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 Highgate (SA), accounting for 20.5% (308 people). This share was higher than Unley (C) (19.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24), which decreased by 62 people and 2.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Highgate (SA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Highgate (SA) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Unley (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Highgate (SA), with comparison markers for Unley (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
58
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
58
3.9%
+0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
130
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
130
8.6%
-1.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
140
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
140
9.3%
+0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
147
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
147
9.8%
-2.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
145
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
145
9.6%
-2.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
308
% of total
20.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
308
20.5%
+0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
216
% of total
14.4%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
216
14.4%
+0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
160
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
160
10.6%
+0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
155
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
+3.7pp
155
10.3%
+3.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
26
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
26
1.7%
-0.9pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-2
+0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-38
-1.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-9
+0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-62
-2.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-49
-2.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-22
+0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-11
+0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
0
+0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+47
+3.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-16
-0.9pp
Data table
Service age groups for Highgate (SA). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Unley (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Unley (C)% | Count | % | Unley (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 58 | 3.9% | 4.3% | 60 | 3.6% | 4.7% | -2 | +0.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 130 | 8.6% | 7.6% | 168 | 10.2% | 7.9% | -38 | -1.6pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 140 | 9.3% | 6.9% | 149 | 9.1% | 6.6% | -9 | +0.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 147 | 9.8% | 8.2% | 209 | 12.7% | 9.4% | -62 | -2.9pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 145 | 9.6% | 12.4% | 194 | 11.8% | 13.5% | -49 | -2.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 308 | 20.5% | 19.6% | 330 | 20.1% | 19.8% | -22 | +0.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 216 | 14.4% | 12.6% | 227 | 13.8% | 12.7% | -11 | +0.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 160 | 10.6% | 11.9% | 160 | 9.7% | 11.9% | 0 | +0.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 155 | 10.3% | 12.2% | 108 | 6.6% | 9.2% | +47 | +3.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 26 | 1.7% | 4.1% | 42 | 2.6% | 4.3% | -16 | -0.9pp |
| Total | 1,504 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,645 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -141 | 0.0pp |