Essendon
VIC 3040 · Moonee Valley
21,240 (2021) → 22,480 est. (2025) · High Growth
Based on transport, liveability & education. Safety is scored separately below.
Essendon is a high growth suburb in Moonee Valley, VIC 3040, about 8km from Melbourne CBD. Its median house price of $1.75M is more expensive than the VIC average. The suburb has 7 schools, a transport score of 100/100, and is a short drive from the coast. Essendon has an overall score of 91/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 82/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
Top countries of birth: India (2.98%), Italy (2.41%), England (1.77%), China (1.31%), New Zealand (1.31%)
Top languages: Italian (4.27%), Greek (2.37%), Mandarin (1.72%), Vietnamese (1.4%), Arabic (1.25%)
Source: ABS Census 2021
Property
Median price history
Source: Valuer-General Victoria (DTF) · Updated 2024
Residential Safety
Recorded residential incidents (latest year), with rate per 100,000 residents:
Includes street and public-place assaults — supplementary context, not part of the safety score.
Residential incidents over time
Sum of the five residential categories above — not all recorded crime.
Area crime context
An independent score — crime data quality varies by state, so safety is shown separately and is not part of the overall score.
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria (suburb-level) · Updated 2025
Schools
Outstanding school access
Top 20% nationally — strong, high-ICSEA schools nearby with genuine choice. An excellent suburb for families prioritising education.
Average ICSEA of schools within 10km 1055 (above the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- Lowther Hall Anglican Grammar SchoolCombined · IndependentICSEA 1145
- Essendon Primary SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 1143
- St Therese's SchoolPrimary · CatholicICSEA 1129
- St Columba's CollegeSecondary · CatholicICSEA 1104
- Buckley Park CollegeSecondary · GovernmentICSEA 1079
- Essendon Keilor College-Senior CampusSecondary · Government
- Penleigh & Essendon Grammar School - Essendon CampusCombined · Independent
Nearby (within 10km)
- St Bernard's College - Resurrection House CampusSecondary · Catholic · 0.9km
- Essendon North Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.2kmICSEA 1115
- Penleigh & Essendon Grammar School - Moonee Ponds CampusCombined · Independent · 1.3km
- St Vincent de Paul's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 1.4kmICSEA 1122
- Ave Maria CollegeSecondary · Catholic · 1.4kmICSEA 1072
- Aberfeldie Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.5kmICSEA 1117
- St Monica's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 1.5kmICSEA 1127
- Our Lady of the Nativity SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 1.5kmICSEA 1114
- Strathmore Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.7kmICSEA 1102
- Strathmore Secondary CollegeSecondary · Government · 2kmICSEA 1082
- St John Bosco's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 2kmICSEA 1107
- Moonee Ponds West Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.1kmICSEA 1128
Source: ACARA 2023
Transport
Source: TfNSW GTFS
Liveability
Amenities within 2–3km
Counted within a short distance of the suburb centre (so nearby facilities count), with the in-boundary count shown beneath.
Source: Bureau of Meteorology · OpenStreetMap
Fitness
Decent access
Around the national average — a reasonable mix of fitness facilities, with more variety a short drive away.
Facilities within 3km of the suburb centre. The Fitness Score is a national percentile of these counts per resident.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Outdoors
Limited outdoor options
Below average — fewer parks and green spaces close by.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Outdoor Score is a national percentile led by parks and green space.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Culture
Limited cultural access
Below average — fewer cultural venues nearby.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Culture Score is a national percentile weighting theatres, museums, galleries, libraries and arts centres most heavily.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Entertainment Scene
A few good options
A handful of local venues to choose from — nothing epic, but you're not driving far either.
View nearby venues on the Entertainment Map →
Source: VGCCC (Victorian liquor register)
Childcare
Strong options nearby
Well above average for childcare services — good choice and quality, with most families finding a place without a long drive.
View childcare centres on the map →
Source: ACECQA National Quality Framework Register
Population & Growth
High GrowthSource: ABS ERP & NSW DPHI
Nearby suburbs in Moonee Valley
Compare Essendon with another suburb
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Frequently asked questions about Essendon
Is Essendon safe?
Essendon has a residential safety score of 82/100, based on residential crime (break-ins, theft from dwellings, vehicle theft, domestic assault and robbery) per resident relative to the NSW median. Its total recorded incident rate is 5,782 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Essendon?
In Essendon, the .
How far is Essendon from Melbourne CBD?
Essendon is about 8.4 km from Melbourne CBD, an estimated 25 minutes by public transport.
What schools are in Essendon?
Essendon has 7 schools, with an average ICSEA of 1120 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Essendon?
Essendon has a transport score of 100/100, including 1 train station and 95 bus stops.