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 Darley, accounting for 20.3% (1,864 people). This share was similar to Moorabool (S) (20.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 218 people and 1.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Darley - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Darley in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Moorabool (S) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Darley, with comparison markers for Moorabool (S).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
585
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
585
6.4%
-1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
958
% of total
10.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
958
10.4%
-0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
774
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
774
8.4%
-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
783
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
783
8.5%
-0.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,234
% of total
13.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
1,234
13.4%
+0.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,864
% of total
20.3%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
1,864
20.3%
-1.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,246
% of total
13.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,246
13.6%
-0.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
959
% of total
10.4%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
959
10.4%
+0.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
663
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
663
7.2%
+1.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
136
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
136
1.5%
+0.9pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-31
-1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+72
-0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+45
-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+16
-0.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+137
+0.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+49
-1.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+102
-0.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+126
+0.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+218
+1.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+84
+0.9pp
Data table
Service age groups for Darley. 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) | 585 | 6.4% | 6.3% | 616 | 7.4% | 6.4% | -31 | -1.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 958 | 10.4% | 9.6% | 886 | 10.6% | 10.0% | +72 | -0.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 774 | 8.4% | 7.8% | 729 | 8.7% | 7.9% | +45 | -0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 783 | 8.5% | 7.2% | 767 | 9.2% | 7.9% | +16 | -0.7pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,234 | 13.4% | 12.7% | 1,097 | 13.1% | 11.0% | +137 | +0.3pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,864 | 20.3% | 20.2% | 1,815 | 21.7% | 20.9% | +49 | -1.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,246 | 13.6% | 13.3% | 1,144 | 13.7% | 14.2% | +102 | -0.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 959 | 10.4% | 11.3% | 833 | 9.9% | 12.0% | +126 | +0.5pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 663 | 7.2% | 10.0% | 445 | 5.3% | 8.2% | +218 | +1.9pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 136 | 1.5% | 1.7% | 52 | 0.6% | 1.5% | +84 | +0.9pp |
| Total | 9,190 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,372 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +818 | 0.0pp |