Mernda
A 36.4% overseas-born share, a median age of 33, and household income at the 75.3rd percentile frame Mernda as a young, family-oriented growth market. The overseas-born proportion is 14.8 percentage points above the national figure, while the median age is 7 years below it, helping explain demand for 4-plus-bedroom homes, which account for 58.6% of dwellings. Mernda's 89.3% separate-house share is the key contrast for buyers weighing nearby Doreen or Wollert, where housing choice should be tested street by street. A 55.7% mortgage tenure share and 27.6% renting share point to a mortgage-belt suburb, while 4.94% annual growth and overseas migration keep expansion central to its outlook.
Population
23,369
Median Age
33.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,011/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
78
Median House
$758K
October to December 2025
Mernda suits households prioritising a conventional family house over apartment living. Separate houses make up 89.3% of homes, and 4-plus-bedroom dwellings account for 58.6%, higher than the 34.4% share of three-bedroom homes. Financing is central because 55.7% of households have a mortgage, compared with 14.4% owning outright. Mortgage payments equal 22.2% of household income, while rent-to-income is 18.9%, supporting the suburb's appeal to established families seeking space.
For Buyers
Mernda suits households prioritising a conventional family house over apartment living. Separate houses make up 89.3% of homes, and 4-plus-bedroom dwellings account for 58.6%, higher than the 34.4% share of three-bedroom homes. Financing is central because 55.7% of households have a mortgage, compared with 14.4% owning outright. Mortgage payments equal 22.2% of household income, while rent-to-income is 18.9%, supporting the suburb's appeal to established families seeking space.
For Investors
Mernda presents a growth-oriented rental case, but supply needs attention. Weekly rent is $381 and vacancy is 4.5%, while 27.6% of households rent, lower than the 55.7% mortgage share. Rents grew 8.3% in the wider forecast area, and overseas migration is the primary growth driver, which can support tenant demand across new estates. At the same time, 78 development applications were recorded in 12 months, consistent with Mernda's New development stage and signalling ongoing planning activity that can expand competing stock. The investment question is therefore less about scarcity alone and more about asset selection, because detached homes dominate at 89.3% and 58.6% have four or more bedrooms.
Development Activity
Total DAs
454
Last 12 Months
78
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+8.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Mernda
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Mernda Central P-12 College
Mernda Hills Christian College
Mernda Park Primary School
Mernda Primary School
St Joseph's School
Demographics
Mernda's population of 23,369 has a median age of 33, which is 7 years below the national figure, and average household size is 3.0, or 0.5 people above the national comparison. Families are prominent: 57.0% of families are couples with children, versus 25.4% couples without children, while one-parent families account for 16.6%. Overseas-born residents make up 36.4%, 14.8 percentage points above national, and the university-educated share is 39.9%, 9.8 points higher than national. English and Indian ancestry counts are 4,907 and 2,666, alongside Italian at 2,331. Punjabi, Hindi and Arabic are among the leading listed non-English languages, with 604, 362 and 286 speakers. For households comparing Mernda with Doreen or Wollert, this younger, family-heavy profile is the key demographic lens because it supports demand for larger homes, schools and local services.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
89.3%
Houses
9.1%
Townhouse
1.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Mernda's housing stock is strongly detached: separate houses account for 89.3%, semi-detached homes 9.1% and apartments 1.5%. The bedroom mix follows that pattern, with 58.6% of dwellings having four or more bedrooms, compared with 34.4% with three and 6.5% with two. Tenure is mortgage-led, with 55.7% paying a mortgage, 14.4% owning outright and 27.6% renting. The 22.2% mortgage-to-income ratio and 18.9% rent-to-income ratio suggest housing costs are not dominating typical household budgets, while the higher mortgage share than outright ownership reflects a relatively recent, family-oriented expansion. This detached profile is the main housing contrast for buyers comparing Mernda with Doreen or Wollert.
Mortgage / mo
$1,937
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$381
Census 2021
HH Size
3.0
Personal Income / wk
$879
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.5%
Unoccupied
351
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
57.0%
Couples with children
25.4%
Couples, no children
16.6%
Single parent
6,459
Total families
Economy & Employment
Mernda's employment base is led by healthcare at 22.0% and 1,780 workers, followed by education at 10.4% and 839, construction at 9.7% and 783, retail at 8.4% and 677, and professional and technical work at 6.7% and 544. This mix combines essential services with construction activity, consistent with a growing residential corridor. Labour-force participation is 71.0%, unemployment is 5.7%, and the full-time rate is 62.3%; professionals number 2,383, ahead of clerical and administrative workers at 1,605 and trades at 1,576. University attainment is 39.9%, 9.8 percentage points above national, but the SEIFA IEO score sits at decile 6. Economic resources rank higher at IER decile 8, while IRSD and IRSAD are both decile 6, so resources outpace the area's education and occupation and broader advantage and disadvantage rankings. Household income is at the 75.3rd percentile, above the midpoint.
