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, Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) was the most common category among residents in Bega Valley (A), accounting for 19% (6,814 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (13.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 1,333 people and 2.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Bega Valley (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Bega Valley (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 Bega Valley (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
1,507
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,507
4.2%
-0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
2,658
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
2,658
7.4%
-0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
2,430
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
2,430
6.8%
-0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
1,882
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,882
5.2%
-0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
3,027
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
3,027
8.4%
+0.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
5,362
% of total
14.9%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
5,362
14.9%
-0.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
5,200
% of total
14.5%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
5,200
14.5%
-2.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
6,814
% of total
19.0%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
6,814
19.0%
+0.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
5,991
% of total
16.7%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
5,991
16.7%
+2.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
1,088
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,088
3.0%
0.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+37
-0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+18
-0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+102
-0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+70
-0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+548
+0.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+106
-0.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-354
-2.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+762
+0.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+1,333
+2.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+98
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Bega Valley (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) | 1,507 | 4.2% | 5.5% | 1,470 | 4.4% | 5.8% | +37 | -0.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 2,658 | 7.4% | 8.6% | 2,640 | 7.9% | 8.9% | +18 | -0.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 2,430 | 6.8% | 7.4% | 2,328 | 7.0% | 7.3% | +102 | -0.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 1,882 | 5.2% | 7.6% | 1,812 | 5.4% | 7.9% | +70 | -0.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 3,027 | 8.4% | 11.6% | 2,479 | 7.5% | 11.0% | +548 | +0.9pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 5,362 | 14.9% | 17.5% | 5,256 | 15.8% | 18.0% | +106 | -0.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 5,200 | 14.5% | 12.8% | 5,554 | 16.7% | 13.8% | -354 | -2.2pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 6,814 | 19.0% | 13.3% | 6,052 | 18.2% | 13.1% | +762 | +0.8pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 5,991 | 16.7% | 13.0% | 4,658 | 14.0% | 11.4% | +1,333 | +2.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 1,088 | 3.0% | 2.8% | 990 | 3.0% | 2.7% | +98 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 35,942 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 33,253 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,689 | 0.0pp |