Merewether (NSW)

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Based on examination of ABS demographic data updates for the wider region alongside newly validated addresses recorded by Districts following the Census, the suburb of Merewether has a population calculated at approximately 11,903 as of May 2026. This represents an addition of 115 people (1.0%) compared to the 2021 Census, which registered 11,788 residents. This shift is deduced from the estimated resident population of 11,877 computed by Districts utilizing the ABS June 2025 ERP release, combined with an extra 49 validated new addresses established post-Census. Such a population size translates to a density of 1,889 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical benchmark across areas evaluated by Districts. Growth was heavily influenced by international migration, which was responsible for roughly 86.0% of the overall population increases in recent times.

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Statistical area data aggregated by Districts shows that the suburb of Merewether has a highly qualified labor force with a strong presence of professionals and an unemployment rate of only 1.8%. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 7,189, and the unemployment rate sat 2.3% lower than the Regional NSW mark of 4.1%, while workforce participation was exceptionally high at 72.0% compared to 60.6% in Regional NSW. Census records indicate that 32.4% of working residents carried out their duties from home, though this figure may have been affected by pandemic lockdowns.

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The most recent postcode ATO data for the financial year 2023 indicates that incomes in the suburb of Merewether are remarkably high on a national scale, with a median of $64,074 and an average of $105,112. These figures compare to a median of $52,390 and an average of $65,215 across Regional NSW. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since the financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of $70,686 for the median and $115,960 for the average in March 2026. According to the Census, household, family, and personal incomes all rank between the 82nd and 85th percentiles nationally. A breakdown shows that the weekly income range of $1,500 - 2,999 contains 27.8% of the population, equivalent to 3,309 people, which is similar to the wider region where fall into this group. Affluence is notable, with of residents earning weekly incomes above supporting high-end retail and local services. Mortgage and rent payments consume of household income, strong earnings place local residents in the th percentile for disposable income, and the SEIFA index ranks the area in the th decile.

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According to the latest Census data, residential structures in the suburb of Merewether consisted of 61.0% detached houses and 38.9% alternative housing types such as semi-detached properties, apartments, and other dwellings, compared to Regional NSW which comprised 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in the suburb of Merewether stood at 35.9%, slightly below the Regional NSW average, with remaining properties either mortgaged (30.3%) or rented (33.8%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,457 was notably higher than the Regional NSW median of $1,733, while the median weekly rent was $420 compared to the Regional NSW median of $330. Nationwide, mortgage costs here are considerably higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are well above the national median of $375.

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Families make up 65.6% of households in the suburb of Merewether, consisting of 29.3% couples with children, 27.8% couples without children, and 7.4% single parents. Non-family households account for the remaining 34.4%, with single-person households representing 27.2% and share houses making up 7.1%. The median household size is 2.4 people, matching the average for Regional NSW.

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The proportion of residents with tertiary qualifications in the suburb of Merewether is significantly higher than regional averages, with 44.1% of those aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 21.3% in the Rest of NSW and 26.1% in the wider SA4 region. This high concentration of degrees prepares the workforce well for knowledge-intensive roles. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 29.8%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 10.5% and graduate diplomas at 3.8%. Vocational education is also common, with 28.4% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas at 10.6% and certificates at 17.8%.

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Public transit data shows 105 active transport stops operating in the suburb of Merewether, consisting of bus services. These stops are serviced by 22 different routes, which provide a total of 1,669 weekly passenger journeys. Accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents living an average of 119 meters from their nearest transit stop. The area is primarily residential, and most workers commute to other areas, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of transport at 89%, followed by walking at 4% and cycling at 3%. Households own an average of 1.5 vehicles. A high proportion of residents, 32.4%, worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-related conditions.

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Evaluation of health indicators shows positive outcomes throughout the suburb of Merewether, based on Districts analysis of mortality rates and chronic illnesses, which revealed low rates of common health conditions among both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is exceptionally high, covering approximately 68% of the population, which represents 8,134 people. This is higher than the Regional NSW rate of 51.9% and the national average of 55.7%.

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Cultural diversity in the suburb of Merewether is lower than average, with 87.4% of residents born in Australia, 93.3% holding citizenship, and 93.7% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 49.5% of the population. The most prominent statistical divergence is in Judaism, which is practiced by 0.2% of the population compared to 0.1% across Regional NSW.

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The median age of 38 in the suburb of Merewether is lower than the Regional NSW average of 43, matching the national median of 38. The 25 - 34 age bracket is well represented at 16.7% of the population, whereas the 75 - 84 age bracket is less common at 5.0%. Since the 2021 Census, the 25 to 34 cohort has increased from 13.9% to 16.7% of the population. In contrast, the 5 to 14 cohort decreased from 12.1% to 10.7%, and the 55 to 64 group fell from 13.3% to 11.9%. Demographic models project significant changes in the age structure by led by a increase in the to cohort, which is expected to rise by people from to . Meanwhile, contractions are projected for the to and to cohorts.

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Merewether currently has an estimated 523 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 310 children aged 0-2 and 208 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 3% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 18% by 2041 (to approximately 618 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,053. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been low, with approximately 7.5 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the bottom 20% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.