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 Docklands, accounting for 38.9% (6,027 people). This share was higher than Melbourne (C) (35.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which increased by 1,869 people and 1 percentage point.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Docklands - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Docklands in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Melbourne (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Docklands, with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
700
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
700
4.5%
-0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
436
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
436
2.8%
+1.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
170
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
170
1.1%
-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
1,720
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
-6.4pp
1,720
11.1%
-6.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
6,027
% of total
38.9%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
6,027
38.9%
+1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
3,609
% of total
23.3%
Change from 2016
+4.7pp
3,609
23.3%
+4.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,356
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
1,356
8.8%
-0.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
911
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
911
5.9%
0.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
514
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
514
3.3%
+1.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
39
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
39
0.3%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+134
-0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+258
+1.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+19
-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-200
-6.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+1,869
+1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+1,573
+4.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+299
-0.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+261
0.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+272
+1.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+22
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Docklands. 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) | 700 | 4.5% | 2.9% | 566 | 5.2% | 3.2% | +134 | -0.7pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 436 | 2.8% | 2.8% | 178 | 1.6% | 2.4% | +258 | +1.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 170 | 1.1% | 2.1% | 151 | 1.4% | 2.4% | +19 | -0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 1,720 | 11.1% | 20.0% | 1,920 | 17.5% | 28.1% | -200 | -6.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 6,027 | 38.9% | 35.4% | 4,158 | 37.9% | 32.7% | +1,869 | +1.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 3,609 | 23.3% | 19.7% | 2,036 | 18.6% | 15.6% | +1,573 | +4.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,356 | 8.8% | 6.9% | 1,057 | 9.6% | 6.5% | +299 | -0.8pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 911 | 5.9% | 5.2% | 650 | 5.9% | 5.0% | +261 | 0.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 514 | 3.3% | 4.1% | 242 | 2.2% | 3.2% | +272 | +1.1pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 39 | 0.3% | 0.8% | 17 | 0.2% | 0.9% | +22 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 15,495 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,964 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,531 | 0.0pp |