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.

Key insight

In 2021, Young workforce (25 to 34) was the most common category among residents in Donnybrook (Vic.), accounting for 31.6% (664 people). This share was higher than Whittlesea (C) (15.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which increased by 645 people and 20.4 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Donnybrook (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Donnybrook (Vic.) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Whittlesea (C) and change since 2016.

Age structure - Service age groups snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Donnybrook (Vic.), with comparison markers for Whittlesea (C).

Donnybrook (Vic.)
Whittlesea (C)

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

247

% of total

11.8%

Change from 2016

+11.8pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

233

% of total

11.1%

Change from 2016

+8.1pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

88

% of total

4.2%

Change from 2016

-3.5pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

167

% of total

8.0%

Change from 2016

+0.9pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

664

% of total

31.6%

Change from 2016

+20.4pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

477

% of total

22.7%

Change from 2016

+6.7pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

118

% of total

5.6%

Change from 2016

-9.2pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

79

% of total

3.8%

Change from 2016

-8.6pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

22

% of total

1.0%

Change from 2016

-13.8pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

6

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

-1.5pp

Data table

Service age groups for Donnybrook (Vic.). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Whittlesea (C).

Service age groups for Donnybrook (Vic.). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Whittlesea (C).
Service age groups for Donnybrook (Vic.). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Whittlesea (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Whittlesea (C)%Count%Whittlesea (C)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)24711.8%7.2%00.0%8.2%+247+11.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)23311.1%10.2%53.0%9.6%+228+8.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)884.2%7.3%137.7%7.0%+75-3.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)1678.0%8.5%127.1%9.3%+155+0.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)66431.6%15.6%1911.2%17.1%+645+20.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)47722.7%22.6%2716.0%21.4%+450+6.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)1185.6%11.0%2514.8%11.1%+93-9.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)793.8%8.7%2112.4%8.6%+58-8.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)221.0%7.4%2514.8%6.5%-3-13.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)60.3%1.5%31.8%1.2%+3-1.5pp
Total2,100100.0%100.0%169100.0%100.0%+1,9310.0pp