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.

Key insight

In 2021, Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) was the most common category among residents in Littlehampton, accounting for 20.5% (675 people). This share was higher than Mount Barker (DC) (19.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 132 people and 3.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Littlehampton - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Littlehampton 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 Littlehampton, with comparison markers for Mount Barker (DC).

Littlehampton
Mount Barker (DC)

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

208

% of total

6.3%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

349

% of total

10.6%

Change from 2016

-1.9pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

294

% of total

8.9%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

245

% of total

7.4%

Change from 2016

-0.9pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

331

% of total

10.0%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

675

% of total

20.5%

Change from 2016

-2.7pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

459

% of total

13.9%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

391

% of total

11.8%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

337

% of total

10.2%

Change from 2016

+3.5pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

38

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Data table

Service age groups for Littlehampton. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mount Barker (DC).

Service age groups for Littlehampton. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mount Barker (DC).
Service age groups for Littlehampton. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mount Barker (DC).
Category20212016Change
Count%Mount Barker (DC)%Count%Mount Barker (DC)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)2086.3%6.4%2036.6%6.4%+5-0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)34910.6%9.1%38312.5%9.7%-34-1.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)2948.9%7.8%2628.5%8.2%+32+0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)2457.4%8.1%2558.3%8.4%-10-0.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)33110.0%12.6%2899.4%11.5%+42+0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)67520.5%19.6%71223.2%20.7%-37-2.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)45913.9%13.0%39512.9%13.6%+64+1.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)39111.8%11.5%35611.6%11.5%+35+0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)33710.2%10.2%2056.7%8.1%+132+3.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)381.2%1.9%260.8%1.9%+12+0.4pp
Total3,300100.0%100.0%3,073100.0%100.0%+2270.0pp