Merriwa vs Butler

Butler is the younger of the two, with a median age of 32 against 40 in Merriwa. In both, most households own their home and the large majority of homes are detached houses. In Butler, about half of households are couple families. On these figures, Merriwa tends to suit people living alone and older residents, while Butler suits families with children and couples.

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

Butler

ahead on 5 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more parks and reserves (35 vs 6)
  • has more childcare (11 vs 4)
  • has more schools inside the suburb (6 vs 4)
  • But Merriwa carries lower crime risk (57/100 vs 69/100)

Weighs schools, house stock, crime, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

Merriwa

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper units ($425,250 vs $605,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Butler

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • leaves renters under less rental stress (20% vs 26%)

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

Merriwa

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • sits closer to the CBD (38.1 km vs 41 km)

Weighs distance, drive time, rail access, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Merriwa

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (24% vs 4%)
  • has more residents already 65 and over (25% vs 9%)
  • carries lower crime risk (57/100 vs 69/100)
  • But Butler has more GPs (5 vs 2)

Weighs smaller dwellings, who already lives there, GPs, walkability, and crime.

Investors

Too close to call

Nothing among the 2 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

Merriwa and Butler drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Merriwa Butler
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

Merriwa Butler
Walkability 81 / 88
Merriwa — Walkability: 81/100 Butler — Walkability: 88/100
Safety 43 / 31
Merriwa — Safety: 43/100 Butler — Safety: 31/100
Low fire risk 12 / 24
Merriwa — Low fire risk: 12/100 Butler — Low fire risk: 24/100
Low flood risk 100 / 100
Merriwa — Low flood risk: 100/100 Butler — Low flood risk: 100/100

Demographics

Butler has more residents (13,473 vs 5,587); Butler has higher household incomes ($88,920 vs $65,260).

Merriwa Butler
Population 5,587 13,473
+141% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +1.8% +1.5%
Median age 40 32
Median household income $65,260/yr $88,920/yr
+36% vs other
Median weekly rent $330/wk $340/wk
+3% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Merriwa Butler
0-4 5.7% / 7.4%
Merriwa — 0-4: 5.7% Butler — 0-4: 7.4%
5-14 13.8% / 16.4%
Merriwa — 5-14: 13.8% Butler — 5-14: 16.4%
15-19 6.1% / 7.9%
Merriwa — 15-19: 6.1% Butler — 15-19: 7.9%
20-24 5.8% / 7.6%
Merriwa — 20-24: 5.8% Butler — 20-24: 7.6%
25-34 11.7% / 14.2%
Merriwa — 25-34: 11.7% Butler — 25-34: 14.2%
35-44 12.3% / 14.7%
Merriwa — 35-44: 12.3% Butler — 35-44: 14.7%
45-54 11.4% / 14.8%
Merriwa — 45-54: 11.4% Butler — 45-54: 14.8%
55-64 8.4% / 8.4%
Merriwa — 55-64: 8.4% Butler — 55-64: 8.4%
65-74 8.1% / 5.6%
Merriwa — 65-74: 8.1% Butler — 65-74: 5.6%
75-84 9.3% / 2.5%
Merriwa — 75-84: 9.3% Butler — 75-84: 2.5%
85+ 7.2% / 0.5%
Merriwa — 85+: 7.2% Butler — 85+: 0.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (16.4%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Merriwa 33.5% couple families
Merriwa — Couple Families: 33.5% Merriwa — Lone Person: 38.1% Merriwa — One Parent Families: 23.0% Merriwa — Group Household: 3.2% Merriwa — Other Families: 2.1%
Butler 46.0% couple families
Butler — Couple Families: 46.0% Butler — Lone Person: 26.5% Butler — One Parent Families: 22.9% Butler — Group Household: 3.2% Butler — Other Families: 1.4%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Merriwa 29.5% renting
Merriwa — Owned Outright: 19.2% Merriwa — Mortgage: 51.3% Merriwa — Renting: 29.5%
Butler 35.2% renting
Butler — Owned Outright: 12.7% Butler — Mortgage: 52.1% Butler — Renting: 35.2%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

Merriwa Butler
England 12.1% / 16.8%
Merriwa — England: 12.1% Butler — England: 16.8%
New Zealand 4.4% / 5.5%
Merriwa — New Zealand: 4.4% Butler — New Zealand: 5.5%
South Africa 2.5% / 4.0%
Merriwa — South Africa: 2.5% Butler — South Africa: 4.0%
Philippines 1.3% / 1.7%
Merriwa — Philippines: 1.3% Butler — Philippines: 1.7%
Scotland 1.1% / 1.9%
Merriwa — Scotland: 1.1% Butler — Scotland: 1.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (16.8%).

