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, accounting for 23.4% (1,250 people). This share was higher than Banyule (C) (21.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69), which increased by 97 people and 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Watsonia - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Watsonia 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, with comparison markers for Banyule (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
373
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
373
7.0%
+0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
455
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
455
8.5%
-0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
347
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
347
6.5%
+0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
335
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
335
6.3%
-1.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
825
% of total
15.4%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
825
15.4%
+0.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,250
% of total
23.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,250
23.4%
-0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
590
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
590
11.0%
-0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
551
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
551
10.3%
+1.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
488
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
488
9.1%
-0.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
135
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
135
2.5%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+21
+0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-7
-0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+39
+0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-50
-1.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+61
+0.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+10
-0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-18
-0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+97
+1.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
-23
-0.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-10
-0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Watsonia. 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) | 373 | 7.0% | 5.6% | 352 | 6.8% | 6.4% | +21 | +0.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 455 | 8.5% | 8.6% | 462 | 8.9% | 8.5% | -7 | -0.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 347 | 6.5% | 6.9% | 308 | 5.9% | 6.5% | +39 | +0.6pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 335 | 6.3% | 7.7% | 385 | 7.4% | 8.4% | -50 | -1.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 825 | 15.4% | 12.9% | 764 | 14.7% | 13.3% | +61 | +0.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,250 | 23.4% | 21.3% | 1,240 | 23.8% | 21.1% | +10 | -0.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 590 | 11.0% | 12.4% | 608 | 11.7% | 12.7% | -18 | -0.7pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 551 | 10.3% | 11.0% | 454 | 8.7% | 11.0% | +97 | +1.6pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 488 | 9.1% | 11.0% | 511 | 9.8% | 9.4% | -23 | -0.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 135 | 2.5% | 2.7% | 145 | 2.8% | 2.7% | -10 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 5,352 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,214 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +138 | 0.0pp |