suburb.guide

VIC · Mornington Peninsula Council

Merricks North, 3926

Est. population · Jun 2025

414

Growth (1 yr)

+0.7%

Growth (5 yr)

+2.0%

Median age

54

Median income

$2,416/wk

Employment rate

58.4%

Languages at home

3.2%non-English

Most common: Italian, Spanish

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

33.7/100
Below average

953rd in VIC

Verified 62% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Green suburb
  • National parks
  • High desirability
What Merricks North is known for: Green suburb, National parks, High desirability

Suburb profile

Merricks North is a hillside smaller community in Mornington Peninsula Council, with elevated streets and a greener, quieter pace. Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. Everyday life leans local, with a handful of trusted shops, a familiar main street and neighbours who know your name.

Green space punches above what many regional towns offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. A car helps for most daily errands, with fewer amenities clustered within an easy walk. Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs.

Local crime has been trending higher of late. Infill and new builds are slowly updating the area without overwhelming its existing character.

The overall desirability read is below average, pulled by softer local dining and lifestyle amenities compared with similar regional towns, though community and employment remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Merricks North snapshot

A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk

Median house price

—

No data available

Median rent

$595/wk

Population (ERP)

414

+0.7% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

35.8%

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

#222

among Country & regional · Mature

Safety

65th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

60th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

10/10

national SEIFA decile

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
33.7/100 — Below average
National rank
4927th in Australia
State rank
953rd in VIC
Peer rank
#222 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#468 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
62%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated

Housing

All types (Sep 2025 (council median))
$595

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

Population

Estimated resident population

414(June 2025)

+0.7% annual · +2.0% over 5 years · 60th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.7%
5-year growth
+2.0%
Change in 1 year
+3
Change in 5 years
+8
Growth rank in VIC
60th 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 (~450), extrapolated at +0.6% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
423
Median age
54
Median household income / week
$2,416
Dwelling vacancy
35.8%
Unoccupied private dwellings
83 of 232
Median monthly mortgage
$3,467
Employment rate
58.4%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
147 / 0 / 0

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)
31
Against the person
8
Against property
16
Rate per 1,000 residents
74.9
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 53 residents
State safety percentile
64.8th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+82.4%

Most common offence types

  • A731 Fv Threatening Behaviour3
  • B321 Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary3
  • B49 Other Theft8
  • C32 Drug Possession4
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order3

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Amenities

5 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

4 swimming pools

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Limited walkable amenities nearby
Walkability proxy
0/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
0
Sport & outdoors(5)
  • Sports field
  • Swimming pool (4)

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

1 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Tubbarubba Bushland ReserveNature reserve

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
12
Parks (OSM)
0

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

Health access

Nearest hospital
The Bays Hospital (10.9 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
10
Participants per 1,000 residents
24.2

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

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).

34 planning-related records

2021· 12 proposals

  • August 2021

  • DEVELOPMENT OF DWELLING ADDITIONS AND ALTERATIONS
    161 FOXEYS ROAD MERRICKS NORTH 3926Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • DEVELOPMENT OF A VERANDAH AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
    200 BITTERN-DROMANA ROAD MERRICKS NORTH 3926Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • DEVELOP A REPLACEMENT DWELLING AND ASSOCIATED BUILDINGS AND WORKS GENERALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SUBMITTED PLANS
    188 BITTERN-DROMANA ROAD MERRICKS NORTH 3926Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • DEVELOPMENT OF A DWELLING ADDITIONS (DECK AND PERGOLA) AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
    11 TUBBARUBBA ROAD MERRICKS NORTH 3926Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • THE DEVELOPMENT OF A HABITABLE OUTBUILDING AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
    12 ONE CHAIN ROAD MERRICKS NORTH 3926NOD issued by a delegate
  • THE DEVELOPMENT OF DWELLING ADDITIONS AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
    323 MYERS ROAD MERRICKS NORTH 3926Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • THE DEVELOPMENT OF DWELLING ADDITIONS (DOUBLE STOREY), ALTERATIONS AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
    22 JUNCTION ROAD MERRICKS NORTH 3926Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • EXTENSION TO EXISTING DWELLING (SECOND DWELLING)
    126 Bittern-Dromana RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • INDOOR HORSE RIDING ARENA
    198 Balnarring RoadLapsed

  • March 2021

  • Application for a Planning Permit to build 2 wetlands
    161 FOXEYS ROAD MERRICKS NORTH 3926Withdrawn
  • THE REMOVAL OF ONE TREE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
    89 Merricks RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2021

