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, Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) was the most common category among residents in Mid Murray (DC), accounting for 19.9% (1,822 people). This share was higher than Regional SA (15.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 427 people and 3.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Mid Murray (DC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Mid Murray (DC) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional SA and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mid Murray (DC), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
331
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
331
3.6%
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
570
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
570
6.2%
-0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
535
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
535
5.8%
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
453
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
453
4.9%
-1.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
718
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
718
7.8%
-0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,367
% of total
14.9%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
1,367
14.9%
-2.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,514
% of total
16.5%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
1,514
16.5%
-0.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
1,822
% of total
19.9%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
1,822
19.9%
+1.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
1,619
% of total
17.7%
Change from 2016
+3.9pp
1,619
17.7%
+3.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
211
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
211
2.3%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-24
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+26
-0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+56
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-79
-1.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-8
-0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-96
-2.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+21
-0.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+194
+1.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+427
+3.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+20
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Mid Murray (DC). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional SA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional SA% | Count | % | Regional SA% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 331 | 3.6% | 4.9% | 355 | 4.1% | 5.5% | -24 | -0.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 570 | 6.2% | 8.1% | 544 | 6.3% | 8.6% | +26 | -0.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 535 | 5.8% | 7.0% | 479 | 5.5% | 7.2% | +56 | +0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 453 | 4.9% | 6.5% | 532 | 6.2% | 6.8% | -79 | -1.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 718 | 7.8% | 10.5% | 726 | 8.4% | 10.4% | -8 | -0.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,367 | 14.9% | 16.4% | 1,463 | 16.9% | 17.8% | -96 | -2.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,514 | 16.5% | 13.9% | 1,493 | 17.3% | 14.6% | +21 | -0.8pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 1,822 | 19.9% | 15.1% | 1,628 | 18.8% | 14.4% | +194 | +1.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 1,619 | 17.7% | 14.7% | 1,192 | 13.8% | 12.1% | +427 | +3.9pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 211 | 2.3% | 2.8% | 191 | 2.2% | 2.7% | +20 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 9,164 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,642 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +522 | 0.0pp |