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, Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) was the most common category among residents in Alstonvale, accounting for 24.6% (106 people). This share was higher than Ballina (A) (13.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Secondary schoolers (12 to 17), which decreased by 17 people and 3.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Alstonvale - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Alstonvale in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Ballina (A) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Alstonvale, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
18
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
18
4.2%
+0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
30
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
30
7.0%
-2.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
31
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
31
7.2%
-3.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
23
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
23
5.3%
+0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
18
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
18
4.2%
-3.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
68
% of total
15.8%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
68
15.8%
-2.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
106
% of total
24.6%
Change from 2016
+3.3pp
106
24.6%
+3.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
85
% of total
19.7%
Change from 2016
+3.2pp
85
19.7%
+3.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
52
% of total
12.1%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
52
12.1%
+1.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
8
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
8
1.9%
+1.9pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
0
+0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-11
-2.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-17
-3.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
0
+0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-16
-3.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-11
-2.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+12
+3.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+12
+3.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+6
+1.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+8
+1.9pp
Data table
Service age groups for Alstonvale. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Ballina (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Ballina (A)% | Count | % | Ballina (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 18 | 4.2% | 4.8% | 18 | 4.1% | 5.0% | 0 | +0.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 30 | 7.0% | 7.9% | 41 | 9.3% | 8.0% | -11 | -2.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 31 | 7.2% | 6.9% | 48 | 10.9% | 7.4% | -17 | -3.7pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 23 | 5.3% | 6.0% | 23 | 5.2% | 5.7% | 0 | +0.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 18 | 4.2% | 9.2% | 34 | 7.7% | 8.6% | -16 | -3.5pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 68 | 15.8% | 17.6% | 79 | 17.9% | 17.8% | -11 | -2.1pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 106 | 24.6% | 13.3% | 94 | 21.3% | 14.8% | +12 | +3.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 85 | 19.7% | 14.9% | 73 | 16.5% | 15.2% | +12 | +3.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 52 | 12.1% | 15.5% | 46 | 10.4% | 13.3% | +6 | +1.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 8 | 1.9% | 4.0% | 0 | 0.0% | 4.2% | +8 | +1.9pp |
| Total | 431 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 442 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -11 | 0.0pp |