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 Short, accounting for 18.2% (4 people). This share was higher than Wattle Range (DC) (16.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59), which decreased by 6 people and 11.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Short - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Short in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Wattle Range (DC) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Short, with comparison markers for Wattle Range (DC).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
0
0.0%
0.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
0
0.0%
0.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
0
0.0%
0.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
-5.6pp
0
0.0%
-5.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
0
0.0%
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
0
0.0%
0.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
-11.1pp
0
0.0%
-11.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
4
% of total
18.2%
Change from 2016
+12.6pp
4
18.2%
+12.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
-5.6pp
0
0.0%
-5.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
0
0.0%
0.0pp
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
0
0.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
0
0.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
0
0.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-3
-5.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
0
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
0
0.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-6
-11.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+1
+12.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
-3
-5.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
0
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Short. 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) | 0 | 0.0% | 4.5% | 0 | 0.0% | 5.5% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 0 | 0.0% | 8.1% | 0 | 0.0% | 8.9% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 0 | 0.0% | 7.5% | 0 | 0.0% | 7.4% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 0 | 0.0% | 6.4% | 3 | 5.6% | 6.5% | -3 | -5.6pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 0 | 0.0% | 8.7% | 0 | 0.0% | 8.7% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 0 | 0.0% | 16.5% | 0 | 0.0% | 18.7% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 0 | 0.0% | 15.4% | 6 | 11.1% | 15.3% | -6 | -11.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 4 | 18.2% | 16.2% | 3 | 5.6% | 15.1% | +1 | +12.6pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 0 | 0.0% | 14.2% | 3 | 5.6% | 11.2% | -3 | -5.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 0 | 0.0% | 2.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 2.8% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 22 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 54 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -32 | 0.0pp |