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, Seniors (70 to 84) was the most common category among residents in McLaren Vale, accounting for 20.1% (817 people). This share was higher than Onkaparinga (C) (11.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 154 people and 2.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
McLaren Vale - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for McLaren Vale 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 Vale, with comparison markers for Onkaparinga (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
140
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
140
3.4%
+0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
272
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
272
6.7%
-0.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
255
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
255
6.3%
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
235
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
235
5.8%
-1.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
282
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
282
6.9%
+1.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
628
% of total
15.5%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
628
15.5%
-1.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
604
% of total
14.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
604
14.9%
-0.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
635
% of total
15.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
635
15.6%
+0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
817
% of total
20.1%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
817
20.1%
+2.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
203
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
203
5.0%
-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)
+12
+0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-7
-0.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+17
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-32
-1.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+73
+1.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-40
-1.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+21
-0.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+50
+0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+154
+2.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+1
-0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for McLaren Vale. 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) | 140 | 3.4% | 5.4% | 128 | 3.3% | 6.2% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 272 | 6.7% | 8.6% | 279 | 7.3% | 8.9% | -7 | -0.6pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 255 | 6.3% | 7.3% | 238 | 6.2% | 7.5% | +17 | +0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 235 | 5.8% | 7.9% | 267 | 6.9% | 8.4% | -32 | -1.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 282 | 6.9% | 12.2% | 209 | 5.4% | 12.4% | +73 | +1.5pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 628 | 15.5% | 19.2% | 668 | 17.4% | 19.7% | -40 | -1.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 604 | 14.9% | 13.1% | 583 | 15.2% | 13.3% | +21 | -0.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 635 | 15.6% | 12.3% | 585 | 15.2% | 12.4% | +50 | +0.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 817 | 20.1% | 11.8% | 663 | 17.3% | 9.1% | +154 | +2.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 203 | 5.0% | 2.2% | 202 | 5.3% | 2.1% | +1 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 4,061 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,842 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +219 | 0.0pp |