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 Lalor, accounting for 20.5% (4,770 people). This share was lower than Whittlesea (C) (22.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 313 people and 0.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Lalor - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Lalor in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Whittlesea (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Lalor, with comparison markers for Whittlesea (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
1,487
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
1,487
6.4%
-0.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
2,027
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
2,027
8.7%
+0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
1,494
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,494
6.4%
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
2,013
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
2,013
8.7%
-0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
3,491
% of total
15.0%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
3,491
15.0%
-1.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
4,770
% of total
20.5%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
4,770
20.5%
+0.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
2,510
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
2,510
10.8%
+0.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
2,187
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
2,187
9.4%
-0.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
2,586
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
2,586
11.1%
0.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
630
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
630
2.7%
+1.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-100
-0.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+177
+0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+29
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+30
-0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-194
-1.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+313
+0.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+101
+0.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-108
-0.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+88
0.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+250
+1.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Lalor. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Whittlesea (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Whittlesea (C)% | Count | % | Whittlesea (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 1,487 | 6.4% | 7.2% | 1,587 | 7.0% | 8.2% | -100 | -0.6pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 2,027 | 8.7% | 10.2% | 1,850 | 8.2% | 9.6% | +177 | +0.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 1,494 | 6.4% | 7.3% | 1,465 | 6.5% | 7.0% | +29 | -0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 2,013 | 8.7% | 8.5% | 1,983 | 8.8% | 9.3% | +30 | -0.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 3,491 | 15.0% | 15.6% | 3,685 | 16.3% | 17.1% | -194 | -1.3pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 4,770 | 20.5% | 22.6% | 4,457 | 19.7% | 21.4% | +313 | +0.8pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 2,510 | 10.8% | 11.0% | 2,409 | 10.7% | 11.1% | +101 | +0.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 2,187 | 9.4% | 8.7% | 2,295 | 10.2% | 8.6% | -108 | -0.8pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 2,586 | 11.1% | 7.4% | 2,498 | 11.1% | 6.5% | +88 | 0.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 630 | 2.7% | 1.5% | 380 | 1.7% | 1.2% | +250 | +1.0pp |
| Total | 23,219 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 22,594 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +625 | 0.0pp |