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, Seniors (70 to 84) was the most common category among residents in Alstonville, accounting for 18.6% (1,097 people). This share was higher than Ballina (A) (15.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 157 people and 2.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Alstonville - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Alstonville in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Ballina (A) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Alstonville, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
257
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
257
4.3%
-0.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
475
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
475
8.0%
-0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
401
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
401
6.8%
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
308
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
308
5.2%
0.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
477
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
477
8.1%
+1.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
912
% of total
15.4%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
912
15.4%
-1.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
749
% of total
12.7%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
749
12.7%
-0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
860
% of total
14.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
860
14.5%
+0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
1,097
% of total
18.6%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
1,097
18.6%
+2.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
361
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
361
6.1%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-39
-0.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-11
-0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+14
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+12
0.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+94
+1.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-61
-1.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-13
-0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+35
+0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+157
+2.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+1
-0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Alstonville. 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) | 257 | 4.3% | 4.8% | 296 | 5.2% | 5.0% | -39 | -0.9pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 475 | 8.0% | 7.9% | 486 | 8.5% | 8.0% | -11 | -0.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 401 | 6.8% | 6.9% | 387 | 6.7% | 7.4% | +14 | +0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 308 | 5.2% | 6.0% | 296 | 5.2% | 5.7% | +12 | 0.0pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 477 | 8.1% | 9.2% | 383 | 6.7% | 8.6% | +94 | +1.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 912 | 15.4% | 17.6% | 973 | 17.0% | 17.8% | -61 | -1.6pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 749 | 12.7% | 13.3% | 762 | 13.3% | 14.8% | -13 | -0.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 860 | 14.5% | 14.9% | 825 | 14.4% | 15.2% | +35 | +0.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 1,097 | 18.6% | 15.5% | 940 | 16.4% | 13.3% | +157 | +2.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 361 | 6.1% | 4.0% | 360 | 6.3% | 4.2% | +1 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 5,912 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,739 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +173 | 0.0pp |