Population
Service age groups
About this topic
Service age groups divide the population into broad life-stage bands such as children, young adults, working-age adults, and older people. The groupings are designed to reflect typical demand for age-based services and facilities rather than exact five-year cohorts.
This view is useful for planning childcare, schools, recreation, aged services, and other community infrastructure. It works best alongside five year age groups, household type, and dwelling data, which add more detail about who is living in an area and how needs may change over time.
Interpretation notes
- This is a derived grouping rather than a direct Census question, so the age bands are planning-oriented summaries built from standard age data.
- Percentages relate to the total population; use five year age groups when exact cohort detail matters.
Related topics
Key insight
In 2021, Young workforce (25 to 34) was the most common category among residents in Heidelberg West, accounting for 20.1% (1,058 people). This share was higher than Banyule (C) (12.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Primary schoolers (5 to 11), which decreased by 111 people and 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Heidelberg West - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Heidelberg West in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Banyule (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Heidelberg West, with comparison markers for Banyule (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
352
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
352
6.7%
-0.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
382
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
382
7.3%
-1.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
320
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
320
6.1%
-0.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
497
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
497
9.5%
-1.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,058
% of total
20.1%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
1,058
20.1%
+2.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,014
% of total
19.3%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
1,014
19.3%
+0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
616
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
616
11.7%
-0.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
510
% of total
9.7%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
510
9.7%
+0.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
401
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
401
7.6%
+0.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
86
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
86
1.6%
-1.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-71
-0.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-111
-1.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-48
-0.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-89
-1.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+107
+2.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-16
+0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-48
-0.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+5
+0.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+28
+0.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-60
-1.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Heidelberg West. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Banyule (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Banyule (C)% | Count | % | Banyule (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 352 | 6.7% | 5.6% | 423 | 7.6% | 6.4% | -71 | -0.9pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 382 | 7.3% | 8.6% | 493 | 8.9% | 8.5% | -111 | -1.6pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 320 | 6.1% | 6.9% | 368 | 6.6% | 6.5% | -48 | -0.5pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 497 | 9.5% | 7.7% | 586 | 10.6% | 8.4% | -89 | -1.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,058 | 20.1% | 12.9% | 951 | 17.2% | 13.3% | +107 | +2.9pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,014 | 19.3% | 21.3% | 1,030 | 18.6% | 21.1% | -16 | +0.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 616 | 11.7% | 12.4% | 664 | 12.0% | 12.7% | -48 | -0.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 510 | 9.7% | 11.0% | 505 | 9.1% | 11.0% | +5 | +0.6pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 401 | 7.6% | 11.0% | 373 | 6.7% | 9.4% | +28 | +0.9pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 86 | 1.6% | 2.7% | 146 | 2.6% | 2.7% | -60 | -1.0pp |
| Total | 5,252 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,545 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -293 | 0.0pp |