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 Penola, accounting for 17.6% (286 people). This share was higher than Wattle Range (DC) (16.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59), which increased by 53 people and 3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Penola - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Penola in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Wattle Range (DC) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Penola, with comparison markers for Wattle Range (DC).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
72
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
72
4.4%
-1.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
159
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
159
9.8%
+1.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
113
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
113
7.0%
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
79
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
79
4.9%
-2.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
167
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
167
10.3%
-0.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
286
% of total
17.6%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
286
17.6%
-2.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
258
% of total
15.9%
Change from 2016
+3.0pp
258
15.9%
+3.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
240
% of total
14.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
240
14.8%
+0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
216
% of total
13.3%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
216
13.3%
+2.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
29
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
29
1.8%
-2.4pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-18
-1.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+29
+1.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
0
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-40
-2.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-1
-0.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-37
-2.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+53
+3.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+7
+0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+48
+2.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-38
-2.4pp
Data table
Service age groups for Penola. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Wattle Range (DC).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Wattle Range (DC)% | Count | % | Wattle Range (DC)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 72 | 4.4% | 4.5% | 90 | 5.7% | 5.5% | -18 | -1.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 159 | 9.8% | 8.1% | 130 | 8.2% | 8.9% | +29 | +1.6pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 113 | 7.0% | 7.5% | 113 | 7.1% | 7.4% | 0 | -0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 79 | 4.9% | 6.4% | 119 | 7.5% | 6.5% | -40 | -2.6pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 167 | 10.3% | 8.7% | 168 | 10.6% | 8.7% | -1 | -0.3pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 286 | 17.6% | 16.5% | 323 | 20.3% | 18.7% | -37 | -2.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 258 | 15.9% | 15.4% | 205 | 12.9% | 15.3% | +53 | +3.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 240 | 14.8% | 16.2% | 233 | 14.6% | 15.1% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 216 | 13.3% | 14.2% | 168 | 10.6% | 11.2% | +48 | +2.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 29 | 1.8% | 2.6% | 67 | 4.2% | 2.8% | -38 | -2.4pp |
| Total | 1,622 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,592 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +30 | 0.0pp |