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, Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) was the most common category among residents in Merrijig (Mansfield - Vic.), accounting for 29.3% (211 people). This share was higher than Mansfield (S) (9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69), which increased by 51 people and 4.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Merrijig (Mansfield - Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Merrijig (Mansfield - Vic.) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mansfield (S) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Merrijig (Mansfield - Vic.), with comparison markers for Mansfield (S).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
16
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
16
2.2%
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
49
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
49
6.8%
+2.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
211
% of total
29.3%
Change from 2016
-6.8pp
211
29.3%
-6.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
38
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
38
5.3%
+1.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
50
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
50
6.9%
-0.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
114
% of total
15.8%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
114
15.8%
+2.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
67
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
67
9.3%
-0.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
115
% of total
16.0%
Change from 2016
+4.3pp
115
16.0%
+4.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
49
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
+3.3pp
49
6.8%
+3.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
4
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
4
0.6%
+0.6pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+2
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+23
+2.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+13
-6.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+18
+1.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+10
-0.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+38
+2.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+11
-0.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+51
+4.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+30
+3.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+4
+0.6pp
Data table
Service age groups for Merrijig (Mansfield - Vic.). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mansfield (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Mansfield (S)% | Count | % | Mansfield (S)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 16 | 2.2% | 4.0% | 14 | 2.6% | 5.1% | +2 | -0.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 49 | 6.8% | 8.1% | 26 | 4.7% | 8.6% | +23 | +2.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 211 | 29.3% | 9.0% | 198 | 36.1% | 8.5% | +13 | -6.8pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 38 | 5.3% | 4.4% | 20 | 3.6% | 5.1% | +18 | +1.7pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 50 | 6.9% | 8.5% | 40 | 7.3% | 7.8% | +10 | -0.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 114 | 15.8% | 16.8% | 76 | 13.8% | 17.3% | +38 | +2.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 67 | 9.3% | 13.9% | 56 | 10.2% | 15.3% | +11 | -0.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 115 | 16.0% | 17.8% | 64 | 11.7% | 17.1% | +51 | +4.3pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 49 | 6.8% | 15.0% | 19 | 3.5% | 12.8% | +30 | +3.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 4 | 0.6% | 2.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 2.4% | +4 | +0.6pp |
| Total | 721 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 549 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +172 | 0.0pp |