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 Wakefield (DC), accounting for 16.5% (1,119 people). This share was similar to Regional SA (16.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 92 people and 1.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Wakefield (DC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Wakefield (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 Wakefield (DC), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
372
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
372
5.5%
-1.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
627
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
627
9.2%
+0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
539
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
539
7.9%
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
460
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
460
6.8%
+0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
671
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
671
9.9%
-0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,119
% of total
16.5%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
1,119
16.5%
-1.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
961
% of total
14.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
961
14.2%
0.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
1,015
% of total
15.0%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
1,015
15.0%
+0.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
817
% of total
12.1%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
817
12.1%
+1.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
184
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
184
2.7%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-88
-1.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+13
+0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-3
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+25
+0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-17
-0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-87
-1.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-5
0.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+43
+0.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+92
+1.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-23
-0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Wakefield (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) | 372 | 5.5% | 4.9% | 460 | 6.8% | 5.5% | -88 | -1.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 627 | 9.2% | 8.1% | 614 | 9.0% | 8.6% | +13 | +0.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 539 | 7.9% | 7.0% | 542 | 8.0% | 7.2% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 460 | 6.8% | 6.5% | 435 | 6.4% | 6.8% | +25 | +0.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 671 | 9.9% | 10.5% | 688 | 10.1% | 10.4% | -17 | -0.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,119 | 16.5% | 16.4% | 1,206 | 17.7% | 17.8% | -87 | -1.2pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 961 | 14.2% | 13.9% | 966 | 14.2% | 14.6% | -5 | 0.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 1,015 | 15.0% | 15.1% | 972 | 14.3% | 14.4% | +43 | +0.7pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 817 | 12.1% | 14.7% | 725 | 10.7% | 12.1% | +92 | +1.4pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 184 | 2.7% | 2.8% | 207 | 3.0% | 2.7% | -23 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 6,780 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,801 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -21 | 0.0pp |