Essendon suburb profile
Essendon is a well-established suburb located approximately 10km north-west of Melbourne's CBD, known for its rich history and vibrant community. The suburb is characterized by its tree-lined streets, heritage homes, and a strong sporting culture, being home to the Essendon Football Club. Essendon offers a mix of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, with popular shopping precincts and cafes along Mount Alexander Road and Rose Street. The suburb is well-served by public transport, including trains, trams, and buses, providing easy access to the city and surrounding areas. Its blend of urban convenience and suburban charm makes Essendon a desirable location for families and professionals alike.
Essendon property market performance
Current median dwelling price$1,037,500Past 3 months
Property growth+4.1%Past 12 months
Essendon’s property market has shown varied performance over the past 12 months. House values have increased by 6.6%, bringing the median house price to $1.64 million, while unit values have remained stable with no change, maintaining a median price of $415,000.
Sales activity has been robust, with 92 houses and 67 units sold in the past 12 months. Units are selling faster than houses, with a median of 35 days on the market compared to 49 days for houses, indicating stronger demand in the unit market.
The rental market in Essendon has seen moderate growth, with house rents increasing by 2.9% and unit rents rising by 5.3% over the last 12 months, suggesting a healthy demand for rental properties in the area.
| Houses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
Median price Past 3 months | $1.61M | $460K |
Change in value Past 12 months | 11.0% | -2.7% |
Sold Past 3 months | 90 | 86 |
Median days on market Past 12 months | 50 | 35 |
Average rent Past 12 months | $700 | $495 |
Change in rent Past 12 months | 2.9% | 4.2% |
5 year median price trend for houses and units
Essendon demographics
Essendon, a well-established suburb in Melbourne's north-west, is renowned for its leafy streets, family-friendly atmosphere, and rich history. With a population of 21,240, it offers a blend of suburban tranquility and urban convenience, making it a desirable location for families and professionals alike. The median age of 39 reflects a mature community, with many residents enjoying the suburb's parks, schools, and local amenities.
The suburb's housing market is characterized by a balanced mix of property ownership and rental opportunities. Approximately 33.2% of homes are owned outright, while 30.4% are owned with a mortgage, indicating a stable community with a significant number of long-term residents. Meanwhile, 36.5% of properties are rented, catering to those seeking flexibility, including young professionals and families.
Family life is a cornerstone of Essendon, with 48.7% of households being couple families with children, and 37.6% being couple families without children. This highlights the suburb's appeal to both growing families and those enjoying a quieter lifestyle. The presence of quality schools, sporting clubs, and community facilities further enhances its attractiveness as a family-oriented suburb.
Essendon's proximity to Melbourne's CBD, combined with its strong sense of community and excellent transport links, makes it a sought-after location for those looking to balance work and leisure. Its vibrant local culture, coupled with a variety of dining and shopping options, ensures that residents enjoy a high quality of life in this charming suburb.
Essendon infrastructure, key developments and investment opportunities
Essendon continues to benefit from strong local amenities, with established retail and dining precincts along Mount Alexander Road, Buckley Street and Keilor Road, as well as Essendon Fields, Essendon DFO and North Essendon Village supporting ongoing buyer demand and rental interest.[7] The suburb’s proximity to major employment hubs, including the airport and inner-city business districts, combined with easy access to Highpoint Shopping Centre and nearby parks such as Queens Park and Woodlands Park, underpins its appeal for professionals and families seeking both convenience and lifestyle.[7]
Transport infrastructure remains a key strength, with Essendon train station on the Craigieburn line and multiple tram and bus routes providing direct CBD connectivity and reinforcing the suburb’s attractiveness for commuters.[1][6][7] A concentration of highly regarded schools, including several independent and public secondary colleges, continues to draw family buyers and is likely to support long-term demand and price resilience in the area.[7] No major new infrastructure or planning changes have been publicly announced that would significantly alter Essendon’s property market trajectory at this time.
Essendon rental market trends
The rental market in Essendon has experienced moderate growth, with house rents increasing by 2.9% over the past year to $700 per week, while unit rents have risen by 5.3% to $495 per week. With its appealing suburban lifestyle and proximity to Melbourne's CBD, Essendon continues to attract both renters and investors seeking stable returns.
Suburbs near Essendon
Some popular suburbs near Essendon include:
How does Essendon compare to nearby suburbs?
- Median house prices: Essendon’s median house price is 10.1% higher than Moonee Ponds’s.
- Median unit prices: Essendon’s median unit price is 12.9% higher than Essendon North’s.
- House price growth: Over the past 12 months, house prices in Essendon have grown 8.0% higher than in Moonee Ponds.
- Unit price growth: Property prices in nearby Moonee Ponds have risen 1.2% more than in Essendon over the past year.
- Selling speed for houses: Properties in Essendon are selling 35.1% faster than in Strathmore.
- Selling speed for units: Properties in Essendon are selling 50.7% faster than in Strathmore.
- Investment considerations: In Essendon, the rental yield for house is 11.1% higher than the Melbourne average, while the rental yield for units is 15.5% lower.
- House price growth: Over the past 12 months, house prices in Essendon have grown 63.6% higher than the average rate of growth across Melbourne.
- Unit price growth:Over the past 12 months, unit prices in Essendon have grown 15.7% lower than the average rate of growth for units across Melbourne.

