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.

Key insight

In 2021, Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) was the most common category among residents in Heidelberg, accounting for 23.1% (1,703 people). This share was higher than Banyule (C) (21.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 344 people and 1.3 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Heidelberg - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Heidelberg 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, with comparison markers for Banyule (C).

Heidelberg
Banyule (C)

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

413

% of total

5.6%

Change from 2016

-1.9pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

600

% of total

8.2%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

420

% of total

5.7%

Change from 2016

+0.7pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

483

% of total

6.6%

Change from 2016

-1.1pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

1,239

% of total

16.8%

Change from 2016

-0.9pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

1,703

% of total

23.1%

Change from 2016

+1.3pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

788

% of total

10.7%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

713

% of total

9.7%

Change from 2016

+0.8pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

766

% of total

10.4%

Change from 2016

+1.1pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

233

% of total

3.2%

Change from 2016

+0.7pp

Data table

Service age groups for Heidelberg. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Banyule (C).

Service age groups for Heidelberg. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Banyule (C).
Service age groups for Heidelberg. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Banyule (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Banyule (C)%Count%Banyule (C)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)4135.6%5.6%4677.5%6.4%-54-1.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)6008.2%8.6%5138.2%8.5%+870.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)4205.7%6.9%3125.0%6.5%+108+0.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)4836.6%7.7%4797.7%8.4%+4-1.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)1,23916.8%12.9%1,10117.7%13.3%+138-0.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)1,70323.1%21.3%1,35921.8%21.1%+344+1.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)78810.7%12.4%69611.2%12.7%+92-0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)7139.7%11.0%5578.9%11.0%+156+0.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)76610.4%11.0%5789.3%9.4%+188+1.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)2333.2%2.7%1562.5%2.7%+77+0.7pp
Total7,360100.0%100.0%6,225100.0%100.0%+1,1350.0pp