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 Balranald (A), accounting for 16.2% (357 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (17.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Primary schoolers (5 to 11), which decreased by 67 people and 2.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Balranald (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Balranald (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Balranald (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
142
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
142
6.4%
-0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
184
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
184
8.3%
-2.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
181
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
181
8.2%
+0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
135
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
135
6.1%
-1.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
265
% of total
12.0%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
265
12.0%
+1.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
357
% of total
16.2%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
357
16.2%
-2.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
311
% of total
14.1%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
311
14.1%
-1.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
322
% of total
14.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
322
14.6%
+0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
225
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
225
10.2%
+2.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
52
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
52
2.4%
+0.9pp
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
-0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-67
-2.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+7
+0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-41
-1.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+33
+1.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-60
-2.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-42
-1.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-7
+0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+37
+2.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+18
+0.9pp
Data table
Service age groups for Balranald (A). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 142 | 6.4% | 5.5% | 149 | 6.5% | 5.8% | -7 | -0.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 184 | 8.3% | 8.6% | 251 | 11.0% | 8.9% | -67 | -2.7pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 181 | 8.2% | 7.4% | 174 | 7.6% | 7.3% | +7 | +0.6pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 135 | 6.1% | 7.6% | 176 | 7.7% | 7.9% | -41 | -1.6pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 265 | 12.0% | 11.6% | 232 | 10.1% | 11.0% | +33 | +1.9pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 357 | 16.2% | 17.5% | 417 | 18.2% | 18.0% | -60 | -2.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 311 | 14.1% | 12.8% | 353 | 15.4% | 13.8% | -42 | -1.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 322 | 14.6% | 13.3% | 329 | 14.4% | 13.1% | -7 | +0.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 225 | 10.2% | 13.0% | 188 | 8.2% | 11.4% | +37 | +2.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 52 | 2.4% | 2.8% | 34 | 1.5% | 2.7% | +18 | +0.9pp |
| Total | 2,208 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,287 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -79 | 0.0pp |