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 Wellington (S), accounting for 17.2% (7,833 people). This share was lower than Regional Vic. (17.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 1,528 people and 2.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Wellington (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Wellington (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Wellington (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
2,402
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
2,402
5.3%
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
3,693
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
3,693
8.1%
-0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
3,263
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
3,263
7.1%
-0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
3,090
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
3,090
6.8%
-0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
5,171
% of total
11.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
5,171
11.3%
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
7,833
% of total
17.2%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
7,833
17.2%
-0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
6,090
% of total
13.3%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
6,090
13.3%
-1.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
6,907
% of total
15.1%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
6,907
15.1%
+0.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
6,137
% of total
13.4%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
6,137
13.4%
+2.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
1,035
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,035
2.3%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-40
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+44
-0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+125
-0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+21
-0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+319
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+119
-0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-152
-1.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+625
+0.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+1,528
+2.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-1
-0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Wellington (S). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 2,402 | 5.3% | 5.4% | 2,442 | 5.7% | 5.8% | -40 | -0.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 3,693 | 8.1% | 8.4% | 3,649 | 8.5% | 8.7% | +44 | -0.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 3,263 | 7.1% | 7.2% | 3,138 | 7.3% | 7.4% | +125 | -0.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 3,090 | 6.8% | 7.3% | 3,069 | 7.1% | 7.9% | +21 | -0.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 5,171 | 11.3% | 11.7% | 4,852 | 11.3% | 10.9% | +319 | 0.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 7,833 | 17.2% | 17.6% | 7,714 | 17.9% | 18.1% | +119 | -0.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 6,090 | 13.3% | 13.1% | 6,242 | 14.5% | 13.9% | -152 | -1.2pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 6,907 | 15.1% | 13.6% | 6,282 | 14.6% | 13.4% | +625 | +0.5pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 6,137 | 13.4% | 13.0% | 4,609 | 10.7% | 11.1% | +1,528 | +2.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 1,035 | 2.3% | 2.7% | 1,036 | 2.4% | 2.7% | -1 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 45,639 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 42,983 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,656 | 0.0pp |