Merriwa

Demographics & education

In the 2006 Census, 5,220 people were usually resident in Merriwa: of these 47.9% were male and 52.1% were female. Of the total population 2.9% were Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

In the 2006 Census, 24.4% of people usually resident in Merriwa were children aged 0-14 years, and 26.6% were people aged 55 years and over. The median age was 33 years.

In the 2006 Census, 82.3% of people usually resident in Merriwa were Australian citizens, 29.9% were born overseas and 0.5% people were overseas visitors.

In the 2006 Census, 48.7% of people aged 15 years and over usually resident in Merriwa were married, 11.9% were either separated or divorced, 8.1% were widowed and 31.3% were never married.

Cultural & language diversity

In the 2006 Census, 64.2% of people usually resident in Merriwa, stated they were born in Australia. Other common responses for country of birth were England 12.5%, New Zealand 4.6%, Scotland 1.7%, South Africa 1.1% and India 0.7%.

In the 2006 Census, the most common responses for religious affiliation for people usually resident in Merriwa were No Religion 26.8%, Anglican 23.3%, Catholic 18.5%, Uniting Church 3.9% and Presbyterian and Reformed 2.9%.

In the 2006 Census, the most common responses for language other than English spoken at home by people usually resident in Merriwa were Polish 0.6%, Malay 0.6%, Spanish 0.5%, Italian 0.5% and Dari 0.4%. English was stated as the only language spoken at home by 88.0%.

Employment

During the week prior to the 2006 Census, 2,063 people aged 15 years and over in Merriwa were in the labour force. Of these 61.5% worked full-time, 26.2% worked part-time, 3.3% were away from work, 3.5% were employed but did not state their hours worked and 5.5% were unemployed. 1,713 people were not in the labour force.

In the 2006 Census, the most common responses for occupation for Merriwa were Technicians and Trades Workers 21.7%, Labourers 15.0%, Clerical and Administrative Workers 12.8%, Sales Workers 11.9%, Machinery Operators And Drivers 10.7%, Community and Personal Service Workers 10.6%, Professionals 9.7% and Managers 5.8%.

In the 2006 Census, of the employed people aged 15 years and over in Merriwa, the most common responses for industry of employment included Cafes, Restaurants and Takeaway Food Services 5.0%, Supermarket and Grocery Stores 4.3%, School Education 3.2%, Residential Building Construction 2.9% and Building Completion Services 2.5%.

In the 2006 Census in Merriwa, the median weekly personal income for people aged 15 years and over who were usual residents was $417, the median family income was $954 and the median household income was $808.

Family composition

In the 2006 Census, there were 1,428 families in Merriwa: of these 41.0% were couple families without children, 39.1% were couple families with children, 19.0% were one parent families and 0.9% were other families.

Dwelling structure

Dwellings include visitor only and other not-classifiable households unless otherwise stated

In the 2006 Census 1,943 occupied private dwellings were counted in Merriwa.

In the 2006 Census, of the occupied private dwellings in Merriwa, 77.9% were separate houses, 22.1% were semi-detached, row or terrace houses, townhouses etc, 0.0% were flats, units or apartments and 0.0% were other dwellings.

In the 2006 Census in Merriwa, 14.0% of occupied private dwellings were owned outright, 40.0% were owned with a mortgage and 24.8% were rented.

In the 2006 Census in Merriwa, of the occupied private dwellings being rented, 55.1% were rented from a real estate agent, 9.6% were rented from a State or Territory housing authority and 32.2% were rented from other landlord type.

Dwelling characteristics

In the 2006 Census in Merriwa, the median weekly rent was $200. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,140. The average people per household was 2.6 and the average number of people per bedroom was 1.0.

Household composition

In the 2006 Census in Merriwa, 72.5% of occupied private dwellings were family households, 22.9% were single (or lone) person households and 3.0% were group households.