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, Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) was the most common category among residents in Melton (C), accounting for 24% (42,932 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (21.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 10,780 people and 0.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Melton (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Melton (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Melton (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
14,464
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
14,464
8.1%
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
21,036
% of total
11.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
21,036
11.8%
0.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
15,279
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
15,279
8.5%
+0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
15,490
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
15,490
8.7%
-0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
28,325
% of total
15.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
28,325
15.8%
+0.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
42,932
% of total
24.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
42,932
24.0%
+0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
18,248
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
18,248
10.2%
-0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
12,961
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
12,961
7.2%
-0.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
9,055
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
9,055
5.1%
+0.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
1,152
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,152
0.6%
-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)
+2,989
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+4,991
0.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+4,024
+0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+3,407
-0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+7,381
+0.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+10,780
+0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+4,132
-0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+2,239
-0.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+3,285
+0.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+259
-0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Melton (C). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 14,464 | 8.1% | 5.9% | 11,475 | 8.5% | 6.4% | +2,989 | -0.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 21,036 | 11.8% | 8.7% | 16,045 | 11.8% | 8.5% | +4,991 | 0.0pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 15,279 | 8.5% | 6.9% | 11,255 | 8.3% | 6.7% | +4,024 | +0.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 15,490 | 8.7% | 8.9% | 12,083 | 8.9% | 10.0% | +3,407 | -0.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 28,325 | 15.8% | 16.0% | 20,944 | 15.5% | 16.3% | +7,381 | +0.3pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 42,932 | 24.0% | 21.5% | 32,152 | 23.7% | 21.1% | +10,780 | +0.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 18,248 | 10.2% | 11.9% | 14,116 | 10.4% | 11.9% | +4,132 | -0.2pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 12,961 | 7.2% | 9.5% | 10,722 | 7.9% | 9.3% | +2,239 | -0.7pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 9,055 | 5.1% | 8.6% | 5,770 | 4.3% | 7.7% | +3,285 | +0.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 1,152 | 0.6% | 2.0% | 893 | 0.7% | 2.0% | +259 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 178,960 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 135,443 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +43,517 | 0.0pp |