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, Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) was the most common category among residents in Sanderston, accounting for 19% (15 people). This share was higher than Mid Murray (DC) (16.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which decreased by 774 people and 3.8 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Sanderston - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Sanderston in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mid Murray (DC) and change since 2016.

Age structure - Service age groups snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Sanderston, with comparison markers for Mid Murray (DC).

Sanderston
Mid Murray (DC)

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

-6.0pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

-9.0pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

4

% of total

5.1%

Change from 2016

-1.4pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

-7.2pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

4

% of total

5.1%

Change from 2016

-8.2pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

11

% of total

13.9%

Change from 2016

-3.8pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

15

% of total

19.0%

Change from 2016

+7.5pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

15

% of total

19.0%

Change from 2016

+6.4pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

3

% of total

3.8%

Change from 2016

-8.6pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

-4.4pp

Data table

Service age groups for Sanderston. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mid Murray (DC).

Service age groups for Sanderston. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mid Murray (DC).
Service age groups for Sanderston. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mid Murray (DC).
Category20212016Change
Count%Mid Murray (DC)%Count%Mid Murray (DC)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)00.0%3.6%2656.0%4.1%-265-6.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)00.0%6.2%3999.0%6.3%-399-9.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)45.1%5.8%2896.5%5.5%-285-1.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)00.0%4.9%3207.2%6.2%-320-7.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)45.1%7.8%59113.3%8.4%-587-8.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)1113.9%14.9%78517.7%16.9%-774-3.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)1519.0%16.5%50911.5%17.3%-494+7.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)1519.0%19.9%55912.6%18.8%-544+6.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)33.8%17.7%55012.4%13.8%-547-8.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)00.0%2.3%1964.4%2.2%-196-4.4pp
Total79100.0%100.0%4,444100.0%100.0%-4,3650.0pp