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 Airport West, accounting for 22% (1,795 people). This share was higher than Moonee Valley (C) (21.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 164 people and 0.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Airport West - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Airport West in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Moonee Valley (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Airport West, with comparison markers for Moonee Valley (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
533
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
533
6.5%
+0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
604
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
604
7.4%
+0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
434
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
434
5.3%
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
534
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
534
6.5%
-0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,280
% of total
15.7%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
1,280
15.7%
-0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,795
% of total
22.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,795
22.0%
+0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
976
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
976
11.9%
+0.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
796
% of total
9.7%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
796
9.7%
-0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
953
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
953
11.7%
-0.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
263
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
263
3.2%
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)
+79
+0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+103
+0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+55
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+20
-0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+30
-0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+164
+0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+97
+0.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+31
-0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+31
-0.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+22
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Airport West. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Moonee Valley (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Moonee Valley (C)% | Count | % | Moonee Valley (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 533 | 6.5% | 5.0% | 454 | 6.0% | 5.7% | +79 | +0.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 604 | 7.4% | 7.7% | 501 | 6.6% | 7.9% | +103 | +0.8pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 434 | 5.3% | 6.5% | 379 | 5.0% | 6.4% | +55 | +0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 534 | 6.5% | 8.5% | 514 | 6.8% | 9.1% | +20 | -0.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,280 | 15.7% | 15.2% | 1,250 | 16.5% | 16.0% | +30 | -0.8pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,795 | 22.0% | 21.3% | 1,631 | 21.6% | 21.6% | +164 | +0.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 976 | 11.9% | 13.0% | 879 | 11.6% | 12.2% | +97 | +0.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 796 | 9.7% | 10.3% | 765 | 10.1% | 9.6% | +31 | -0.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 953 | 11.7% | 9.9% | 922 | 12.2% | 9.0% | +31 | -0.5pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 263 | 3.2% | 2.7% | 241 | 3.2% | 2.5% | +22 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 8,173 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,564 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +609 | 0.0pp |