Merimbula, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Merimbula NSW is 3,821 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Merimbula is $708 per week ($36,816 per year). Median rent in Merimbula is $310 per week ($1,343 per month). Merimbula has a median age of 54 years, older than the national median of 38. Merimbula has a population density of 212 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Merimbula is England. The most common religion is No religion (47.2% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Thai. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Merimbula is $1,517.

There were 67 recorded offences in Merimbula in 2025-26, a rate of 18 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (30 offences).

Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au), 2025-26.

Merimbula Map

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Merimbula Population

3,821 residents at the 2021 Census.

Merimbula Median Income & Rent

Median Income

$708/wk

$36,816 per year

Ranked 5,343 of 14,663

Median Rent

$310/wk

$1,343 per month

Ranked 4,328 of 14,663

Median Age

54years

16 years older than the national median

Mortgage

$1,517/mo

Avg household size: 2 · 0.7 per bedroom

Merimbula Demographics

Gender Split

Male 46.7% (1,785) Female 53.3% (2,035)

Population Density

212

people per km²

3,821 people · 18.1 km²

Households

Avg household size

0.7

Persons per bedroom

$1,727

Family income/wk

Merimbula Age Distribution

0-4

5-9

10-14

15-19

20-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-44

45-49

50-54

55-59

60-64

65-69

70-74

75-79

80-84

85+

Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Merimbula Home Ownership

Of owner-occupied homes in Merimbula, 64.7% are owned outright and 35.3% have a mortgage.

Owned outright

64.7%

Owned with mortgage

35.3%

Rented homes are not included in this breakdown.

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
India
Germany
Hong Kong
Canada
Chile
France

Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Merimbula Religion

No religion

47.2%

Catholic

16.1%

Anglican

15.5%

Not stated

7.3%

Uniting Church

3.1%

Presbyterian and Reformed

2.3%

Christian (other)

1.7%

Buddhism

1.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Merimbula Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent

54.5%

Year 10 or equivalent

26.6%

Year 11 or equivalent

12.3%

Year 9 or equivalent

6.6%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Thai
Hindi
Nepali
German
Punjabi
Spanish
Greek

Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Spoken at Home by SAL

Merimbula Employment

Employed full-time

28.6% 873 people

Employed part-time

22.4% 684 people

Unemployed

2.1% 63 people

Not in labour force

46.9% 1,428 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Merimbula Qualifications

Certificate III/IV

39.0%

Bachelor Degree

26.3%

Advanced Diploma/Diploma

19.7%

Postgraduate Degree

7.2%

Graduate Diploma/Certificate

5.1%

Certificate I/II

2.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Merimbula Occupation

Professionals

25.2%

Technicians & Trade Workers

17.2%

Community & Personal Service

14.1%

Managers

14.0%

Clerical & Administrative

10.0%

Sales Workers

9.7%

Labourers

6.4%

Machinery Operators & Drivers

3.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Merimbula Field of Study

Management & Commerce

16.0%

Health

15.2%

Society & Culture

13.7%

Engineering

13.2%

Food, Hospitality & Personal Services

10.7%

Architecture & Building

10.6%

Education

9.2%

Creative Arts

4.5%

Agriculture & Environment

3.4%

Natural & Physical Sciences

2.0%

Information Technology

1.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

Merimbula Dwelling Types

Separate house

77.6%

Semi-detached (2+ storey)

12.0%

Semi-detached (1 storey)

10.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Merimbula Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk

