Median house price
$758k
+9.8% change
VIC · Whittlesea Council
Mernda, 3754
Est. population · Jun 2025
26,128
Growth (1 yr)
+1.8%
Growth (5 yr)
+12.5%
Median age
33
Median income
$2,011/wk
Employment rate
66.9%
Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025
$757,500
Languages at home
40.7%non-English
Most common: Punjabi, Hindi, Arabic
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- High desirability
- Excellent transport
- Café precinct
- Education hub
Suburb profile
In Whittlesea Council, Mernda is a settled established suburb with a familiar suburban feel and good links to the wider city. A younger crowd gives the area energy, with family life visible on every street. A large share of residents were born overseas, and languages other than English are widely spoken at home.
Everyday cafés are limited locally, with the wider metro area covering the bigger food and entertainment trips. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Daily life works well on foot, with buses also serving the suburb.
Housing sits above the suburban middle: not the top of the market, but clearly pricier than average. Active development is adding new homes and refreshed pockets throughout the suburb.
Against similar metro suburbs, schools and education, plus community and employment stand out and the overall desirability rating is good, with growth momentum and safety less decisive.
At a glance
Mernda snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$530/wk
Population (ERP)
26,128
+1.8% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
4.5%
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
#41
among Metro Melbourne · Growth area
Safety
54th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
85th
percentile in VIC
Advantage (IRSAD)
7/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
72nd
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
- 67.7/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 12% of Victoria's suburbs
- National rank
- 353rd in Australia
- State rank
- 147th in VIC
- Peer rank
- #41 among Metro Melbourne · Growth area suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #106 among Metro Melbourne suburbs
- Data confidence
- 100%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- All types (Sep 2025 (council median))
- $530
- Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
- $757,500
- Median price change
- +9.8%
Median weekly rent from Victorian government rent reports. Council median fallback may apply where suburb rent is unavailable.
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; Sep 2025 (council median) · Updated · Quarterly releases; council median rent fallback where suburb rent unavailable
Population
Estimated resident population
26,128(June 2025)
+1.8% annual · +12.5% over 5 years · 85th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.8%
- 5-year growth
- +12.5%
- Change in 1 year
- +456
- Change in 5 years
- +2,903
- Growth rank in VIC
- 85th 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 (~42,950), extrapolated at +10.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 23,369
- Median age
- 33
- Median household income / week
- $2,011
- Dwelling vacancy
- 4.5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 351 of 7,880
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,937
- Employment rate
- 66.9%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 6,733 / 688 / 110 (+ 5 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)
- 1,530
- Against the person
- 275
- Against property
- 789
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 58.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 85 residents
- State safety percentile
- 54.4th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +9.4%
Most common offence types
- B21 Criminal Damage122
- B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle180
- B43 Steal From A Retail Store103
- B49 Other Theft111
- E21 Breach Family Violence Order245
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
- 4
- Median school ICSEA (4 schools)
- 1,064.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 72th
School list
- St Joseph's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1094 · 82th percentile · LBOTE 76% · 497 students · Top SEA quarter 35% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
- Mernda Hills Christian CollegeCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1119 · 89th percentile · LBOTE 76% · 359 students · Top SEA quarter 46% · 1.0 km awayView on My School →
- Mernda Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1035 · 62th percentile · LBOTE 48% · 844 students · Top SEA quarter 16% · 1.0 km awayView on My School →
- Mernda Central P-12 CollegeCombined · Government · ICSEA 1009 · 51th percentile · LBOTE 46% · 1,746 students · Top SEA quarter 12% · 1.4 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
3 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- Early Learning Centre MerndaBent Streetkindergarten
- Kiddy Palace Childcare CentreSchotters Roadkindergarten
- One Early EducationMango Crescentchildcare
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
95 public transport stops in this suburb
- Bike and Ride
- Mernda Rail Replacement Bus Stop
- Mernda Railway Station
