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, Young workforce (25 to 34) was the most common category among residents in Petermann, accounting for 23.9% (33 people). This share was higher than MacDonnell (R) (19.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which decreased by 21 people and 5.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Petermann - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Petermann in 2021 for persons, with comparison against MacDonnell (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Petermann, with comparison markers for MacDonnell (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
6
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
6
4.3%
+2.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
3
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-6.4pp
3
2.2%
-6.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
3
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
3
2.2%
-3.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
23
% of total
16.7%
Change from 2016
-6.5pp
23
16.7%
-6.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
33
% of total
23.9%
Change from 2016
-5.3pp
33
23.9%
-5.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
19
% of total
13.8%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
19
13.8%
+1.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
15
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
15
10.9%
+1.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
11
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
11
8.0%
-3.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
0
0.0%
-1.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
0
0.0%
-1.6pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+3
+2.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-13
-6.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-7
-3.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-20
-6.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-21
-5.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-4
+1.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-2
+1.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-11
-3.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
-3
-1.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-3
-1.6pp
Data table
Service age groups for Petermann. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with MacDonnell (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | MacDonnell (R)% | Count | % | MacDonnell (R)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 6 | 4.3% | 7.6% | 3 | 1.6% | 6.9% | +3 | +2.7pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 3 | 2.2% | 10.7% | 16 | 8.6% | 9.9% | -13 | -6.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 3 | 2.2% | 7.9% | 10 | 5.4% | 8.3% | -7 | -3.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 23 | 16.7% | 12.4% | 43 | 23.2% | 17.3% | -20 | -6.5pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 33 | 23.9% | 19.2% | 54 | 29.2% | 18.6% | -21 | -5.3pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 19 | 13.8% | 22.7% | 23 | 12.4% | 20.7% | -4 | +1.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 15 | 10.9% | 10.3% | 17 | 9.2% | 10.1% | -2 | +1.7pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 11 | 8.0% | 6.2% | 22 | 11.9% | 5.4% | -11 | -3.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 0 | 0.0% | 2.7% | 3 | 1.6% | 2.3% | -3 | -1.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.2% | 3 | 1.6% | 0.3% | -3 | -1.6pp |
| Total | 138 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 185 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -47 | 0.0pp |