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 Colonel Light Gardens, accounting for 21.7% (718 people). This share was higher than Mitcham (C) (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Primary schoolers (5 to 11), which decreased by 86 people and 2.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Colonel Light Gardens - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Colonel Light Gardens in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mitcham (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Colonel Light Gardens, with comparison markers for Mitcham (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
174
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
174
5.3%
+0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
309
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
309
9.3%
-2.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
359
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
359
10.8%
+1.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
276
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
276
8.3%
+0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
239
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
239
7.2%
-0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
718
% of total
21.7%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
718
21.7%
-1.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
495
% of total
15.0%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
495
15.0%
-1.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
425
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
425
12.8%
+1.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
264
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
264
8.0%
+2.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
41
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
41
1.2%
-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)
-1
+0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-86
-2.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+52
+1.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
0
+0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-28
-0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-67
-1.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-45
-1.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+42
+1.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+83
+2.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-4
-0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Colonel Light Gardens. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mitcham (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Mitcham (C)% | Count | % | Mitcham (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 174 | 5.3% | 4.9% | 175 | 5.2% | 5.3% | -1 | +0.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 309 | 9.3% | 8.4% | 395 | 11.8% | 8.6% | -86 | -2.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 359 | 10.8% | 7.7% | 307 | 9.2% | 7.5% | +52 | +1.6pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 276 | 8.3% | 8.6% | 276 | 8.2% | 9.1% | 0 | +0.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 239 | 7.2% | 10.5% | 267 | 8.0% | 10.7% | -28 | -0.8pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 718 | 21.7% | 19.9% | 785 | 23.4% | 20.0% | -67 | -1.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 495 | 15.0% | 12.9% | 540 | 16.1% | 13.4% | -45 | -1.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 425 | 12.8% | 11.5% | 383 | 11.4% | 11.5% | +42 | +1.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 264 | 8.0% | 12.2% | 181 | 5.4% | 10.4% | +83 | +2.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 41 | 1.2% | 3.3% | 45 | 1.3% | 3.4% | -4 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 3,311 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,349 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -38 | 0.0pp |