- Mernda Station
- Mernda Station
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
327 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
4 restaurants · 3 cafes · 1 pubs · 2 supermarkets · 1 pharmacies · 6 fast food · 1 bakeries · 1 places of worship
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Highly walkable for everyday errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 175 parks mapped in suburb, 8 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 95 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 11 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 100/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.13
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.64
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 7.49
Food & drink(15)
- Bakers DelightBakery
- DeganiCafe
- Ferguson PlarreCafe
- Split Bean CafeCafe
- Daniel's DonutsFast food
- Jessie’s PizzaFast food
- Mernda Kebab HouseFast food
- Seven StarFast food
- Sgt. Burger Fish & ChipperyFast food
- Souvlaki GRFast food
- Bridge Inn HotelPub
- Billy's JunctionRestaurant
- Kikuchi SushiRestaurant
- Seasonal NoodleRestaurant
- Village ChicksRestaurant
Shopping(5)
- Scotch & FilletButcher
- Eden Garden Fresh MarketGreengrocer
- ColesSupermarket
1435 Plenty Road
- WoolworthsSupermarket
Community(4)
- Early Learning Centre MerndaKindergarten
5 Bent Street
- Mernda Hills Christian CollegeSchool
370 Bridge Inn Road
- Mernda Primary SchoolSchool
25 Everton Drive
- St Joseph's Primary SchoolSchool
44 Mernda Village Drive
Health & services(6)
- Mernda Junction MedicalClinic
- Mernda Village Medical CentreClinic
- Mernda SmilesDentist
- Passion DentalDentist
- United SmilesDentist
- Chemist WarehousePharmacy
Sport & outdoors(97)
- Arum ParkPark
- Arum Redgum ReservePark
- Arum WalkwayPark
- Borrack ParkPark
- Breadalbane Redgum ReservePark
- Bridge WalkwayPark
- Buttercross ParkPark
- Fielding ReservePark
- Geranium ParkPark
- Giddens ParkPark
- Grindley ParkPark
- Grindley Red Gum ReservePark
- Issac Tree ReservePark
- Kincaid ParkPark
- Langdon ParkPark
- Lucca WalkPark
- McCubbin Walk WayPark
- Melliodora ParkPark
- Melliodora Redgum ReservePark
6W Melliodora Drive
- Mernda Creek Linear ParkPark
- Mernda Creek Linear Park NorthPark
- Mernda Village ReservePark
- Millicent Red Gum ReservePark
- Outlook ReservePark
- Park (48)
- Pittaway Red Gum ReservePark
- Plume ParkPark
- Powers ParkPark
- Powers Tree ReservePark
- Riordan ReservePark
- Shepherds WalkwayPark
- Simons Creek Linear ParkPark
- Sissinghurst ParkPark
21W Sissinghurst Parade
- Skeeter Red Gum ReservePark
- Softwood Tree ReservePark
- Spencer Tree ReservePark
- Sumner ParkPark
- Tawonga Tree ReservePark
- Village GreenPark
- Playground (8)
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (2)
Entertainment(1)
- Viewpoint
Transport(8)
8 bus stops
Other(33)
- BWSAlcohol
- LiquorlandAlcohol
- Wellbeing ChiropracticAlternative
- Lucky HomeApartment
- WestpacATM
- Bbq
- Rainbow NailsBeauty salon
- Bench (48)
- Bicycle Parking (5)
- Garden (51)
- Cuts 4 AllHairdresser
- King's Landing BarberHairdresser
- VasariHairdresser
- basketballHoop
- Mernda Junction Shopping CentreMall
- Outdoor Seating (2)
- Mernda Hills Christian College Staff ParkingParking
- Parking (45)
- StaffParking
- Parking Entrance (3)
- Parking Space (2)
- Picnic Table (4)
- Encompass Church Plenty ValleyPlace of worship
- Post Box
- Australia PostPost office
- Public toilets
- Shelter (8)
- Mernda Retirement VillageSocial Facility
89 Galloway Drive, Mernda
- Mernda Junction Lotto & TobaccoTobacco
- Track
- Vending machine
- Waste Basket
- Patiala Indian GroceriesYes
46 Mernda Village Drive
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
94 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Apricot ParkPark
- Arum ParkPark
- Arum Redgum ReservePark
- Arum WalkwayPark
- Avoca ParkPark
- Avoca Red GumPark
- Barkly Red Gum Reserve ParkPark
- Basilica ParkPark
- Beechwood Red Gum ReservePark
- Beechwood WalkwayPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 185
- Parks (OSM)
- 175
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
1 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Encompass Church Plenty Valley
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 14
- Nearest hospital
- Mernda Community Hospital (2.1 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- On site
- Bridge Inn MedicalClinic
- Chemist WarehousePharmacy
- Chemist WarehousePharmacy
- Direct Chemist OutletPharmacy
- HospitalHospital
- Mernda Community HospitalFlourmill DriveHospital
- Mernda Junction MedicalClinic
- Mernda SmilesDentist
- Mernda Village Medical CentreClinic
- Passion DentalDentist
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)
- 772
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 29.5
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
- 24° / 13°
- Rainfall
- 155 mm · ~19 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 20° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 186 mm · ~23 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 14° / 6°
- Rainfall
- 203 mm · ~25 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 18° / 9°
- Rainfall
- 207 mm · ~26 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).
