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.

Key insight

In 2021, Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) was the most common category among residents in Bridgewater (Tas.), accounting for 16.4% (753 people). This share was lower than Brighton (M) (18.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which increased by 224 people and 3.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Bridgewater (Tas.) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Bridgewater (Tas.) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Brighton (M) and change since 2016.

Age structure - Service age groups snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Bridgewater (Tas.), with comparison markers for Brighton (M).

Bridgewater (Tas.)
Brighton (M)

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

347

% of total

7.6%

Change from 2016

-0.9pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

542

% of total

11.8%

Change from 2016

-1.4pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

414

% of total

9.0%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

461

% of total

10.0%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

671

% of total

14.6%

Change from 2016

+3.5pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

753

% of total

16.4%

Change from 2016

-0.8pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

457

% of total

10.0%

Change from 2016

-0.7pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

488

% of total

10.6%

Change from 2016

-3.0pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

376

% of total

8.2%

Change from 2016

+1.4pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

20

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Data table

Service age groups for Bridgewater (Tas.). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brighton (M).

Service age groups for Bridgewater (Tas.). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brighton (M).
Service age groups for Bridgewater (Tas.). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brighton (M).
Category20212016Change
Count%Brighton (M)%Count%Brighton (M)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)3477.6%7.1%3438.5%8.0%+4-0.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)54211.8%10.9%53213.2%11.5%+10-1.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)4149.0%8.3%3769.3%8.3%+38-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)46110.0%8.9%3979.8%9.3%+64+0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)67114.6%14.8%44711.1%13.2%+224+3.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)75316.4%18.7%69617.2%19.6%+57-0.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)45710.0%11.8%43310.7%12.1%+24-0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)48810.6%10.5%55013.6%10.8%-62-3.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)3768.2%8.0%2746.8%6.3%+102+1.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)200.4%0.9%240.6%0.8%-4-0.2pp
Total4,592100.0%100.0%4,045100.0%100.0%+5470.0pp