Hadfield, Victoria


Hadfield is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, north of Melbourne's Central Business District, located within the City of Merri-bek local government area. Hadfield recorded a population of 6,269 at the 2021 census.
The suburb of Hadfield is bounded by West Street in the west, South Street and Boundary Road in the south, Sydney Road in the east and Hilton Street in the north. It is located between Fawkner and Glenroy and falls within the 3046 postcode.
Major features of the area include the Fawkner Crematorium and Memorial Park, the West Street Shopping Centre and the Merlynston Creek.

History

Hadfield originally formed part of the John Pascoe Fawkner estate. Significant development occurred in Hadfield after World War II, and the Hadfield post office was opened on 6 May 1957.
The suburb is named after Rupert Hadfield, who was a president of the Broadmeadows Shire Council. However, the website Australia for Everyone; Place Names, claims another origin.
The site of the former Hadfield High School, which operated from 1964 to 1992, before being absorbed into Box Forest Secondary College, is now occupied by Pascoe Vale Gardens, a retirement village.

Demographics

In 2011, Hadfield had a population of 5,366. The median age was 39 years. Children aged 0 – 14 years made up 18.2% of the population and people aged 65 years and over made up 21.0%. The most common ancestries were Italian 17.9%, Australian 15.3%, English 12.8%, Lebanese 8.3% and Greek 5.2%. The most common responses for religion were Catholic 42.9%, Islam 17.1%, No Religion 9.1%, Eastern Orthodox 6.9% and Anglican 5.7%. The suburb has a high proportion of 5–17 year olds and over 70 year olds in comparison to the City of Merri-bek average, as well as a high proportion of Italian -Greek, Lebanese and Maltese residents.

Shopping

There are several small shopping districts within Hadfield, the most prominent being on West Street, with others on South Street, North Street and East Street.

Sport

, an Australian Rules football team, competes in the Essendon District Football League.

Transport

Bus

Four bus routes serve Hadfield:
The Upfield Bike Path and the Western Ring Road Trail provide facilities for recreational and commuting cyclists.

Train

One railway station serves Hadfield: Fawkner, on the Upfield line. Despite its name, the station is in Hadfield, and is located within the Fawkner Crematorium and Memorial Park. Other nearby stations include Glenroy and Oak Park, both on the Craigieburn line, and Gowrie, on the Upfield line.