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, Seniors (70 to 84) was the most common category among residents in Central Goldfields (S), accounting for 18.9% (2,544 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (13%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 440 people and 2.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Central Goldfields (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Central Goldfields (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Central Goldfields (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
526
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
526
3.9%
-0.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
985
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
985
7.3%
-0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
890
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
890
6.6%
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
813
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
813
6.0%
-0.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,182
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
1,182
8.8%
+1.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,847
% of total
13.7%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
1,847
13.7%
-2.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,956
% of total
14.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,956
14.5%
0.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
2,224
% of total
16.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
2,224
16.5%
-0.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
2,544
% of total
18.9%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
2,544
18.9%
+2.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
496
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
496
3.7%
+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)
-53
-0.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-4
-0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+21
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-73
-0.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+179
+1.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-207
-2.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+70
0.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+45
-0.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+440
+2.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+40
+0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Central Goldfields (S). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 526 | 3.9% | 5.4% | 579 | 4.5% | 5.8% | -53 | -0.6pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 985 | 7.3% | 8.4% | 989 | 7.6% | 8.7% | -4 | -0.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 890 | 6.6% | 7.2% | 869 | 6.7% | 7.4% | +21 | -0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 813 | 6.0% | 7.3% | 886 | 6.8% | 7.9% | -73 | -0.8pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,182 | 8.8% | 11.7% | 1,003 | 7.7% | 10.9% | +179 | +1.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,847 | 13.7% | 17.6% | 2,054 | 15.8% | 18.1% | -207 | -2.1pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,956 | 14.5% | 13.1% | 1,886 | 14.5% | 13.9% | +70 | 0.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 2,224 | 16.5% | 13.6% | 2,179 | 16.8% | 13.4% | +45 | -0.3pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 2,544 | 18.9% | 13.0% | 2,104 | 16.2% | 11.1% | +440 | +2.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 496 | 3.7% | 2.7% | 456 | 3.5% | 2.7% | +40 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 13,483 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,995 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +488 | 0.0pp |