Mernda (Vic.)

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According to investigations of ABS demographic releases for the wider region, alongside newly confirmed address records from Districts following the Census, the suburb of Mernda is home to an estimated 25,915 residents as of May 2026. This represents a gain of 2,546 individuals (10.9%) relative to the 23,369 citizens recorded in the 2021 Census. This population shift is deduced from the current figure of 25,915, calculated by Districts using the most recent ABS ERP statistics (June 2025) plus 468 newly verified properties since the Census. Such a population size results in a density of 1,088 residents per square kilometer, which aligns closely with the typical averages evaluated across various Districts regions. The suburb of Mernda's 10.9% expansion rate since the 2021 Census outstripped both the Victorian average (9.3%) and the national benchmark, establishing the community as a regional frontrunner in growth. The expansion was chiefly fueled by natural increase, which was responsible for roughly of the overall population rise in recent times.

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The suburb of Mernda boasts a highly qualified labor force with strong representations in key service industries, an unemployment rate sitting at 4.5%, and an estimated job growth rate of 1.9% over the preceding year. As of March 2026, there are 14,479 employed residents, and the local jobless rate is 0.3% lower than the Melbourne metropolitan average of 4.8%, while participation in the workforce is exceptionally high (76.2% compared to Greater Melbourne's 70.2%). According to Census data, a moderate 23.1% of the workforce worked from home, though this figure may be influenced by pandemic-related lockdowns.

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According to tax data compiled for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the suburb of Mernda recorded a median income of $54,995 and an average income of $63,145. These sums are below national standards and compare to $57,688 (median) and $75,164 (average) across Greater Melbourne. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates would stand at approximately $60,286 for the median and $69,220 for the average as of March 2026. Based on 2021 Census data, personal, family, and household earnings in the suburb of Mernda sit around the 64th percentile nationwide. Income distributions reveal that 41.9% of the population (10,858 people) earn between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring the regional distribution where fall into this cohort. Mortgages and rent consume of household earnings, though strong overall income keeps disposable levels at the rd percentile, and the local SEIFA ranking sits in the th decile.

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The mix of housing in the suburb of Mernda at the time of the latest Census was comprised of 89.3% standalone houses and 10.7% other types of housing (such as duplexes, units, or flats), compared to Melbourne's metropolitan average of 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Outright home ownership in the suburb of Mernda was lower than the metropolitan rate, standing at 14.7%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (57.0%) or rented (28.3%). Typical monthly mortgage costs locally were lower than the Melbourne average at $1,937, while weekly rents were $381, compared to metropolitan benchmarks of $2,000 and $390. On a national level, mortgage repayments in the suburb of Mernda are higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and rent prices also exceed the national average of $375.

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Families make up the majority of homes at 83.2%, consisting of 48.5% couples with children, 20.0% couples without children, and 13.7% single parent households. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 16.8%, with sole occupants making up 15.0% and shared households comprising 1.8%. The average household size of 3.0 individuals is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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Attainment levels in the suburb of Mernda lag behind regional averages, with 31.1% of residents aged 15+ holding a tertiary degree, compared to 37.0% across Greater Melbourne. This disparity suggests room for educational growth and training opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 19.8%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 8.7% and graduate diplomas at 2.6%. Vocational and technical qualifications are well represented, with 34.3% of individuals aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (13.3%) and certificates (21.0%).

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Public transport systems include 82 active bus stops in the suburb of Mernda. These stops are served by 9 separate routes, which combine to support 8,016 passenger journeys per week. Access to transit is rated as favorable, with dwellings located an average of 252 meters from their closest stop. As a residential area, most citizens travel outside the suburb for work, with private cars being the primary choice at 88%, and train travel accounting for 8%. The average number of cars per home is 1.5, which is higher than the metropolitan average. A total of 23.1% of residents work from home, based on 2021 Census data, which may reflect pandemic-era arrangements.

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Health indicators demonstrate relatively favorable conditions for residents of the suburb of Mernda, with Districts analyses of mortality and health issues tracking close to national averages. The rate of common ailments is low among the general community, though higher than the national average within elderly, vulnerable groups. Private health insurance coverage is relatively low, covering approximately 52% of the population (~13,429 people) compared to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne.

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The suburb of Mernda exhibits a high degree of cultural diversity, with 36.4% of residents born abroad and 40.7% speaking a language other than English in their homes. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 47.0% of the community. However, the most pronounced religious concentration relative to the average is Hinduism, which represents 9.9% of the population, far exceeding the Greater Melbourne average of 4.4%.

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The median age of 34 years in the suburb of Mernda is younger than the Greater Melbourne average of 37 and is also younger than the national median of 38 years. Compared to the wider Melbourne metropolitan area, the suburb of Mernda has a higher share of residents aged 35 - 44 (20.8%) but fewer aged 25 - 34 (13.1%). The proportion of 35 - 44 year-olds is higher than the national figure of 14.3%. Since the 2021 Census, the median age has risen by 1.0 years, moving from 33 to 34. Specifically, the 45 to 54 cohort expanded from 11.2% to 13.4% of the population, and the 15 to group increased from to . Conversely, the to age bracket fell from to , and the to group dropped from to . Long-term forecasts for point to significant changes, with the to age group projected to grow the fastest at , adding residents to reach a total of .

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Mernda currently has an estimated 1,891 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 1,129 children aged 0-2 and 754 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 16% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 38% by 2041 (to approximately 2,614 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 3,381. Birth rates in the area have averaged 14.1 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a high rate (among the top 20% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.