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 West Melbourne, accounting for 40.5% (3,254 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 1,077 people and 1 percentage point.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
West Melbourne - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for West 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 West Melbourne, with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
244
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
244
3.0%
-0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
240
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
240
3.0%
+0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
201
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
201
2.5%
+0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
1,228
% of total
15.3%
Change from 2016
-4.1pp
1,228
15.3%
-4.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
3,254
% of total
40.5%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
3,254
40.5%
+1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,769
% of total
22.0%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
1,769
22.0%
+1.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
556
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
556
6.9%
0.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
315
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
315
3.9%
+0.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
203
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
203
2.5%
+0.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
17
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
17
0.2%
-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)
+71
-0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+89
+0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+86
+0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+159
-4.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+1,077
+1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+657
+1.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+176
0.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+119
+0.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+78
+0.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-2
-0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for West 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) | 244 | 3.0% | 2.9% | 173 | 3.1% | 3.2% | +71 | -0.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 240 | 3.0% | 2.8% | 151 | 2.7% | 2.4% | +89 | +0.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 201 | 2.5% | 2.1% | 115 | 2.1% | 2.4% | +86 | +0.4pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 1,228 | 15.3% | 20.0% | 1,069 | 19.4% | 28.1% | +159 | -4.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 3,254 | 40.5% | 35.4% | 2,177 | 39.5% | 32.7% | +1,077 | +1.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,769 | 22.0% | 19.7% | 1,112 | 20.2% | 15.6% | +657 | +1.8pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 556 | 6.9% | 6.9% | 380 | 6.9% | 6.5% | +176 | 0.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 315 | 3.9% | 5.2% | 196 | 3.6% | 5.0% | +119 | +0.3pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 203 | 2.5% | 4.1% | 125 | 2.3% | 3.2% | +78 | +0.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 17 | 0.2% | 0.8% | 19 | 0.3% | 0.9% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 8,025 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,515 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,510 | 0.0pp |