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 West Bathurst, accounting for 17.3% (627 people). This share was lower than Bathurst Regional (A) (17.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 72 people and 2.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
West Bathurst - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for West 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 West Bathurst, with comparison markers for Bathurst Regional (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
230
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
230
6.3%
-1.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
338
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
338
9.3%
-1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
281
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
281
7.7%
+1.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
382
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
382
10.5%
+0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
530
% of total
14.6%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
530
14.6%
-0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
627
% of total
17.3%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
627
17.3%
+2.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
400
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
400
11.0%
-1.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
397
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
397
10.9%
+1.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
394
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
394
10.8%
+0.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
78
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
78
2.1%
+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)
-50
-1.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-45
-1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+37
+1.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+20
+0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-34
-0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+72
+2.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-64
-1.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+37
+1.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+8
+0.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+5
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for West 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) | 230 | 6.3% | 5.7% | 280 | 7.6% | 6.2% | -50 | -1.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 338 | 9.3% | 8.9% | 383 | 10.4% | 9.5% | -45 | -1.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 281 | 7.7% | 8.3% | 244 | 6.6% | 8.2% | +37 | +1.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 382 | 10.5% | 9.2% | 362 | 9.9% | 10.6% | +20 | +0.6pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 530 | 14.6% | 13.0% | 564 | 15.4% | 12.5% | -34 | -0.8pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 627 | 17.3% | 17.9% | 555 | 15.1% | 18.3% | +72 | +2.2pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 400 | 11.0% | 12.3% | 464 | 12.6% | 12.6% | -64 | -1.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 397 | 10.9% | 11.7% | 360 | 9.8% | 11.1% | +37 | +1.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 394 | 10.8% | 10.6% | 386 | 10.5% | 8.9% | +8 | +0.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 78 | 2.1% | 2.4% | 73 | 2.0% | 2.2% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 3,634 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,672 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -38 | 0.0pp |