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 Old Beach, accounting for 20.1% (883 people). This share was higher than Brighton (M) (18.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 197 people and 3.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Old Beach - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Old Beach in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Brighton (M) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Old Beach, with comparison markers for Brighton (M).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
273
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
273
6.2%
-1.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
405
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
405
9.2%
+0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
276
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
276
6.3%
-0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
306
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
306
7.0%
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
580
% of total
13.2%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
580
13.2%
-0.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
883
% of total
20.1%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
883
20.1%
-0.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
577
% of total
13.1%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
577
13.1%
-1.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
556
% of total
12.7%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
556
12.7%
+0.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
452
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
+3.6pp
452
10.3%
+3.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
76
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
76
1.7%
-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)
-1
-1.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+63
+0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+15
-0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+27
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+53
-0.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+91
-0.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+28
-1.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+100
+0.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+197
+3.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+8
-0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Old Beach. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brighton (M).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Brighton (M)% | Count | % | Brighton (M)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 273 | 6.2% | 7.1% | 274 | 7.3% | 8.0% | -1 | -1.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 405 | 9.2% | 10.9% | 342 | 9.1% | 11.5% | +63 | +0.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 276 | 6.3% | 8.3% | 261 | 6.9% | 8.3% | +15 | -0.6pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 306 | 7.0% | 8.9% | 279 | 7.4% | 9.3% | +27 | -0.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 580 | 13.2% | 14.8% | 527 | 13.9% | 13.2% | +53 | -0.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 883 | 20.1% | 18.7% | 792 | 21.0% | 19.6% | +91 | -0.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 577 | 13.1% | 11.8% | 549 | 14.5% | 12.1% | +28 | -1.4pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 556 | 12.7% | 10.5% | 456 | 12.1% | 10.8% | +100 | +0.6pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 452 | 10.3% | 8.0% | 255 | 6.7% | 6.3% | +197 | +3.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 76 | 1.7% | 0.9% | 68 | 1.8% | 0.8% | +8 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 4,394 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,779 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +615 | 0.0pp |