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 North Melbourne, accounting for 28.6% (4,282 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 1,273 people and 8.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
North Melbourne - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for North 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 North Melbourne, with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
550
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
550
3.7%
-0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
800
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
800
5.4%
+0.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
730
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
730
4.9%
+1.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
2,415
% of total
16.2%
Change from 2016
-8.5pp
2,415
16.2%
-8.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
4,282
% of total
28.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
4,282
28.6%
+0.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
3,169
% of total
21.2%
Change from 2016
+4.0pp
3,169
21.2%
+4.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,216
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
1,216
8.1%
+0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
950
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
950
6.4%
+0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
687
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
687
4.6%
+0.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
117
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
117
0.8%
+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)
-37
-0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+87
+0.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+155
+1.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-1,273
-8.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+67
+0.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+598
+4.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+116
+0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+127
+0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+117
+0.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+13
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for North 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) | 550 | 3.7% | 2.9% | 587 | 3.9% | 3.2% | -37 | -0.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 800 | 5.4% | 2.8% | 713 | 4.8% | 2.4% | +87 | +0.6pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 730 | 4.9% | 2.1% | 575 | 3.8% | 2.4% | +155 | +1.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 2,415 | 16.2% | 20.0% | 3,688 | 24.7% | 28.1% | -1,273 | -8.5pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 4,282 | 28.6% | 35.4% | 4,215 | 28.2% | 32.7% | +67 | +0.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 3,169 | 21.2% | 19.7% | 2,571 | 17.2% | 15.6% | +598 | +4.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,216 | 8.1% | 6.9% | 1,100 | 7.4% | 6.5% | +116 | +0.7pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 950 | 6.4% | 5.2% | 823 | 5.5% | 5.0% | +127 | +0.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 687 | 4.6% | 4.1% | 570 | 3.8% | 3.2% | +117 | +0.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 117 | 0.8% | 0.8% | 104 | 0.7% | 0.9% | +13 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 14,953 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,940 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +13 | 0.0pp |