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 Whyalla Playford, accounting for 18.5% (470 people). This share was higher than Whyalla (C) (17.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which increased by 54 people and 2.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Whyalla Playford - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Whyalla Playford in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Whyalla (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Whyalla Playford, with comparison markers for Whyalla (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
135
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
135
5.3%
+0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
212
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
212
8.3%
+1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
177
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
177
7.0%
-1.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
155
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
155
6.1%
-1.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
341
% of total
13.4%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
341
13.4%
+2.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
470
% of total
18.5%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
470
18.5%
-1.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
372
% of total
14.6%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
372
14.6%
-1.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
344
% of total
13.5%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
344
13.5%
+1.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
315
% of total
12.4%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
315
12.4%
+0.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
53
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
53
2.1%
0.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+12
+0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+28
+1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-31
-1.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-35
-1.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+54
+2.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-52
-1.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-30
-1.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+48
+1.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+16
+0.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-1
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Whyalla Playford. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Whyalla (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Whyalla (C)% | Count | % | Whyalla (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 135 | 5.3% | 5.4% | 123 | 4.8% | 6.1% | +12 | +0.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 212 | 8.3% | 8.7% | 184 | 7.2% | 9.2% | +28 | +1.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 177 | 7.0% | 7.5% | 208 | 8.1% | 7.9% | -31 | -1.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 155 | 6.1% | 7.7% | 190 | 7.4% | 8.0% | -35 | -1.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 341 | 13.4% | 12.7% | 287 | 11.2% | 12.7% | +54 | +2.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 470 | 18.5% | 17.7% | 522 | 20.4% | 19.1% | -52 | -1.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 372 | 14.6% | 14.6% | 402 | 15.7% | 14.4% | -30 | -1.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 344 | 13.5% | 12.0% | 296 | 11.6% | 10.5% | +48 | +1.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 315 | 12.4% | 11.5% | 299 | 11.7% | 10.0% | +16 | +0.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 53 | 2.1% | 2.1% | 54 | 2.1% | 2.0% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 2,540 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,561 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -21 | 0.0pp |