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 Upper Ferntree Gully (part), accounting for 19.8% (678 people). This share was lower than Knox (C) (20.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which decreased by 1,756 people and 3.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Upper Ferntree Gully (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Upper Ferntree Gully (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Knox (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Upper Ferntree Gully (part), with comparison markers for Knox (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
174
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
174
5.1%
-1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
278
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
278
8.1%
-2.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
237
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
237
6.9%
-1.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
279
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
279
8.2%
+1.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
413
% of total
12.1%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
413
12.1%
+1.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
678
% of total
19.8%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
678
19.8%
-3.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
491
% of total
14.4%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
491
14.4%
+2.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
440
% of total
12.9%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
440
12.9%
+2.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
330
% of total
9.7%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
330
9.7%
-1.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
102
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
102
3.0%
+1.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-463
-1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-782
-2.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-634
-1.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-445
+1.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-739
+1.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-1,756
-3.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-706
+2.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-604
+2.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
-824
-1.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-92
+1.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Upper Ferntree Gully (part). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Knox (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Knox (C)% | Count | % | Knox (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 174 | 5.1% | 5.3% | 637 | 6.1% | 5.9% | -463 | -1.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 278 | 8.1% | 8.2% | 1,060 | 10.2% | 8.2% | -782 | -2.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 237 | 6.9% | 7.0% | 871 | 8.3% | 7.3% | -634 | -1.4pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 279 | 8.2% | 8.4% | 724 | 6.9% | 9.3% | -445 | +1.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 413 | 12.1% | 12.7% | 1,152 | 11.0% | 13.2% | -739 | +1.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 678 | 19.8% | 20.7% | 2,434 | 23.3% | 20.6% | -1,756 | -3.5pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 491 | 14.4% | 13.5% | 1,197 | 11.5% | 14.0% | -706 | +2.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 440 | 12.9% | 11.6% | 1,044 | 10.0% | 11.3% | -604 | +2.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 330 | 9.7% | 10.2% | 1,154 | 11.1% | 8.3% | -824 | -1.4pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 102 | 3.0% | 2.2% | 194 | 1.9% | 2.0% | -92 | +1.1pp |
| Total | 3,417 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,442 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -7,025 | 0.0pp |