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 Noarlunga Downs, accounting for 18.8% (758 people). This share was lower than Onkaparinga (C) (19.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 143 people and 3.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Noarlunga Downs - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Noarlunga Downs in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Onkaparinga (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Noarlunga Downs, with comparison markers for Onkaparinga (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
227
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
227
5.6%
-1.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
387
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
387
9.6%
+0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
277
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
277
6.9%
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
347
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
347
8.6%
-0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
524
% of total
13.0%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
524
13.0%
-1.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
758
% of total
18.8%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
758
18.8%
-0.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
513
% of total
12.7%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
513
12.7%
-0.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
510
% of total
12.7%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
510
12.7%
+1.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
460
% of total
11.4%
Change from 2016
+3.2pp
460
11.4%
+3.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
59
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
59
1.5%
+0.5pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-63
-1.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+30
+0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+23
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+7
-0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-50
-1.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+15
-0.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-11
-0.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+91
+1.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+143
+3.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+21
+0.5pp
Data table
Service age groups for Noarlunga Downs. 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) | 227 | 5.6% | 5.4% | 290 | 7.5% | 6.2% | -63 | -1.9pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 387 | 9.6% | 8.6% | 357 | 9.3% | 8.9% | +30 | +0.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 277 | 6.9% | 7.3% | 254 | 6.6% | 7.5% | +23 | +0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 347 | 8.6% | 7.9% | 340 | 8.8% | 8.4% | +7 | -0.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 524 | 13.0% | 12.2% | 574 | 14.9% | 12.4% | -50 | -1.9pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 758 | 18.8% | 19.2% | 743 | 19.3% | 19.7% | +15 | -0.5pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 513 | 12.7% | 13.1% | 524 | 13.6% | 13.3% | -11 | -0.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 510 | 12.7% | 12.3% | 419 | 10.9% | 12.4% | +91 | +1.8pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 460 | 11.4% | 11.8% | 317 | 8.2% | 9.1% | +143 | +3.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 59 | 1.5% | 2.2% | 38 | 1.0% | 2.1% | +21 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 4,031 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,846 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +185 | 0.0pp |