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 Para Hills West, accounting for 19.7% (650 people). This share was lower than Salisbury (C) (20.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 60 people and 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Para Hills West - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Para Hills West in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Salisbury (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Para Hills West, with comparison markers for Salisbury (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
216
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
216
6.6%
+0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
263
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
263
8.0%
-1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
219
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
219
6.6%
-0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
290
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
290
8.8%
+0.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
506
% of total
15.4%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
506
15.4%
+0.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
650
% of total
19.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
650
19.7%
+0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
382
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
382
11.6%
-1.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
386
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
386
11.7%
0.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
338
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
338
10.3%
+1.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
78
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
78
2.4%
+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)
+19
+0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-26
-1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+2
-0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+25
+0.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+36
+0.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+35
+0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-38
-1.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+13
0.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+60
+1.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+19
+0.6pp
Data table
Service age groups for Para Hills West. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Salisbury (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Salisbury (C)% | Count | % | Salisbury (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 216 | 6.6% | 6.3% | 197 | 6.2% | 6.9% | +19 | +0.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 263 | 8.0% | 9.3% | 289 | 9.1% | 9.2% | -26 | -1.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 219 | 6.6% | 7.4% | 217 | 6.8% | 7.2% | +2 | -0.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 290 | 8.8% | 9.4% | 265 | 8.3% | 9.8% | +25 | +0.5pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 506 | 15.4% | 14.6% | 470 | 14.7% | 15.3% | +36 | +0.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 650 | 19.7% | 20.1% | 615 | 19.3% | 19.8% | +35 | +0.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 382 | 11.6% | 12.0% | 420 | 13.2% | 12.3% | -38 | -1.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 386 | 11.7% | 10.0% | 373 | 11.7% | 9.9% | +13 | 0.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 338 | 10.3% | 9.1% | 278 | 8.7% | 7.9% | +60 | +1.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 78 | 2.4% | 1.8% | 59 | 1.8% | 1.6% | +19 | +0.6pp |
| Total | 3,295 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,190 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +105 | 0.0pp |