Urban Centre · Area profile
Merriwa
4 km²
Most people in Merriwa get around by car, as no one uses public transport to commute. It is a predominantly older community, though the population of children has grown since 2011. The area is marked by a strong Indigenous presence and a high number of seniors, contributing to a slower pace of life in this Upper Hunter town. While the total population shrank by 13% over the last decade, the town remains a central hub for local health and school services.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 9.4% of the population, which is well above the national figure. The community is older than most, with 28.8% of residents aged 65 or over, though the typical age fell to 44 in 2021.
People born overseas make up only 6.6% of the population, far below the state and national figures. Most residents have Australian (46.9%) or English (40.3%) ancestry.
English is the primary language here, with only 2.7% of people using another language at home, which is far below the national average. Very few people (0.6%) speak little or no English.
Religious affiliation is high, with 69.4% of people identifying as Christian. Only 20.2% of residents report having no religion, a figure far below the national average.
Educational qualifications are much lower than in most areas, with only 29.5% of residents completing Year 12. Just 8.2% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher, which is far below the state figure.
Typical weekly household income is $1,037, far below the national figure of $1,746. Most people earn under $650 a week, and only 7.4% of households earn $3,000 or more weekly.
Long-term health issues are much more common here than in other areas, with 38.6% of people reporting a condition. About 9.5% of residents need help with daily activities, which is well above the state average.
Volunteering is more common here than in most areas, with 20.4% of people pitching in. However, fewer people provide unpaid care for children compared to the national figure.
One-parent families are much more common than in most areas at 22.9%. There is also a high number of people living alone, accounting for 34.4% of households.
Most people live in separate houses (93.4%), and 40.7% of homes are owned outright. Typical weekly rent is $240, which is well below the national figure.
Cars are essential, as 0% of people use public transport to commute. Only 6.9% of the workforce works from home, far below the national average.
The area has seen some movement, with 39.0% of people moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas rose to 7.2% since 2011.
Only 45.3% of adults are working or looking for work, which is far below the state and national figures. Many residents work as machinery operators, labourers, or in trades.
While the walkability score is lower than the state average, most homes are within a 15-minute walk of health services, schools, and groceries.