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 1,365 people and 21.6 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.
Chart view
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
+3.7pp
234
3.7%
+3.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
334
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+5.3pp
334
5.3%
+5.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
316
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
316
5.0%
-1.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
449
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
+7.1pp
449
7.1%
+7.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,365
% of total
21.6%
Change from 2016
+21.6pp
1,365
21.6%
+21.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,350
% of total
21.3%
Change from 2016
+7.3pp
1,350
21.3%
+7.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
720
% of total
11.4%
Change from 2016
+5.4pp
720
11.4%
+5.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
875
% of total
13.8%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
875
13.8%
+1.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
635
% of total
10.0%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
635
10.0%
-2.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
92
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
92
1.5%
+1.5pp
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+234
+3.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+334
+5.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+313
-1.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+449
+7.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+1,365
+21.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+1,343
+7.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+717
+5.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+869
+1.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+629
-2.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+92
+1.5pp
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% | 0 | 0.0% | 4.9% | +234 | +3.7pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 334 | 5.3% | 7.7% | 0 | 0.0% | 8.4% | +334 | +5.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 316 | 5.0% | 6.7% | 3 | 6.0% | 6.8% | +313 | -1.0pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 449 | 7.1% | 5.7% | 0 | 0.0% | 5.5% | +449 | +7.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,365 | 21.6% | 13.5% | 0 | 0.0% | 10.8% | +1,365 | +21.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,350 | 21.3% | 21.7% | 7 | 14.0% | 21.4% | +1,343 | +7.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 720 | 11.4% | 13.9% | 3 | 6.0% | 16.6% | +717 | +5.4pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 875 | 13.8% | 14.6% | 6 | 12.0% | 15.3% | +869 | +1.8pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 635 | 10.0% | 9.9% | 6 | 12.0% | 8.0% | +629 | -2.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 92 | 1.5% | 1.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 2.2% | +92 | +1.5pp |
| Total | 6,330 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 50 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6,280 | 0.0pp |