1.4%

$1-$149/wk

1.3%

$150-$299/wk

1.7%

$300-$399/wk

3.5%

$400-$499/wk

10.1%

$500-$649/wk

9.2%

$650-$799/wk

8.5%

$800-$999/wk

8.6%

$1,000-$1,249/wk

10.1%

$1,250-$1,499/wk

7.2%

$1,500-$1,749/wk

5.3%

$1,750-$1,999/wk

6.4%

$2,000-$2,499/wk

9.8%

$2,500-$2,999/wk

5.7%

$3,000-$3,499/wk

4.3%

$3,500-$3,999/wk

1.6%

$4,000+/wk

5.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Merimbula Marital Status

Married

40.7% 1,372

Separated

3.5% 118

Divorced

14.8% 501

Widowed

9.8% 332

Never married

31.1% 1,051

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Merimbula Ancestry

English

46.1%

Australian

35.3%

Irish

13.6%

Scottish

11.5%

German

4.6%

Italian

2.7%

Dutch

2.6%

Australian Aboriginal

2.0%

Chinese

1.0%

Welsh

0.9%

Polish

0.8%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Merimbula School & University Attendance

Primary — Government

31.4%

Secondary — Catholic

17.0%

Vocational Education

16.2%

Secondary — Government

14.3%

Pre-school

10.6%

Primary — Catholic

6.6%

Primary — Other Non-Govt

2.1%

Secondary — Other Non-Govt

1.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

Merimbula Need for Assistance

Needs assistance

7.1%

No need for assistance

92.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Merimbula Volunteering

Volunteer

22.0% 691

Not a volunteer

78.0% 2,455

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Merimbula Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo

7.4%

$300-$449/mo

3.4%

$450-$599/mo

2.6%

$600-$799/mo

6.3%

$800-$999/mo

8.0%

$1,000-$1,399/mo

19.2%

$1,400-$1,799/mo

17.2%

$1,800-$2,399/mo

22.1%

$2,400-$2,999/mo

8.3%

$3,000-$3,999/mo

5.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Merimbula How People Get to Work

Car (driver)

71.2%

Did not go to work

13.3%

Walked only

7.1%

Car (passenger)

4.7%

Other

1.2%

Truck

0.9%

Bicycle

0.6%

Motorbike/Scooter

0.5%

Bus

0.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Merimbula Car Ownership

0 vehicles

6.9%

1 vehicle

47.6%

2 vehicles

33.1%

3 vehicles

8.4%

4+ vehicles

4.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Merimbula Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom

8.5%

2 bedrooms

31.4%

3 bedrooms

38.5%

4 bedrooms

16.3%

5 bedrooms

4.1%

6+ bedrooms

1.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Merimbula Population Mobility

18.4%

moved in the last year

49.8%

moved in the last 5 years

3.8%

unemployment rate (Census)

51.4%

labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Merimbula Indigenous Population

2.3%

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Merimbula Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health

396

Arthritis

185

Heart disease

151

Asthma

130

Lung condition

117

Diabetes

115

Cancer

Kidney disease

Stroke

Dementia

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Merimbula Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk

6.0%

$1-$149/wk

4.2%

$150-$299/wk

5.0%

$300-$399/wk

5.2%

$400-$499/wk

6.1%

$500-$649/wk

6.3%

$650-$799/wk

11.6%

$800-$999/wk

13.0%

$1,000-$1,249/wk

14.0%

$1,250-$1,499/wk

7.4%

$1,500-$1,749/wk

6.6%

$1,750-$1,999/wk

4.7%

$2,000-$2,999/wk

6.3%

$3,000-$3,499/wk

0.9%

$3,500+/wk

2.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

Merimbula Family Structure

Couple — no children

46.5%

Couple — children under 15

28.7%

Couple — no children under 15

9.6%

One parent — children under 15

8.6%

One parent — no children under 15

6.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Merimbula Military Service

Current ADF — Reserves

0.1% 3

Previously served

4.2% 132

Never served

95.7% 3,019

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Merimbula Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance

12.1% 379

Did not provide

87.9% 2,757

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Merimbula Children Ever Born

No children

29.1%

1 child

11.8%

2 children

33.6%

3 children

18.4%

4 children

6.0%

5+ children

1.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

Merimbula When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951

1951–1960

1961–1970

114

1971–1980

1981–1990

1991–2000

2001–2010

2011–2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Merimbula Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours

