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 Melrose (SA), accounting for 14.6% (50 people). This share was lower than Mount Remarkable (DC) (21.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which increased by 17 people and 5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Melrose (SA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Melrose (SA) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mount Remarkable (DC) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Melrose (SA), with comparison markers for Mount Remarkable (DC).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
12
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
12
3.5%
-2.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
34
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
34
9.9%
-0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
20
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
20
5.8%
-0.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
9
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
9
2.6%
-2.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
34
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
+5.0pp
34
9.9%
+5.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
48
% of total
14.0%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
48
14.0%
-1.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
48
% of total
14.0%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
48
14.0%
+1.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
50
% of total
14.6%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
50
14.6%
+2.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
49
% of total
14.3%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
49
14.3%
-1.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
9
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
9
2.6%
+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)
-9
-2.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-3
-0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-3
-0.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-10
-2.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+17
+5.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-7
-1.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+6
+1.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+9
+2.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
-5
-1.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+1
+0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Melrose (SA). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mount Remarkable (DC).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Mount Remarkable (DC)% | Count | % | Mount Remarkable (DC)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 12 | 3.5% | 3.9% | 21 | 6.1% | 3.9% | -9 | -2.6pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 34 | 9.9% | 6.3% | 37 | 10.7% | 7.2% | -3 | -0.8pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 20 | 5.8% | 6.6% | 23 | 6.6% | 6.4% | -3 | -0.8pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 9 | 2.6% | 4.2% | 19 | 5.5% | 5.3% | -10 | -2.9pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 34 | 9.9% | 7.2% | 17 | 4.9% | 6.4% | +17 | +5.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 48 | 14.0% | 13.3% | 55 | 15.9% | 15.3% | -7 | -1.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 48 | 14.0% | 17.0% | 42 | 12.1% | 19.1% | +6 | +1.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 50 | 14.6% | 21.9% | 41 | 11.8% | 17.8% | +9 | +2.8pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 49 | 14.3% | 16.8% | 54 | 15.6% | 15.1% | -5 | -1.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 9 | 2.6% | 2.7% | 8 | 2.3% | 3.0% | +1 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 342 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 347 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -5 | 0.0pp |