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 Greater Bendigo (C), accounting for 18.1% (21,976 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (17.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 3,280 people and 1.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Greater Bendigo (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Greater Bendigo (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Greater Bendigo (C), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
7,149
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
7,149
5.9%
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
10,810
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
10,810
8.9%
-0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
9,024
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
9,024
7.4%
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
10,033
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
10,033
8.3%
-1.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
15,685
% of total
12.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
15,685
12.9%
+0.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
21,976
% of total
18.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
21,976
18.1%
0.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
14,974
% of total
12.3%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
14,974
12.3%
-0.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
14,802
% of total
12.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
14,802
12.2%
+0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
13,916
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
13,916
11.5%
+1.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
3,092
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
3,092
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)
+75
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+774
-0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+731
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-387
-1.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+1,939
+0.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+1,961
0.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+498
-0.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+1,768
+0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+3,280
+1.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+346
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Greater Bendigo (C). 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) | 7,149 | 5.9% | 5.4% | 7,074 | 6.4% | 5.8% | +75 | -0.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 10,810 | 8.9% | 8.4% | 10,036 | 9.1% | 8.7% | +774 | -0.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 9,024 | 7.4% | 7.2% | 8,293 | 7.5% | 7.4% | +731 | -0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 10,033 | 8.3% | 7.3% | 10,420 | 9.4% | 7.9% | -387 | -1.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 15,685 | 12.9% | 11.7% | 13,746 | 12.4% | 10.9% | +1,939 | +0.5pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 21,976 | 18.1% | 17.6% | 20,015 | 18.1% | 18.1% | +1,961 | 0.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 14,974 | 12.3% | 13.1% | 14,476 | 13.1% | 13.9% | +498 | -0.8pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 14,802 | 12.2% | 13.6% | 13,034 | 11.8% | 13.4% | +1,768 | +0.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 13,916 | 11.5% | 13.0% | 10,636 | 9.6% | 11.1% | +3,280 | +1.9pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 3,092 | 2.5% | 2.7% | 2,746 | 2.5% | 2.7% | +346 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 121,470 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 110,477 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +10,993 | 0.0pp |