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 Ballina, accounting for 21.4% (2,082 people). This share was higher than Ballina (A) (15.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 452 people and 2.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Ballina - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Ballina in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Ballina (A) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ballina, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
379
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
379
3.9%
-0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
540
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
540
5.5%
+0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
466
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
466
4.8%
-0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
521
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
521
5.4%
-0.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
877
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
877
9.0%
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,404
% of total
14.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,404
14.4%
0.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,130
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
1,130
11.6%
-1.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
1,442
% of total
14.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,442
14.8%
+0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
2,082
% of total
21.4%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
2,082
21.4%
+2.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
893
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
893
9.2%
-0.6pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+32
-0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+82
+0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+33
-0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+10
-0.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+101
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+161
0.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-10
-1.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+193
+0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+452
+2.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+43
-0.6pp
Data table
Service age groups for Ballina. 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) | 379 | 3.9% | 4.8% | 347 | 4.0% | 5.0% | +32 | -0.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 540 | 5.5% | 7.9% | 458 | 5.3% | 8.0% | +82 | +0.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 466 | 4.8% | 6.9% | 433 | 5.0% | 7.4% | +33 | -0.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 521 | 5.4% | 6.0% | 511 | 5.9% | 5.7% | +10 | -0.5pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 877 | 9.0% | 9.2% | 776 | 9.0% | 8.6% | +101 | 0.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,404 | 14.4% | 17.6% | 1,243 | 14.4% | 17.8% | +161 | 0.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,130 | 11.6% | 13.3% | 1,140 | 13.2% | 14.8% | -10 | -1.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 1,442 | 14.8% | 14.9% | 1,249 | 14.4% | 15.2% | +193 | +0.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 2,082 | 21.4% | 15.5% | 1,630 | 18.8% | 13.3% | +452 | +2.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 893 | 9.2% | 4.0% | 850 | 9.8% | 4.2% | +43 | -0.6pp |
| Total | 9,735 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,655 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,080 | 0.0pp |