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 Barkly (R), accounting for 18.6% (1,177 people). This share was lower than Regional NT (20.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24), which decreased by 163 people and 1.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Barkly (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Barkly (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NT and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Barkly (R), with comparison markers for Regional NT.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
560
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
560
8.9%
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
760
% of total
12.0%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
760
12.0%
-0.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
522
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
522
8.3%
-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
679
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
679
10.8%
-1.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,145
% of total
18.1%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
1,145
18.1%
+0.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,177
% of total
18.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,177
18.6%
-0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
696
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
696
11.0%
+0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
523
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
523
8.3%
+1.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
218
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
218
3.5%
+0.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
15
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
15
0.2%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-57
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-76
-0.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-50
-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-163
-1.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-12
+0.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-84
-0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-9
+0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+68
+1.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+1
+0.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-4
-0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Barkly (R). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NT.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NT% | Count | % | Regional NT% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 560 | 8.9% | 7.3% | 617 | 9.3% | 8.3% | -57 | -0.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 760 | 12.0% | 11.0% | 836 | 12.6% | 11.5% | -76 | -0.6pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 522 | 8.3% | 8.5% | 572 | 8.6% | 9.0% | -50 | -0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 679 | 10.8% | 10.4% | 842 | 12.7% | 10.5% | -163 | -1.9pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,145 | 18.1% | 18.3% | 1,157 | 17.4% | 17.5% | -12 | +0.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,177 | 18.6% | 20.8% | 1,261 | 18.9% | 20.8% | -84 | -0.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 696 | 11.0% | 11.7% | 705 | 10.6% | 11.9% | -9 | +0.4pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 523 | 8.3% | 8.0% | 455 | 6.8% | 7.2% | +68 | +1.5pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 218 | 3.5% | 3.8% | 217 | 3.3% | 3.0% | +1 | +0.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 15 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 19 | 0.3% | 0.3% | -4 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 6,316 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,655 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -339 | 0.0pp |