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 Donvale, accounting for 18.9% (2,390 people). This share was lower than Manningham (C) (19.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 2,387 people and 11 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Donvale - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Donvale in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Manningham (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Donvale, with comparison markers for Manningham (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
525
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
+4.2pp
525
4.2%
+4.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
1,052
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
1,052
8.3%
-2.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
985
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
985
7.8%
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
1,057
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
+8.4pp
1,057
8.4%
+8.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,064
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
+8.4pp
1,064
8.4%
+8.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
2,390
% of total
18.9%
Change from 2016
+11.0pp
2,390
18.9%
+11.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,763
% of total
13.9%
Change from 2016
-9.8pp
1,763
13.9%
-9.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
1,479
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
+11.7pp
1,479
11.7%
+11.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
1,729
% of total
13.7%
Change from 2016
+5.8pp
1,729
13.7%
+5.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
588
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
+4.7pp
588
4.7%
+4.7pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+525
+4.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+1,048
-2.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+982
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+1,057
+8.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+1,064
+8.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+2,387
+11.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+1,754
-9.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+1,479
+11.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+1,726
+5.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+588
+4.7pp
Data table
Service age groups for Donvale. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Manningham (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Manningham (C)% | Count | % | Manningham (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 525 | 4.2% | 4.5% | 0 | 0.0% | 4.8% | +525 | +4.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 1,052 | 8.3% | 8.2% | 4 | 10.5% | 7.9% | +1,048 | -2.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 985 | 7.8% | 7.1% | 3 | 7.9% | 7.3% | +982 | -0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 1,057 | 8.4% | 8.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 8.9% | +1,057 | +8.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,064 | 8.4% | 10.7% | 0 | 0.0% | 11.1% | +1,064 | +8.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 2,390 | 18.9% | 19.4% | 3 | 7.9% | 19.3% | +2,387 | +11.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,763 | 13.9% | 13.5% | 9 | 23.7% | 13.7% | +1,754 | -9.8pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 1,479 | 11.7% | 11.5% | 0 | 0.0% | 11.4% | +1,479 | +11.7pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 1,729 | 13.7% | 13.3% | 3 | 7.9% | 12.5% | +1,726 | +5.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 588 | 4.7% | 3.7% | 0 | 0.0% | 3.2% | +588 | +4.7pp |
| Total | 12,644 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 38 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +12,606 | 0.0pp |