Essendon - East

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

Essendon - East's population was around 13,449 as of May 2026. This showed an increase of 1,258 people from the 2021 Census figure of 12,191. The growth is inferred from ABS estimated resident population data of 13,196 in June 2025 and 312 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 3,788 persons per square kilometer, placing Essendon - East in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch's assessments. The area's growth rate of 10.3% since the 2021 census exceeded both its SA3 area (9.0%) and the state level, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 90.1% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch employs the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 with adjustments made using weighted aggregation methods. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on demographic trends and latest annual ERP population numbers, Essendon - East is expected to grow by 1,037 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 5.8% over the 16-year period.

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 FY26, 44 approvals have been recorded. The average population growth per dwelling built in the area between FY21 and FY25 is 0.8 people per year, indicating that new supply is keeping pace with or exceeding demand. The average construction cost value of new homes being built 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 places 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 that creates more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This represents a significant shift from the current housing mix, which is currently 40.0% houses. The location has approximately 282 people per dwelling approval, suggesting room for growth.

According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Essendon - East is expected to grow by 784 residents through to 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering favourable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Essendon - East has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 38thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 15 projects that could impact the area. Key projects are 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 a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate was 4.1% as of December 2025, which is below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.1%.

Workforce participation stood at 74.8%, slightly higher than Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. A significant portion of residents, 40.8%, work from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Key industries employing residents include health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training. Notably, public administration & safety shows a high concentration with employment levels at 1.4 times the regional average.

Conversely, manufacturing has lower representation at 4.7% compared to the regional average of 7.2%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited as indicated by the ratio of working population to resident population. Between December 2024 and 2025, employment levels increased by 4.1%, labour force grew by 4.6%, leading to a slight rise in unemployment by 0.4 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 2.4% and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points during the same period. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, issued in May-25, project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Essendon - East's employment mix suggests local employment could increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation 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 has an exceptionally high national income level according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers is $67,311 and the average income stands at $96,507. This compares to Greater Melbourne's figures of $57,688 and $75,164 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $73,786 (median) and $105,791 (average) as of March 2026. According to 2021 Census figures, individual earnings stand out at the 86th percentile nationally ($1,111 weekly). Distribution data shows that 32.3% of residents (4,344 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket, mirroring regional levels where 32.8% occupy this bracket. Essendon - East demonstrates considerable affluence with 32.0% earning over $3,000 per week. This supports premium retail and service offerings in the area. Housing accounts for 14.8% of income. 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 evaluation, 39.9% of dwellings were houses while 60.1% consisted of other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This contrasts with Melbourne metropolitan area's figures of 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Essendon - East stood at 28.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.3% and rented ones at 42.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,167, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. Weekly rent median was recorded at $371 compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Essendon - East's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were lower than 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 account for the remaining 40.9%, with lone person households at 36.0% and group households comprising 4.9%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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 broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15+, 47.8% hold university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4% and Victoria's 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent 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 at 11.1% and certificates at 12.1%.

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

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

Transport analysis indicates 86 active stops operating within Essendon - East, serving a mix of train, light rail, and bus routes. These stops are covered by 20 individual routes, collectively facilitating 8,789 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 145 meters from the nearest stop. Predominantly residential, most commuters travel outward; car remains dominant at 72%, while train usage stands at 14%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.0 per dwelling, below regional average. Notably, 40.8% of residents work from home (2021 Census).

Service frequency averages 1,255 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 102 weekly trips per stop.

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

AreaSearch's health metrics analysis indicates robust performance across Essendon - East. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were low among both younger and older age groups. Approximately 70% of the total population (9,373 people) had private health cover, compared to Greater Melbourne's 56.7% and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues impacted 8.4% and asthma affected 8.1% of residents. Notably, 71.8% declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, slightly lower than Greater Melbourne's 72.6%. Working-age residents exhibited low chronic condition prevalence. The area had 17.7% of residents aged 65 and over (2,385 people), higher than Greater Melbourne's 15.0%. Health outcomes among seniors were strong, aligning with national rankings for the general population.

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 has a higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 26.8% of its population born overseas and 24.5% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Essendon-East, accounting for 53.4% of the population. Notably, Hinduism is overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne, comprising 4.6% versus 4.4%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (20.6%), Australian (17.3%), and Other (10.9%). There are significant differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Italian (10.2% vs regional 5.2%), Maltese (1.7% vs 1.1%), and Irish (10.8% vs 6.5%) are notably overrepresented in Essendon-East.

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

Essendon-East has a median age of 37, which is equal to Greater Melbourne's figure and comparable to Australia's median age of 38 years. The 25-34 age group constitutes 18.8% of Essendon-East's population compared to Greater Melbourne, while the 5-14 cohort makes up 8.7%. Between 2021 and present, the 75-84 age group has increased from 4.2% to 5.7% of the population. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort has decreased from 9.8% to 8.7%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Essendon-East's age structure. Notably, the 75-84 group is projected to grow by 55%, reaching 1,176 people from 759. The aging population trend is evident, with those aged 65 and above comprising 56% of projected growth. Meanwhile, the 0-4 and 25-34 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.