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, Young workforce (25 to 34) was the most common category among residents in Byron Bay, accounting for 21.6% (1,365 people). This share was higher than Byron (A) (13.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which increased by 403 people and 4.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Byron Bay - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Byron Bay in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Byron (A) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Byron Bay, with comparison markers for Byron (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
234
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
234
3.7%
-0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
334
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
334
5.3%
-0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
316
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
316
5.0%
+0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
449
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
449
7.1%
-0.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,365
% of total
21.6%
Change from 2016
+4.2pp
1,365
21.6%
+4.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,350
% of total
21.3%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
1,350
21.3%
+1.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
720
% of total
11.4%
Change from 2016
-4.0pp
720
11.4%
-4.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
875
% of total
13.8%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
875
13.8%
-1.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
635
% of total
10.0%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
635
10.0%
+2.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
92
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
92
1.5%
-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)
+11
-0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+12
-0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+73
+0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+18
-0.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+403
+4.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+275
+1.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-130
-4.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+42
-1.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+206
+2.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-62
-1.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Byron Bay. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Byron (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Byron (A)% | Count | % | Byron (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 234 | 3.7% | 4.8% | 223 | 4.0% | 4.9% | +11 | -0.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 334 | 5.3% | 7.7% | 322 | 5.8% | 8.4% | +12 | -0.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 316 | 5.0% | 6.7% | 243 | 4.4% | 6.8% | +73 | +0.6pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 449 | 7.1% | 5.7% | 431 | 7.8% | 5.5% | +18 | -0.7pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,365 | 21.6% | 13.5% | 962 | 17.4% | 10.8% | +403 | +4.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,350 | 21.3% | 21.7% | 1,075 | 19.5% | 21.4% | +275 | +1.8pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 720 | 11.4% | 13.9% | 850 | 15.4% | 16.6% | -130 | -4.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 875 | 13.8% | 14.6% | 833 | 15.1% | 15.3% | +42 | -1.3pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 635 | 10.0% | 9.9% | 429 | 7.8% | 8.0% | +206 | +2.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 92 | 1.5% | 1.6% | 154 | 2.8% | 2.2% | -62 | -1.3pp |
| Total | 6,330 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,521 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +809 | 0.0pp |