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 East Melbourne, accounting for 23.2% (1,138 people). This share was lower than Melbourne (C) (35.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which decreased by 258 people and 4.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
East Melbourne - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for East Melbourne in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Melbourne (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for East Melbourne, with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
112
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
112
2.3%
-1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
132
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
132
2.7%
+0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
94
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
94
1.9%
+0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
322
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
322
6.6%
-1.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,138
% of total
23.2%
Change from 2016
-4.9pp
1,138
23.2%
-4.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,039
% of total
21.2%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
1,039
21.2%
+1.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
627
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
627
12.8%
+0.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
692
% of total
14.1%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
692
14.1%
+0.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
644
% of total
13.2%
Change from 2016
+4.7pp
644
13.2%
+4.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
121
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
121
2.5%
-0.4pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-50
-1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+36
+0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+9
+0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-65
-1.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-258
-4.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+39
+1.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+36
+0.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+29
+0.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+221
+4.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-23
-0.4pp
Data table
Service age groups for East Melbourne. 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) | 112 | 2.3% | 2.9% | 162 | 3.3% | 3.2% | -50 | -1.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 132 | 2.7% | 2.8% | 96 | 1.9% | 2.4% | +36 | +0.8pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 94 | 1.9% | 2.1% | 85 | 1.7% | 2.4% | +9 | +0.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 322 | 6.6% | 20.0% | 387 | 7.8% | 28.1% | -65 | -1.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,138 | 23.2% | 35.4% | 1,396 | 28.1% | 32.7% | -258 | -4.9pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,039 | 21.2% | 19.7% | 1,000 | 20.1% | 15.6% | +39 | +1.1pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 627 | 12.8% | 6.9% | 591 | 11.9% | 6.5% | +36 | +0.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 692 | 14.1% | 5.2% | 663 | 13.4% | 5.0% | +29 | +0.7pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 644 | 13.2% | 4.1% | 423 | 8.5% | 3.2% | +221 | +4.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 121 | 2.5% | 0.8% | 144 | 2.9% | 0.9% | -23 | -0.4pp |
| Total | 4,896 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,964 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -68 | 0.0pp |