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 Coober Pedy (DC), accounting for 17% (266 people). This share was higher than Regional SA (14.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59), which decreased by 49 people and 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Coober Pedy (DC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Coober Pedy (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 Coober Pedy (DC), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
71
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
71
4.5%
-1.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
75
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
75
4.8%
-2.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
84
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
84
5.4%
+0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
71
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
71
4.5%
-1.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
206
% of total
13.2%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
206
13.2%
-0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
260
% of total
16.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
260
16.6%
-0.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
212
% of total
13.5%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
212
13.5%
-1.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
254
% of total
16.2%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
254
16.2%
+2.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
266
% of total
17.0%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
266
17.0%
+1.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
34
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
34
2.2%
+1.4pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-39
-1.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-49
-2.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-4
+0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-28
-1.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-41
-0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-36
-0.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-49
-1.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+8
+2.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
0
+1.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+20
+1.4pp
Data table
Service age groups for Coober Pedy (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) | 71 | 4.5% | 4.9% | 110 | 6.2% | 5.5% | -39 | -1.7pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 75 | 4.8% | 8.1% | 124 | 7.0% | 8.6% | -49 | -2.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 84 | 5.4% | 7.0% | 88 | 5.0% | 7.2% | -4 | +0.4pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 71 | 4.5% | 6.5% | 99 | 5.6% | 6.8% | -28 | -1.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 206 | 13.2% | 10.5% | 247 | 14.0% | 10.4% | -41 | -0.8pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 260 | 16.6% | 16.4% | 296 | 16.8% | 17.8% | -36 | -0.2pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 212 | 13.5% | 13.9% | 261 | 14.8% | 14.6% | -49 | -1.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 254 | 16.2% | 15.1% | 246 | 14.0% | 14.4% | +8 | +2.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 266 | 17.0% | 14.7% | 266 | 15.1% | 12.1% | 0 | +1.9pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 34 | 2.2% | 2.8% | 14 | 0.8% | 2.7% | +20 | +1.4pp |
| Total | 1,566 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,762 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -196 | 0.0pp |