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 Ballan, accounting for 19.5% (660 people). This share was lower than Moorabool (S) (20.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which increased by 134 people and 2.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Ballan - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Ballan in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Moorabool (S) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ballan, with comparison markers for Moorabool (S).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
188
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
188
5.5%
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
310
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
310
9.1%
-0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
227
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
227
6.7%
-0.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
198
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
198
5.8%
-1.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
404
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
404
11.9%
+2.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
660
% of total
19.5%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
660
19.5%
+0.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
494
% of total
14.6%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
494
14.6%
-1.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
413
% of total
12.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
413
12.2%
-0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
417
% of total
12.3%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
417
12.3%
+1.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
83
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
83
2.4%
+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)
+8
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+31
-0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+4
-0.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-15
-1.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+134
+2.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+92
+0.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+11
-1.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+47
-0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+105
+1.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+16
+0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Ballan. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Moorabool (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Moorabool (S)% | Count | % | Moorabool (S)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 188 | 5.5% | 6.3% | 180 | 6.0% | 6.4% | +8 | -0.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 310 | 9.1% | 9.6% | 279 | 9.3% | 10.0% | +31 | -0.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 227 | 6.7% | 7.8% | 223 | 7.5% | 7.9% | +4 | -0.8pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 198 | 5.8% | 7.2% | 213 | 7.1% | 7.9% | -15 | -1.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 404 | 11.9% | 12.7% | 270 | 9.0% | 11.0% | +134 | +2.9pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 660 | 19.5% | 20.2% | 568 | 19.0% | 20.9% | +92 | +0.5pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 494 | 14.6% | 13.3% | 483 | 16.2% | 14.2% | +11 | -1.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 413 | 12.2% | 11.3% | 366 | 12.3% | 12.0% | +47 | -0.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 417 | 12.3% | 10.0% | 312 | 10.5% | 8.2% | +105 | +1.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 83 | 2.4% | 1.7% | 67 | 2.2% | 1.5% | +16 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 3,392 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,985 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +407 | 0.0pp |