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 Nairne, accounting for 20.1% (1,069 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 157 people and 2.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Nairne - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Nairne 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 Nairne, with comparison markers for Mount Barker (DC).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
406
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
406
7.6%
-0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
552
% of total
10.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
552
10.4%
-0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
410
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
410
7.7%
-0.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
418
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
418
7.8%
-1.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
785
% of total
14.7%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
785
14.7%
+0.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,069
% of total
20.1%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
1,069
20.1%
-2.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
712
% of total
13.4%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
712
13.4%
+0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
526
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
526
9.9%
+0.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
423
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
423
7.9%
+2.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
26
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
26
0.5%
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)
+9
-0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+21
-0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-16
-0.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-31
-1.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+71
+0.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-66
-2.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+63
+0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+52
+0.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+157
+2.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+3
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Nairne. 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) | 406 | 7.6% | 6.4% | 397 | 7.9% | 6.4% | +9 | -0.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 552 | 10.4% | 9.1% | 531 | 10.5% | 9.7% | +21 | -0.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 410 | 7.7% | 7.8% | 426 | 8.4% | 8.2% | -16 | -0.7pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 418 | 7.8% | 8.1% | 449 | 8.9% | 8.4% | -31 | -1.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 785 | 14.7% | 12.6% | 714 | 14.2% | 11.5% | +71 | +0.5pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,069 | 20.1% | 19.6% | 1,135 | 22.5% | 20.7% | -66 | -2.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 712 | 13.4% | 13.0% | 649 | 12.9% | 13.6% | +63 | +0.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 526 | 9.9% | 11.5% | 474 | 9.4% | 11.5% | +52 | +0.5pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 423 | 7.9% | 10.2% | 266 | 5.3% | 8.1% | +157 | +2.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 26 | 0.5% | 1.9% | 23 | 0.5% | 1.9% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 5,327 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,042 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +285 | 0.0pp |