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, Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) was the most common category among residents in Rutherglen, accounting for 16.2% (419 people). This share was higher than Indigo (S) (15.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69), which increased by 410 people and 0.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Rutherglen - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Rutherglen in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Indigo (S) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Rutherglen, with comparison markers for Indigo (S).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
132
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
+5.1pp
132
5.1%
+5.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
208
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
+8.1pp
208
8.1%
+8.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
198
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
+7.7pp
198
7.7%
+7.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
149
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-4.7pp
149
5.8%
-4.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
253
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
+9.8pp
253
9.8%
+9.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
399
% of total
15.5%
Change from 2016
+5.0pp
399
15.5%
+5.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
334
% of total
13.0%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
334
13.0%
-1.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
419
% of total
16.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
419
16.2%
+0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
396
% of total
15.4%
Change from 2016
+10.1pp
396
15.4%
+10.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
80
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+3.1pp
80
3.1%
+3.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+132
+5.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+208
+8.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+198
+7.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+143
-4.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+253
+9.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+393
+5.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+326
-1.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+410
+0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+393
+10.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+80
+3.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Rutherglen. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Indigo (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Indigo (S)% | Count | % | Indigo (S)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 132 | 5.1% | 4.9% | 0 | 0.0% | 4.8% | +132 | +5.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 208 | 8.1% | 8.4% | 0 | 0.0% | 8.9% | +208 | +8.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 198 | 7.7% | 8.1% | 0 | 0.0% | 8.0% | +198 | +7.7pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 149 | 5.8% | 5.3% | 6 | 10.5% | 5.7% | +143 | -4.7pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 253 | 9.8% | 8.5% | 0 | 0.0% | 7.9% | +253 | +9.8pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 399 | 15.5% | 18.0% | 6 | 10.5% | 19.6% | +393 | +5.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 334 | 13.0% | 15.1% | 8 | 14.0% | 16.4% | +326 | -1.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 419 | 16.2% | 15.7% | 9 | 15.8% | 15.8% | +410 | +0.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 396 | 15.4% | 13.9% | 3 | 5.3% | 10.8% | +393 | +10.1pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 80 | 3.1% | 2.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 2.2% | +80 | +3.1pp |
| Total | 2,579 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 57 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,522 | 0.0pp |