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, Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) was the most common category among residents in Dawesley, accounting for 18% (57 people). This share was higher than Mount Barker (DC) (13%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which decreased by 15 people and 9.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Dawesley - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Dawesley in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mount Barker (DC) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Dawesley, with comparison markers for Mount Barker (DC).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
20
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
+4.0pp
20
6.3%
+4.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
33
% of total
10.4%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
33
10.4%
+2.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
21
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
21
6.6%
-2.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
23
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
23
7.3%
+2.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
28
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
28
8.9%
+0.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
50
% of total
15.8%
Change from 2016
-9.3pp
50
15.8%
-9.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
57
% of total
18.0%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
57
18.0%
-1.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
47
% of total
14.9%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
47
14.9%
-1.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
27
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
+3.9pp
27
8.5%
+3.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
6
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
6
1.9%
+1.9pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+14
+4.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+13
+2.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-2
-2.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+10
+2.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+6
+0.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-15
-9.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+6
-1.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+5
-1.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+15
+3.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+6
+1.9pp
Data table
Service age groups for Dawesley. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mount Barker (DC).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Mount Barker (DC)% | Count | % | Mount Barker (DC)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 20 | 6.3% | 6.4% | 6 | 2.3% | 6.4% | +14 | +4.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 33 | 10.4% | 9.1% | 20 | 7.7% | 9.7% | +13 | +2.7pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 21 | 6.6% | 7.8% | 23 | 8.9% | 8.2% | -2 | -2.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 23 | 7.3% | 8.1% | 13 | 5.0% | 8.4% | +10 | +2.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 28 | 8.9% | 12.6% | 22 | 8.5% | 11.5% | +6 | +0.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 50 | 15.8% | 19.6% | 65 | 25.1% | 20.7% | -15 | -9.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 57 | 18.0% | 13.0% | 51 | 19.7% | 13.6% | +6 | -1.7pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 47 | 14.9% | 11.5% | 42 | 16.2% | 11.5% | +5 | -1.3pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 27 | 8.5% | 10.2% | 12 | 4.6% | 8.1% | +15 | +3.9pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 6 | 1.9% | 1.9% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.9% | +6 | +1.9pp |
| Total | 316 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 259 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +57 | 0.0pp |