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 Sunshine (Vic.), accounting for 22.2% (2,098 people). This share was higher than Brimbank (C) (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which decreased by 151 people and 0.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Sunshine (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Sunshine (Vic.) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Brimbank (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sunshine (Vic.), with comparison markers for Brimbank (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
591
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
591
6.3%
-1.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
709
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
709
7.5%
+0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
473
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
473
5.0%
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
861
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
861
9.1%
-1.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,979
% of total
21.0%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
1,979
21.0%
-0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
2,098
% of total
22.2%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
2,098
22.2%
+1.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,042
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
1,042
11.0%
+0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
870
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
870
9.2%
+1.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
614
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
614
6.5%
+0.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
234
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
234
2.5%
0.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-133
-1.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+9
+0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-8
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-136
-1.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-151
-0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+50
+1.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+12
+0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+102
+1.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
-6
+0.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-12
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Sunshine (Vic.). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brimbank (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Brimbank (C)% | Count | % | Brimbank (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 591 | 6.3% | 5.6% | 724 | 7.4% | 6.7% | -133 | -1.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 709 | 7.5% | 8.3% | 700 | 7.2% | 8.3% | +9 | +0.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 473 | 5.0% | 6.8% | 481 | 4.9% | 7.1% | -8 | +0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 861 | 9.1% | 9.2% | 997 | 10.2% | 10.4% | -136 | -1.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,979 | 21.0% | 15.7% | 2,130 | 21.8% | 16.1% | -151 | -0.8pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 2,098 | 22.2% | 19.9% | 2,048 | 21.0% | 20.1% | +50 | +1.2pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,042 | 11.0% | 12.4% | 1,030 | 10.5% | 12.3% | +12 | +0.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 870 | 9.2% | 10.9% | 768 | 7.9% | 10.1% | +102 | +1.3pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 614 | 6.5% | 9.3% | 620 | 6.3% | 7.3% | -6 | +0.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 234 | 2.5% | 1.9% | 246 | 2.5% | 1.5% | -12 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 9,445 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9,768 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -323 | 0.0pp |