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 Westmeadows, accounting for 19.2% (1,249 people). This share was lower than Hume (C) (21.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 197 people and 2.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Westmeadows - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Westmeadows in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Hume (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Westmeadows, with comparison markers for Hume (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
399
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
399
6.1%
+0.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
507
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
507
7.8%
+0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
394
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
394
6.1%
-0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
502
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
502
7.7%
-1.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,025
% of total
15.8%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
1,025
15.8%
+0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,249
% of total
19.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,249
19.2%
+0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
834
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
834
12.8%
-0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
763
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
763
11.7%
-1.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
708
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
708
10.9%
+2.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
138
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
138
2.1%
+0.9pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+78
+0.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+68
+0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+27
-0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-61
-1.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+150
+0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+148
+0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+43
-0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-29
-1.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+197
+2.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+65
+0.9pp
Data table
Service age groups for Westmeadows. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Hume (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Hume (C)% | Count | % | Hume (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 399 | 6.1% | 7.7% | 321 | 5.5% | 7.9% | +78 | +0.6pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 507 | 7.8% | 10.6% | 439 | 7.5% | 10.3% | +68 | +0.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 394 | 6.1% | 7.9% | 367 | 6.3% | 8.3% | +27 | -0.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 502 | 7.7% | 9.3% | 563 | 9.6% | 10.3% | -61 | -1.9pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,025 | 15.8% | 16.4% | 875 | 15.0% | 15.7% | +150 | +0.8pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,249 | 19.2% | 21.1% | 1,101 | 18.8% | 20.7% | +148 | +0.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 834 | 12.8% | 11.4% | 791 | 13.5% | 12.0% | +43 | -0.7pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 763 | 11.7% | 8.3% | 792 | 13.5% | 8.3% | -29 | -1.8pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 708 | 10.9% | 6.2% | 511 | 8.7% | 5.6% | +197 | +2.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 138 | 2.1% | 1.0% | 73 | 1.2% | 1.0% | +65 | +0.9pp |
| Total | 6,502 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,848 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +654 | 0.0pp |