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 West, accounting for 20.9% (326 people). This share was lower than Moonee Valley (C) (21.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59), which increased by 76 people and 4.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Essendon West - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Essendon 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 Essendon West, with comparison markers for Moonee Valley (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
82
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
82
5.3%
+1.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
125
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
125
8.0%
-1.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
140
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
140
9.0%
-0.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
163
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
163
10.5%
+1.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
180
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
180
11.5%
-2.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
326
% of total
20.9%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
326
20.9%
-1.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
227
% of total
14.6%
Change from 2016
+4.1pp
227
14.6%
+4.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
138
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
138
8.9%
-2.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
139
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
139
8.9%
-0.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
44
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
44
2.8%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+21
+1.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-7
-1.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-1
-0.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+36
+1.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-14
-2.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+4
-1.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+76
+4.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-19
-2.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
-2
-0.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+1
-0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Essendon 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) | 82 | 5.3% | 5.0% | 61 | 4.2% | 5.7% | +21 | +1.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 125 | 8.0% | 7.7% | 132 | 9.2% | 7.9% | -7 | -1.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 140 | 9.0% | 6.5% | 141 | 9.8% | 6.4% | -1 | -0.8pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 163 | 10.5% | 8.5% | 127 | 8.8% | 9.1% | +36 | +1.7pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 180 | 11.5% | 15.2% | 194 | 13.5% | 16.0% | -14 | -2.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 326 | 20.9% | 21.3% | 322 | 22.4% | 21.6% | +4 | -1.5pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 227 | 14.6% | 13.0% | 151 | 10.5% | 12.2% | +76 | +4.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 138 | 8.9% | 10.3% | 157 | 10.9% | 9.6% | -19 | -2.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 139 | 8.9% | 9.9% | 141 | 9.8% | 9.0% | -2 | -0.9pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 44 | 2.8% | 2.7% | 43 | 3.0% | 2.5% | +1 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 1,559 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,439 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +120 | 0.0pp |