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 Cardinia (S), accounting for 21.2% (25,044 people). This share was lower than Greater Melbourne (21.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 5,254 people and 0.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Cardinia (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Cardinia (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cardinia (S), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
9,092
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
9,092
7.7%
-0.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
12,841
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
12,841
10.9%
+0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
9,377
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
9,377
7.9%
-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
9,798
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
9,798
8.3%
-0.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
18,599
% of total
15.7%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
18,599
15.7%
+1.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
25,044
% of total
21.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
25,044
21.2%
+0.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
13,099
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
13,099
11.1%
-0.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
10,087
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
10,087
8.5%
-0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
8,754
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
8,754
7.4%
+1.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
1,498
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,498
1.3%
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)
+1,273
-0.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+2,750
+0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+1,697
-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+1,488
-0.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+4,902
+1.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+5,254
+0.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+1,942
-0.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+1,742
-0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+2,687
+1.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+319
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Cardinia (S). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 9,092 | 7.7% | 5.9% | 7,819 | 8.3% | 6.4% | +1,273 | -0.6pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 12,841 | 10.9% | 8.7% | 10,091 | 10.7% | 8.5% | +2,750 | +0.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 9,377 | 7.9% | 6.9% | 7,680 | 8.2% | 6.7% | +1,697 | -0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 9,798 | 8.3% | 8.9% | 8,310 | 8.8% | 10.0% | +1,488 | -0.5pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 18,599 | 15.7% | 16.0% | 13,697 | 14.6% | 16.3% | +4,902 | +1.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 25,044 | 21.2% | 21.5% | 19,790 | 21.0% | 21.1% | +5,254 | +0.2pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 13,099 | 11.1% | 11.9% | 11,157 | 11.9% | 11.9% | +1,942 | -0.8pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 10,087 | 8.5% | 9.5% | 8,345 | 8.9% | 9.3% | +1,742 | -0.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 8,754 | 7.4% | 8.6% | 6,067 | 6.4% | 7.7% | +2,687 | +1.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 1,498 | 1.3% | 2.0% | 1,179 | 1.3% | 2.0% | +319 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 118,194 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 94,128 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +24,066 | 0.0pp |