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, Young workforce (25 to 34) was the most common category among residents in Bathurst, accounting for 16.4% (1,149 people). This share was higher than Bathurst Regional (A) (13%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24), which decreased by 292 people and 4.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Bathurst - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Bathurst in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Bathurst Regional (A) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bathurst, with comparison markers for Bathurst Regional (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
324
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
324
4.6%
-0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
399
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
399
5.7%
0.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
326
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
326
4.7%
-0.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
816
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
-4.3pp
816
11.7%
-4.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,149
% of total
16.4%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
1,149
16.4%
+0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,069
% of total
15.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,069
15.3%
-0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
822
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
822
11.7%
-0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
836
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
836
11.9%
+1.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
943
% of total
13.5%
Change from 2016
+3.5pp
943
13.5%
+3.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
296
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
296
4.2%
+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)
-9
-0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+2
0.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-65
-0.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-292
-4.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+70
+0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-20
-0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
0
-0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+80
+1.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+247
+3.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+77
+1.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Bathurst. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Bathurst Regional (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Bathurst Regional (A)% | Count | % | Bathurst Regional (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 324 | 4.6% | 5.7% | 333 | 4.8% | 6.2% | -9 | -0.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 399 | 5.7% | 8.9% | 397 | 5.7% | 9.5% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 326 | 4.7% | 8.3% | 391 | 5.6% | 8.2% | -65 | -0.9pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 816 | 11.7% | 9.2% | 1,108 | 16.0% | 10.6% | -292 | -4.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,149 | 16.4% | 13.0% | 1,079 | 15.6% | 12.5% | +70 | +0.8pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,069 | 15.3% | 17.9% | 1,089 | 15.7% | 18.3% | -20 | -0.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 822 | 11.7% | 12.3% | 822 | 11.9% | 12.6% | 0 | -0.2pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 836 | 11.9% | 11.7% | 756 | 10.9% | 11.1% | +80 | +1.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 943 | 13.5% | 10.6% | 696 | 10.0% | 8.9% | +247 | +3.5pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 296 | 4.2% | 2.4% | 219 | 3.2% | 2.2% | +77 | +1.0pp |
| Total | 7,001 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,932 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +69 | 0.0pp |