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.

Key insight

In 2021, Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) was the most common category among residents in Marion, accounting for 16.7% (684 people). This share was lower than Marion (C) (20.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which increased by 136 people and 2.8 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Marion - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Marion in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Marion (C) and change since 2016.

Age structure - Service age groups snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Marion, with comparison markers for Marion (C).

Marion
Marion (C)

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

179

% of total

4.4%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

225

% of total

5.5%

Change from 2016

-0.4pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

289

% of total

7.0%

Change from 2016

-1.2pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

368

% of total

9.0%

Change from 2016

+0.7pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

598

% of total

14.6%

Change from 2016

+2.8pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

684

% of total

16.7%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

418

% of total

10.2%

Change from 2016

-0.4pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

425

% of total

10.4%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

660

% of total

16.1%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

279

% of total

6.8%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Data table

Service age groups for Marion. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Marion (C).

Service age groups for Marion. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Marion (C).
Service age groups for Marion. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Marion (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Marion (C)%Count%Marion (C)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)1794.4%5.4%1754.5%5.9%+4-0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)2255.5%7.7%2305.9%7.4%-5-0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)2897.0%6.1%3208.2%6.1%-31-1.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)3689.0%8.8%3258.3%9.6%+43+0.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)59814.6%15.1%46211.8%14.8%+136+2.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)68416.7%20.2%63616.3%19.5%+48+0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)41810.2%11.7%41510.6%13.0%+3-0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)42510.4%11.8%42510.9%11.4%0-0.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)66016.1%10.4%62115.9%9.1%+39+0.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)2796.8%2.9%2787.1%3.1%+1-0.3pp
Total4,101100.0%100.0%3,902100.0%100.0%+1990.0pp