Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
Merewether suburb profile
Merewether, NSW · Postcode 2291
This Merewether suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for Merewether, NSW (postcode 2291). Use it as a free suburb report covering population, median rent, household income, age, housing tenure and employment, plus how those figures changed since Census 2016— then compare Merewether with nearby suburbs.
Merewether at a glance
Population
11,788
Median rent
$420/wk
Household income
$2,287/wk
Median age
39
Merewether trends (2016 → 2021)
Change since the previous Census. Historical figures are mapped from State Suburbs (SSC) to today's suburb boundaries.
Population
Census 2011 → 2016 → 2021
+8.9% over 10 years
Population
11,788
was 10,964 in 2016
+824 · +7.5%
Median rent
$420/wk
was $360/wk in 2016
+$60 · +16.7%
Household income
$2,287/wk
was $1,830/wk in 2016
+$457 · +25%
Median age
39
was 38 in 2016
+1 · +2.6%
Dig deeper: Merewether population growth · Merewether then and now
Merewether vs nearby & Greater Sydney
Median Census 2021 figures for Merewether, nearby suburbs (8), and the Sydney metro median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
-14.3% vs area
- Merewether$420/wk
- Nearby$405/wk
- Sydney$490/wk
Household income
+7.9% vs area
- Merewether$2,287/wk
- Nearby$1,821.5/wk
- Sydney$2,119.5/wk
Median age
-2.5% vs area
- Merewether39
- Nearby40.5
- Sydney40
Personal income
+22% vs area
- Merewether$1,102/wk
- Nearby$906/wk
- Sydney$903.5/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in NSW. See Sydney rankings.
Socio-economic profile
How Merewether compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
Merewether ranks among Australia's most advantaged suburbs. It shows high education and occupation levels.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 101,083.5
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 101,100.3
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 61,040.3
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 101,107
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
Merewether on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for Merewether, NSW.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
Merewether people
- Population
- 11,788
- Median age
- 39
- Born overseas
- 12.3%
- Average household size
- 2.4
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
Merewether income
- Median household income
- $2,287/wk
- Median personal income
- $1,102/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
Merewether housing
- Median rent
- $420/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $2,457/mo
- Separate houses
- 55.9%
- Flats & apartments
- 18.1%
- Owned outright
- 32.3%
- Mortgaged
- 27.1%
- Rented
- 30.6%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 8.2%
Median weekly rent for rented dwellings
Median monthly mortgage repayment
Percentage of dwellings that are separate houses
Percentage of dwellings that are flats or apartments
Percentage of dwellings owned without a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings with a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings rented
Percentage of private dwellings unoccupied on Census night
Merewether work
- Employment to population
- 66.7%
- Unemployment rate
- 3.2%
- Year 12 or above
- 70.7%
Employed persons as a percentage of population aged 15+
Unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force
Percentage with Year 12 or equivalent as highest school level
Nearby suburb profiles (near 2291)
Compare Merewether with nearby suburbs
Merewether in numbers
Merewether had 11,788 residents at the 2021 Census, making it the 152nd most populous suburb or locality in NSW out of 4,347. The median age is 39, 5% below the typical NSW suburb. The average household has 2.4 people. 12.3% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 32.3% own their home outright, 27.1% are paying a mortgage, 30.6% rent. Separate houses make up 55.9% of dwellings, with 18.1% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $420/wk, 5% above the typical NSW suburb.
Median household income was $2,287/wk, 27% above the typical NSW suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 3.2%. 70.7% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 10 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 7.5% (from 10,964 to 11,788). Median rent moved from $360/wk to $420/wk (+16.7%).
Merewether suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in Merewether, NSW?
- The median weekly rent in Merewether was $420/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in Merewether, NSW?
- Merewether had 11,788 residents at the 2021 Census, up 7.5% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in Merewether?
- Median household income in Merewether was $2,287/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in Merewether?
- 30.6% of occupied homes in Merewether were rented, 32.3% were owned outright and 27.1% were owned with a mortgage.
About this Merewether suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching Merewether. Where shown, 2016 values come from the 2016 State Suburbs (SSC) profile, linked via ABS geographic correspondence — boundaries are not always identical. Medians may be suppressed for very small areas. This is not financial or relocation advice — use it alongside current market data.
Source: ABS Census 2021. Methodology · Richest suburbs in Sydney