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 Peterborough (DC), accounting for 22.2% (364 people). This share was higher than Regional SA (15.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69), which increased by 65 people and 4.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Peterborough (DC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Peterborough (DC) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional SA and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Peterborough (DC), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
55
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
55
3.4%
-0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
101
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
101
6.2%
+0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
100
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
100
6.1%
-0.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
75
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
75
4.6%
-0.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
119
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
119
7.3%
-1.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
241
% of total
14.7%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
241
14.7%
+0.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
250
% of total
15.3%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
250
15.3%
-1.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
364
% of total
22.2%
Change from 2016
+4.4pp
364
22.2%
+4.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
291
% of total
17.8%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
291
17.8%
+2.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
43
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
43
2.6%
-0.6pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-14
-0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+1
+0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-17
-0.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-17
-0.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-24
-1.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+10
+0.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-38
-1.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+65
+4.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+26
+2.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-11
-0.6pp
Data table
Service age groups for Peterborough (DC). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional SA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional SA% | Count | % | Regional SA% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 55 | 3.4% | 4.9% | 69 | 4.1% | 5.5% | -14 | -0.7pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 101 | 6.2% | 8.1% | 100 | 6.0% | 8.6% | +1 | +0.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 100 | 6.1% | 7.0% | 117 | 7.0% | 7.2% | -17 | -0.9pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 75 | 4.6% | 6.5% | 92 | 5.5% | 6.8% | -17 | -0.9pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 119 | 7.3% | 10.5% | 143 | 8.5% | 10.4% | -24 | -1.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 241 | 14.7% | 16.4% | 231 | 13.8% | 17.8% | +10 | +0.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 250 | 15.3% | 13.9% | 288 | 17.2% | 14.6% | -38 | -1.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 364 | 22.2% | 15.1% | 299 | 17.8% | 14.4% | +65 | +4.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 291 | 17.8% | 14.7% | 265 | 15.8% | 12.1% | +26 | +2.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 43 | 2.6% | 2.8% | 54 | 3.2% | 2.7% | -11 | -0.6pp |
| Total | 1,638 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,678 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -40 | 0.0pp |