Merrigum

Demographics & education

In the 2006 Census, 1,269 people were usually resident in Merrigum: of these 51.3% were male and 48.7% were female. Of the total population 1.1% were Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

In the 2006 Census, 23.2% of people usually resident in Merrigum were children aged 0-14 years, and 21.7% were people aged 55 years and over. The median age was 36 years.

In the 2006 Census, 90.4% of people usually resident in Merrigum were Australian citizens, 9.6% were born overseas and 0.3% people were overseas visitors.

In the 2006 Census, 55.8% of people aged 15 years and over usually resident in Merrigum were married, 10.5% were either separated or divorced, 3.4% were widowed and 29.9% were never married.

Cultural & language diversity

In the 2006 Census, 82.5% of people usually resident in Merrigum, stated they were born in Australia. Other common responses for country of birth were Italy 2.8%, New Zealand 1.4%, England 1.3%, Netherlands 1.2% and Philippines 0.8%.

In the 2006 Census, the most common responses for religious affiliation for people usually resident in Merrigum were Catholic 30.6%, No Religion 22.8%, Anglican 11.9%, Uniting Church 9.6% and Presbyterian and Reformed 4.6%.

In the 2006 Census, the most common responses for language other than English spoken at home by people usually resident in Merrigum were Italian 4.5%, Punjabi 0.6%, Serbian 0.4%, Arabic 0.3% and Filipino 0.3%. English was stated as the only language spoken at home by 87.8%.

Employment

During the week prior to the 2006 Census, 625 people aged 15 years and over in Merrigum were in the labour force. Of these 63.7% worked full-time, 26.7% worked part-time, 3.8% were away from work, 1.4% were employed but did not state their hours worked and 4.3% were unemployed. 301 people were not in the labour force.

In the 2006 Census, the most common responses for occupation for Merrigum were Managers 36.0%, Labourers 18.4%, Technicians and Trades Workers 10.9%, Professionals 7.7%, Community and Personal Service Workers 7.2%, Machinery Operators And Drivers 7.2%, Clerical and Administrative Workers 6.5% and Sales Workers 5.5%.

In the 2006 Census, of the employed people aged 15 years and over in Merrigum, the most common responses for industry of employment included Dairy Cattle Farming 22.9%, Fruit and Tree Nut Growing 9.4%, Fruit and Vegetable Processing 4.3%, Supermarket and Grocery Stores 3.3% and Sheep, Beef Cattle and Grain Farming 3.3%.

In the 2006 Census in Merrigum, the median weekly personal income for people aged 15 years and over who were usual residents was $393, the median family income was $1,021 and the median household income was $877.

Family composition

In the 2006 Census, there were 342 families in Merrigum: of these 36.0% were couple families without children, 54.1% were couple families with children, 9.9% were one parent families and 0.0% were other families.

Dwelling structure

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

In the 2006 Census 432 occupied private dwellings were counted in Merrigum.

In the 2006 Census, of the occupied private dwellings in Merrigum, 97.9% were separate houses, 0.0% were semi-detached, row or terrace houses, townhouses etc, 0.0% were flats, units or apartments and 2.1% were other dwellings.

In the 2006 Census in Merrigum, 39.4% of occupied private dwellings were owned outright, 38.2% were owned with a mortgage and 16.2% were rented.

In the 2006 Census in Merrigum, of the occupied private dwellings being rented, 17.1% were rented from a real estate agent, 8.6% were rented from a State or Territory housing authority and 58.6% were rented from other landlord type.

Dwelling characteristics

In the 2006 Census in Merrigum, the median weekly rent was $120. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $867. The average people per household was 2.9 and the average number of people per bedroom was 1.1.

Household composition

In the 2006 Census in Merrigum, 78.2% of occupied private dwellings were family households, 15.7% were single (or lone) person households and 2.3% were group households.