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 Cobden, accounting for 16.7% (301 people). This share was higher than Corangamite (S) (14.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which decreased by 50 people and 2.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Cobden - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Cobden in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Corangamite (S) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cobden, with comparison markers for Corangamite (S).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
71
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
71
3.9%
-1.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
141
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
141
7.8%
-1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
145
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
145
8.0%
+0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
120
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
120
6.7%
-0.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
172
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
172
9.5%
+0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
233
% of total
12.9%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
233
12.9%
-2.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
287
% of total
15.9%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
287
15.9%
+0.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
252
% of total
14.0%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
252
14.0%
+1.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
301
% of total
16.7%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
301
16.7%
+1.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
86
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
86
4.8%
+0.6pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-29
-1.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-23
-1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+9
+0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-16
-0.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+8
+0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-50
-2.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+9
+0.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+21
+1.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+22
+1.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+9
+0.6pp
Data table
Service age groups for Cobden. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Corangamite (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Corangamite (S)% | Count | % | Corangamite (S)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 71 | 3.9% | 4.6% | 100 | 5.4% | 5.5% | -29 | -1.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 141 | 7.8% | 8.1% | 164 | 8.9% | 9.3% | -23 | -1.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 145 | 8.0% | 7.7% | 136 | 7.4% | 7.5% | +9 | +0.6pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 120 | 6.7% | 6.7% | 136 | 7.4% | 7.1% | -16 | -0.7pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 172 | 9.5% | 9.8% | 164 | 8.9% | 8.5% | +8 | +0.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 233 | 12.9% | 15.6% | 283 | 15.4% | 17.0% | -50 | -2.5pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 287 | 15.9% | 14.7% | 278 | 15.1% | 15.4% | +9 | +0.8pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 252 | 14.0% | 15.0% | 231 | 12.6% | 14.1% | +21 | +1.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 301 | 16.7% | 14.5% | 279 | 15.2% | 12.8% | +22 | +1.5pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 86 | 4.8% | 3.2% | 77 | 4.2% | 2.9% | +9 | +0.6pp |
| Total | 1,804 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,839 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -35 | 0.0pp |