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 Tonsley, accounting for 30.1% (224 people). This share was higher than Marion (C) (15.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which increased by 147 people and 11.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Tonsley - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Tonsley in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Marion (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Tonsley, with comparison markers for Marion (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
27
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
27
3.6%
-3.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
37
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
37
5.0%
-1.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
31
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
31
4.2%
-0.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
134
% of total
18.0%
Change from 2016
+5.2pp
134
18.0%
+5.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
224
% of total
30.1%
Change from 2016
+11.7pp
224
30.1%
+11.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
139
% of total
18.7%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
139
18.7%
-1.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
55
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
55
7.4%
-3.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
53
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
53
7.1%
-1.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
39
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
39
5.2%
-3.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
10
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
10
1.3%
-1.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-1
-3.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+9
-1.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+10
-0.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+80
+5.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+147
+11.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+54
-1.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+9
-3.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+18
-1.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+4
-3.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
0
-1.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Tonsley. 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) | 27 | 3.6% | 5.4% | 28 | 6.6% | 5.9% | -1 | -3.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 37 | 5.0% | 7.7% | 28 | 6.7% | 7.4% | +9 | -1.7pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 31 | 4.2% | 6.1% | 21 | 5.0% | 6.1% | +10 | -0.8pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 134 | 18.0% | 8.8% | 54 | 12.8% | 9.6% | +80 | +5.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 224 | 30.1% | 15.1% | 77 | 18.4% | 14.8% | +147 | +11.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 139 | 18.7% | 20.2% | 85 | 20.1% | 19.5% | +54 | -1.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 55 | 7.4% | 11.7% | 46 | 11.0% | 13.0% | +9 | -3.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 53 | 7.1% | 11.8% | 35 | 8.5% | 11.4% | +18 | -1.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 39 | 5.2% | 10.4% | 35 | 8.4% | 9.1% | +4 | -3.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 10 | 1.3% | 2.9% | 10 | 2.4% | 3.1% | 0 | -1.1pp |
| Total | 743 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 420 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +323 | 0.0pp |