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, Seniors (70 to 84) was the most common category among residents in Barunga West (DC), accounting for 21.5% (564 people). This share was higher than Regional SA (14.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 127 people and 4.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Barunga West (DC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Barunga West (DC) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional SA and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Barunga West (DC), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
114
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
114
4.4%
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
182
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
182
6.9%
+0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
135
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
135
5.2%
-0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
107
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
107
4.1%
+0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
184
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
184
7.0%
+0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
336
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
336
12.8%
-2.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
380
% of total
14.5%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
380
14.5%
-1.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
523
% of total
20.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
523
20.0%
+0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
564
% of total
21.5%
Change from 2016
+4.3pp
564
21.5%
+4.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
101
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
101
3.9%
-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)
-11
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+17
+0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-13
-0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+5
+0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+10
+0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-59
-2.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-33
-1.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+18
+0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+127
+4.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-3
-0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Barunga West (DC). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional SA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional SA% | Count | % | Regional SA% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 114 | 4.4% | 4.9% | 125 | 4.9% | 5.5% | -11 | -0.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 182 | 6.9% | 8.1% | 165 | 6.5% | 8.6% | +17 | +0.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 135 | 5.2% | 7.0% | 148 | 5.8% | 7.2% | -13 | -0.6pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 107 | 4.1% | 6.5% | 102 | 4.0% | 6.8% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 184 | 7.0% | 10.5% | 174 | 6.8% | 10.4% | +10 | +0.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 336 | 12.8% | 16.4% | 395 | 15.5% | 17.8% | -59 | -2.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 380 | 14.5% | 13.9% | 413 | 16.2% | 14.6% | -33 | -1.7pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 523 | 20.0% | 15.1% | 505 | 19.9% | 14.4% | +18 | +0.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 564 | 21.5% | 14.7% | 437 | 17.2% | 12.1% | +127 | +4.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 101 | 3.9% | 2.8% | 104 | 4.1% | 2.7% | -3 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 2,619 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,544 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +75 | 0.0pp |