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 Cumbalum, accounting for 22.8% (504 people). This share was higher than Ballina (A) (17.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 504 people and 22.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Cumbalum - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Cumbalum in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Ballina (A) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cumbalum, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
146
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
+6.6pp
146
6.6%
+6.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
247
% of total
11.2%
Change from 2016
-28.8pp
247
11.2%
-28.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
203
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
+9.2pp
203
9.2%
+9.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
154
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
+7.0pp
154
7.0%
+7.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
262
% of total
11.8%
Change from 2016
+11.8pp
262
11.8%
+11.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
504
% of total
22.8%
Change from 2016
+22.8pp
504
22.8%
+22.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
283
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
+12.8pp
283
12.8%
+12.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
228
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
+10.3pp
228
10.3%
+10.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
173
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
+7.8pp
173
7.8%
+7.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
14
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
14
0.6%
+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)
+146
+6.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+241
-28.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+203
+9.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+154
+7.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+262
+11.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+504
+22.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+283
+12.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+228
+10.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+173
+7.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+14
+0.6pp
Data table
Service age groups for Cumbalum. 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) | 146 | 6.6% | 4.8% | 0 | 0.0% | 5.0% | +146 | +6.6pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 247 | 11.2% | 7.9% | 6 | 40.0% | 8.0% | +241 | -28.8pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 203 | 9.2% | 6.9% | 0 | 0.0% | 7.4% | +203 | +9.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 154 | 7.0% | 6.0% | 0 | 0.0% | 5.7% | +154 | +7.0pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 262 | 11.8% | 9.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 8.6% | +262 | +11.8pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 504 | 22.8% | 17.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 17.8% | +504 | +22.8pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 283 | 12.8% | 13.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 14.8% | +283 | +12.8pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 228 | 10.3% | 14.9% | 0 | 0.0% | 15.2% | +228 | +10.3pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 173 | 7.8% | 15.5% | 0 | 0.0% | 13.3% | +173 | +7.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 14 | 0.6% | 4.0% | 0 | 0.0% | 4.2% | +14 | +0.6pp |
| Total | 2,211 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 15 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,196 | 0.0pp |