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 Essendon North, accounting for 22.6% (694 people). This share was higher than Moonee Valley (C) (21.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which decreased by 70 people and 2.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Essendon North - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Essendon North 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 Essendon North, with comparison markers for Moonee Valley (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
146
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
146
4.8%
+0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
212
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
212
6.9%
-0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
176
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
176
5.7%
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
262
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
262
8.5%
-1.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
545
% of total
17.7%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
545
17.7%
-2.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
694
% of total
22.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
694
22.6%
-0.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
368
% of total
12.0%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
368
12.0%
+1.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
303
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
303
9.9%
+1.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
234
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
234
7.6%
+0.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
88
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
88
2.9%
-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)
+8
+0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+4
-0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+9
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-21
-1.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-70
-2.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+13
-0.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+39
+1.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+48
+1.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+28
+0.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-2
-0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Essendon North. 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) | 146 | 4.8% | 5.0% | 138 | 4.6% | 5.7% | +8 | +0.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 212 | 6.9% | 7.7% | 208 | 7.0% | 7.9% | +4 | -0.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 176 | 5.7% | 6.5% | 167 | 5.6% | 6.4% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 262 | 8.5% | 8.5% | 283 | 9.5% | 9.1% | -21 | -1.0pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 545 | 17.7% | 15.2% | 615 | 20.6% | 16.0% | -70 | -2.9pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 694 | 22.6% | 21.3% | 681 | 22.8% | 21.6% | +13 | -0.2pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 368 | 12.0% | 13.0% | 329 | 11.0% | 12.2% | +39 | +1.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 303 | 9.9% | 10.3% | 255 | 8.5% | 9.6% | +48 | +1.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 234 | 7.6% | 9.9% | 206 | 6.9% | 9.0% | +28 | +0.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 88 | 2.9% | 2.7% | 90 | 3.0% | 2.5% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 3,071 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,987 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +84 | 0.0pp |