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 East Ballina, accounting for 18.2% (1,070 people). This share was higher than Ballina (A) (17.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69), which increased by 642 people and 6.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
East Ballina - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for East 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 East Ballina, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
269
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
269
4.6%
-3.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
456
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
456
7.8%
0.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
383
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
383
6.5%
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
319
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
319
5.4%
-3.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
551
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
-5.2pp
551
9.4%
-5.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,070
% of total
18.2%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
1,070
18.2%
-1.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
768
% of total
13.1%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
768
13.1%
-1.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
1,004
% of total
17.1%
Change from 2016
+6.5pp
1,004
17.1%
+6.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
917
% of total
15.6%
Change from 2016
+7.5pp
917
15.6%
+7.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
159
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
159
2.7%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+6
-3.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+192
0.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+172
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+28
-3.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+55
-5.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+386
-1.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+279
-1.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+642
+6.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+640
+7.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+79
+0.4pp
Data table
Service age groups for East 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) | 269 | 4.6% | 4.8% | 263 | 7.7% | 5.0% | +6 | -3.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 456 | 7.8% | 7.9% | 264 | 7.8% | 8.0% | +192 | 0.0pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 383 | 6.5% | 6.9% | 211 | 6.2% | 7.4% | +172 | +0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 319 | 5.4% | 6.0% | 291 | 8.5% | 5.7% | +28 | -3.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 551 | 9.4% | 9.2% | 496 | 14.6% | 8.6% | +55 | -5.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,070 | 18.2% | 17.6% | 684 | 20.1% | 17.8% | +386 | -1.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 768 | 13.1% | 13.3% | 489 | 14.4% | 14.8% | +279 | -1.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 1,004 | 17.1% | 14.9% | 362 | 10.6% | 15.2% | +642 | +6.5pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 917 | 15.6% | 15.5% | 277 | 8.1% | 13.3% | +640 | +7.5pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 159 | 2.7% | 4.0% | 80 | 2.3% | 4.2% | +79 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 5,882 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,405 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,477 | 0.0pp |