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, Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) was the most common category among residents in Wardell, accounting for 17.7% (147 people). This share was higher than Ballina (A) (14.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69), which increased by 30 people and 3.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Wardell - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Wardell in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Ballina (A) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Wardell, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
51
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
51
6.1%
+1.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
63
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
63
7.6%
-1.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
62
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
62
7.5%
-0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
58
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
58
7.0%
+2.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
80
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
80
9.6%
+0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
143
% of total
17.2%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
143
17.2%
-0.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
140
% of total
16.9%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
140
16.9%
+0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
147
% of total
17.7%
Change from 2016
+3.6pp
147
17.7%
+3.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
110
% of total
13.3%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
110
13.3%
-0.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
23
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
23
2.8%
+1.7pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+9
+1.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-16
-1.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-5
-0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+23
+2.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+5
+0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-8
-0.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+3
+0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+30
+3.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
-6
-0.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+14
+1.7pp
Data table
Service age groups for Wardell. 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) | 51 | 6.1% | 4.8% | 42 | 5.0% | 5.0% | +9 | +1.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 63 | 7.6% | 7.9% | 79 | 9.5% | 8.0% | -16 | -1.9pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 62 | 7.5% | 6.9% | 67 | 8.1% | 7.4% | -5 | -0.6pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 58 | 7.0% | 6.0% | 35 | 4.2% | 5.7% | +23 | +2.8pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 80 | 9.6% | 9.2% | 75 | 9.0% | 8.6% | +5 | +0.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 143 | 17.2% | 17.6% | 151 | 18.1% | 17.8% | -8 | -0.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 140 | 16.9% | 13.3% | 137 | 16.5% | 14.8% | +3 | +0.4pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 147 | 17.7% | 14.9% | 117 | 14.1% | 15.2% | +30 | +3.6pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 110 | 13.3% | 15.5% | 116 | 13.9% | 13.3% | -6 | -0.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 23 | 2.8% | 4.0% | 9 | 1.1% | 4.2% | +14 | +1.7pp |
| Total | 830 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 832 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -2 | 0.0pp |