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 Whittlesea (C), accounting for 22.6% (51,810 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (21.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 9,591 people and 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Whittlesea (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Whittlesea (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Whittlesea (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
16,510
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
16,510
7.2%
-1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
23,498
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
23,498
10.2%
+0.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
16,757
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
16,757
7.3%
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
19,507
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
19,507
8.5%
-0.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
35,885
% of total
15.6%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
35,885
15.6%
-1.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
51,810
% of total
22.6%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
51,810
22.6%
+1.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
25,141
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
25,141
11.0%
-0.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
20,004
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
20,004
8.7%
+0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
16,973
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
16,973
7.4%
+0.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
3,330
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
3,330
1.5%
+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)
+360
-1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+4,525
+0.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+2,937
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+1,133
-0.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+2,179
-1.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+9,591
+1.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+3,199
-0.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+2,976
+0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+4,066
+0.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+971
+0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Whittlesea (C). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 16,510 | 7.2% | 5.9% | 16,150 | 8.2% | 6.4% | +360 | -1.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 23,498 | 10.2% | 8.7% | 18,973 | 9.6% | 8.5% | +4,525 | +0.6pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 16,757 | 7.3% | 6.9% | 13,820 | 7.0% | 6.7% | +2,937 | +0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 19,507 | 8.5% | 8.9% | 18,374 | 9.3% | 10.0% | +1,133 | -0.8pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 35,885 | 15.6% | 16.0% | 33,706 | 17.1% | 16.3% | +2,179 | -1.5pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 51,810 | 22.6% | 21.5% | 42,219 | 21.4% | 21.1% | +9,591 | +1.2pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 25,141 | 11.0% | 11.9% | 21,942 | 11.1% | 11.9% | +3,199 | -0.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 20,004 | 8.7% | 9.5% | 17,028 | 8.6% | 9.3% | +2,976 | +0.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 16,973 | 7.4% | 8.6% | 12,907 | 6.5% | 7.7% | +4,066 | +0.9pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 3,330 | 1.5% | 2.0% | 2,359 | 1.2% | 2.0% | +971 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 229,396 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 197,491 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +31,905 | 0.0pp |