Urban Centre · Area profile
Merrigum
1 km²
Typical weekly household incomes are much lower than the national figure in Merrigum, a small community in Greater Shepparton. The area has grown by 63% since 2011, though it is now far older than the state average with a typical resident aged 48. This growth is marked by a high number of recent overseas arrivals and a significant increase in seniors. It is a predominantly residential place where most people live in detached houses and rely on cars for travel.
Explore Merrigum by topic
The community is far older than the national average, with the typical resident aged 48 and seniors making up 23.8% of the population. Since 2011, the number of children under 15 has fallen significantly to 14.1%.
English and Australian are the most common ancestries. While 13.4% of people were born overseas—a figure that rose since 2011—this is still far below the national average of 27.7%.
Most residents speak only English, though 6.8% use another language at home, which is a rise from 2011. People who speak little or no English make up 1.5% of the population.
A large portion of the community reports no religion, at 42.5%, which is well above the national figure. This is a significant increase from 2011.
Qualifications are much lower than the state average, with only 3.6% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. The number of people who completed Year 12 has also fallen since 2011.
Incomes are far below the national average, with a typical household earning $966 a week. Very few households earn $3,000 or more weekly, a trend that has fallen since 2011.
Health challenges are common here, as 42.7% of people have a long-term health condition. This is far above the national average, and 9.3% of people need help with daily activities.
Caregiving is a notable feature, with 16.8% of people providing unpaid care, which is well above the national figure. However, the number of volunteers has fallen since 2011.
One-parent families are much more common than in most areas, making up 21.9% of households. People living alone also represent a larger share of the community than is typical across the state.
Housing is generally affordable, with a typical weekly rent of $188, far below the national average. Most homes are separate houses, and 41.3% are owned outright.
Cars are essential for travel, as 0% of people commute by public transport. Most homes have at least two vehicles, though the number of homes without a car has risen slightly since 2011.
The area has seen a high number of recent overseas arrivals, with 29.5% of the population arriving recently. This is far above the national average of 14.5%.
Full-time employment is higher than the national average at 62.7%, though the unemployment rate is also much higher at 11.2%. Many people work as labourers or in health and agriculture.
The area is very walkable for daily needs, with almost all homes within a short walk of groceries, parks, and schools. However, no homes are within a 15-minute walk of health services.