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 Adelaide, accounting for 27.3% (4,976 people). This share was higher than Adelaide (C) (24.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which increased by 1,044 people and 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Adelaide - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Adelaide in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Adelaide (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Adelaide, with comparison markers for Adelaide (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
318
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
318
1.7%
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
457
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
457
2.5%
+0.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
335
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
335
1.8%
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
4,403
% of total
24.2%
Change from 2016
-6.0pp
4,403
24.2%
-6.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
4,976
% of total
27.3%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
4,976
27.3%
+1.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
3,290
% of total
18.1%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
3,290
18.1%
+2.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,569
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,569
8.6%
-0.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
1,489
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
1,489
8.2%
+0.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
1,249
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
1,249
6.9%
+2.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
142
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
142
0.8%
0.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-17
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+168
+0.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+85
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-168
-6.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+1,044
+1.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+879
+2.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+258
-0.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+299
+0.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+557
+2.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+21
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Adelaide. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Adelaide (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Adelaide (C)% | Count | % | Adelaide (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 318 | 1.7% | 2.0% | 335 | 2.2% | 2.3% | -17 | -0.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 457 | 2.5% | 2.7% | 289 | 1.9% | 2.3% | +168 | +0.6pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 335 | 1.8% | 2.1% | 250 | 1.7% | 2.1% | +85 | +0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 4,403 | 24.2% | 22.8% | 4,571 | 30.2% | 27.3% | -168 | -6.0pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 4,976 | 27.3% | 24.4% | 3,932 | 26.0% | 23.6% | +1,044 | +1.3pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 3,290 | 18.1% | 17.4% | 2,411 | 16.0% | 15.3% | +879 | +2.1pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,569 | 8.6% | 9.1% | 1,311 | 8.7% | 9.6% | +258 | -0.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 1,489 | 8.2% | 9.0% | 1,190 | 7.9% | 9.4% | +299 | +0.3pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 1,249 | 6.9% | 9.0% | 692 | 4.6% | 6.5% | +557 | +2.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 142 | 0.8% | 1.7% | 121 | 0.8% | 1.7% | +21 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 18,202 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 15,115 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,087 | 0.0pp |