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, Young workforce (25 to 34) was the most common category among residents in Burnley, accounting for 32.1% (255 people). This share was higher than Yarra (C) (29.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which decreased by 1,465 people and 4.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Burnley - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Burnley in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Yarra (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Burnley, with comparison markers for Yarra (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
49
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
-5.7pp
49
6.2%
-5.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
41
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-8.7pp
41
5.2%
-8.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
17
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-5.6pp
17
2.1%
-5.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
80
% of total
10.1%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
80
10.1%
+1.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
255
% of total
32.1%
Change from 2016
+15.5pp
255
32.1%
+15.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
182
% of total
22.9%
Change from 2016
-4.2pp
182
22.9%
-4.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
88
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
+3.4pp
88
11.1%
+3.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
40
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
40
5.0%
+0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
37
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
+3.3pp
37
4.7%
+3.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
9
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
9
1.1%
+0.9pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-672
-5.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-806
-8.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-452
-5.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-440
+1.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-755
+15.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-1,465
-4.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-380
+3.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-237
+0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
-49
+3.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-3
+0.9pp
Data table
Service age groups for Burnley. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Yarra (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Yarra (C)% | Count | % | Yarra (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 49 | 6.2% | 4.0% | 721 | 11.9% | 4.6% | -672 | -5.7pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 41 | 5.2% | 4.7% | 847 | 13.9% | 4.9% | -806 | -8.7pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 17 | 2.1% | 3.5% | 469 | 7.7% | 3.3% | -452 | -5.6pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 80 | 10.1% | 8.5% | 520 | 8.6% | 9.6% | -440 | +1.5pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 255 | 32.1% | 29.9% | 1,010 | 16.6% | 30.6% | -755 | +15.5pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 182 | 22.9% | 22.7% | 1,647 | 27.1% | 22.3% | -1,465 | -4.2pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 88 | 11.1% | 10.5% | 468 | 7.7% | 10.1% | -380 | +3.4pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 40 | 5.0% | 8.0% | 277 | 4.6% | 7.7% | -237 | +0.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 37 | 4.7% | 6.8% | 86 | 1.4% | 5.7% | -49 | +3.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 9 | 1.1% | 1.4% | 12 | 0.2% | 1.2% | -3 | +0.9pp |
| Total | 794 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,072 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -5,278 | 0.0pp |