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, Seniors (70 to 84) was the most common category among residents in West Ballina, accounting for 23.4% (755 people). This share was higher than Ballina (A) (15.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 161 people and 3.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
West Ballina - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for West 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 West Ballina, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
136
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
136
4.2%
+1.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
196
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
196
6.1%
-1.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
217
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
217
6.7%
+1.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
205
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
205
6.3%
+0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
227
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
227
7.0%
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
447
% of total
13.8%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
447
13.8%
-1.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
410
% of total
12.7%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
410
12.7%
-1.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
498
% of total
15.4%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
498
15.4%
-3.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
755
% of total
23.4%
Change from 2016
+3.8pp
755
23.4%
+3.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
120
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
120
3.7%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+50
+1.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-43
-1.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+56
+1.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+32
+0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+14
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
0
-1.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-8
-1.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-65
-3.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+161
+3.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+18
+0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for West 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) | 136 | 4.2% | 4.8% | 86 | 2.8% | 5.0% | +50 | +1.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 196 | 6.1% | 7.9% | 239 | 7.9% | 8.0% | -43 | -1.8pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 217 | 6.7% | 6.9% | 161 | 5.3% | 7.4% | +56 | +1.4pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 205 | 6.3% | 6.0% | 173 | 5.7% | 5.7% | +32 | +0.6pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 227 | 7.0% | 9.2% | 213 | 7.0% | 8.6% | +14 | 0.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 447 | 13.8% | 17.6% | 447 | 14.8% | 17.8% | 0 | -1.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 410 | 12.7% | 13.3% | 418 | 13.8% | 14.8% | -8 | -1.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 498 | 15.4% | 14.9% | 563 | 18.6% | 15.2% | -65 | -3.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 755 | 23.4% | 15.5% | 594 | 19.6% | 13.3% | +161 | +3.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 120 | 3.7% | 4.0% | 102 | 3.4% | 4.2% | +18 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 3,230 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,023 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +207 | 0.0pp |