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 Happy Valley (SA), accounting for 19.5% (2,222 people). This share was higher than Onkaparinga (C) (19.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 2,218 people and 12.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Happy Valley (SA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Happy Valley (SA) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Onkaparinga (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Happy Valley (SA), with comparison markers for Onkaparinga (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
632
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
+5.5pp
632
5.5%
+5.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
914
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
-5.6pp
914
8.0%
-5.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
805
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
805
7.0%
+1.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
807
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
+7.1pp
807
7.1%
+7.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,358
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
+11.9pp
1,358
11.9%
+11.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
2,222
% of total
19.5%
Change from 2016
+12.7pp
2,222
19.5%
+12.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,351
% of total
11.8%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
1,351
11.8%
+1.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
1,563
% of total
13.7%
Change from 2016
-20.2pp
1,563
13.7%
-20.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
1,456
% of total
12.7%
Change from 2016
+12.7pp
1,456
12.7%
+12.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
314
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
314
2.7%
+2.7pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+632
+5.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+906
-5.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+802
+1.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+807
+7.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+1,358
+11.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+2,218
+12.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+1,345
+1.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+1,543
-20.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+1,456
+12.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+314
+2.7pp
Data table
Service age groups for Happy Valley (SA). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Onkaparinga (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Onkaparinga (C)% | Count | % | Onkaparinga (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 632 | 5.5% | 5.4% | 0 | 0.0% | 6.2% | +632 | +5.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 914 | 8.0% | 8.6% | 8 | 13.6% | 8.9% | +906 | -5.6pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 805 | 7.0% | 7.3% | 3 | 5.1% | 7.5% | +802 | +1.9pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 807 | 7.1% | 7.9% | 0 | 0.0% | 8.4% | +807 | +7.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,358 | 11.9% | 12.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 12.4% | +1,358 | +11.9pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 2,222 | 19.5% | 19.2% | 4 | 6.8% | 19.7% | +2,218 | +12.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,351 | 11.8% | 13.1% | 6 | 10.2% | 13.3% | +1,345 | +1.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 1,563 | 13.7% | 12.3% | 20 | 33.9% | 12.4% | +1,543 | -20.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 1,456 | 12.7% | 11.8% | 0 | 0.0% | 9.1% | +1,456 | +12.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 314 | 2.7% | 2.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 2.1% | +314 | +2.7pp |
| Total | 11,420 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 59 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +11,361 | 0.0pp |