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.

Key insight

In 2021, Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) was the most common category among residents in Westbourne Park, accounting for 19.4% (498 people). This share was lower than Mitcham (C) (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 62 people and 2.4 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Westbourne Park - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Westbourne Park in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mitcham (C) and change since 2016.

Age structure - Service age groups snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Westbourne Park, with comparison markers for Mitcham (C).

Westbourne Park
Mitcham (C)

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

117

% of total

4.6%

Change from 2016

-0.4pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

212

% of total

8.3%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

190

% of total

7.4%

Change from 2016

+0.7pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

214

% of total

8.3%

Change from 2016

-1.1pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

265

% of total

10.3%

Change from 2016

-0.9pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

498

% of total

19.4%

Change from 2016

+0.7pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

320

% of total

12.5%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

303

% of total

11.8%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

294

% of total

11.5%

Change from 2016

+2.4pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

187

% of total

7.3%

Change from 2016

-0.9pp

Data table

Service age groups for Westbourne Park. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mitcham (C).

Service age groups for Westbourne Park. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mitcham (C).
Service age groups for Westbourne Park. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mitcham (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Mitcham (C)%Count%Mitcham (C)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)1174.6%4.9%1275.0%5.3%-10-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)2128.3%8.4%2268.8%8.6%-14-0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)1907.4%7.7%1716.7%7.5%+19+0.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)2148.3%8.6%2409.4%9.1%-26-1.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)26510.3%10.5%28811.2%10.7%-23-0.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)49819.4%19.9%47918.7%20.0%+19+0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)32012.5%12.9%32312.6%13.4%-3-0.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)30311.8%11.5%29111.4%11.5%+12+0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)29411.5%12.2%2329.1%10.4%+62+2.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)1877.3%3.3%2098.2%3.4%-22-0.9pp
Total2,564100.0%100.0%2,563100.0%100.0%+10.0pp