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 South Plympton, accounting for 20% (944 people). This share was similar to Marion (C) (20.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which increased by 144 people and 1.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
South Plympton - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for South Plympton in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Marion (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for South Plympton, with comparison markers for Marion (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
269
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
269
5.7%
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
344
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
344
7.3%
+0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
238
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
238
5.0%
-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
423
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
423
9.0%
-0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
858
% of total
18.2%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
858
18.2%
+1.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
944
% of total
20.0%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
944
20.0%
-0.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
500
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
500
10.6%
-1.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
517
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
517
11.0%
+0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
449
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
449
9.5%
+0.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
147
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
147
3.1%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+14
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+54
+0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+18
-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+41
-0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+144
+1.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+83
-0.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-16
-1.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+96
+0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+89
+0.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+3
-0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for South Plympton. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Marion (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Marion (C)% | Count | % | Marion (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 269 | 5.7% | 5.4% | 255 | 6.1% | 5.9% | +14 | -0.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 344 | 7.3% | 7.7% | 290 | 6.9% | 7.4% | +54 | +0.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 238 | 5.0% | 6.1% | 220 | 5.3% | 6.1% | +18 | -0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 423 | 9.0% | 8.8% | 382 | 9.2% | 9.6% | +41 | -0.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 858 | 18.2% | 15.1% | 714 | 17.1% | 14.8% | +144 | +1.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 944 | 20.0% | 20.2% | 861 | 20.6% | 19.5% | +83 | -0.6pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 500 | 10.6% | 11.7% | 516 | 12.4% | 13.0% | -16 | -1.8pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 517 | 11.0% | 11.8% | 421 | 10.1% | 11.4% | +96 | +0.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 449 | 9.5% | 10.4% | 360 | 8.6% | 9.1% | +89 | +0.9pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 147 | 3.1% | 2.9% | 144 | 3.4% | 3.1% | +3 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 4,721 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,174 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +547 | 0.0pp |