Merriwa vs Mindarie

Merriwa is the younger of the two, with a median age of 40 against 45 in Mindarie. In both, most households own their home and the large majority of homes are detached houses. In Mindarie, most households are couple families. Houses cost more in Mindarie: a median of $1.3 million, against $770,000 in Merriwa, and rent is higher there too. On these figures, Merriwa tends to suit people living alone, older residents, and buyers on a tighter budget, while Mindarie suits 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

Mindarie

ahead on 4 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more parks and reserves (19 vs 6)
  • is already more of a family suburb (79% vs 56%)
  • carries lower crime risk (41/100 vs 57/100)

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

First-home buyers

They split

one each way, out of the 4 things we measure here

  • Merriwa has cheaper units ($425,250 vs $1,070,000)
  • Mindarie has cheaper land ($620,000 vs $1,511,095)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, land prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Merriwa

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (30% vs 14%)
  • has cheaper rent ($330/wk vs $500/wk)
  • But Mindarie leaves renters under less rental stress (20% vs 26%)

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

Commuting to the city

Too close to call

Nothing among the 4 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

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

Downsizers and retirees

Merriwa

ahead on 2 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (24% vs 13%)
  • has more residents already 65 and over (25% vs 16%)
  • But Mindarie carries lower crime risk (41/100 vs 57/100)

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 Mindarie 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 Mindarie
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 Mindarie
Walkability 81 / 85
Merriwa — Walkability: 81/100 Mindarie — Walkability: 85/100
Safety 43 / 59
Merriwa — Safety: 43/100 Mindarie — Safety: 59/100
Low fire risk 12 / 19
Merriwa — Low fire risk: 12/100 Mindarie — Low fire risk: 19/100
Low flood risk 100 / 100
Merriwa — Low flood risk: 100/100 Mindarie — Low flood risk: 100/100

Demographics

Mindarie has higher household incomes ($132,860 vs $65,260); Mindarie rents higher ($500/wk vs $330/wk).

Merriwa Mindarie
Population 5,587 7,867
+41% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +1.8% +4.6%
Median age 40 45
Median household income $65,260/yr $132,860/yr
+104% vs other
Median weekly rent $330/wk $500/wk
+52% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Merriwa Mindarie
0-4 5.7% / 3.5%
Merriwa — 0-4: 5.7% Mindarie — 0-4: 3.5%
5-14 13.8% / 12.3%
Merriwa — 5-14: 13.8% Mindarie — 5-14: 12.3%
15-19 6.1% / 8.6%
Merriwa — 15-19: 6.1% Mindarie — 15-19: 8.6%
20-24 5.8% / 7.4%
Merriwa — 20-24: 5.8% Mindarie — 20-24: 7.4%
25-34 11.7% / 7.1%
Merriwa — 25-34: 11.7% Mindarie — 25-34: 7.1%
35-44 12.3% / 9.8%
Merriwa — 35-44: 12.3% Mindarie — 35-44: 9.8%
45-54 11.4% / 18.9%
Merriwa — 45-54: 11.4% Mindarie — 45-54: 18.9%
55-64 8.4% / 16.1%
Merriwa — 55-64: 8.4% Mindarie — 55-64: 16.1%
65-74 8.1% / 8.3%
Merriwa — 65-74: 8.1% Mindarie — 65-74: 8.3%
75-84 9.3% / 5.8%
Merriwa — 75-84: 9.3% Mindarie — 75-84: 5.8%
85+ 7.2% / 2.1%
Merriwa — 85+: 7.2% Mindarie — 85+: 2.1%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (18.9%).

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%
Mindarie 66.6% couple families
Mindarie — Couple Families: 66.6% Mindarie — Lone Person: 19.2% Mindarie — One Parent Families: 12.4% Mindarie — Group Household: 0.9% Mindarie — Other Families: 0.8%
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%
Mindarie 13.9% renting
Mindarie — Owned Outright: 33.9% Mindarie — Mortgage: 52.2% Mindarie — Renting: 13.9%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Merriwa Mindarie
Certificate III & IV 17.2% / 16.2%
Merriwa — Certificate III & IV: 17.2% Mindarie — Certificate III & IV: 16.2%
Bachelor Degree 4.9% / 13.0%
Merriwa — Bachelor Degree: 4.9% Mindarie — Bachelor Degree: 13.0%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 6.8% / 10.2%
Merriwa — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.8% Mindarie — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 10.2%
Postgraduate Degree 0.9% / 3.3%
Merriwa — Postgraduate Degree: 0.9% Mindarie — Postgraduate Degree: 3.3%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 0.9% / 1.5%
Merriwa — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 0.9% Mindarie — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.5%

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

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 Mindarie
England 12.1% / 26.2%
Merriwa — England: 12.1% Mindarie — England: 26.2%
South Africa 2.5% / 7.5%
Merriwa — South Africa: 2.5% Mindarie — South Africa: 7.5%
New Zealand 4.4% / 2.2%
Merriwa — New Zealand: 4.4% Mindarie — New Zealand: 2.2%
Scotland 1.1% / 3.6%
Merriwa — Scotland: 1.1% Mindarie — Scotland: 3.6%
Ireland 0.9% / 1.3%
Merriwa — Ireland: 0.9% Mindarie — Ireland: 1.3%
Philippines 1.3% / —
Merriwa — Philippines: 1.3% Mindarie — Philippines: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (26.2%).

