Merrilands is a suburb which lies within the Territorial Authority of New Plymouth, one of 41 residential suburbs which form the wider region. Merrilands is the 6th largest suburb of New Plymouth in terms of the total number of residential housing stock. Merrilands provides a range of housing stock, with the earliest residential housing recorded in the area constructed between 1890 - 1899. The majority of the residential housing stock in the locality was constructed between 1970 - 1979. Residential housing stock in Merrilands is made up of approximately 96% residential housing , 2% residential investment housing and 2% lifestyle properties.