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 Prairiewood, accounting for 17.7% (612 people). This share was lower than Fairfield (C) (18.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 145 people and 3.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Prairiewood - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Prairiewood in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Fairfield (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Prairiewood, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
162
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
162
4.7%
-1.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
274
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
274
7.9%
-0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
298
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
298
8.6%
+1.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
289
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
289
8.4%
-1.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
399
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
399
11.5%
-0.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
612
% of total
17.7%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
612
17.7%
-0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
449
% of total
13.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
449
13.0%
-0.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
451
% of total
13.0%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
451
13.0%
+0.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
484
% of total
14.0%
Change from 2016
+3.6pp
484
14.0%
+3.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
78
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
78
2.3%
+0.7pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-32
-1.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-10
-0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+70
+1.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-33
-1.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+24
-0.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+14
-0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+25
-0.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+47
+0.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+145
+3.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+26
+0.7pp
Data table
Service age groups for Prairiewood. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Fairfield (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Fairfield (C)% | Count | % | Fairfield (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 162 | 4.7% | 5.2% | 194 | 6.0% | 6.1% | -32 | -1.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 274 | 7.9% | 8.6% | 284 | 8.7% | 9.0% | -10 | -0.8pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 298 | 8.6% | 8.2% | 228 | 7.0% | 8.2% | +70 | +1.6pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 289 | 8.4% | 9.9% | 322 | 9.9% | 10.7% | -33 | -1.5pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 399 | 11.5% | 13.0% | 375 | 11.6% | 13.6% | +24 | -0.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 612 | 17.7% | 18.4% | 598 | 18.4% | 19.3% | +14 | -0.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 449 | 13.0% | 13.4% | 424 | 13.1% | 13.6% | +25 | -0.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 451 | 13.0% | 12.1% | 404 | 12.4% | 10.3% | +47 | +0.6pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 484 | 14.0% | 9.2% | 339 | 10.4% | 7.4% | +145 | +3.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 78 | 2.3% | 2.1% | 52 | 1.6% | 1.8% | +26 | +0.7pp |
| Total | 3,457 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,246 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +211 | 0.0pp |