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%
Mindarie 87.4% houses
Mindarie — Houses: 87.4% Mindarie — Townhouses: 10.3% Mindarie — Flats / Apartments: 2.3%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Merriwa Mindarie
Median house price $770,000 $1,302,500
Median unit price $425,250 $1,070,000
Median land price $1,511,095 $620,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 19 days
from 33 sales
 22 days
from 85 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 Mindarie
3 bed $730K / $1.1M
Merriwa — 3 bed: $730K (35 sales) Mindarie — 3 bed: $1.1M (33 sales)

35 vs 33 sales

4 bed $775K / $1.3M
Merriwa — 4 bed: $775K (75 sales) Mindarie — 4 bed: $1.3M (113 sales)

75 vs 113 sales

5 bed $820K / $1.9M
Merriwa — 5 bed: $820K (5 sales) Mindarie — 5 bed: $1.9M (30 sales)

5 vs 30 sales

Development activity

Merriwa Mindarie
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 Mindarie
Houses 4.4%
$700/wk on $824K
 4.3%
$1,100/wk on $1.32M
Units —
same for both

Ranking within WA

Merriwa Mindarie
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 23% of WA Higher than 92% of WA
Schools Higher than 25% of WA Higher than 30% of WA
Walkability Higher than 95% of WA Higher than 98% of WA
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 74% of WA
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 78% of WA Higher than 84% of WA
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 52% of WA Higher than 47% of WA

Liveability

Mindarie scores higher overall (55 vs 31).

Merriwa Mindarie
Grade C B
Score 31/100 55/100
Socio-economic band below-average income
decile 2/10
 very advantaged area
decile 10/10

Risk profile

Merriwa carries more crime risk (57 vs 41).

Merriwa Mindarie
Bushfire High
88/100
 High
81/100
Crime Moderate
57/100
 Moderate
41/100
Flood None
0/100
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
 Moderate
46/100
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 4
within 5 km
 3
within 5 km

Schools

Merriwa Mindarie
Inside the suburb 4
same for both
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 0 2
Rated below peers 2 1
Universities within 10 km 1
ECU Joondalup Campus, 9.8 km
 1
ECU Joondalup Campus, 7.6 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 1.0% 3.0%

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 Mindarie

  • Peter Moyes Anglican Community School Independent · Combined at peers
  • Quinns Baptist College Independent · Combined at peers
  • Mindarie Primary School Government · Primary below peers
  • Mindarie Senior College Government · Secondary

Amenities in the suburb

Merriwa Mindarie
Supermarkets 1 0
Cafes & restaurants 0 3
Parks & reserves 6 19
Childcare 4 6
GPs 2
same for both
Pharmacies 1
same for both
Fuel stations 1 2
Beaches 0 1

Mobility

Merriwa Mindarie
Walkability score 81/100 85/100
Distance to Perth 38.1 km
+3% vs other
 37 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 32 min 33 min
Public transport score 79/100
Bus
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 86.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
 139.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
 0 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 0.9%
postcode 6030
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 66
postcode 6030
same for both

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 Mindarie
Car (driver) 77.0% / 71.8%
Merriwa — Car (driver): 77.0% Mindarie — Car (driver): 71.8%
Worked from Home 6.1% / 11.9%
Merriwa — Worked from Home: 6.1% Mindarie — Worked from Home: 11.9%
Train 6.2% / 8.4%
Merriwa — Train: 6.2% Mindarie — Train: 8.4%
Car (passenger) 6.6% / 5.4%
Merriwa — Car (passenger): 6.6% Mindarie — Car (passenger): 5.4%
Bus 2.2% / 1.1%
Merriwa — Bus: 2.2% Mindarie — Bus: 1.1%
Walked Only 1.7% / 1.3%
Merriwa — Walked Only: 1.7% Mindarie — Walked Only: 1.3%

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

Setting

Merriwa Mindarie
Elevation 21 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 35 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 2.2 km
3.7 km to a named beach
 706 m
710 m to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Merriwa Mindarie
Connectivity score 65/100 71/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 37%
2,368 premises
 47%
3,236 premises

Climate

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

Federal electorate

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

First Home Owner Grant

Merriwa Mindarie
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

Mindarie

Beach Coastal Large Blocks Outer Parks

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Merriwa

Merriwa vs Clarkson Merriwa vs Butler Merriwa vs Quinns Rocks Merriwa vs Ridgewood

Other comparisons with Mindarie

Mindarie vs Clarkson Mindarie vs Quinns Rocks Mindarie vs Kinross Mindarie vs Burns Beach
Full data on Merriwa Full data on Mindarie
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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