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 Meerschaum Vale, accounting for 19.1% (71 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 46 people and 2.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Meerschaum Vale - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Meerschaum Vale in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Ballina (A) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Meerschaum Vale, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
13
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
13
3.5%
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
31
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
31
8.3%
-1.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
21
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
21
5.6%
-3.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
30
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
+6.1pp
30
8.1%
+6.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
22
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
22
5.9%
+2.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
71
% of total
19.1%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
71
19.1%
+2.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
61
% of total
16.4%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
61
16.4%
-0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
53
% of total
14.2%
Change from 2016
+6.3pp
53
14.2%
+6.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
30
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
30
8.1%
-1.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
0
0.0%
0.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+7
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+16
-1.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+8
-3.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+27
+6.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+16
+2.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+46
+2.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+35
-0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+41
+6.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+16
-1.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
0
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Meerschaum Vale. 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) | 13 | 3.5% | 4.8% | 6 | 3.9% | 5.0% | +7 | -0.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 31 | 8.3% | 7.9% | 15 | 9.9% | 8.0% | +16 | -1.6pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 21 | 5.6% | 6.9% | 13 | 8.6% | 7.4% | +8 | -3.0pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 30 | 8.1% | 6.0% | 3 | 2.0% | 5.7% | +27 | +6.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 22 | 5.9% | 9.2% | 6 | 3.9% | 8.6% | +16 | +2.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 71 | 19.1% | 17.6% | 25 | 16.4% | 17.8% | +46 | +2.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 61 | 16.4% | 13.3% | 26 | 17.1% | 14.8% | +35 | -0.7pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 53 | 14.2% | 14.9% | 12 | 7.9% | 15.2% | +41 | +6.3pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 30 | 8.1% | 15.5% | 14 | 9.2% | 13.3% | +16 | -1.1pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 0 | 0.0% | 4.0% | 0 | 0.0% | 4.2% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 372 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 152 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +220 | 0.0pp |