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 Sorell (M), accounting for 18.1% (3,037 people). This share was lower than Greater Hobart (18.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 591 people and 2.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Sorell (M) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Sorell (M) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Hobart and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sorell (M), with comparison markers for Greater Hobart.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
928
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
928
5.5%
-0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
1,393
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
1,393
8.3%
-0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
1,135
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,135
6.8%
-0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
1,140
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,140
6.8%
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
2,209
% of total
13.2%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
2,209
13.2%
+1.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
3,037
% of total
18.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
3,037
18.1%
-0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
2,269
% of total
13.6%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
2,269
13.6%
-1.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
2,389
% of total
14.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
2,389
14.3%
+0.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
1,939
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
1,939
11.6%
+2.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
300
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
300
1.8%
0.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+28
-0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+127
-0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+94
-0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+97
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+532
+1.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+382
-0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+41
-1.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+376
+0.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+591
+2.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+35
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Sorell (M). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Hobart.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Hobart% | Count | % | Greater Hobart% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 928 | 5.5% | 5.2% | 900 | 6.2% | 5.8% | +28 | -0.7pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 1,393 | 8.3% | 8.1% | 1,266 | 8.8% | 8.7% | +127 | -0.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 1,135 | 6.8% | 6.9% | 1,041 | 7.2% | 7.1% | +94 | -0.4pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 1,140 | 6.8% | 8.1% | 1,043 | 7.2% | 8.8% | +97 | -0.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 2,209 | 13.2% | 16.1% | 1,677 | 11.6% | 12.8% | +532 | +1.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 3,037 | 18.1% | 18.8% | 2,655 | 18.4% | 19.1% | +382 | -0.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 2,269 | 13.6% | 12.0% | 2,228 | 15.5% | 13.6% | +41 | -1.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 2,389 | 14.3% | 11.7% | 2,013 | 14.0% | 12.0% | +376 | +0.3pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 1,939 | 11.6% | 10.9% | 1,348 | 9.4% | 9.7% | +591 | +2.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 300 | 1.8% | 2.3% | 265 | 1.8% | 2.4% | +35 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 16,734 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,414 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,320 | 0.0pp |