Niddrie - Essendon West

Population growth drivers in Niddrie - Essendon West are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Niddrie - Essendon West's population is around 8,107 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 647 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,460 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 8,048 in June 2025 and an additional 94 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,895 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Niddrie - Essendon West's growth of 8.7% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's growth of 4.9%, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 63.9% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises 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 are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on demographic trends, an above median population growth is projected for the area, expected to grow by 985 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a gain of 11.4% in total over the 16 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Niddrie - Essendon West when compared nationally

Niddrie-Essendon West has seen approximately 66 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 330 homes. As of FY26, 61 approvals have been recorded. On average, one new resident per year per dwelling constructed has been noted between FY21 and FY25, indicating supply meeting or exceeding demand. The average construction cost value for new homes is $411,000.

This financial year has seen $9.0 million in commercial approvals, suggesting limited commercial development focus. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Niddrie-Essendon West shows moderately higher new home approvals, approximately 26.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period. The current dwelling mix is 30.0% standalone homes and 70.0% attached dwellings, a shift from the previous 66.0% houses, reflecting reduced development site availability and changing lifestyle demands. With around 163 people per dwelling approval, Niddrie-Essendon West exhibits characteristics of a growth area. Future projections estimate an addition of 926 residents by 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate.

Current development patterns suggest new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering favourable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Niddrie - Essendon West 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 seven projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives include the Niddrie (Keilor Road) Activity Centre Structure Plan, LUMA Sunshine North, Airport Toyota Expansion, and Textron Aviation Hangar 83. 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 analysis of employment trends sees Niddrie - Essendon West performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Niddrie-Essendon West has a well-educated workforce. Professional services are strongly represented. Unemployment rate is 1.7%.

Employment stability was relative over the past year. As of December 2025, 4871 residents were employed with an unemployment rate of 3.1%, below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%. Workforce participation was 73.5%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. Census responses showed 35.5% worked from home, considering Covid-19 lockdown impacts.

Dominant employment sectors were construction, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Construction had a strong presence with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level. Health care & social assistance had limited presence at 11.5%, compared to 14.2% regionally. The area offered limited local employment opportunities. Over December 2024 to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 0.9%, alongside a 0.5% employment decline, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.4 percentage points. Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 2.4%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Niddrie-Essendon West's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.4% 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

In AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2023, Niddrie - Essendon West SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $65,291 and an average income of $81,452. These figures are among the highest in Australia, compared to Melbourne's median of $57,688 and average of $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth from financial year 2023 to March 2026 (9.62%), estimated incomes for Niddrie - Essendon West would be approximately $71,572 median and $89,288 average by that date. Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes rank between the 77th and 80th percentiles nationally in this suburb. The earnings profile indicates that 29.9% of residents (2,423 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly income bracket, similar to Melbourne's 32.8%. Notably, 35.2% of residents earn above $3,000 per week. Housing expenses account for 14.1% of income, placing residents in the 81st percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Niddrie - Essendon West displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The dwelling structure in Niddrie - Essendon West, as per the latest Census, consisted of 65.5% houses and 34.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's figures of 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Niddrie - Essendon West stood at 37.8%, with mortgaged dwellings also at 37.8% and rented dwellings at 24.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,400, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent in the area was $435, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Niddrie - Essendon West's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,400 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Niddrie - Essendon West has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 72.5% of all households, including 38.0% couples with children, 21.8% couples without children, and 11.3% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 27.5%, with lone person households at 24.6% and group households comprising 2.7%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which aligns with the Greater Melbourne average.

Niddrie - Essendon West 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 35.1%, which exceeds the SA4 region average of 27.7% and the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 23.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 7.8% and graduate diplomas at 3.8%. Vocational credentials are held by 29.2% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas accounting for 11.7% and certificates for 17.5%.

Educational participation is high, with 29.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.1% in primary education, 8.9% in secondary education, and 6.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Niddrie-Essendon West has 39 active public transport stops offering a mix of light rail and bus services. These are served by 10 individual routes that collectively facilitate 4,906 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 207 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to the area's residential nature. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 86%, while train usage stands at 6%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.4 per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, a high 35.5% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 700 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 125 weekly trips per individual stop.

Niddrie - Essendon West's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

AreaSearch's assessment shows excellent health outcomes in Niddrie-Essendon West. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are low, especially among younger cohorts.

Private health cover is exceptionally high at 60%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 56.7%. The most prevalent conditions are asthma (7.2%) and arthritis (7%). 73% of residents report no medical ailments, similar to Greater Melbourne's 72.6%. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. There are more seniors aged 65+ (16.4%, or 1,333 people) than in Greater Melbourne (15%). Senior health outcomes are above average but rank lower nationally compared to the broader population.

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

Niddrie-Essendon West, surveyed in June 2016, had a cultural diversity index of 21.3%, with 22.1% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, at 65.5%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 43.0%. The top three ancestral groups were Australian (19.4%), English (18.3%), and Italian (15.0%), with Italians being notably higher than the regional average of 5.2%.

Other ethnic groups showed variations: Croatians at 2.0% (regional average 0.7%), Maltese at 2.8% (1.1%), and Polish at 1.2% (0.8%).

Niddrie - Essendon West's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Niddrie-Essendon West has a median age of 40, higher than Greater Melbourne's figure of 37 and Australia's figure of 38. The 55-64 cohort is notably over-represented at 13.2% locally, while the 25-34 year-olds are under-represented at 12.3%. Since 2021, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 12.8% to 14.4%, and the 55 to 64 cohort increased from 12.0% to 13.2%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort declined from 15.9% to 13.7%, and the 5 to 14 group dropped from 12.4% to 11.2%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Niddrie-Essendon West's age profile. The 55-64 age cohort is projected to expand by 311 people (29%), from 1,068 to 1,380. Conversely, both the 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 age groups are expected to decrease in numbers.