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, accounting for 18.4% (1,128 people). This share was lower than Whittlesea (C) (22.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 139 people and 1.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Whittlesea - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Whittlesea in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Whittlesea (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Whittlesea, with comparison markers for Whittlesea (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
338
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
338
5.5%
-0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
557
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
557
9.1%
-1.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
523
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
523
8.5%
-0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
526
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
526
8.6%
+0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
664
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
664
10.9%
-0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,128
% of total
18.4%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
1,128
18.4%
-2.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
780
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
780
12.8%
+1.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
665
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
665
10.9%
+0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
678
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
678
11.1%
+1.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
219
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
219
3.6%
+0.7pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+15
-0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-28
-1.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+25
-0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+59
+0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+43
-0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-37
-2.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+135
+1.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+61
+0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+139
+1.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+58
+0.7pp
Data table
Service age groups for Whittlesea. 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) | 338 | 5.5% | 7.2% | 323 | 5.8% | 8.2% | +15 | -0.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 557 | 9.1% | 10.2% | 585 | 10.4% | 9.6% | -28 | -1.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 523 | 8.5% | 7.3% | 498 | 8.9% | 7.0% | +25 | -0.4pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 526 | 8.6% | 8.5% | 467 | 8.3% | 9.3% | +59 | +0.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 664 | 10.9% | 15.6% | 621 | 11.1% | 17.1% | +43 | -0.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,128 | 18.4% | 22.6% | 1,165 | 20.8% | 21.4% | -37 | -2.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 780 | 12.8% | 11.0% | 645 | 11.5% | 11.1% | +135 | +1.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 665 | 10.9% | 8.7% | 604 | 10.8% | 8.6% | +61 | +0.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 678 | 11.1% | 7.4% | 539 | 9.6% | 6.5% | +139 | +1.5pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 219 | 3.6% | 1.5% | 161 | 2.9% | 1.2% | +58 | +0.7pp |
| Total | 6,117 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,611 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +506 | 0.0pp |