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 Whyalla Stuart, accounting for 16.1% (1,043 people). This share was lower than Whyalla (C) (17.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which decreased by 140 people and 1.4 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Whyalla Stuart - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Whyalla Stuart 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 Stuart, with comparison markers for Whyalla (C).

Whyalla Stuart
Whyalla (C)

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

352

% of total

5.4%

Change from 2016

-1.2pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

581

% of total

9.0%

Change from 2016

-0.4pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

485

% of total

7.5%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

522

% of total

8.1%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

833

% of total

12.9%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

1,043

% of total

16.1%

Change from 2016

-1.4pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

916

% of total

14.1%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

805

% of total

12.4%

Change from 2016

+1.2pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

816

% of total

12.6%

Change from 2016

+1.9pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

132

% of total

2.0%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Data table

Service age groups for Whyalla Stuart. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Whyalla (C).

Service age groups for Whyalla Stuart. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Whyalla (C).
Service age groups for Whyalla Stuart. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Whyalla (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Whyalla (C)%Count%Whyalla (C)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)3525.4%5.4%4466.6%6.1%-94-1.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)5819.0%8.7%6329.4%9.2%-51-0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)4857.5%7.5%4957.3%7.9%-10+0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)5228.1%7.7%5388.0%8.0%-16+0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)83312.9%12.7%87112.9%12.7%-380.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)1,04316.1%17.7%1,18317.5%19.1%-140-1.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)91614.1%14.6%96614.3%14.4%-50-0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)80512.4%12.0%75911.2%10.5%+46+1.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)81612.6%11.5%72110.7%10.0%+95+1.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)1322.0%2.1%1141.7%2.0%+18+0.3pp
Total6,476100.0%100.0%6,748100.0%100.0%-2720.0pp