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, Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) was the most common category among residents in Paechtown, accounting for 27% (55 people). This share was higher than Mount Barker (DC) (11.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which decreased by 528 people and 8.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Paechtown - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Paechtown 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 Paechtown, with comparison markers for Mount Barker (DC).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
12
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
12
5.9%
-0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
8
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-4.0pp
8
3.9%
-4.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
23
% of total
11.3%
Change from 2016
+3.5pp
23
11.3%
+3.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
6
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-5.4pp
6
2.9%
-5.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
16
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-6.3pp
16
7.8%
-6.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
21
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
-8.6pp
21
10.3%
-8.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
24
% of total
11.8%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
24
11.8%
-0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
55
% of total
27.0%
Change from 2016
+13.7pp
55
27.0%
+13.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
32
% of total
15.7%
Change from 2016
+5.7pp
32
15.7%
+5.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
0
0.0%
-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)
-162
-0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-222
-4.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-204
+3.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-234
-5.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-393
-6.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-528
-8.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-340
-0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-332
+13.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
-259
+5.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-48
-1.7pp
Data table
Service age groups for Paechtown. 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) | 12 | 5.9% | 6.4% | 174 | 6.0% | 6.4% | -162 | -0.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 8 | 3.9% | 9.1% | 230 | 7.9% | 9.7% | -222 | -4.0pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 23 | 11.3% | 7.8% | 227 | 7.8% | 8.2% | -204 | +3.5pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 6 | 2.9% | 8.1% | 240 | 8.3% | 8.4% | -234 | -5.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 16 | 7.8% | 12.6% | 409 | 14.1% | 11.5% | -393 | -6.3pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 21 | 10.3% | 19.6% | 549 | 18.9% | 20.7% | -528 | -8.6pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 24 | 11.8% | 13.0% | 364 | 12.5% | 13.6% | -340 | -0.7pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 55 | 27.0% | 11.5% | 387 | 13.3% | 11.5% | -332 | +13.7pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 32 | 15.7% | 10.2% | 291 | 10.0% | 8.1% | -259 | +5.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 0 | 0.0% | 1.9% | 48 | 1.7% | 1.9% | -48 | -1.7pp |
| Total | 204 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,904 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -2,700 | 0.0pp |