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.

Key insight

In 2021, Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) was the most common category among residents in Wattle Range, accounting for 20.6% (14 people). This share was higher than Wattle Range (DC) (16.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69), which increased by 7 people and 10.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Wattle Range - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Wattle Range in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Wattle Range (DC) and change since 2016.

Age structure - Service age groups change

Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.

2016
2021

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

0

0.0pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

-6

-8.3pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

-3

-3.6pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

+6

+9.1pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

-3

-4.2pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

-2

-1.6pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

+4

+6.4pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

+7

+10.5pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

+3

+4.4pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

0

0.0pp

Data table

Service age groups for Wattle Range. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Wattle Range (DC).

Service age groups for Wattle Range. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Wattle Range (DC).
Service age groups for Wattle Range. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Wattle Range (DC).
Category20212016Change
Count%Wattle Range (DC)%Count%Wattle Range (DC)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)00.0%4.5%00.0%5.5%00.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)00.0%8.1%68.3%8.9%-6-8.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)710.3%7.5%1013.9%7.4%-3-3.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)1014.7%6.4%45.6%6.5%+6+9.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)00.0%8.7%34.2%8.7%-3-4.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)1420.6%16.5%1622.2%18.7%-2-1.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)1014.7%15.4%68.3%15.3%+4+6.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)1014.7%16.2%34.2%15.1%+7+10.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)34.4%14.2%00.0%11.2%+3+4.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)00.0%2.6%00.0%2.8%00.0pp
Total68100.0%100.0%72100.0%100.0%-40.0pp