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 Hawthorn (SA), accounting for 17.3% (385 people). This share was lower than Mitcham (C) (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 97 people and 4.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Hawthorn (SA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Hawthorn (SA) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mitcham (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Hawthorn (SA), with comparison markers for Mitcham (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
92
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
92
4.1%
-1.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
202
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
202
9.1%
+0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
166
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
166
7.5%
-1.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
203
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
203
9.1%
-1.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
231
% of total
10.4%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
231
10.4%
+1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
385
% of total
17.3%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
385
17.3%
-1.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
338
% of total
15.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
338
15.2%
+0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
316
% of total
14.2%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
316
14.2%
+0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
286
% of total
12.9%
Change from 2016
+4.2pp
286
12.9%
+4.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
33
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
33
1.5%
0.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-30
-1.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+15
+0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-29
-1.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-32
-1.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+28
+1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-23
-1.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+14
+0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+27
+0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+97
+4.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+1
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Hawthorn (SA). 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) | 92 | 4.1% | 4.9% | 122 | 5.6% | 5.3% | -30 | -1.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 202 | 9.1% | 8.4% | 187 | 8.6% | 8.6% | +15 | +0.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 166 | 7.5% | 7.7% | 195 | 9.0% | 7.5% | -29 | -1.5pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 203 | 9.1% | 8.6% | 235 | 10.8% | 9.1% | -32 | -1.7pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 231 | 10.4% | 10.5% | 203 | 9.4% | 10.7% | +28 | +1.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 385 | 17.3% | 19.9% | 408 | 18.8% | 20.0% | -23 | -1.5pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 338 | 15.2% | 12.9% | 324 | 15.0% | 13.4% | +14 | +0.2pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 316 | 14.2% | 11.5% | 289 | 13.3% | 11.5% | +27 | +0.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 286 | 12.9% | 12.2% | 189 | 8.7% | 10.4% | +97 | +4.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 33 | 1.5% | 3.3% | 32 | 1.5% | 3.4% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 2,221 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,167 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +54 | 0.0pp |