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 Melbourne (part), accounting for 38.3% (21,068 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 4,520 people and 3.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Melbourne (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Melbourne (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Melbourne (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Melbourne (part), with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
1,081
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,081
2.0%
-0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
880
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
880
1.6%
+0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
633
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
633
1.2%
-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
13,183
% of total
24.0%
Change from 2016
-9.8pp
13,183
24.0%
-9.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
21,068
% of total
38.3%
Change from 2016
+3.3pp
21,068
38.3%
+3.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
10,120
% of total
18.4%
Change from 2016
+4.6pp
10,120
18.4%
+4.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
3,209
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
3,209
5.8%
+0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
2,362
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
2,362
4.3%
0.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
1,987
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
1,987
3.6%
+1.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
408
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
408
0.7%
0.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+66
-0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+270
+0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-70
-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-2,819
-9.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+4,520
+3.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+3,598
+4.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+751
+0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+346
0.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+835
+1.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+84
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Melbourne (part). 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) | 1,081 | 2.0% | 2.9% | 1,015 | 2.1% | 3.2% | +66 | -0.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 880 | 1.6% | 2.8% | 610 | 1.3% | 2.4% | +270 | +0.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 633 | 1.2% | 2.1% | 703 | 1.5% | 2.4% | -70 | -0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 13,183 | 24.0% | 20.0% | 16,002 | 33.8% | 28.1% | -2,819 | -9.8pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 21,068 | 38.3% | 35.4% | 16,548 | 35.0% | 32.7% | +4,520 | +3.3pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 10,120 | 18.4% | 19.7% | 6,522 | 13.8% | 15.6% | +3,598 | +4.6pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 3,209 | 5.8% | 6.9% | 2,458 | 5.2% | 6.5% | +751 | +0.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 2,362 | 4.3% | 5.2% | 2,016 | 4.3% | 5.0% | +346 | 0.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 1,987 | 3.6% | 4.1% | 1,152 | 2.4% | 3.2% | +835 | +1.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 408 | 0.7% | 0.8% | 324 | 0.7% | 0.9% | +84 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 54,941 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 47,312 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +7,629 | 0.0pp |