Merewether - The Junction

The population has grown by 8.3% since 2011 to reach 14,506 people. Residents are slightly older than the national average, with a typical age of 40, and the proportion of seniors has risen by 2.4 points over the last decade.

This area is far less diverse than the state and nation, with only 12.2% of people born overseas. English and Australian are the most common ancestries, accounting for 44.3% and 38.9% respectively.

English is the primary language for 90.8% of the community. The proportion of people using another language at home is far below the national figure, and only 0.5% of residents speak little or no English.

A striking 46.8% of residents report no religion, which is well above the national average. This figure has climbed 23 points since 2011, while 46.4% of the population identifies as Christian.

The community is exceptionally well-qualified, with 40.4% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. This is far above the national average, and 70.3% of residents have completed Year 12.

Incomes are much higher than in most similar areas, with 35.6% of households earning $3,000 or more a week. Typical personal weekly income is $1,091, which is well above the national figure of $805.

The area is slightly healthier than the state average, with only 4.2% of people needing help with daily activities. Long-term health conditions are reported at 27.5%, which is about the same as the national figure.

Volunteering is common here, with 18.4% of people giving their time, well above the national average. There is also a higher rate of unpaid care for children and a larger proportion of former Defence Force members than in most areas.

The First Nations community here is noticeably older and more prosperous than the state average, with a typical personal income of $895 and a very low unemployment rate of 5.0%.

Family structures are typical for the region, with 60.6% of homes being couples with children. One-parent families are much less common here than in most other areas, making up just 9.2% of households.

Housing is expensive, with typical monthly mortgage payments of $2,500 and weekly rents of $420. While 35.9% of homes are owned outright, there is a lower proportion of detached houses compared to the national average.

Working from home is very common at 28.3%, and while public transport stops are plentiful, only 0.7% of people use them to commute. Most residents rely on cars, with 41% of homes having two vehicles.

The community is relatively mobile, with 40.8% of people moving house in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas make up 12.6% of the population, a figure that has fallen since 2011.

The area has a very strong workforce, with 68.1% of adults working or looking for work—well above the national figure. Unemployment is very low at 3.3%, with many residents working as professionals or managers.

The area is among the most advantaged in the region, ranking in the top 10% for overall advantage. This is supported by a high concentration of businesses and strong access to money and resources.

The local climate is wetter than the state average, with annual rainfall of 1,056mm. Minimum temperatures are also well above the state average, at 13.4 degrees.

The area is very walkable, with a score of 7.5 and almost all homes within a short walk of a school, park, or public transport stop. This connectivity is far above the New South Wales average.