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, Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) was the most common category among residents in Loddon (S), accounting for 18.7% (1,453 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (13.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 156 people and 1.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Loddon (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Loddon (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 Loddon (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
313
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
313
4.0%
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
558
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
558
7.2%
-0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
545
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
545
7.0%
-0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
401
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
401
5.2%
+0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
616
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
616
7.9%
+1.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,124
% of total
14.5%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
1,124
14.5%
-1.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,157
% of total
14.9%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
1,157
14.9%
-2.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
1,453
% of total
18.7%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
1,453
18.7%
+1.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
1,266
% of total
16.3%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
1,266
16.3%
+1.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
305
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
305
3.9%
+0.5pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-24
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-16
-0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-10
-0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+32
+0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+110
+1.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-103
-1.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-123
-2.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+146
+1.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+156
+1.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+50
+0.5pp
Data table
Service age groups for Loddon (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) | 313 | 4.0% | 5.4% | 337 | 4.5% | 5.8% | -24 | -0.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 558 | 7.2% | 8.4% | 574 | 7.6% | 8.7% | -16 | -0.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 545 | 7.0% | 7.2% | 555 | 7.4% | 7.4% | -10 | -0.4pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 401 | 5.2% | 7.3% | 369 | 4.9% | 7.9% | +32 | +0.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 616 | 7.9% | 11.7% | 506 | 6.7% | 10.9% | +110 | +1.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,124 | 14.5% | 17.6% | 1,227 | 16.3% | 18.1% | -103 | -1.8pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,157 | 14.9% | 13.1% | 1,280 | 17.0% | 13.9% | -123 | -2.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 1,453 | 18.7% | 13.6% | 1,307 | 17.4% | 13.4% | +146 | +1.3pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 1,266 | 16.3% | 13.0% | 1,110 | 14.8% | 11.1% | +156 | +1.5pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 305 | 3.9% | 2.7% | 255 | 3.4% | 2.7% | +50 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 7,759 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,516 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +243 | 0.0pp |