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 The Coorong (DC), accounting for 15.8% (865 people). This share was higher than Regional SA (15.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 130 people and 2.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
The Coorong (DC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for The Coorong (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 The Coorong (DC), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
246
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
246
4.5%
-1.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
461
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
461
8.4%
-0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
355
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
355
6.5%
-0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
336
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
336
6.2%
+0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
594
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
594
10.9%
+1.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
864
% of total
15.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
864
15.8%
-0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
780
% of total
14.3%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
780
14.3%
-1.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
865
% of total
15.8%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
865
15.8%
+1.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
841
% of total
15.4%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
841
15.4%
+2.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
139
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
139
2.5%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-80
-1.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-5
-0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-29
-0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+18
+0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+91
+1.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-10
-0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-87
-1.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+70
+1.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+130
+2.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+25
+0.4pp
Data table
Service age groups for The Coorong (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) | 246 | 4.5% | 4.9% | 326 | 6.1% | 5.5% | -80 | -1.6pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 461 | 8.4% | 8.1% | 466 | 8.7% | 8.6% | -5 | -0.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 355 | 6.5% | 7.0% | 384 | 7.1% | 7.2% | -29 | -0.6pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 336 | 6.2% | 6.5% | 318 | 5.9% | 6.8% | +18 | +0.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 594 | 10.9% | 10.5% | 503 | 9.3% | 10.4% | +91 | +1.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 864 | 15.8% | 16.4% | 874 | 16.2% | 17.8% | -10 | -0.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 780 | 14.3% | 13.9% | 867 | 16.1% | 14.6% | -87 | -1.8pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 865 | 15.8% | 15.1% | 795 | 14.8% | 14.4% | +70 | +1.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 841 | 15.4% | 14.7% | 711 | 13.2% | 12.1% | +130 | +2.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 139 | 2.5% | 2.8% | 114 | 2.1% | 2.7% | +25 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 5,463 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,380 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +83 | 0.0pp |