🔍

Merbein

VIC 3505 • Rest of VIC

2,770
Population (2021)
$59,644
Median Household Income
34.46 km²
Area
$210/wk
Median Rent
RuralAffordableFamily-FriendlyAgriculturalEstablished

About Merbein

Merbein is an urban locality in the Rural City of Mildura, situated on the Calder Highway approximately 12 kilometres north-west of Mildura and 553 kilometres from Melbourne. With a population of 2,770, the town has a median age of 44 and a predominantly Anglo-Australian community, with a notable Indigenous population of around 163 residents. Median household incomes sit around $1,147 per week, reflecting the region's rural economic profile, and the area is notable for its affordability with median weekly rents of just $210.

Merbein's Commercial Street forms the heart of the town, offering local shops, services, and community facilities for everyday needs. The town sits close to the Murray River, and the broader Mildura Sunraysia region is renowned for its citrus and grape growing, warm inland climate, and outdoor river lifestyle. Families, long-term residents, and retirees make up much of the community, with government and Catholic primary schools serving local children, while Mildura's larger retail, dining, and entertainment precinct is just a short drive away.

Merbein falls under postcode 3505 and is governed by Mildura Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Mildura (Northern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3505
Urban Area
Mildura
LGA / Council
Mildura
Federal Electorate
Mallee
State Electorate
Mildura (Northern Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.16°, 142.05°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
34.46 km²
Elevation
51m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

Median sale prices in Merbein for the June quarter 2025. Median sale prices published by the Valuer-General Victoria.

🏡House
$420K
25 sales · ▲ 35.5% YoY
🏢Unit / Apartment
$172K
8 sales · ▼ 41.7% YoY

Source: Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report. Medians are for the latest quarter; the change shown is the official 12-month movement. Suburbs with very few sales in a quarter can be volatile.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$210
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,025
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
44 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.2%

23 state housing + 11 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Sunraysia Bus Lines local services — Mildura city centre 15-20 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
553 km
By Train
No direct train service; V/Line coach to Melbourne takes approximately 6.5 hours
By Car (Peak)
5.5-6.5 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
5-5.5 hours

🛣️ Located on the Calder Highway; Mildura Airport provides regional air connections

Walkability Car-Dependent

Most errands require a car, though the Commercial Street main street area provides some walkable access to local shops and services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Mildura Local Government Area, which contains Merbein. Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
502.2 / 100k
2yr Down 22.9% 10yr Down 46.1%
Motor vehicle theft
314.1 / 100k
2yr Down 24.4% 10yr Up 11.5%
Non-FV assault
445.2 / 100k
2yr Down 10.1% 10yr Up 21.1%
Robbery (unarmed)
3.5 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 88.6%
Steal from vehicle
633.3 / 100k
2yr Down 12.8% 10yr Down 19.5%
View all offence subgroups for Mildura →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,713
Census 2021
2,770
▲ 2.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$24,908
Personal Income 2021
$31,616
▲ 26.9% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$31,616 / yr
$608/wk
Household
$59,644 / yr
$1147/wk
Family
$76,804 / yr
$1477/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,328
Born Overseas 173

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 33
  • 2. New Zealand 25
  • 3. Thailand 12
  • 4. Scotland 11
  • 5. Netherlands 9
  • 6. Malaysia 8
  • 7. Germany 6
  • 8. Italy 6
  • 9. Philippines 6
  • 10. Turkey 5

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,217
Australian 1,146
Scottish 278
Irish 269
German 156
Australian Aboriginal 151
Italian 104
Croatian 26
Dutch 21
Greek 19

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,049
Both parents born in Australia
247
Both parents born overseas
186
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
49.8%
Christianity
38.6%
Buddhism
0.4%
Islam
0.2%
Sikhism
0.1%
Hinduism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
159 (5.7%)
5-14 years
361 (13.0%)
15-19 years
128 (4.6%)
20-24 years
124 (4.5%)
25-34 years
338 (12.2%)
35-44 years
280 (10.1%)
45-54 years
345 (12.5%)
55-64 years
405 (14.6%)
65-74 years
321 (11.6%)
75-84 years
194 (7.0%)
85+ years
113 (4.1%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Merbein known for? +

Merbein is known as a quiet rural town in Victoria's Sunraysia region, situated close to the Murray River and the larger regional centre of Mildura. The area has a long agricultural heritage, particularly in citrus and grape growing, and is valued for its affordable cost of living and relaxed community atmosphere.

How far is Merbein from Melbourne? +

Merbein is approximately 553 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, making it a journey of around 5.5 to 6.5 hours by car. V/Line coach services connect Mildura (12 km away) to Melbourne, and Mildura Airport offers regional flight connections.

Does Merbein have public transport? +

Merbein is served by Sunraysia Bus Lines local services connecting to Mildura. There is no passenger rail to the area; a car is the primary mode of transport for most residents, though V/Line coaches depart from nearby Mildura.

What is the population of Merbein? +

According to the 2021 Census, Merbein has a population of 2,770 residents, with a median age of 44 and a predominantly Anglo-Australian community that includes around 163 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents.

Is Merbein a good place to live? +

Merbein suits those who value affordable, quiet rural living close to the Murray River and the amenities of Mildura. It is particularly popular with families and retirees who appreciate the warm climate, community character, and low cost of housing compared to metropolitan areas.

What is the postcode for Merbein? +

The postcode for Merbein, Victoria is 3505.

What is the average income in Merbein? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Merbein is about $608 per week (around $31,600 per year). The median household income is $1,147 per week and the median family income is $1,477 per week.

What is the median house price in Merbein? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $420,000, up 35.5% year-on-year, and the median unit/apartment price is $171,500, down 41.7% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Merbein? +

The median age in Merbein is 44. The largest age group is 55–64 (405 residents, around 15%). Around 23% of residents are under 20 and about 23% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Merbein a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Merbein is part of the Mildura LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Merbein? +

In Merbein, the median weekly rent is $210, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,025 (2021 Census).