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

Merriwa Butler
Certificate III & IV 17.2% / 16.9%
Merriwa — Certificate III & IV: 17.2% Butler — Certificate III & IV: 16.9%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 6.8% / 7.6%
Merriwa — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.8% Butler — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.6%
Bachelor Degree 4.9% / 7.9%
Merriwa — Bachelor Degree: 4.9% Butler — Bachelor Degree: 7.9%
Postgraduate Degree 0.9% / 1.8%
Merriwa — Postgraduate Degree: 0.9% Butler — Postgraduate Degree: 1.8%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 0.9% / 1.2%
Merriwa — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 0.9% Butler — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (17.2%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Merriwa 75.5% houses
Merriwa — Houses: 75.5% Merriwa — Townhouses: 23.6% Merriwa — Flats / Apartments: 0.9%
Butler 95.9% houses
Butler — Houses: 95.9% Butler — Townhouses: 3.0% Butler — Flats / Apartments: 1.1%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Merriwa Butler
Median house price $770,000 $800,000
Median unit price $425,250 $605,000
Median land price $1,511,095 —
Typical days to sell (houses) 19 days
from 33 sales
 31 days
from 175 sales

House price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Merriwa Butler
3 bed $730K / $705K
Merriwa — 3 bed: $730K (35 sales) Butler — 3 bed: $705K (127 sales)

35 vs 127 sales

4 bed $775K / $860K
Merriwa — 4 bed: $775K (75 sales) Butler — 4 bed: $860K (156 sales)

75 vs 156 sales

5 bed $820K / $980K
Merriwa — 5 bed: $820K (5 sales) Butler — 5 bed: $980K (13 sales)

5 vs 13 sales

Development activity

Merriwa Butler
New dwellings approved 4,125
across Wanneroo
same for both
Approvals change year on year +17%
same for both

Gross rental yield

Gross — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. From median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.

Merriwa Butler
Houses 4.4%
$700/wk on $824K
 4.5%
$700/wk on $800K
Units — 5.4%
$620/wk on $599K

Ranking within WA

Merriwa Butler
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 23% of WA Higher than 53% of WA
Schools Higher than 25% of WA Higher than 32% of WA
Walkability Higher than 95% of WA Higher than 99% of WA
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 74% of WA Higher than 79% of WA
NBN connectivity Higher than 78% of WA Higher than 96% of WA
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 52% of WA Higher than 62% of WA
Rental yield (units) — Higher than 47% of WA

Liveability

Butler scores higher overall (37 vs 31).

Merriwa Butler
Grade C
same for both
Score 31/100 37/100
Socio-economic band below-average income
decile 2/10
 mid-range socio-economic
decile 4/10

Risk profile

Butler carries more crime risk (69 vs 57); Merriwa carries more bushfire risk (88 vs 76).

Merriwa Butler
Bushfire High
88/100
 High
76/100
Crime Moderate
57/100
 Moderate
69/100
Flood None
0/100
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 4
within 5 km
 3
within 5 km

Schools

Merriwa Butler
Inside the suburb 4 6
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 0 3
Rated below peers 2 3
Universities within 10 km 1
ECU Joondalup Campus, 9.8 km
 None

Schools in Merriwa

  • Alkimos Baptist College Independent · Combined below peers
  • Merriwa Primary School Government · Primary below peers
  • Alta-1 College - Merriwa Campus Independent · Secondary · Special school
  • Merriwa Education Support Centre Government · Primary · Special school

Schools in Butler

  • Butler College Government · Secondary at peers
  • Irene McCormack Catholic College Catholic · Secondary at peers
  • St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School Catholic · Primary at peers
  • Butler Primary School Government · Primary below peers
  • East Butler Primary School Government · Primary below peers
  • John Butler Primary College Government · Primary below peers

Amenities in the suburb

Merriwa Butler
Supermarkets 1 5
Cafes & restaurants 0 2
Parks & reserves 6 35
Childcare 4 11
GPs 2 5
Pharmacies 1 3
Fuel stations 1 2
EV chargers 0 1
Waterways 0 1

Mobility

Butler sits further from the CBD (41 km vs 38.1 km).

Merriwa Butler
Walkability score 81/100 88/100
Distance to Perth 38.1 km 41 km
+8% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 32 min 33 min
Public transport score 79/100
Bus
 92/100
Rail · Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 86.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
 344.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
 0 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 0.9%
postcode 6030
 1.0%
postcode 6036
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 66
postcode 6030
 64
postcode 6036

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

Merriwa Butler
Car (driver) 77.0% / 72.7%
Merriwa — Car (driver): 77.0% Butler — Car (driver): 72.7%
Train 6.2% / 10.4%
Merriwa — Train: 6.2% Butler — Train: 10.4%
Car (passenger) 6.6% / 6.6%
Merriwa — Car (passenger): 6.6% Butler — Car (passenger): 6.6%
Worked from Home 6.1% / 6.9%
Merriwa — Worked from Home: 6.1% Butler — Worked from Home: 6.9%
Bus 2.2% / 1.8%
Merriwa — Bus: 2.2% Butler — Bus: 1.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (77.0%).

Setting

Merriwa Butler
Elevation 21 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 26 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 2.2 km
3.7 km to a named beach
 2.1 km

NBN connectivity

Merriwa Butler
Connectivity score 65/100 95/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node Fibre to the premises
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 37%
2,368 premises
 92%
206 premises

Climate

Merriwa Butler
Annual rainfall 592 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 33.5°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 8.5°C
same for both

Council rates

Merriwa Butler
Average residential rate $2,060/yr
same for both
Council Wanneroo
same for both

Federal electorate

Merriwa Butler
Division Pearce
same for both
Member Tracey Roberts
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Merriwa Butler
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $800,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Merriwa

Coastal Outer Parks Townhouses

Butler

Coastal Easy Commute Family Outer Parks Transport Hub

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Merriwa

Merriwa vs Clarkson Merriwa vs Quinns Rocks Merriwa vs Mindarie Merriwa vs Ridgewood

Other comparisons with Butler

Butler vs Alkimos Butler vs Quinns Rocks Butler vs Ridgewood Butler vs Jindalee Butler vs Nowergup
Full data on Merriwa Full data on Butler
Unlock full address-level data — $29/month

Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

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