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 Dales Creek, accounting for 25.8% (104 people). This share was higher than Moorabool (S) (20.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 22 people and 5.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Dales Creek - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Dales Creek in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Moorabool (S) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Dales Creek, with comparison markers for Moorabool (S).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
24
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
24
6.0%
-1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
44
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
44
10.9%
-0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
31
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
31
7.7%
+1.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
25
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
25
6.2%
+0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
52
% of total
12.9%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
52
12.9%
+2.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
104
% of total
25.8%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
104
25.8%
-2.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
55
% of total
13.6%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
55
13.6%
-2.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
37
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
37
9.2%
-2.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
31
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
+5.4pp
31
7.7%
+5.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
0
0.0%
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)
-4
-1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
0
-0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+5
+1.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+1
+0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+12
+2.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-8
-2.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-7
-2.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-11
-2.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+22
+5.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
0
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Dales Creek. 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) | 24 | 6.0% | 6.3% | 28 | 7.0% | 6.4% | -4 | -1.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 44 | 10.9% | 9.6% | 44 | 11.1% | 10.0% | 0 | -0.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 31 | 7.7% | 7.8% | 26 | 6.5% | 7.9% | +5 | +1.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 25 | 6.2% | 7.2% | 24 | 6.0% | 7.9% | +1 | +0.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 52 | 12.9% | 12.7% | 40 | 10.1% | 11.0% | +12 | +2.8pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 104 | 25.8% | 20.2% | 112 | 28.1% | 20.9% | -8 | -2.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 55 | 13.6% | 13.3% | 62 | 15.6% | 14.2% | -7 | -2.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 37 | 9.2% | 11.3% | 48 | 12.1% | 12.0% | -11 | -2.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 31 | 7.7% | 10.0% | 9 | 2.3% | 8.2% | +22 | +5.4pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 0 | 0.0% | 1.7% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.5% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 403 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 398 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5 | 0.0pp |