🔍

Essendon West

VIC 3040 • Greater Melbourne

1,559
Population (2021)
$54,080
Median Income
1.03 km²
Area
$450/wk
Median Rent
Family-FriendlyAffluentLeafyMulticulturalEstablished

About Essendon West

Essendon West is a compact, leafy residential suburb in Melbourne's north-west, covering just over one square kilometre within the City of Moonee Valley. Located approximately 10 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, it sits alongside the well-established suburb of Essendon and shares its quiet, tree-lined character. With a population of 1,559 as of the 2021 Census and a median household income of $2,338 per week — significantly above the national average — Essendon West is an affluent area with a diverse and historically strong Italian-Australian community.

The suburb benefits greatly from its proximity to Essendon's popular Keilor Road and Buckley Street shopping strips, with a range of cafes, restaurants, specialty grocers, and services within easy reach. Essendon railway station, served by the Craigieburn line, connects residents to the Melbourne CBD in approximately 20 minutes, and several bus routes also operate in the area. Essendon West is popular with established families and professionals who value its quiet streets, well-regarded local schools, and convenient access to both the city centre and Melbourne Airport via the nearby Tullamarine Freeway.

Essendon West falls under postcode 3040 and is governed by Moonee Valley Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Niddrie (Western Metropolitan) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3040
Urban Area
Moonee Valley
LGA / Council
Moonee Valley
Federal Electorate
Maribyrnong
State Electorate
Niddrie (Western Metropolitan)
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.75°, 144.88°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
1.03 km²
Elevation
36m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Essendon
1 km
12 min
Glenbervie
1.2 km
15 min

Bus Services

  • Route 467, 468 — Moonee Ponds / Melbourne CBD 25–35 min to CBD

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
10 km
By Train
20 min to Flinders Street via Craigieburn Line from Essendon station
By Car (Peak)
25–40 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
15–20 min

🛣️ Good access to CityLink and Tullamarine Freeway; close to Melbourne Airport (15 min drive).

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Some local shops and services are reachable on foot, but most residents rely on a short drive or bus to Essendon's main shopping strips.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$450
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,682
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
39 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.3%

13 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,439
Census 2021
1,559
▲ 8.3% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$37,960
Income 2021
$54,080
▲ 42.5% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,193
Born Overseas 326

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 29
  • 2. India 29
  • 3. Italy 28
  • 4. China 24
  • 5. Vietnam 19
  • 6. New Zealand 16
  • 7. Sri Lanka 15
  • 8. Egypt 13
  • 9. Lebanon 10
  • 10. Malaysia 7

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 421
English 398
Italian 288
Irish 200
Greek 82
Scottish 80
Chinese 72
Maltese 49
Vietnamese 44
Indian 39

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

709
Both parents born in Australia
575
Both parents born overseas
214
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
63.4%
No Religion
26.2%
Islam
2.7%
Buddhism
2.1%
Hinduism
1.7%
Sikhism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
79 (5.1%)
5-14 years
190 (12.2%)
15-19 years
117 (7.5%)
20-24 years
110 (7.1%)
25-34 years
175 (11.2%)
35-44 years
199 (12.8%)
45-54 years
268 (17.2%)
55-64 years
169 (10.8%)
65-74 years
124 (8.0%)
75-84 years
86 (5.5%)
85+ years
47 (3.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Essendon West known for? +

Essendon West is known for its quiet, leafy residential streets, affluent character, and proximity to Essendon's vibrant shopping and dining strips. The suburb has a strong Italian-Australian heritage and is popular with families who value its well-regarded schools and easy access to the Melbourne CBD.

How far is Essendon West from Melbourne CBD? +

Essendon West is approximately 10 kilometres north-west of the Melbourne CBD, a drive of around 20–30 minutes off-peak, or a 20-minute train ride from nearby Essendon station.

Does Essendon West have public transport? +

Essendon West is well-served by public transport. Essendon and Glenbervie stations on the Craigieburn Line are within walking distance, providing regular services to the Melbourne CBD. Several bus routes also operate through the suburb.

What is the population of Essendon West? +

According to the 2021 Census, Essendon West has a population of 1,559 residents, up from 1,439 in 2016. The suburb has a median age of 39.

Is Essendon West a good place to live? +

Essendon West is an excellent choice for families and professionals seeking an established, leafy suburb with strong amenities and good transport links in Melbourne's north-west. Its above-average household income and well-regarded schools reflect its popularity as a family-friendly address.

What is the postcode for Essendon West? +

The postcode for Essendon West is 3040, shared with parts of the broader Essendon area in Melbourne's north-west.