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 Armidale Regional, accounting for 16.4% (4,762 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (17.5%).
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Armidale Regional - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Armidale Regional in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Armidale Regional, with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
1,564
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-
1,564
5.4%
-
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
2,441
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
-
2,441
8.4%
-
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
2,522
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
-
2,522
8.7%
-
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
3,358
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
-
3,358
11.5%
-
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
3,739
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
-
3,739
12.8%
-
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
4,762
% of total
16.4%
Change from 2016
-
4,762
16.4%
-
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
3,475
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
-
3,475
11.9%
-
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
3,228
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
-
3,228
11.1%
-
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
3,298
% of total
11.3%
Change from 2016
-
3,298
11.3%
-
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
721
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-
721
2.5%
-
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Data table
Service age groups for Armidale Regional. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 1,564 | 5.4% | 5.5% | - | - | 5.8% | - | - |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 2,441 | 8.4% | 8.6% | - | - | 8.9% | - | - |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 2,522 | 8.7% | 7.4% | - | - | 7.3% | - | - |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 3,358 | 11.5% | 7.6% | - | - | 7.9% | - | - |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 3,739 | 12.8% | 11.6% | - | - | 11.0% | - | - |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 4,762 | 16.4% | 17.5% | - | - | 18.0% | - | - |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 3,475 | 11.9% | 12.8% | - | - | 13.8% | - | - |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 3,228 | 11.1% | 13.3% | - | - | 13.1% | - | - |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 3,298 | 11.3% | 13.0% | - | - | 11.4% | - | - |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 721 | 2.5% | 2.8% | - | - | 2.7% | - | - |
| Total | 29,124 | 100.0% | 100.0% | - | - | 100.0% | - | - |