🔍

Merredin

WA 6415 • Rest of WA

2,604
Population (2021)
$72,592
Median Household Income
249.85 km²
Area
$220/wk
Median Rent
Regional HubWheatbeltAgriculturalRail AccessCountry Town

About Merredin

Merredin is a key Wheatbelt town in central Western Australia, about 250 km east of Perth on the Great Eastern Highway corridor. The 2021 population in the dataset is 2,604, and the town functions as a major regional service centre for surrounding farming districts. Its history is tied to rail, grain logistics and the inland route between Perth and the Goldfields. Merredin has a practical country-town character with broad civic, education and health facilities for a regional population.

Residents have access to local schools, hospital services, retail and sports facilities, while the town also supports significant freight and agricultural operations. Merredin is one of the few inland Wheatbelt centres with regular passenger rail links to Perth via Prospector and MerredinLink services. Road travel remains essential for surrounding farming communities and regional work trips. The town appeals to families, agricultural workers and regional professionals seeking stable services in an inland setting.

Merredin falls under postcode 6415 and is governed by Merredin Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Central Wheatbelt electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Western Australia Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
Western Australia
Postcode
6415
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Merredin
Federal Electorate
Durack
State Electorate
Central Wheatbelt
Type
Rural
Timezone
Perth (UTC+8)
Coordinates
-31.47°, 118.30°
Statistical Area
Rest of WA
Area
249.85 km²
Elevation
337m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$220
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,074
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
40 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
9.5%

76 state housing + 17 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Merredin Station
0.8 km
10 min
Northam Station
190 km
Not walkable
East Perth Terminal
260 km
Not walkable

Bus Services

  • Transwa road coach links — Perth / Kalgoorlie corridor (service-dependent) 3.5-6 hr
  • Wheatbelt regional buses — Nearby shire towns 30-120 min
  • School/community transport — Local district communities 20-60 min

Commute to Perth CBD

Distance
256 km
By Train
3 hr 15 min-3 hr 45 min
By Bus
4-6 hr
By Car (Peak)
3-3.5 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 hr 45 min-3 hr 20 min

🛣️ Merredin is a self-contained regional centre; Perth trips are regular but generally not daily commuting for most residents.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Town-centre amenities are accessible on foot, while broader regional tasks and inter-town trips remain car-dependent.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,850
Census 2021
2,604
▼ 8.6% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$33,332
Personal Income 2021
$39,312
▲ 17.9% 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
$39,312 / yr
$756/wk
Household
$72,592 / yr
$1396/wk
Family
$98,748 / yr
$1899/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,971
Born Overseas 309

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 77
  • 2. New Zealand 53
  • 3. Philippines 24
  • 4. South Africa 14
  • 5. Zimbabwe 14
  • 6. Italy 13
  • 7. Scotland 13
  • 8. India 12
  • 9. Netherlands 8
  • 10. Ireland 7

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,102
English 1,058
Scottish 235
Irish 198
Australian Aboriginal 134
Italian 132
German 76
Dutch 39
Indian 29
Filipino 27

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,565
Both parents born in Australia
431
Both parents born overseas
315
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
45.3%
Christianity
40.7%
Buddhism
0.5%
Islam
0.4%
Hinduism
0.2%
Sikhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
155 (6.0%)
5-14 years
348 (13.4%)
15-19 years
152 (5.8%)
20-24 years
147 (5.6%)
25-34 years
328 (12.6%)
35-44 years
313 (12.0%)
45-54 years
312 (12.0%)
55-64 years
361 (13.9%)
65-74 years
286 (11.0%)
75-84 years
129 (5.0%)
85+ years
61 (2.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Merredin known for? +

Merredin is the main service centre for WA's Central Wheatbelt, known for its agricultural heritage, the Merredin Military Museum (largest WW2 collection in WA), and as a key stop on the Transwa Prospector train service between Perth and Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

How far is Merredin from Perth? +

Merredin is approximately 260 kilometres east of Perth, around a 2 hour 45 minute drive via the Great Eastern Highway.

Does Merredin have public transport? +

Merredin station on the Transwa Prospector train service connects to Perth (approximately 3 hours) and Kalgoorlie-Boulder. This makes Merredin one of the more accessible Wheatbelt towns for rail travel.

What is the population of Merredin? +

According to the 2021 Census, Merredin has a population of approximately 2,604 residents, the main service centre of the Central Wheatbelt Shire.

Is Merredin a good place to live? +

Merredin offers very affordable living in the Wheatbelt with Transwa Prospector rail access to Perth, a full range of local services, and the Central Wheatbelt's farming community character. It suits agricultural workers and those seeking affordable outback-fringe living.

What is the postcode for Merredin? +

The postcode for Merredin is 6415.

What is the average income in Merredin? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Merredin is about $756 per week (around $39,300 per year). The median household income is $1,396 per week and the median family income is $1,899 per week.

What is the age profile of Merredin? +

The median age in Merredin is 40. The largest age group is 55–64 (361 residents, around 14%). Around 25% of residents are under 20 and about 18% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

How much is rent in Merredin? +

In Merredin, the median weekly rent is $220, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,074 (2021 Census).