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 Kangaroo Island (DC), accounting for 17.6% (860 people). This share was higher than Regional SA (15.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 232 people and 4.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Kangaroo Island (DC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Kangaroo Island (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 Kangaroo Island (DC), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
259
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
259
5.3%
+0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
378
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
378
7.7%
-0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
265
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
265
5.4%
-1.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
251
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
251
5.1%
+0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
478
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
478
9.8%
+0.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
765
% of total
15.6%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
765
15.6%
-1.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
735
% of total
15.0%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
735
15.0%
-2.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
860
% of total
17.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
860
17.6%
0.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
788
% of total
16.1%
Change from 2016
+4.3pp
788
16.1%
+4.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
119
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
119
2.4%
-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)
+16
+0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+12
-0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-53
-1.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+30
+0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+43
+0.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-31
-1.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-63
-2.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+34
0.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+232
+4.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-5
-0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Kangaroo Island (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) | 259 | 5.3% | 4.9% | 243 | 5.2% | 5.5% | +16 | +0.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 378 | 7.7% | 8.1% | 366 | 7.8% | 8.6% | +12 | -0.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 265 | 5.4% | 7.0% | 318 | 6.8% | 7.2% | -53 | -1.4pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 251 | 5.1% | 6.5% | 221 | 4.7% | 6.8% | +30 | +0.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 478 | 9.8% | 10.5% | 435 | 9.3% | 10.4% | +43 | +0.5pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 765 | 15.6% | 16.4% | 796 | 16.9% | 17.8% | -31 | -1.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 735 | 15.0% | 13.9% | 798 | 17.0% | 14.6% | -63 | -2.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 860 | 17.6% | 15.1% | 826 | 17.6% | 14.4% | +34 | 0.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 788 | 16.1% | 14.7% | 556 | 11.8% | 12.1% | +232 | +4.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 119 | 2.4% | 2.8% | 124 | 2.6% | 2.7% | -5 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 4,894 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,702 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +192 | 0.0pp |