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 Forest Reefs, accounting for 22.7% (122 people). This share was higher than Blayney (A) (16.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59), which increased by 35 people and 6.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Forest Reefs - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Forest Reefs in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Blayney (A) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Forest Reefs, with comparison markers for Blayney (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
32
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
32
6.0%
-0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
67
% of total
12.5%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
67
12.5%
-0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
59
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
59
11.0%
+0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
28
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
28
5.2%
+2.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
44
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
44
8.2%
+1.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
122
% of total
22.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
122
22.7%
+0.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
87
% of total
16.2%
Change from 2016
+6.1pp
87
16.2%
+6.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
47
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
47
8.8%
-3.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
55
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
55
10.2%
+2.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
3
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
3
0.6%
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)
0
-0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-2
-0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+3
+0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+12
+2.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+8
+1.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+5
+0.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+35
+6.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-17
-3.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+16
+2.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
0
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Forest Reefs. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Blayney (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Blayney (A)% | Count | % | Blayney (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 32 | 6.0% | 6.0% | 32 | 6.2% | 6.3% | 0 | -0.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 67 | 12.5% | 10.1% | 69 | 13.3% | 10.1% | -2 | -0.8pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 59 | 11.0% | 8.3% | 56 | 10.8% | 8.9% | +3 | +0.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 28 | 5.2% | 6.3% | 16 | 3.1% | 6.5% | +12 | +2.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 44 | 8.2% | 10.4% | 36 | 7.0% | 9.7% | +8 | +1.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 122 | 22.7% | 16.4% | 117 | 22.6% | 18.9% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 87 | 16.2% | 14.4% | 52 | 10.1% | 14.4% | +35 | +6.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 47 | 8.8% | 14.0% | 64 | 12.4% | 12.4% | -17 | -3.6pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 55 | 10.2% | 11.6% | 39 | 7.5% | 10.8% | +16 | +2.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 3 | 0.6% | 2.1% | 3 | 0.6% | 2.3% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 537 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 517 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +20 | 0.0pp |