20.6%

5–14 hours

32.6%

15–29 hours

14.4%

30+ hours

8.6%

Did not do domestic work

23.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Merimbula Household Size

1 person

40.8%

2 persons

38.7%

3 persons

9.9%

4 persons

6.5%

5 persons

2.6%

6+ persons

1.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Merimbula Where Residents Moved From

Same address

2,884

Moved — same area (SA2)

290

Moved from NSW

247

Moved from VIC

Moved from QLD

Moved from ACT

Moved from SA

Moved from TAS

Moved from WA

Moved from overseas

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Merimbula Family Blending

Intact family — no other children

80.3%

Step family — no other children

16.8%

Blended family — no other children

1.7%

Other couple — children only

1.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Merimbula Crime Statistics

67 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft

Other Against Property

Assault

Sexual Offences

Other Against Person

Property Damage

Total offences by year

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Source: NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au).

Merimbula Schools

schools nearby

government

1001

avg ICSEA score

428

total students

Merimbula Public School Government

Primary · K-6 · 428 students

1001

ICSEA

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Merimbula, with a map

Merimbula Rent Prices & Affordability

27% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: moderate.

Household income $1,146/wk

Median rent $310/wk

Rent to income 27.1%

Rent is between 25% and 35% of household income: moderate housing costs.

Median rent in Merimbula against your income

Your weekly income

About $4,966 a month

Median rent $310/wk

Left after rent $836/wk

Rent share 27.1%

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Berrigan

Income: $586/wk Rent: $173/wk $137/wk less rent

Mulwala

Income: $638/wk Rent: $270/wk $40/wk less rent

Eden

Income: $577/wk Rent: $270/wk $40/wk less rent

Corowa

Income: $634/wk Rent: $230/wk $80/wk less rent

Crookwell

Income: $639/wk Rent: $280/wk $30/wk less rent

Moruya

Income: $592/wk Rent: $300/wk $10/wk less rent

Dungog

Income: $582/wk Rent: $300/wk $10/wk less rent

Finley

Income: $636/wk Rent: $175/wk $135/wk less rent

Merimbula vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Merimbula is $708 a week, 7% below the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 1,346th of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $310 a week, $75 less than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 27.1% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 54, 11 years older than in the typical NSW suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
Measure	Merimbula	Typical NSW	Typical Australia
Personal income	$708/wk	$765/wk	$766/wk
Household income	$1,146/wk	$1,704/wk	$1,637/wk
Rent	$310/wk	$385/wk	$330/wk
Mortgage repayment	$1,517/mo	$1,965/mo	$1,733/mo
Median age	54	43	42
Rent share of household income	27.1%	22.6%	20.3%

Suburbs near Merimbula

The closest suburb to Merimbula is Tura Beach, 4.4 km away.

Tura Beach

4.4 km away · income $659/wk · rent $420/wk

Pambula

4.5 km away · income $507/wk · rent $313/wk

Eden

13.7 km away · income $577/wk · rent $270/wk

Compare Merimbula

Frequently Asked Questions About Merimbula

What is the population of Merimbula NSW?

The population of Merimbula NSW is 3,821 according to the ABS Census 2021.The suburb has a population density of 212 people per km².Merimbula is ranked #1,996 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Merimbula?

The median personal income in Merimbula NSW is $708 per week, or $36,816 per year.The median household income is $1,146 per week.Family income is $1,727 per week.Merimbula is ranked #5,343 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Merimbula?

Median rent in Merimbula NSW is $310 per week ($1,343 per month).Rent represents 27.1% of household income, which is considered moderate.Merimbula ranks #4,328 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Merimbula?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Merimbula NSW is $1,517. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Merimbula?

The median age in Merimbula NSW is 54 years.This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Merimbula a good suburb to live in?

Merimbula is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 3,821.The median income is $708/wk, which is below the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk).Rent affordability is rated as moderate (27.1% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

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Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Sydney Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 12586. All dollar figures in AUD.