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 Lower Mitcham, accounting for 20.3% (444 people). This share was higher than Mitcham (C) (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 78 people and 3.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Lower Mitcham - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Lower Mitcham in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mitcham (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Lower Mitcham, with comparison markers for Mitcham (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
103
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
103
4.7%
-1.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
216
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
216
9.9%
+1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
167
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
167
7.6%
+0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
152
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
152
7.0%
-2.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
191
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
191
8.7%
-1.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
444
% of total
20.3%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
444
20.3%
+0.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
320
% of total
14.6%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
320
14.6%
-0.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
284
% of total
13.0%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
284
13.0%
+1.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
292
% of total
13.4%
Change from 2016
+3.5pp
292
13.4%
+3.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
46
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
46
2.1%
-0.7pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-21
-1.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+27
+1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+17
+0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-44
-2.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-27
-1.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+19
+0.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-12
-0.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+37
+1.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+78
+3.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-15
-0.7pp
Data table
Service age groups for Lower Mitcham. 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) | 103 | 4.7% | 4.9% | 124 | 5.8% | 5.3% | -21 | -1.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 216 | 9.9% | 8.4% | 189 | 8.8% | 8.6% | +27 | +1.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 167 | 7.6% | 7.7% | 150 | 7.0% | 7.5% | +17 | +0.6pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 152 | 7.0% | 8.6% | 196 | 9.1% | 9.1% | -44 | -2.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 191 | 8.7% | 10.5% | 218 | 10.1% | 10.7% | -27 | -1.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 444 | 20.3% | 19.9% | 425 | 19.7% | 20.0% | +19 | +0.6pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 320 | 14.6% | 12.9% | 332 | 15.4% | 13.4% | -12 | -0.8pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 284 | 13.0% | 11.5% | 247 | 11.5% | 11.5% | +37 | +1.5pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 292 | 13.4% | 12.2% | 214 | 9.9% | 10.4% | +78 | +3.5pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 46 | 2.1% | 3.3% | 61 | 2.8% | 3.4% | -15 | -0.7pp |
| Total | 2,187 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,153 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +34 | 0.0pp |