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 Melrose Park (SA), accounting for 22.7% (527 people). This share was higher than Mitcham (C) (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 71 people and 2.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Melrose Park (SA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Melrose Park (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 Melrose Park (SA), with comparison markers for Mitcham (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
163
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
163
7.0%
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
207
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
207
8.9%
+0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
128
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
128
5.5%
+0.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
178
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
178
7.7%
-0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
333
% of total
14.4%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
333
14.4%
-1.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
527
% of total
22.7%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
527
22.7%
+2.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
235
% of total
10.1%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
235
10.1%
-1.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
233
% of total
10.0%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
233
10.0%
+1.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
205
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
205
8.8%
-0.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
94
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
94
4.1%
-1.7pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-3
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+21
+0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+21
+0.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+4
-0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-21
-1.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+71
+2.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-19
-1.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+52
+1.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
-3
-0.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-34
-1.7pp
Data table
Service age groups for Melrose Park (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) | 163 | 7.0% | 4.9% | 166 | 7.5% | 5.3% | -3 | -0.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 207 | 8.9% | 8.4% | 186 | 8.4% | 8.6% | +21 | +0.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 128 | 5.5% | 7.7% | 107 | 4.8% | 7.5% | +21 | +0.7pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 178 | 7.7% | 8.6% | 174 | 7.9% | 9.1% | +4 | -0.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 333 | 14.4% | 10.5% | 354 | 16.0% | 10.7% | -21 | -1.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 527 | 22.7% | 19.9% | 456 | 20.6% | 20.0% | +71 | +2.1pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 235 | 10.1% | 12.9% | 254 | 11.5% | 13.4% | -19 | -1.4pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 233 | 10.0% | 11.5% | 181 | 8.2% | 11.5% | +52 | +1.8pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 205 | 8.8% | 12.2% | 208 | 9.4% | 10.4% | -3 | -0.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 94 | 4.1% | 3.3% | 128 | 5.8% | 3.4% | -34 | -1.7pp |
| Total | 2,319 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,211 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +108 | 0.0pp |