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 Collingwood (Vic.), accounting for 36.5% (3,352 people). This share was higher than Yarra (C) (29.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which increased by 3,315 people and 30.4 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

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

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

Age structure - Service age groups snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Collingwood (Vic.), with comparison markers for Yarra (C).

Collingwood (Vic.)
Yarra (C)

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

376

% of total

4.1%

Change from 2016

-0.7pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

391

% of total

4.3%

Change from 2016

-6.9pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

251

% of total

2.7%

Change from 2016

-8.0pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

729

% of total

7.9%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

3,352

% of total

36.5%

Change from 2016

+30.4pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

2,321

% of total

25.3%

Change from 2016

+3.2pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

799

% of total

8.7%

Change from 2016

-7.2pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

542

% of total

5.9%

Change from 2016

-8.3pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

351

% of total

3.8%

Change from 2016

-5.0pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

69

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Data table

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

Service age groups for Collingwood (Vic.). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Yarra (C).
Service age groups for Collingwood (Vic.). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Yarra (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Yarra (C)%Count%Yarra (C)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)3764.1%4.0%294.8%4.6%+347-0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)3914.3%4.7%6811.2%4.9%+323-6.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)2512.7%3.5%6510.7%3.3%+186-8.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)7297.9%8.5%426.9%9.6%+687+1.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)3,35236.5%29.9%376.1%30.6%+3,315+30.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)2,32125.3%22.7%13422.1%22.3%+2,187+3.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)7998.7%10.5%9615.9%10.1%+703-7.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)5425.9%8.0%8614.2%7.7%+456-8.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)3513.8%6.8%538.8%5.7%+298-5.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)690.8%1.4%40.7%1.2%+65+0.1pp
Total9,179100.0%100.0%605100.0%100.0%+8,5740.0pp