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 Colo Vale, accounting for 18.1% (321 people). This share was higher than Wingecarribee (A) (16.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 63 people and 2.9 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Colo Vale - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Colo Vale in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Wingecarribee (A) and change since 2016.

Age structure - Service age groups snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Colo Vale, with comparison markers for Wingecarribee (A).

Colo Vale
Wingecarribee (A)

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

135

% of total

7.6%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

158

% of total

8.9%

Change from 2016

-2.0pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

140

% of total

7.9%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

160

% of total

9.0%

Change from 2016

-0.6pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

234

% of total

13.2%

Change from 2016

+1.8pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

321

% of total

18.1%

Change from 2016

-0.8pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

253

% of total

14.3%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

171

% of total

9.6%

Change from 2016

-3.0pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

188

% of total

10.6%

Change from 2016

+2.9pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

16

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Data table

Service age groups for Colo Vale. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Wingecarribee (A).

Service age groups for Colo Vale. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Wingecarribee (A).
Service age groups for Colo Vale. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Wingecarribee (A).
Category20212016Change
Count%Wingecarribee (A)%Count%Wingecarribee (A)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)1357.6%4.9%1066.6%4.9%+29+1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)1588.9%8.0%17610.9%8.7%-18-2.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)1407.9%7.5%1267.8%8.2%+14+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)1609.0%6.1%1569.6%6.1%+4-0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)23413.2%9.0%18511.4%8.3%+49+1.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)32118.1%16.3%30518.9%17.2%+16-0.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)25314.3%13.4%22714.0%13.8%+26+0.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)1719.6%14.1%20412.6%14.9%-33-3.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)18810.6%17.4%1257.7%15.0%+63+2.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)160.9%3.3%130.8%3.0%+3+0.1pp
Total1,775100.0%100.0%1,618100.0%100.0%+1570.0pp