NSW · Cumberland Council
Merrylands West, 2160
Current weather
16.5°CClear sky
55% humidity · 16.4 km/h wind · 21.1° / 13.5° today · 2.8 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- Cycling
- High desirability
Suburb profile
At the heart of the metro area, Merrylands West is a mid-sized suburb where cafés, culture and everyday convenience overlap. Well placed between the city and outer suburbs, it offers practical access in every direction. Generous greenery runs through the area, from street trees to tucked-away reserves.
Families and commuters make up much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Local shops and services cover the basics well, with more choice a short trip into neighbouring suburbs. Parks, reserves and open space make it genuinely outdoor-friendly for walks, sport and weekend downtime.
Getting around the metro area is straightforward, with transport tying neighbouring communities together. Housing remains accessible compared with many parts of the state.
The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker housing affordability and safety against similar metro suburbs, even with parks and green space and growth momentum holding up better.
Population
- Population
- 7,054
- Median age
- 36
- Median household income / week
- $1,394
- Dwelling vacancy
- 8.5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 208 of 2,457
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,000
- Employment rate
- 40.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 232 / 395 / 724
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $620
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $800
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $645
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 434
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 642
- Against the person
- 135
- Against property
- 226
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 91
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 52 residents
- State safety percentile
- 64.4th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +1.4%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions582
- Domestic Violence Related Assault192
- Fraud312
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment259
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault189
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
Public transport
89 public transport stops in this suburb
- Barcom St Before Rupert St
- Barcom St Opp Rupert St
- Cerdon College, Kenyons Rd
- Cerdon College, Sherwood Rd
- Merrylands High School, Sherwood Rd
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
116 planning-related records
2026· 9 proposals
June 2026
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)64 PATON STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Under Assessment
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia408 MERRYLANDS ROAD MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Under Assessment
May 2026
- Attached dwelling; Demolition; Erection of a new structure42 ARCADIA STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Determined
- Boarding house; Erection of a new structure15 TORRENS STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Determined
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation36 RUPERT STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Determined
March 2026
- Demolition; Subdivision; Dual occupancy (attached)16 LUCY STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Determined
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)55 BRIAN STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Determined
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure38 EDDY STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Withdrawn
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure6 OTTO STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Determined
2025· 21 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure33 WARIALDA STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Withdrawn
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation10 OTTO STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation8 MURPHY STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Determined
- Demolition; Subdivision; Dual occupancy (attached)16 LUCY STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Operational consent issued
November 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation36 RUPERT STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Determined
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation51 PATON STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Determined
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)48 BRIAN STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Deferred Commencement
October 2025
- Shop top housing; Erection of a new structure9 SHERWOOD ROAD MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Determined
September 2025
- Attached dwelling; Demolition; Erection of a new structure42 ARCADIA STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Operational consent issued
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool2 CAMERON COURT MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Determined
August 2025
- Residential flat building; Centre-based child care3 ARCADIA STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Withdrawn
July 2025
- Residential flat building; Centre-based child care3 ARCADIA STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Rejected
- Demolition; Subdivision; Dual occupancy (attached)9 OTTO STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Determined
- Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia132 PATON STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Withdrawn
June 2025
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation62 BETTS ROAD MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Determined
May 2025
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation72 PATON STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Deferred Commencement
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation62 BETTS ROAD MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Rejected
April 2025
- Demolition; Subdivision; Dual occupancy (attached)9 OTTO STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Rejected
March 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation36 RUPERT STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Determined
January 2025
- Advertising and signage; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation facility (indoor)33-37 SHERWOOD ROAD MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)16 RUTH STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Determined
2024· 10 proposals
December 2024
- Demolition7 DARYL STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Withdrawn
November 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (attached)3 LUCY STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Determined
- Advertising and signage; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation facility (indoor)33-37 SHERWOOD ROAD MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Rejected
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (attached)3 LUCY STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Rejected
- Secondary dwelling; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia11 BOWDEN STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Determined
October 2024
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)3 JOSEPHINE STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Deferred Commencement
August 2024
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)16 RUTH STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Operational consent issued
May 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure16 BRIAN STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1 BRISTOL STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Determined
April 2024
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)5 BETTINA STREET MERRYLANDS WEST 2160Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
107 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Coolibah Hotel Bottle shop and Video RentalAlcohol
- Bbq (3)
- Bench (10)
- Bicycle Parking (2)
- 45 Bruce StBus stop
- Barcom St before Fowler RdBus stop
- Barcom St before Rupert StBus stop
- Barcom St opp Rupert StBus stop
- Barcom St Park, Barcom StBus stop
- Betts Rd before Bruce StBus stop
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
13 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Arcadia Street ParkPark
- Barcom Street ReservePark
- Central Gardens Nature ReservePark
- Cusack Street ParkPark
- Cusack Street ReservePark
- Fowler Road ReservePark
- G E Briscoe ParkPark
- John Knowles ParkPark
- Josephine Street ParkPark
- Merrylands Remembrance ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 1
- Emergency department
- Not in suburb
- Hilltop Pharmacypharmacy
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 3/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 1/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 14
- Parks (OSM)
- 14
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 50.0/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 29% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1930th in Australia
- State rank
- 616th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #171 among Metro Sydney · Growth area suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #424 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 74%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- 45 Bruce Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Ablas Patisserieamenitiescafe
- BP Merrylands Westamenitiesfuel
- Barcom St Park, Barcom Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Barcom St before Fowler Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Barcom St before Rupert Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Barcom St opp Rupert Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Cumberland Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.