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 Downlands, accounting for 17.7% (42 people). This share was similar to Burnie (C) (17.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Primary schoolers (5 to 11), which decreased by 13 people and 5.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Downlands - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Downlands in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Burnie (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Downlands, with comparison markers for Burnie (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
18
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
18
7.6%
-3.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
14
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-5.4pp
14
5.9%
-5.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
25
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
+4.7pp
25
10.5%
+4.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
25
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
+5.1pp
25
10.5%
+5.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
26
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
-4.8pp
26
11.0%
-4.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
42
% of total
17.7%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
42
17.7%
-1.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
36
% of total
15.2%
Change from 2016
+3.1pp
36
15.2%
+3.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
29
% of total
12.2%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
29
12.2%
-2.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
23
% of total
9.7%
Change from 2016
+3.9pp
23
9.7%
+3.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
0
0.0%
-1.3pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-8
-3.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-13
-5.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+11
+4.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+12
+5.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-12
-4.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-3
-1.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+7
+3.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-5
-2.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+9
+3.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-3
-1.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Downlands. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Burnie (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Burnie (C)% | Count | % | Burnie (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 18 | 7.6% | 5.6% | 26 | 10.8% | 6.0% | -8 | -3.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 14 | 5.9% | 8.5% | 27 | 11.3% | 8.6% | -13 | -5.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 25 | 10.5% | 7.8% | 14 | 5.8% | 8.3% | +11 | +4.7pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 25 | 10.5% | 8.4% | 13 | 5.4% | 9.2% | +12 | +5.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 26 | 11.0% | 13.1% | 38 | 15.8% | 11.4% | -12 | -4.8pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 42 | 17.7% | 17.7% | 45 | 18.8% | 18.2% | -3 | -1.1pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 36 | 15.2% | 13.5% | 29 | 12.1% | 14.1% | +7 | +3.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 29 | 12.2% | 11.8% | 34 | 14.2% | 11.9% | -5 | -2.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 23 | 9.7% | 11.2% | 14 | 5.8% | 10.2% | +9 | +3.9pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 0 | 0.0% | 2.2% | 3 | 1.3% | 2.3% | -3 | -1.3pp |
| Total | 237 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 240 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -3 | 0.0pp |