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 West, accounting for 20.1% (3,737 people). This share was higher than Brimbank (C) (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 3,633 people and 6.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Sunshine West - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Sunshine West 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 West, with comparison markers for Brimbank (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
1,032
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,032
5.6%
-0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
1,445
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
1,445
7.8%
-1.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
1,203
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
1,203
6.5%
+1.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
1,610
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
+3.9pp
1,610
8.7%
+3.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
3,059
% of total
16.5%
Change from 2016
+8.6pp
3,059
16.5%
+8.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
3,737
% of total
20.1%
Change from 2016
+6.3pp
3,737
20.1%
+6.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
2,154
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
2,154
11.6%
-2.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
1,767
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
-15.1pp
1,767
9.5%
-15.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
2,127
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
2,127
11.5%
-3.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
415
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
415
2.2%
+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)
+988
-0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+1,379
-1.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+1,167
+1.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+1,574
+3.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+3,000
+8.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+3,633
+6.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+2,047
-2.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+1,582
-15.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+2,017
-3.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+406
+1.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Sunshine West. 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) | 1,032 | 5.6% | 5.6% | 44 | 5.9% | 6.7% | +988 | -0.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 1,445 | 7.8% | 8.3% | 66 | 8.8% | 8.3% | +1,379 | -1.0pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 1,203 | 6.5% | 6.8% | 36 | 4.8% | 7.1% | +1,167 | +1.7pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 1,610 | 8.7% | 9.2% | 36 | 4.8% | 10.4% | +1,574 | +3.9pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 3,059 | 16.5% | 15.7% | 59 | 7.9% | 16.1% | +3,000 | +8.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 3,737 | 20.1% | 19.9% | 104 | 13.8% | 20.1% | +3,633 | +6.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 2,154 | 11.6% | 12.4% | 107 | 14.2% | 12.3% | +2,047 | -2.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 1,767 | 9.5% | 10.9% | 185 | 24.6% | 10.1% | +1,582 | -15.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 2,127 | 11.5% | 9.3% | 110 | 14.6% | 7.3% | +2,017 | -3.1pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 415 | 2.2% | 1.9% | 9 | 1.2% | 1.5% | +406 | +1.0pp |
| Total | 18,552 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 751 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +17,801 | 0.0pp |