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 Litchfield (M), accounting for 22% (4,704 people). This share was lower than Greater Darwin (22.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which decreased by 1,418 people and 3.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Litchfield (M) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Litchfield (M) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Darwin and change since 2016.
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Litchfield (M), with comparison markers for Greater Darwin.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
1,125
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,125
5.3%
-0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
1,920
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
1,920
9.0%
+0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
1,605
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,605
7.5%
+0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
1,913
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,913
8.9%
-0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
2,883
% of total
13.5%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
2,883
13.5%
-2.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
4,704
% of total
22.0%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
4,704
22.0%
-3.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
3,391
% of total
15.8%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
3,391
15.8%
+0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
2,400
% of total
11.2%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
2,400
11.2%
+2.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
1,366
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
1,366
6.4%
+2.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
98
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
98
0.5%
+0.2pp
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-172
-0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-172
+0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-92
+0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-242
-0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-847
-2.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-1,418
-3.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-245
+0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+217
+2.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+493
+2.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+27
+0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Litchfield (M). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Darwin.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Darwin% | Count | % | Greater Darwin% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 1,125 | 5.3% | 6.8% | 1,297 | 5.4% | 7.4% | -172 | -0.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 1,920 | 9.0% | 9.6% | 2,092 | 8.8% | 9.2% | -172 | +0.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 1,605 | 7.5% | 7.2% | 1,697 | 7.1% | 7.0% | -92 | +0.4pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 1,913 | 8.9% | 8.5% | 2,155 | 9.0% | 9.1% | -242 | -0.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 2,883 | 13.5% | 18.5% | 3,730 | 15.6% | 19.6% | -847 | -2.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 4,704 | 22.0% | 22.5% | 6,122 | 25.7% | 23.3% | -1,418 | -3.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 3,391 | 15.8% | 12.1% | 3,636 | 15.2% | 12.2% | -245 | +0.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 2,400 | 11.2% | 8.6% | 2,183 | 9.2% | 8.0% | +217 | +2.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 1,366 | 6.4% | 5.5% | 873 | 3.7% | 3.8% | +493 | +2.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 98 | 0.5% | 0.6% | 71 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +27 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 21,411 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 23,855 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -2,444 | 0.0pp |