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 Adelaide Hills (DC), accounting for 19.1% (7,797 people). This share was lower than Greater Adelaide (19.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 1,331 people and 2.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Adelaide Hills (DC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Adelaide Hills (DC) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Adelaide and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Adelaide Hills (DC), with comparison markers for Greater Adelaide.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
1,983
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,983
4.9%
-0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
3,612
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
3,612
8.8%
-0.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
3,501
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
3,501
8.6%
0.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
3,050
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
3,050
7.5%
0.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
3,458
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
3,458
8.5%
+0.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
7,797
% of total
19.1%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
7,797
19.1%
-1.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
6,252
% of total
15.3%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
6,252
15.3%
-0.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
5,670
% of total
13.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
5,670
13.9%
-0.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
4,801
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
4,801
11.7%
+2.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
762
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
762
1.9%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+46
-0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-83
-0.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+161
0.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+123
0.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+437
+0.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-187
-1.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-39
-0.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+141
-0.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+1,331
+2.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+86
+0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Adelaide Hills (DC). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Adelaide.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Adelaide% | Count | % | Greater Adelaide% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 1,983 | 4.9% | 5.4% | 1,937 | 5.0% | 5.9% | +46 | -0.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 3,612 | 8.8% | 8.2% | 3,695 | 9.5% | 8.2% | -83 | -0.7pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 3,501 | 8.6% | 6.9% | 3,340 | 8.6% | 6.9% | +161 | 0.0pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 3,050 | 7.5% | 8.8% | 2,927 | 7.5% | 9.5% | +123 | 0.0pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 3,458 | 8.5% | 14.0% | 3,021 | 7.8% | 13.8% | +437 | +0.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 7,797 | 19.1% | 19.6% | 7,984 | 20.5% | 19.7% | -187 | -1.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 6,252 | 15.3% | 12.6% | 6,291 | 16.2% | 13.1% | -39 | -0.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 5,670 | 13.9% | 11.2% | 5,529 | 14.2% | 11.1% | +141 | -0.3pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 4,801 | 11.7% | 10.7% | 3,470 | 8.9% | 9.3% | +1,331 | +2.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 762 | 1.9% | 2.6% | 676 | 1.7% | 2.6% | +86 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 40,879 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 38,863 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,016 | 0.0pp |