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 McLaren Flat, accounting for 24% (390 people). This share was higher than Onkaparinga (C) (19.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 64 people and 3.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
McLaren Flat - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for McLaren Flat in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Onkaparinga (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for McLaren Flat, with comparison markers for Onkaparinga (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
94
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
94
5.8%
-1.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
198
% of total
12.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
198
12.2%
-0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
155
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
155
9.5%
-0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
131
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
131
8.1%
+2.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
119
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
119
7.3%
-2.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
390
% of total
24.0%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
390
24.0%
-2.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
241
% of total
14.8%
Change from 2016
+3.2pp
241
14.8%
+3.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
177
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
177
10.9%
0.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
141
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
+3.7pp
141
8.7%
+3.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
11
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
11
0.7%
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)
-20
-1.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+9
-0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+6
-0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+37
+2.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-28
-2.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-17
-2.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+62
+3.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+10
0.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+64
+3.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+1
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for McLaren Flat. 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) | 94 | 5.8% | 5.4% | 114 | 7.4% | 6.2% | -20 | -1.6pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 198 | 12.2% | 8.6% | 189 | 12.3% | 8.9% | +9 | -0.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 155 | 9.5% | 7.3% | 149 | 9.7% | 7.5% | +6 | -0.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 131 | 8.1% | 7.9% | 94 | 6.1% | 8.4% | +37 | +2.0pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 119 | 7.3% | 12.2% | 147 | 9.6% | 12.4% | -28 | -2.3pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 390 | 24.0% | 19.2% | 407 | 26.5% | 19.7% | -17 | -2.5pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 241 | 14.8% | 13.1% | 179 | 11.6% | 13.3% | +62 | +3.2pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 177 | 10.9% | 12.3% | 167 | 10.9% | 12.4% | +10 | 0.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 141 | 8.7% | 11.8% | 77 | 5.0% | 9.1% | +64 | +3.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 11 | 0.7% | 2.2% | 10 | 0.7% | 2.1% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 1,625 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,537 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +88 | 0.0pp |