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, Young workforce (25 to 34) was the most common category among residents in Carlton (Vic.), accounting for 33.8% (5,419 people). This share was lower than Melbourne (C) (35.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24), which decreased by 3,105 people and 12.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Carlton (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Carlton (Vic.) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Melbourne (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Carlton (Vic.), with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
306
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
306
1.9%
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
393
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
393
2.4%
-0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
310
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
310
1.9%
-2.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
4,764
% of total
29.7%
Change from 2016
-12.7pp
4,764
29.7%
-12.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
5,419
% of total
33.8%
Change from 2016
+8.4pp
5,419
33.8%
+8.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
2,222
% of total
13.8%
Change from 2016
+3.2pp
2,222
13.8%
+3.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
909
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
909
5.7%
+0.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
727
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
727
4.5%
+0.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
790
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
790
4.9%
+1.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
217
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
217
1.4%
+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)
-125
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-97
-0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-438
-2.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-3,105
-12.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+712
+8.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+247
+3.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+24
+0.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+3
+0.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+225
+1.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+45
+0.5pp
Data table
Service age groups for Carlton (Vic.). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Melbourne (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Melbourne (C)% | Count | % | Melbourne (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 306 | 1.9% | 2.9% | 431 | 2.3% | 3.2% | -125 | -0.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 393 | 2.4% | 2.8% | 490 | 2.6% | 2.4% | -97 | -0.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 310 | 1.9% | 2.1% | 748 | 4.0% | 2.4% | -438 | -2.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 4,764 | 29.7% | 20.0% | 7,869 | 42.4% | 28.1% | -3,105 | -12.7pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 5,419 | 33.8% | 35.4% | 4,707 | 25.4% | 32.7% | +712 | +8.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 2,222 | 13.8% | 19.7% | 1,975 | 10.6% | 15.6% | +247 | +3.2pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 909 | 5.7% | 6.9% | 885 | 4.8% | 6.5% | +24 | +0.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 727 | 4.5% | 5.2% | 724 | 3.9% | 5.0% | +3 | +0.6pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 790 | 4.9% | 4.1% | 565 | 3.0% | 3.2% | +225 | +1.9pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 217 | 1.4% | 0.8% | 172 | 0.9% | 0.9% | +45 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 16,055 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 18,554 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -2,499 | 0.0pp |