Unemployment
5.7%
Labour Force
12,111
Unemployed
689
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
62.3%
Part-time
31.3%
Participation
71.0%
Employed
11,422
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
39.9%
Postgraduate
12.2%
Born Overseas
36.4%
Dwellings
7,536
Transport to Work
Mernda is practical for households comfortable with car-based travel. A total of 67.9% drive to work, compared with 3.3% using public transport and 0.7% walking or cycling, while 24.1% work from home. That transport split matters because local trips and commuting are more likely to be organised around a car than a high-frequency transit routine. Five schools cover government, Catholic and independent sectors, including primary and P-12 options, giving families a local starting point while enrolment zones still need checking against the exact address. Recorded crime was 1,176 incidents, or 50.3 per 1,000 residents; property and deception offences accounted for 587, followed by justice procedures at 298 and crimes against the person at 211. Compared with lower-ranked areas, an IRSAD decile of 6 places Mernda around the middle of the advantage scale rather than in the top deciles. Volunteer participation is 8.8%.
Drive
67.9%
Public Transport
3.3%
Walk / Cycle
0.7%
Work from Home
24.1%
Population Forecast
+4.94%/yr
(+685 people/yr)
High GrowthMernda's growth outlook is unusually strong: the forecast trend is 4.94% annually, and population change across the wider area is 277.0% over 10 years. The trajectory is labelled "Growing (all ages)", rather than being limited to one age cohort, with overseas migration identified as the primary driver. This fits Mernda's 23,369 residents, 78 development applications in 12 months and 55.7% mortgage share, because new housing attracts incoming families and owner-occupiers. The forecast gentrification score is 0, with a "New development" stage and a separate "Not gentrifying" label, so expansion is being driven by construction and migration rather than established-area upgrading. Affordability readings were 46.9 in 2011 and 43.2 in 2021, while real income growth was -4.5%, making price and borrowing capacity important constraints despite growth above the long-run 3.8% price CAGR.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+169
Net Internal / yr
+82
Gentrification Signal
New development
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
1,176
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
50.3
Offence Categories
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Mernda compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mernda a good suburb to live in?
Mernda can suit households wanting newer detached housing, family space and access to multiple school types. The suburb has 23,369 residents, a median age of 33, 89.3% separate houses and 24.1% working from home. Car use is high at 67.9%, so commute patterns and address-level transport access should be part of the decision.
What schools are in Mernda?
Mernda has 5 schools across government, Catholic and independent sectors. The mix includes primary schools and P-12 options, including Mernda Central P-12 College and St Joseph's School. School performance and enrolment zones should be checked for the exact address, because proximity does not guarantee a place.
Is Mernda safe?
Mernda recorded 1,176 offences, equal to 50.3 incidents per 1,000 residents. Property and deception offences were the largest category at 587, followed by justice procedures at 298 and crimes against the person at 211. Treat these as area-level figures and inspect lighting, parking and street activity at the property.
Is Mernda good for property investment?
Mernda may suit investors seeking a high-growth, detached-house market, but ongoing supply matters. Weekly rent is $381, vacancy is 4.5%, and 27.6% of households rent. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, while 78 development applications in 12 months and a 4.94% annual growth trend point to demand and construction occurring together.
How is Mernda's population changing?
Mernda has 23,369 residents and a median age of 33. The wider area's forecast trajectory is "Growing (all ages)", with 277.0% population change over 10 years and overseas migration as the primary driver. The young share is forecast to rise by 2.7 percentage points, while the senior share rises by 2.2 points, indicating growth across age groups.
What languages are spoken in Mernda?
English ancestry is recorded for 4,907 residents, while Punjabi is the leading listed non-English language at 604 speakers, followed by Hindi at 362 and Arabic at 286. Overseas-born residents make up 36.4%, which is 14.8 percentage points above the national comparison. These figures can help households check local services and community connections.
What development is occurring in Mernda?
Development activity is substantial, with 78 applications recorded over 12 months. Recent examples include plan amendments, subdivision of land near a Transport Zone 2 and a 2-lot subdivision. Mernda is classified as New development, with a gentrification score of 0, so buyers should check construction timing, traffic changes and the stage of nearby estates before committing.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), Valuer-General Victoria (house prices), state education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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