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, Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) was the most common category among residents in Rous Mill, accounting for 20.1% (41 people). This share was higher than Ballina (A) (13.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which decreased by 17 people and 9.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Rous Mill - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Rous Mill in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Ballina (A) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Rous Mill, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
10
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
+3.4pp
10
4.9%
+3.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
14
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
14
6.9%
+0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
15
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
15
7.4%
+2.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
4
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
4
2.0%
-3.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
21
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
21
10.3%
+1.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
22
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
-9.3pp
22
10.8%
-9.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
41
% of total
20.1%
Change from 2016
+3.6pp
41
20.1%
+3.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
30
% of total
14.7%
Change from 2016
-4.9pp
30
14.7%
-4.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
14
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
14
6.9%
-0.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
5
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
5
2.5%
+1.0pp
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
+3.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+1
+0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+5
+2.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-7
-3.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+4
+1.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-17
-9.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+9
+3.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-8
-4.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
-1
-0.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+2
+1.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Rous Mill. 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) | 10 | 4.9% | 4.8% | 3 | 1.5% | 5.0% | +7 | +3.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 14 | 6.9% | 7.9% | 13 | 6.7% | 8.0% | +1 | +0.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 15 | 7.4% | 6.9% | 10 | 5.2% | 7.4% | +5 | +2.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 4 | 2.0% | 6.0% | 11 | 5.7% | 5.7% | -7 | -3.7pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 21 | 10.3% | 9.2% | 17 | 8.8% | 8.6% | +4 | +1.5pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 22 | 10.8% | 17.6% | 39 | 20.1% | 17.8% | -17 | -9.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 41 | 20.1% | 13.3% | 32 | 16.5% | 14.8% | +9 | +3.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 30 | 14.7% | 14.9% | 38 | 19.6% | 15.2% | -8 | -4.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 14 | 6.9% | 15.5% | 15 | 7.7% | 13.3% | -1 | -0.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 5 | 2.5% | 4.0% | 3 | 1.5% | 4.2% | +2 | +1.0pp |
| Total | 204 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 194 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +10 | 0.0pp |