Essendon - East

Essendon - East has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Essendon - East's population is around 13,086 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 895 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 12,191 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 12,946 in June 2024 and an additional 198 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 3,686 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Essendon - East has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 89.8% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Moving forward with demographic trends, a population increase just below the median of statistical areas across the nation is expected, with the area expected to grow by 1,113 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 7.4% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Essendon - East recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Essendon - East has recorded approximately 60 residential properties granted approval annually over the past five financial years, totalling 302 homes. As of FY-26, 22 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.8 people per year move to the area for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand. The average construction cost value of new homes is $445,000, slightly above the regional average.

This financial year has seen $1.7 million in commercial approvals registered, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Essendon - East records roughly half the building activity per person and ranks among the 65th percentile of areas assessed nationally. New building activity consists of 24.0% standalone homes and 76.0% townhouses or apartments, promoting higher-density living and affordability for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This represents a significant shift from the current housing mix, which is 40.0% houses. The area has approximately 282 people per dwelling approval, suggesting room for growth.

By 2041, Essendon - East is projected to grow by 973 residents (AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Current development patterns indicate that new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering favourable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Essendon - East has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 16 projects likely affecting the region. Notable ones include LUMA Sunshine North, Moonee Valley Racing Club Grandstand & Clubhouse Redevelopment, 881 Mt Alexander Road, Essendon, and Moonee Valley Park. The following list details 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.

AreaSearch assessment positions Essendon - East ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Essendon - East has an educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate was 4.0% as of September 2025, below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.4%. As of September 2025, 8,250 residents were employed with a workforce participation rate of 70.9%, higher than Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Key industries of employment are health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training. Public administration & safety has notable concentration with levels at 1.4 times the regional average.

Conversely, manufacturing shows lower representation at 4.7% versus the regional average of 7.2%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited as indicated by Census working population vs resident population count. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 4.4%, labour force by 4.8%, leading to an unemployment rise of 0.4 percentage points. Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 3.0% during the same period. State-level data from 25-Nov-25 shows VIC employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, with a state unemployment rate of 4.7%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 14.1% over ten years. Applying these projections to Essendon - East's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, assuming constant population projections for illustrative purposes.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

Essendon - East SA2's median income among taxpayers was $64,453 and average income stood at $105,368 in financial year 2022, according to the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. These figures compare to Greater Melbourne's median income of $54,892 and average income of $73,761 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $72,290 (median) and $118,181 (average). According to the 2021 Census, individual earnings in Essendon - East stood at the 86th percentile nationally ($1,111 weekly). Distribution data shows that 32.3% of residents (4,226 people) earn between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, mirroring regional levels where 32.8% occupy this bracket. Essendon - East demonstrates affluence with 32.0% earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and service offerings. Housing accounts for 14.8% of income while strong earnings rank residents within the 71st percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Essendon - East displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Essendon - East, as per the latest Census, 39.9% of dwellings were houses with 60.1% being other types such as semi-detached homes and apartments. This contrasts with Melbourne metropolitan area's figures of 42.6% houses and 57.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Essendon - East stood at 28.2%, similar to Melbourne metro, with mortgaged properties at 29.3% and rented ones at 42.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, lower than Melbourne's average of $2,200. Median weekly rent in Essendon - East was $371 compared to Melbourne metro's $370. Nationally, Essendon - East's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,167 versus Australia's average of $1,863, while rents were lower at $371 against the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 59.1% of all households, including 26.3% couples with children, 24.0% couples without children, and 7.4% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 40.9%, with lone person households at 36.0% and group households making up 4.9%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.3.

Educational achievement in Essendon - East places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

Educational attainment in Essendon-East is notably higher than national and state averages. As of a recent report, 47.8% of residents aged 15 years and above hold university qualifications, compared to the Australian average of 30.4% and the Victorian average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 30.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (12.1%) and graduate diplomas (4.9%). Vocational pathways account for 23.2% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas making up 11.1% and certificates 12.1%.

Educational participation is high, with 28.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.3% in tertiary education, 7.6% in primary education, and 6.5% pursuing secondary education.

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

Essendon - East has 85 active public transport stops. These stops offer a mix of train, light rail, and bus services. There are 22 individual routes operating in total, collectively serving 11,516 weekly passenger trips.

The area's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 144 meters from the nearest stop. On average, there are 1,645 daily trips across all routes, equating to approximately 135 weekly trips per individual stop.

Essendon - East's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Essendon - East. Both young and old age cohorts saw low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover was exceptionally high at approximately 74% of the total population (9,644 people), compared to 67.2% across Greater Melbourne.

Nationally, this rate averages at 55.3%. Mental health issues and asthma were found to be the most common medical conditions in the area, impacting 8.4 and 8.1% of residents respectively. A total of 71.8% declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.0% across Greater Melbourne. The area has 17.8% of residents aged 65 and over (2,329 people), which is higher than the 16.0% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Essendon - East was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Essendon-East, surveyed in June-August 2016, had a higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 26.8% of its population born overseas and 24.5% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 53.4% of Essendon-East's population, as per data from Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Census 2016. Notably, Hinduism was more prevalent in Essendon-East with 4.6%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 3.0%.

Top ancestry groups were English at 20.6%, Australian at 17.3%, and Other at 10.9%. Italian (10.2%), Maltese (1.7%) and Irish (10.8%) ethnicities showed notable overrepresentation compared to regional averages.

Essendon - East's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Essendon - East has a median age of 37, matching Greater Melbourne's figure of 37 and remaining comparable to Australia's median age of 38 years. The 65-74 age group is strongly represented at 10.2%, higher than Greater Melbourne's percentage, while the 5-14 cohort is less prevalent at 9.2%. Between 2021 and present day, the 65 to 74 age group has increased from 9.0% to 10.2%, and the 75 to 84 cohort has risen from 4.2% to 5.3%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has decreased from 11.9% to 10.9%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Essendon - East's age structure. The 75 to 84 group is expected to grow by 74%, reaching 1,220 people from the current 700. This growth will be led by those aged 65 and above, comprising 57% of projected population growth. Conversely, the 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.