Essendon North

Population growth drivers in Essendon North are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Based on ABS population updates and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, as of November 2025, Essendon North's estimated population is around 3,621. This reflects an increase of 550 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,071. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 3,479 in June 2024 and an additional 262 validated new addresses since the Census date. Essendon North's population density is approximately 4,960 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the top 10% nationally according to AreaSearch. The area's growth of 17.9% since the 2021 Census exceeded both national (9.7%) and state averages, driven primarily by overseas migration contributing around 93.0% of overall population gains. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered, it employs VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future trends project above median population growth for Essendon North statistical area (Lv2), with an expected expansion of 466 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 3.9% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Essendon North according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Essendon North has seen approximately 23 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling around 115 homes. In FY-26 so far, 13 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.4 people per year have moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25. This indicates that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand, providing ample buyer choice and capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts.

The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $1,178,000, suggesting a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. Commercial development approvals in Essendon North this financial year totalled $33,000, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Essendon North has 18.0% less building activity per person but ranks among the 70th percentile nationally. New building activity consists of 45.0% detached dwellings and 55.0% townhouses or apartments, offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers.

Essendon North has a population density of around 186 people per approval, indicating a developing area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Essendon North is projected to gain 140 residents by 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Essendon North has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

No changes can significantly affect a region's performance like adjustments to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. Zero projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are expected to impact the area. Notable projects include LUMA Sunshine North, Airport Toyota Expansion, Textron Aviation Hangar 83, and Niddrie (Keilor Road) Activity Centre Structure Plan, with the following list providing details on those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Employment performance in Essendon North has been broadly consistent with national averages

Essendon North has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate was 4.3% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 5.0% over the past year.

The area's unemployment rate is 0.4% below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%, and workforce participation stands at 68.6%. Leading industries include health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and construction. Notably, public administration & safety has employment levels at 1.5 times the regional average, while retail trade has limited presence with 8.2% employment compared to 9.8% regionally. Employment opportunities appear limited locally, as indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population.

Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 5.0%, labour force by 4.9%, and unemployment fell by 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne experienced employment growth of 3.0% and a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. State-level data from 25-Nov shows VIC employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Essendon North's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

The suburb of Essendon North had a median income among taxpayers of $65,049 and an average income of $102,481 in the financial year 2023, according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. These figures compare to Greater Melbourne's median income of $57,688 and average income of $75,164 for the same period. Based on an 8.25% growth since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $70,416 (median) and $110,936 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, individual earnings in Essendon North stood at the 81st percentile nationally ($1,031 weekly), while household income ranked at the 47th percentile. The predominant income cohort spans 33.2% of locals (1,202 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.2% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 47th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Essendon North features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Essendon North's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 30.8% houses and 69.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Melbourne metro had 42.6% houses and 57.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Essendon North was at 27.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 26.0% and rented ones at 46.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, lower than Melbourne metro's $2,200. The median weekly rent was $360, compared to Melbourne metro's $370. Nationally, Essendon North's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,863 and rents were lower at $375.

Essendon North features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 56.3% of all households, including 23.9% couples with children, 21.4% couples without children, and 9.4% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 43.7%, with lone person households at 39.9% and group households comprising 3.6%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.3.

Essendon North shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area's university qualification rate is 39.0%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 57.1%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 25.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (10.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.6%). Vocational credentials are held by 27.3% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 10.4% and certificates at 16.9%. Educational participation is high, with 26.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 7.8% in primary, 6.8% in tertiary, and 6.1% in secondary education.

Transport servicing is high compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Essendon North has 11 operational public transport stops. These include both lightrail and bus services. Seven different routes serve these stops, together facilitating 3,097 weekly passenger trips.

The average distance from residents to the nearest stop is 182 meters. Across all routes, there are an average of 442 daily trips, equating to about 281 weekly trips per individual stop.

Essendon North's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Health data shows positive health outcomes for Essendon North residents. The prevalence of common health conditions is low compared to the general population but higher than the national average among older and at-risk cohorts.

Private health cover is exceptionally high in this area, with approximately 67% of the total population (2,431 people) having it, compared to the national average of 55.7%. Mental health issues are the most common medical condition, affecting 8.7% of residents, followed by arthritis at 7.5%. A significant portion, 71.6%, of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, similar to Greater Melbourne's 72.0%. The area has a higher percentage of seniors aged 65 and over, with 17.6% (637 people) compared to Greater Melbourne's 16.0%. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population.

Essendon North was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Essendon North had a higher cultural diversity compared to most local areas, with 32.1% of its residents born overseas and 30.3% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Essendon North, accounting for 53.8% of people. Hinduism was notably overrepresented, comprising 5.7% compared to 3.0% across Greater Melbourne.

The top three ancestry groups were English (18.9%), Australian (16.3%), and Italian (12.0%). Some ethnic groups had significant differences in representation: Hungarian at 0.5% vs regional 0.3%, Polish at 1.2% vs regional 0.9%, and Maltese at 2.1% vs regional 1.6%.

Essendon North's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Essendon North was 38 years in 2021, close to Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and equivalent to Australia's median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Essendon North had a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (18.5%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (8.6%). Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, the population aged 75-84 grew from 4.5% to 5.5%, while the 5-14 age group declined from 9.7% to 8.6% and the 35-44 age group decreased from 16.1% to 15.1%. By 2041, Essendon North's population is projected to see significant changes in its age composition. The 75-84 age group is expected to grow by 49%, reaching 297 people from 199, with those aged 65 and above comprising 71% of the projected growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 0-4 and 15-24 age groups.