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, Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) was the most common category among residents in Watsonia North, accounting for 20.9% (795 people). This share was lower than Banyule (C) (21.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 129 people and 3.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Watsonia North - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Watsonia North in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Banyule (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Watsonia North, with comparison markers for Banyule (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
220
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
220
5.8%
-0.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
344
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
344
9.1%
+0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
237
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
237
6.2%
-0.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
283
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
283
7.4%
-0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
464
% of total
12.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
464
12.2%
+0.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
795
% of total
20.9%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
795
20.9%
-0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
417
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
417
11.0%
-0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
424
% of total
11.2%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
424
11.2%
-1.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
541
% of total
14.2%
Change from 2016
+3.4pp
541
14.2%
+3.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
56
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
56
1.5%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-30
-0.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+14
+0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-20
-0.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-12
-0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+1
+0.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-27
-0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-25
-0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-60
-1.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+129
+3.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+7
+0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Watsonia North. 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) | 220 | 5.8% | 5.6% | 250 | 6.6% | 6.4% | -30 | -0.8pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 344 | 9.1% | 8.6% | 330 | 8.7% | 8.5% | +14 | +0.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 237 | 6.2% | 6.9% | 257 | 6.7% | 6.5% | -20 | -0.5pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 283 | 7.4% | 7.7% | 295 | 7.7% | 8.4% | -12 | -0.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 464 | 12.2% | 12.9% | 463 | 12.1% | 13.3% | +1 | +0.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 795 | 20.9% | 21.3% | 822 | 21.6% | 21.1% | -27 | -0.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 417 | 11.0% | 12.4% | 442 | 11.6% | 12.7% | -25 | -0.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 424 | 11.2% | 11.0% | 484 | 12.7% | 11.0% | -60 | -1.5pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 541 | 14.2% | 11.0% | 412 | 10.8% | 9.4% | +129 | +3.4pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 56 | 1.5% | 2.7% | 49 | 1.3% | 2.7% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 3,799 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,814 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -15 | 0.0pp |