36 planning-related records
2021· 3 proposals
April 2021
- Building and works to a dwelling associated with a retirement village. Building and works to a dwelling associated with a retirement village.89 Galloway DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
March 2021
- Removal of native vegetation within a Vegetation Protection Overlay. Removal of native vegetation within a Vegetation Protection Overlay.21 Goulburn StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
February 2021
- VicSmart10 Eaglehawk DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 33 proposals
December 2020
- Construction of a verandah Construction of a verandah5 Scuffam StreetNo permit required
- Lopping of native vegetation (River Red Gum) Lopping of native vegetation (River Red Gum)12 Hickling RoadLapsed
- Removal of vegetation Removal of vegetation30 Regent StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
November 2020
- Residential Multi Lot Subdivision30B Ducal ParkwayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Subdivision - Realignment of boundary Re-subdivision of land (boundary realignment)307 Bridge Inn RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Reduction of car parking associated with an existing place of assembly Reduction of car parking associated with an existing place of assembly70 Mernda Village DriveWithdrawn
- Removal of native vegetation within a Vegetation Protection Overlay. Removal of native vegetation within a Vegetation Protection Overlay.73 Pearson RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
October 2020
- Buildings and works comprising an extension to an existing dwelling Buildings and works comprising an extension to an existing dwelling13 Kage GroveNo permit required
September 2020
- Multi Unit (5 or more dwellings) Construction of seven dwellings and a reduction of visitor car parking requirements10C Ducal ParkwayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Subdivision of land Subdivision of land86 Grafton StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
August 2020
- Subdivision of land625 Bridge Inn RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2020
- Any other applications (eg. Signage) Construction and display of major promotional signage280 Bridge Inn RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a dwelling Construction of a dwelling13 Strider StreetNo permit required
June 2020
- Construction of a dwelling on a lot less than 300sqm. Construction of a dwelling on a lot less than 300sqm.17 Amy WayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Subdivision of land110 Galloway DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a dwelling on a lot <300m2 Construction of a dwelling on a lot <300m26 Asplin CircuitPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2020
- Amendment Amendment1410A Plenty RoadPermit issued by the RA
- S72 Amendment - Amend Conditions 4, 5 and 61410A Plenty RoadPermit issued by the RA
- Fastlane (see website for information)35 Brandybuck LanePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Fastlane Lot less than 300 Fastlane Lot less than 3008 Asplin CircuitPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Fastlane Lot less than 300sqm Fastlane Lot less than 300sqm4 Asplin CircuitPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
April 2020
- Subdivision of land46 Regent StreetLapsed
- Construction of a dwelling in a lot less than 300m2 Construction of a dwelling in a lot less than 300m230 Pythagoras StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
March 2020
- VicSmart Removal of vegetation9 Umbria RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Subdivision of land36 Eldorado LoopPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
February 2020
- Single dwelling incl. associated works Construction of a dwelling on a lot less than 300m213 Amy WayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Staged Use and Development of a Medical Centre, Food and Drink Premise Staged Use and Development of a Medical Centre, Food and Drink Premises, Construction of Twelve Dwellings and Removal of Native Vegetation44 Breadalbane AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development Buildings and works to 'make safe' a building within a Heritage Overlay1410A Plenty RoadPermit issued by the RA
January 2020
- Subdivision of buildings Subdivision of buildings10A Redwater DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Subdivision of land2B Gosling StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Subdivision of land27 Heals RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Single dwelling incl. associated works Construction of a veranda29 Newington ParadeNo permit required
- Subdivision buildings40 Schotters RoadPermit 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
Roadworks & transport
2 active roadworks / incidents
- Utility Works activities occurring between 16/05/2026 and 16/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed eastbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 6 to 10 min.BRIDGE INN ROAD, ALLIANCE AVENUE15 May 2026 – 15 Aug 2026
- Utility Works activities occurring between 16/05/2026 and 16/08/2026 during the following times: Weekends 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed eastbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 6 to 10 min.BRIDGE INN ROAD, ALLIANCE AVENUE15 May 2026 – 15 Aug 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Heritage
1 heritage place
- FASHODA HOMESTEADNH2312
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
- McEwen
- Member of Parliament
- Rob MITCHELL (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 117,921
- Turnout (2025)
- 93.5%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +0.9 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 45.2%Labor 54.8%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 4.2 km away).
Coalition 40.6%Labor 59.4%
4.6 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +1.5 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Mernda SouthLabor 58.2% · Coalition 41.8% TPP (2025)0.6 km away
- MerndaLabor 60.7% · Coalition 39.3% TPP (2025)0.8 km away
- Mernda Central (McEwen)Labor 63.4% · Coalition 36.6% TPP (2025)1.4 km away
- Mernda Park (McEwen)Labor 56.9% · Coalition 43.1% TPP (2025)2.7 km away
- Doreen CentralLabor 57.3% · Coalition 42.7% TPP (2025)3.4 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)
- 7/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 6/10
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 Whittlesea Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.