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 Dover Heights, accounting for 19.2% (777 people). This share was lower than Waverley (A) (23.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Secondary schoolers (12 to 17), which increased by 93 people and 1.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Dover Heights - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Dover Heights in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Waverley (A) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Dover Heights, with comparison markers for Waverley (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
202
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
202
5.0%
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
386
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
386
9.5%
-1.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
432
% of total
10.7%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
432
10.7%
+1.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
357
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
357
8.8%
+0.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
376
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
376
9.3%
+0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
777
% of total
19.2%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
777
19.2%
-2.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
573
% of total
14.2%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
573
14.2%
-0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
475
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
475
11.7%
+0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
378
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
378
9.3%
+1.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
67
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
67
1.7%
-0.8pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-4
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-35
-1.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+93
+1.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+56
+0.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+52
+0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-51
-2.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+19
-0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+44
+0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+75
+1.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-29
-0.8pp
Data table
Service age groups for Dover Heights. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Waverley (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Waverley (A)% | Count | % | Waverley (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 202 | 5.0% | 5.5% | 206 | 5.4% | 6.2% | -4 | -0.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 386 | 9.5% | 7.1% | 421 | 11.1% | 7.3% | -35 | -1.6pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 432 | 10.7% | 5.8% | 339 | 8.9% | 4.8% | +93 | +1.8pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 357 | 8.8% | 6.4% | 301 | 7.9% | 6.9% | +56 | +0.9pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 376 | 9.3% | 23.5% | 324 | 8.5% | 23.6% | +52 | +0.8pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 777 | 19.2% | 23.9% | 828 | 21.8% | 24.6% | -51 | -2.6pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 573 | 14.2% | 10.8% | 554 | 14.6% | 10.1% | +19 | -0.4pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 475 | 11.7% | 7.5% | 431 | 11.3% | 7.6% | +44 | +0.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 378 | 9.3% | 7.6% | 303 | 8.0% | 6.6% | +75 | +1.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 67 | 1.7% | 2.0% | 96 | 2.5% | 2.3% | -29 | -0.8pp |
| Total | 4,044 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,802 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +242 | 0.0pp |