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 Southern Mallee (DC), accounting for 18% (357 people). This share was higher than Regional SA (16.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Secondary schoolers (12 to 17), which increased by 27 people and 1.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Southern Mallee (DC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Southern Mallee (DC) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional SA and change since 2016.
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Southern Mallee (DC), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
93
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
93
4.7%
-0.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
155
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
155
7.8%
-0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
149
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
149
7.5%
+1.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
120
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
120
6.1%
+1.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
227
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
227
11.5%
+0.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
357
% of total
18.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
357
18.0%
-0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
281
% of total
14.2%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
281
14.2%
-0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
267
% of total
13.5%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
267
13.5%
-0.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
270
% of total
13.6%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
270
13.6%
+0.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
64
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
64
3.2%
+0.3pp
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-21
-0.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-20
-0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+27
+1.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+17
+1.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+2
+0.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-13
-0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-20
-0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-21
-0.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+10
+0.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+6
+0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Southern Mallee (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) | 93 | 4.7% | 4.9% | 114 | 5.6% | 5.5% | -21 | -0.9pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 155 | 7.8% | 8.1% | 175 | 8.6% | 8.6% | -20 | -0.8pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 149 | 7.5% | 7.0% | 122 | 6.0% | 7.2% | +27 | +1.5pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 120 | 6.1% | 6.5% | 103 | 5.1% | 6.8% | +17 | +1.0pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 227 | 11.5% | 10.5% | 225 | 11.1% | 10.4% | +2 | +0.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 357 | 18.0% | 16.4% | 370 | 18.3% | 17.8% | -13 | -0.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 281 | 14.2% | 13.9% | 301 | 14.8% | 14.6% | -20 | -0.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 267 | 13.5% | 15.1% | 288 | 14.2% | 14.4% | -21 | -0.7pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 270 | 13.6% | 14.7% | 260 | 12.8% | 12.1% | +10 | +0.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 64 | 3.2% | 2.8% | 58 | 2.9% | 2.7% | +6 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 1,979 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,027 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -48 | 0.0pp |