  • THE DEVELOPMENT OF A REPLACEMENT DWELLING AND TENNIS COURT (NON-ILLUMINATED), ALTERATIONS TO EXISTING DWELLING TO FORM STAFF AMENITIES BUILDING AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS.
    64 Tubbarubba RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 22 proposals

  • December 2020

  • DEVELOP DWELLING ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS AND A JETTY ASSOCIATED WITH THE EXISTING DAM, REMOVE VEGETATION, AND ASSOCIATED WORKS GENERALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SUBMITTED PLANS
    184 BALNARRING ROAD MERRICKS NORTH 3926Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • DEVELOPMENT OF OUTBUILDING AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SUBMITTED PLANS
    48 Stanleys RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • November 2020

  • DEVELOPMENT OF A DWELLING (REPLACEMENT DWELLING), DEMOLITION OF A DWELLING AND OUTBUILDING, VEGETATION REMOVAL AND ASSOCIATED WORKS
    52 Tubbarubba RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN OUTBUILDING AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
    314 Myers RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • October 2020

  • VIC SMART - CONSTRUCT STORAGE UNIT
    4 Junction RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • DWELLING ADDITIONS AND ALTERATIONS
    6 Craig Avon LanePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • September 2020

  • THE DEVELOPMENT OF DWELLING ADDITIONS AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
    38 Kentucky RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • THE DEVELOPMENT OF A REPLACEMENT DWELLING AND TENNIS COURT (NON-ILLUMINATED), ALTERATIONS TO EXISTING DWELLING TO FORM STAFF AMENITIES BUILDING AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS.
    64 Tubbarubba RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • CONSTRUCT A DAM AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
    46 Stanleys RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • CONSTRUCTION OF A DAM AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
    48 Stanleys RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2020

  • CONSTRUCT A NEW DECK, POOL AND SPA
    1 Kentucky RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • The development of additions to a garage and associated works in accordance with the endorsed plans.
    33 Old Bittern-Dromana RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2020

  • DEVELOP A REPLACEMENT DWELLING AND ASSOCIATED WORKS GENERALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SUBMITTED PLANS
    47 Tubbarubba RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADDITIONS AND ALTERATIONS TO THE EXISTING DWELLING AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
    314 Myers RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2020

  • THE DEVELOPMENT A SHED AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
    170 Balnarring RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • DEVELOPMENT OF A REPLACEMENT DWELLING (EXISTING DWELLING TO BE DEMOLISHED), REMOVAL OF VEGETATION AND ASSOCIATED WORKS GENERALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SUBMITTED PLANS
    14 One Chain RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • DEVELOPMENT OF A REPLACEMENT DWELLING, MACHINERY SHED, GARAGE, CARPORT AND ASSOCIATED BUILDINGS AND WORKS, AND NATIVE VEGETATION REMOVAL
    82A Stanleys RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2020

  • DEVELOPMENT OF AN ARENA
    222 Bittern-Dromana RoadNo permit required
  • DEVELOP AN OUTBUILDING (STABLES) AND ASSOCIATED WORKS GENERALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SUBMITTED PLANS
    116 Bittern-Dromana RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2020

  • DEVELOPMENT OF A REPLACEMENT DWELLING (DEMOLISH EXISTING)
    11 Tubbarubba RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • The development of dwelling additions, a garage, vegetation removal and associated works in accordance with the endorsed plans.
    40 Stanleys RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • THE REMOVAL OF ONE TREE
    26 Kentucky RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
Overlay applies

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
Flinders
Member of Parliament
Zoe McKENZIE (Liberal)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
127,540
Turnout (2025)
93.4%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
+1.4 pp toward Labor

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 54.8%Labor 45.2%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 9.8 km away).

Coalition 48.0%Labor 52.0%

6.8 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +2.0 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • BalnarringLabor 57.3% · Coalition 42.7% TPP (2025)5.9 km away
  • Red HillLabor 53.9% · Coalition 46.1% TPP (2025)7.1 km away
  • BitternLabor 53.4% · Coalition 46.6% TPP (2025)8.7 km away
  • Mount MarthaLabor 50.0% · Coalition 50.0% TPP (2025)8.9 km away
  • Dromana NorthLabor 43.4% · Coalition 56.6% TPP (2025)9.2 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

Socio-economic

IRSAD decile (2021)
10/10
IRSD decile (2021)
10/10

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

Compare with

Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.

More in Mornington Peninsula Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.