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 Smithfield (SA), accounting for 17.5% (434 people). This share was lower than Playford (C) (18.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 69 people and 2.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Smithfield (SA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Smithfield (SA) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Playford (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Smithfield (SA), with comparison markers for Playford (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
184
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
184
7.4%
-1.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
247
% of total
10.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
247
10.0%
+0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
209
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
209
8.4%
+2.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
231
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
231
9.3%
-2.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
357
% of total
14.4%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
357
14.4%
-1.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
434
% of total
17.5%
Change from 2016
+2.5pp
434
17.5%
+2.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
265
% of total
10.7%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
265
10.7%
-1.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
273
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
273
11.0%
+2.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
224
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
224
9.0%
+0.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
60
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
60
2.4%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-33
-1.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+15
+0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+54
+2.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-48
-2.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-19
-1.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+69
+2.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-18
-1.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+59
+2.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+23
+0.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-2
-0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Smithfield (SA). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Playford (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Playford (C)% | Count | % | Playford (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 184 | 7.4% | 7.5% | 217 | 8.9% | 8.6% | -33 | -1.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 247 | 10.0% | 11.0% | 232 | 9.6% | 10.6% | +15 | +0.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 209 | 8.4% | 8.1% | 155 | 6.4% | 7.8% | +54 | +2.0pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 231 | 9.3% | 9.5% | 279 | 11.5% | 10.5% | -48 | -2.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 357 | 14.4% | 15.9% | 376 | 15.5% | 15.3% | -19 | -1.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 434 | 17.5% | 18.5% | 365 | 15.0% | 18.2% | +69 | +2.5pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 265 | 10.7% | 11.6% | 283 | 11.7% | 12.3% | -18 | -1.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 273 | 11.0% | 9.1% | 214 | 8.8% | 8.4% | +59 | +2.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 224 | 9.0% | 7.2% | 201 | 8.3% | 6.9% | +23 | +0.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 60 | 2.4% | 1.6% | 62 | 2.6% | 1.5% | -2 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 2,482 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,426 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +56 | 0.0pp |