suburb.guide

VIC · Mansfield Council

Merrijig, 3723

Est. population · Jun 2025

794

Growth (1 yr)

+1.9%

Growth (5 yr)

+12.0%

Median age

32

Median income

$1,762/wk

Employment rate

52.3%

Languages at home

7.3%non-English

Most common: Mandarin, French, Italian

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

24/100
Below average

1196th in VIC

Verified 54% confidence

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

Suburb profile

Merrijig offers a slower smaller community life in Mansfield Council, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. The community skews younger, with family life visible on every street. Life here is grounded in local routine rather than big-city choice.

Local shops are sparse, so a fuller set of amenities usually means travelling to a neighbouring town or regional hub. 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.

Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers. A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.

Desirability lands below average here: softer local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus safety weighing on the result versus similar regional towns, even with growth momentum holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Merrijig snapshot

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

Median house price

—

No data available

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

794

+1.9% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

56.9%

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 · Growth area

Pop. growth

87th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

9/10

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
24.0/100 — Below average
National rank
6398th in Australia
State rank
1196th in VIC
Peer rank
#37 among Country & regional · Growth area suburbs
Cohort rank
#675 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
54%

Data sources & freshness

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

Population

Estimated resident population

794(June 2025)

+1.9% annual · +12.0% over 5 years · 87th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+1.9%
5-year growth
+12.0%
Change in 1 year
+15
Change in 5 years
+85
Growth rank in VIC
87th 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 (~900), extrapolated at +2.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
721
Median age
32
Median household income / week
$1,762
Dwelling vacancy
56.9%
Unoccupied private dwellings
214 of 376
Median monthly mortgage
$1,733
Employment rate
52.3%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
161 / 0 / 4

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.

Family & Lifestyle

Amenities

1 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

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
1.39
Other(1)
  • Buttercup Two Camping AreaCamp Site

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

  • Delatite Education AreaNature reserve

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
314
Parks (OSM)
1

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

Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
1
Nearest hospital
Mansfield District Hospital (20.2 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
Not in suburb
  • Medical CentreDoctor

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
15
Participants per 1,000 residents
18.9

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

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
28° / 11°
Rainfall
176 mm · ~22 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
21° / 7°
Rainfall
233 mm · ~29 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
12° / 2°
Rainfall
385 mm · ~48 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
19° / 6°
Rainfall
295 mm · ~37 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).

38 planning-related records

2021· 13 proposals

  • September 2021

  • Use and development of a dwelling and farm stay accommodation
    1415 MT BULLER ROAD MERRIJIG 3723Permit issued by the RA
  • Development of a dwelling
    11 ALPINE RIDGE DRIVE MERRIJIG 3723Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2021

  • Development of outbuilding ancillary to a dwelling
    25 ALPINE RIDGE DRIVE MERRIJIG 3723Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of an outbuilding ancillary to a dwelling
    2610 MT BULLER ROAD MERRIJIG 3723Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a dwelling
    56 ALPINE RIDGE DRIVE MERRIJIG 3723Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Three lot subdivision
    10 MCCORMACKS ROAD MERRIJIG 3723Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Development of a Dwelling
    30 ALPINE RIDGE DRIVE MERRIJIG 3723Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Use and development of a dwelling in the farming zone (replacement dwelling)
    108 DAVIES ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Buildings and works - outbuilding
    202 DAVIES ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • Development of an outbuilding
    1 ALPINE RIDGE DRIVEPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of land for a dwelling, associated bed and breakfast and outbuilding ancillary to a dwelling
    21 HIGH STREET MERRIJIG 3723Permit issued by the RA
  • Construction of a building in significant landscape overlay
    672 BUTTERCUP ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Development of a dwelling
    7 MOUNTAIN RISEPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 25 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Use and development for place of assembly
    151 COOMBS LANEPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of the land for a dwelling
    2622 MT BULLER ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • November 2020

  • Development of garage
    2637 MT BULLER ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two lot subdivision
    28 PURCELLS ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Certification Removal of Restriction
    151 COOMBS LANE MERRIJIG 3723In progress
  • Development of Agricultural Shed
    728 BUTTERCUP ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of garage
    1415 MT BULLER ROAD MERRIJIG 3723In progress

  • October 2020

  • Development of carport
    54 ALPINE RIDGE DRIVEPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • September 2020

  • Use and developement of agricultural shed
    20 HOWQUA TRACKPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • Development of agricultural shed, storage shed and variation to Section 173 Agreement
    672 BUTTERCUP ROADNOD issued by a delegate

  • July 2020

  • Development of dwelling and outbuilding
    151 COOMBS LANEPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a dwelling and garage
    43 ALPINE RIDGE DRIVEPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of outbuilding
    298 DAVIES ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2020

  • Development of dwelling and outbuilding (amend building envelope)
    399 BUTTERCUP ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2020

  • Development of a dwelling
    19 PURCELL DRIVEPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of two dwellings
    15 LIGHTWOOD COURTPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2020

  • Two lot subdivision
    10 MCCORMACKS ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of agricultural shed
    582 BUTTERCUP ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of dwelling and outbuilding
    477 BUTTERCUP ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2020

  • Use of the land for commercial laundry - Existing use rights
    UNIT 4Refusal issued by a delegate

  • February 2020

  • Buildings and works for a dwelling in the Bushfire Management Overlay and Significant Landscape Overlay Schedule 2
    14 SUMMIT VIEW COURT MERRIJIG 3723Permit issued by the RA
  • Creek Crossing
    145 GRAMMAR SCHOOL ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of land for group accommodation
    133 GONZAGA LANEPermit issued by the RA
  • Two lot subdivision
    76 GREENWAYS LANEPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of land for a dwelling and bed and breakfast accommodation
    108 DAVIES ROADWithdrawn

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
Indi
Member of Parliament
Helen HAINES (Independent)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
120,774
Turnout (2025)
92.8%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
-1.4 pp toward Coalition

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 56.7%Labor 43.3%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 44.0 km away).

Coalition 57.8%Labor 42.3%

1.1 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: -0.4 pp toward Coalition

Nearest polling places

  • TolmieLabor 45.0% · Coalition 55.0% TPP (2025)16.2 km away
  • MansfieldLabor 44.5% · Coalition 55.5% TPP (2025)17.3 km away
  • JamiesonLabor 33.9% · Coalition 66.1% TPP (2025)27.9 km away
  • WhitfieldLabor 38.3% · Coalition 61.7% TPP (2025)36.6 km away
  • EildonLabor 45.9% · Coalition 54.1% TPP (2025)37.3 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

Socio-economic

IRSAD decile (2021)
9/10
IRSD decile (2021)
9/10

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

More in Mansfield Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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