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 Copper Coast (DC), accounting for 19.5% (2,942 people). This share was higher than Regional SA (14.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 697 people and 3.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Copper Coast (DC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Copper Coast (DC) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional SA and change since 2016.
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Copper Coast (DC), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
622
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
622
4.1%
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
1,013
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
1,013
6.7%
-0.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
898
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
898
6.0%
-0.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
796
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
796
5.3%
-0.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,263
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
1,263
8.4%
-0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
2,056
% of total
13.7%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
2,056
13.7%
-1.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
2,121
% of total
14.1%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
2,121
14.1%
-0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
2,777
% of total
18.5%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
2,777
18.5%
+1.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
2,942
% of total
19.5%
Change from 2016
+3.6pp
2,942
19.5%
+3.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
526
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
526
3.5%
+0.3pp
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-21
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-56
-0.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-70
-0.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-19
-0.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-12
-0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-108
-1.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+55
-0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+320
+1.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+697
+3.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+77
+0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Copper Coast (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) | 622 | 4.1% | 4.9% | 643 | 4.5% | 5.5% | -21 | -0.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 1,013 | 6.7% | 8.1% | 1,069 | 7.6% | 8.6% | -56 | -0.9pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 898 | 6.0% | 7.0% | 968 | 6.8% | 7.2% | -70 | -0.8pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 796 | 5.3% | 6.5% | 815 | 5.8% | 6.8% | -19 | -0.5pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,263 | 8.4% | 10.5% | 1,275 | 9.0% | 10.4% | -12 | -0.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 2,056 | 13.7% | 16.4% | 2,164 | 15.3% | 17.8% | -108 | -1.6pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 2,121 | 14.1% | 13.9% | 2,066 | 14.6% | 14.6% | +55 | -0.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 2,777 | 18.5% | 15.1% | 2,457 | 17.4% | 14.4% | +320 | +1.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 2,942 | 19.5% | 14.7% | 2,245 | 15.9% | 12.1% | +697 | +3.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 526 | 3.5% | 2.8% | 449 | 3.2% | 2.7% | +77 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 15,050 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,139 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +911 | 0.0pp |