suburb.guide

VIC · Greater Shepparton Council

Merrigum, 3618

Est. population · Jun 2025

674

Growth (1 yr)

0.0%

Growth (5 yr)

-0.1%

Median age

47

Median income

$1,030/wk

Employment rate

49.8%

Languages at home

8.2%non-English

Most common: Punjabi, Khmer, Nepali

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

31.8/100
Below average

1010th in VIC

Verified 78% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Green suburb
  • Excellent transport
  • Education hub
  • National parks
  • High desirability
What Merrigum is known for: Green suburb, Excellent transport, Education hub, National parks, High desirability

Suburb profile

Merrigum offers a slower smaller community life in Greater Shepparton Council, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with plenty of young families in the mix. Life here is grounded in local routine rather than big-city choice.

Pocket parks and green corners give residents room to get outside without leaving the neighbourhood. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses covering longer trips across the wider area. Purchase and rent costs sit on the more affordable side of the local range.

Crime trends have improved of late compared with the previous period. Light infill development is updating a few streets while the wider area stays largely unchanged.

Versus similar regional towns, the suburb reads below average on desirability, chiefly because local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus community and employment trail behind. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Merrigum snapshot

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

Median house price

—

No data available

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

674

0.0% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

10.2%

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

#252

among Country & regional · Mature

Safety

42nd

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

26th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

1/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

3rd

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
31.8/100 — Below average
National rank
5272nd in Australia
State rank
1010th in VIC
Peer rank
#252 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#515 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
78%

Data sources & freshness

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

Population

Estimated resident population

674(June 2025)

0.0% annual · -0.1% over 5 years · 26th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
0.0%
5-year growth
-0.1%
Change in 1 year
0
Change in 5 years
-1
Growth rank in VIC
26th 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 (~700), extrapolated at +0.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
679
Median age
47
Median household income / week
$1,030
Dwelling vacancy
10.2%
Unoccupied private dwellings
30 of 295
Median monthly mortgage
$1,083
Employment rate
49.8%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
251 / 3 / 0 (+ 13 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 decreased compared with the previous period.

Offence counts & rates
Total offences (2026)
30
Against the person
12
Against property
11
Rate per 1,000 residents
44.5
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 57 residents
State safety percentile
42.3th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-65.5%

Most common offence types

  • A211 Fv Serious Assault2
  • A212 Non-Fv Serious Assault3
  • A232 Non-Fv Common Assault2
  • B49 Other Theft3
  • Other Crimes Against The Person2

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
1
Median school ICSEA
813
Median ICSEA percentile
3th
School list
  • Merrigum Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 813 · 3th percentile · LBOTE 7% · 15 students · Top SEA quarter 0% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

3 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Caltex Service Station/Waverley Ave
  • Morrissey St/Waverley Ave
  • Morrissey St/Waverley Ave

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

1 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Limited walkable amenities nearby
  • Great for outdoor family life — 2 parks mapped in suburb
Walkability proxy
5/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
2.95
Sport & outdoors(1)
  • Merrigum Golf ClubGolf course

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

  • Judd Memorial ParkPark

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
4
Parks (OSM)
2

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
Goulburn Valley Health (Tatura) (10.4 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)
23
Participants per 1,000 residents
34.1

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
30° / 14°
Rainfall
89 mm · ~11 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
23° / 9°
Rainfall
106 mm · ~13 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
14° / 4°
Rainfall
120 mm · ~15 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
22° / 8°
Rainfall
122 mm · ~15 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).

20 planning-related records

2021· 7 proposals

  • August 2021

  • Buildings and works in the Floodway Overlay and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay for a single dwelling
    131 WAVERLEY AVENUE MERRIGUM 3618Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Two lot subdivision in the Farming Zone, Floodway Overlay and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
    440 BYRNESIDE-GILLIESTON ROAD MERRIGUM 3618Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Removal of Easement
    355 Ryan RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of easement for water supply and drainage purposes that is deemed no longer required by Goulburn Murray Water
    355 Ryan RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Demolition in the Heritage Overlay
    113-117 Morrissey StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • use and development of land for a dwelling in the Farming Zone 2
    115 Andrews RoadWithdrawn

  • January 2021

  • Buildings and works in the Farming Zone associated with a Rural Industry
    1090 Byrneside-Kyabram RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 13 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Buildings and works in the Floodway Overlay and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay for a dependent person's unit
    15 Wilson AvenueNo permit required
  • 2 Lot Subdivision
    200 Merrigum-Ardmona RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • October 2020

  • Buildings and works in the Floodway Overlay and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay for a dependent person's unit
    15 Wilson AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • September 2020

  • A two lot re-subdivision of land
    790 Byrneside-Gillieston RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • Buildings and Works for a Dwelling
    39 Morrissey StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of native vegetation
    61-85 Morrissey StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2020

  • use and development of land for a dwelling in the Farming Zone 2
    95 Andrews RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2020

  • Erection and display of business identification signage in the Township Zone and Heritage Overlay
    113-117 Morrissey StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works (shed extension) in the Township Zone associated with a Section 2 use (store)
    143 Waverley AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two lot subdivision in the Farming Zone 1 and Floodway Overlay and the Land Subject to Inundation Overlay, creation of access to a Road Zone Category 1 and creation of a carriageway easement
    605 Byrneside-Kyabram RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2020

  • Use and development of the land for a dwelling in association with a market garden in the Farming Zone and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay and earthworks (Whole of Farm Plan) in the Urban Floodway Zone, Farming Zone and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay and creation of access onto a Road Zone Category 1
    935 Byrneside-Kyabram RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two lot subdivision in the Farming Zone, Floodway Overlay and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
    420 Davies RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2020

  • Earthworks in the Farming Zone, Floodway Overlay and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay and the removal of native vegetation
    116 Merrigum-Ardmona 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
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
Nicholls
Member of Parliament
Sam BIRRELL (The Nationals)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
121,390
Turnout (2025)
91.5%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
+35.6 pp toward Labor

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 64.4%Labor 35.6%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 14.4 km away).

Coalition 68.4%Labor 31.6%

4.0 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +31.6 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • MerrigumLabor 34.3% · Coalition 65.7% TPP (2025)2.2 km away
  • LancasterLabor 25.2% · Coalition 74.8% TPP (2025)6.1 km away
  • ByrnesideLabor 20.3% · Coalition 79.7% TPP (2025)6.5 km away
  • KyabramLabor 33.1% · Coalition 66.8% TPP (2025)10.2 km away
  • TaturaLabor 33.6% · Coalition 66.4% TPP (2025)10.5 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)
1/10
IRSD decile (2021)
1/10

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 Greater Shepparton Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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