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 Wistow, accounting for 20.4% (58 people). This share was higher than Mount Barker (DC) (13%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24), which increased by 8 people and 2.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Wistow - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Wistow 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 Wistow, with comparison markers for Mount Barker (DC).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
10
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
10
3.5%
+2.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
13
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
13
4.6%
-0.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
26
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
26
9.1%
-0.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
15
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
15
5.3%
+2.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
13
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
13
4.6%
-0.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
47
% of total
16.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
47
16.5%
-0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
58
% of total
20.4%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
58
20.4%
+1.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
43
% of total
15.1%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
43
15.1%
-2.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
30
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
30
10.5%
-1.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
6
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
6
2.1%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+7
+2.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-2
-0.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-1
-0.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+8
+2.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
0
-0.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+1
-0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+7
+1.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-5
-2.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
-3
-1.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+1
+0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Wistow. 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) | 10 | 3.5% | 6.4% | 3 | 1.1% | 6.4% | +7 | +2.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 13 | 4.6% | 9.1% | 15 | 5.5% | 9.7% | -2 | -0.9pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 26 | 9.1% | 7.8% | 27 | 9.9% | 8.2% | -1 | -0.8pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 15 | 5.3% | 8.1% | 7 | 2.6% | 8.4% | +8 | +2.7pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 13 | 4.6% | 12.6% | 13 | 4.7% | 11.5% | 0 | -0.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 47 | 16.5% | 19.6% | 46 | 16.8% | 20.7% | +1 | -0.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 58 | 20.4% | 13.0% | 51 | 18.6% | 13.6% | +7 | +1.8pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 43 | 15.1% | 11.5% | 48 | 17.5% | 11.5% | -5 | -2.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 30 | 10.5% | 10.2% | 33 | 12.0% | 8.1% | -3 | -1.5pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 6 | 2.1% | 1.9% | 5 | 1.8% | 1.9% | +1 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 285 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 274 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +11 | 0.0pp |