
- Merbein PoolSwimming pool
- Swimming pool (5)
Transport(3)
3 bus stops
Other(22)
- Bendigo BankATM
- Bendigo BankBank
66 Commercial Street, Merbein
- MJM AutomotiveCar repair
54 Commercial Street, Merbein
- Merbein Caravan ParkCaravan Site
- Australian Red CrossCharity
65 Commercial Street, Merbein
- Merbein Fire StationFire station
- Tasty TakeawaysFood
71 Commercial Street, Merbein
- Fresh Fruit & VegHealth Food
Commercial Street, Merbein
- Mildura Horse Riding SchoolHorse Riding
104 Yelta Road, Merbein
- Parking (4)
- Parking Space
- ShellPetrol station
59 Commercial Street, Merbein
- Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic ChurchPlace of worship
- St. John's Anglican ChurchPlace of worship
- Merbein LPOPost office
98 Commercial Street, Merbein
- Public toilets
- Shelter
- Social Facility
- TelstraTelephone
- Waste Basket
- Merbein Mega MartYes
77 Commercial Street, Merbein
- Yes (2)
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
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
6 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Apex Civic ParkPark
- Bildstien ParkPark
- Chaffey ParkPark
- Kenny ParkPark
- Merbein Bushland ReserveNature reserve
- O’Bryan Street PlaygroundPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 6
- Parks (OSM)
- 6
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
Places of worship
2 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church
- St. John's Anglican Church
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Mildura Base Public Hospital (9.2 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
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)
- 105
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 38.3
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
- 32° / 16°
- Rainfall
- 66 mm · ~8 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 24° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 63 mm · ~8 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 17° / 5°
- Rainfall
- 76 mm · ~10 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 25° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 82 mm · ~10 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 PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).
25 planning-related records
2021· 12 proposals
September 2021
- Section 71 Amendment Multi lot staged residential subdivision67 RIVER AVENUE MERBEIN 3505Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
June 2021
- OtherChannel RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- OtherChannel RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Application to Amend Use and development of the land for rural industry (warehouse), reduction in car parking requirements, waiver of bicycle facilities and alteration of access to a Road in a Road Zone, Category 1Channel RoadWithdrawn
- Section 71 Amendment Subdivision of the land into two (2) lots139 Fifth StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2021
- Section 71 Amendment Two lot subdivision (boundary re-alignment)23 Fourth StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Section 71 Amendment Two Lot Subdivision (dwelling excision)158 Second StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
March 2021
- Application to Amend 2 Lot Re-subdivision139 Cowanna AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
February 2021
- Section 71 Amendment Create access to a road in a Road Zone Category 133 Third StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Application to Amend 2 Lot Re-subdivision139 Cowanna AvenueWithdrawn
- Application to Amend 3 lot subdivision32 Box StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
January 2021
- Application to Amend Use and development of the land for residential buildings and 3 lot subdivision32 Box StreetWithdrawn
2020· 13 proposals
December 2020
- Create access to a Road Zone Category 1 Create access to a Road Zone Category 131 Third StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Subdivision land (1-9 lots) 2 Lot Subdivision (dwelling excision)207 Fifth StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
November 2020
- Create access to a road in a Road Zone Category 1 Create access to a road in a Road Zone Category 133 Third StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Dwelling Use and development of a dwellingSecond StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Section 71 Amendment Two lot subdivision (dwelling excision)118 Sixth StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
September 2020
- Application to Amend Development for Alterations and Extensions to Hotel and Restricted Gaming Room and Signage108 Commercial StreetWithdrawn
- Application to Amend Multi lot staged residential subdivision95 Chaffey StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2020
- 2 Lot Subdivision Two (2) Lot Subdivision469 Wentworth RoadWithdrawn
June 2020
- Rural Industry (Packing Shed) Use and development of the land for rural industry (warehouse), reduction in car parking requirements, waiver of bicycle facilities and alteration of access to a Road in a Road Zone, Category 1Channel RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2020
- Section 71 Amendment Six Lot Staged Subdivision47 Main AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
April 2020
- Section 71 amendment Two lot subdivision (dwelling excision)118 Sixth StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
January 2020
- Alterations to School Facilities Buildings and works associated with existing primary school and Internally Illuminated Sign18 Box StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Use and Develop Child care centre, display signage and alter access Use and development of the land for a child care centre, development and display of business identification signage and alteration of access to a road in a road zone, category 13-15 Third StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- PPARS planning permit activity (statewide) — Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · 2020–2022 · Updated · MapServer through FY 2022–23; newer data needs council/API access
Heritage
1 heritage place
- MILDARA BLASS DISTILLERYNH1099
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Victorian Bushfire Management Overlay 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
- Mallee
- Member of Parliament
- Anne WEBSTER (The Nationals)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 121,604
- Turnout (2025)
- 91.5%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- -0.1 pp toward Coalition
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 69.0%Labor 31.0%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 11.1 km away).
Coalition 69.7%Labor 30.3%
0.6 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -0.6 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- MerbeinLabor 29.9% · Coalition 70.2% TPP (2025)1.2 km away
- CabaritaLabor 22.9% · Coalition 77.1% TPP (2025)6.5 km away
- Mildura South WestLabor 38.6% · Coalition 61.4% TPP (2025)8.6 km away
- Mildura SouthLabor 33.1% · Coalition 66.9% TPP (2025)9.3 km away
- Mildura WestLabor 40.7% · Coalition 59.3% TPP (2025)9.7 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)
- 1/10
- 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
More in Mildura Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.