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.

Key insight

In 2021, Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) was the most common category among residents in Doncaster East, accounting for 21.2% (6,562 people). This share was higher than Manningham (C) (19.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 947 people and 1.4 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Doncaster East - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Doncaster East in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Manningham (C) and change since 2016.

Age structure - Service age groups snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Doncaster East, with comparison markers for Manningham (C).

Doncaster East
Manningham (C)

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

1,471

% of total

4.8%

Change from 2016

-0.4pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

2,982

% of total

9.6%

Change from 2016

+1.4pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

2,132

% of total

6.9%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

2,330

% of total

7.5%

Change from 2016

-1.3pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

3,370

% of total

10.9%

Change from 2016

-0.9pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

6,562

% of total

21.2%

Change from 2016

+1.4pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

3,775

% of total

12.2%

Change from 2016

-1.0pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

3,445

% of total

11.1%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

3,874

% of total

12.5%

Change from 2016

+0.7pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

992

% of total

3.2%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Data table

Service age groups for Doncaster East. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Manningham (C).

Service age groups for Doncaster East. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Manningham (C).
Service age groups for Doncaster East. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Manningham (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Manningham (C)%Count%Manningham (C)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)1,4714.8%4.5%1,4795.2%4.8%-8-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)2,9829.6%8.2%2,3348.2%7.9%+648+1.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)2,1326.9%7.1%2,0347.2%7.3%+98-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)2,3307.5%8.2%2,4908.8%8.9%-160-1.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)3,37010.9%10.7%3,34911.8%11.1%+21-0.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)6,56221.2%19.4%5,61519.8%19.3%+947+1.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)3,77512.2%13.5%3,75513.2%13.7%+20-1.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)3,44511.1%11.5%3,15811.1%11.4%+2870.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)3,87412.5%13.3%3,33411.8%12.5%+540+0.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)9923.2%3.7%8312.9%3.2%+161+0.3pp
Total30,926100.0%100.0%28,360100.0%100.0%+2,5660.0pp