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, Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) was the most common category among residents in Bushfield (part), accounting for 19.8% (118 people). This share was higher than Warrnambool (C) (12.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59), which increased by 28 people and 4 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Bushfield (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Bushfield (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Warrnambool (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bushfield (part), with comparison markers for Warrnambool (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
21
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
21
3.5%
-1.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
47
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-5.1pp
47
7.9%
-5.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
78
% of total
13.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
78
13.1%
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
48
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
48
8.1%
+2.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
49
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
49
8.2%
+0.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
114
% of total
19.1%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
114
19.1%
-3.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
118
% of total
19.8%
Change from 2016
+4.0pp
118
19.8%
+4.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
71
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
71
11.9%
-1.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
53
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
+4.2pp
53
8.9%
+4.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
5
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
5
0.8%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-10
-1.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-27
-5.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+5
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+17
+2.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+3
+0.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-16
-3.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+28
+4.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-8
-1.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+26
+4.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+2
+0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Bushfield (part). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Warrnambool (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Warrnambool (C)% | Count | % | Warrnambool (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 21 | 3.5% | 5.2% | 31 | 5.4% | 5.8% | -10 | -1.9pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 47 | 7.9% | 8.4% | 74 | 13.0% | 8.6% | -27 | -5.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 78 | 13.1% | 7.5% | 73 | 12.8% | 7.7% | +5 | +0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 48 | 8.1% | 7.6% | 31 | 5.4% | 9.3% | +17 | +2.7pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 49 | 8.2% | 12.8% | 46 | 8.1% | 12.1% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 114 | 19.1% | 18.1% | 130 | 22.8% | 18.4% | -16 | -3.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 118 | 19.8% | 12.9% | 90 | 15.8% | 13.1% | +28 | +4.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 71 | 11.9% | 12.7% | 79 | 13.8% | 11.9% | -8 | -1.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 53 | 8.9% | 12.1% | 27 | 4.7% | 10.3% | +26 | +4.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 5 | 0.8% | 3.0% | 3 | 0.5% | 2.9% | +2 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 596 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 571 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +25 | 0.0pp |