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 Ocean Shores, accounting for 22.4% (1,296 people). This share was higher than Byron (A) (21.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 623 people and 0.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Ocean Shores - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Ocean Shores in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Byron (A) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ocean Shores, with comparison markers for Byron (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
290
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
290
5.0%
-2.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
479
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
479
8.3%
-1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
402
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
402
7.0%
-0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
343
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
343
5.9%
-2.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
649
% of total
11.2%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
649
11.2%
-1.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,296
% of total
22.4%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
1,296
22.4%
+0.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
802
% of total
13.9%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
802
13.9%
+1.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
832
% of total
14.4%
Change from 2016
+5.3pp
832
14.4%
+5.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
595
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
595
10.3%
+0.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
90
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
90
1.6%
+0.5pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+59
-2.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+185
-1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+170
-0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+76
-2.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+252
-1.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+623
+0.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+404
+1.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+547
+5.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+283
+0.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+54
+0.5pp
Data table
Service age groups for Ocean Shores. 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) | 290 | 5.0% | 4.8% | 231 | 7.4% | 4.9% | +59 | -2.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 479 | 8.3% | 7.7% | 294 | 9.4% | 8.4% | +185 | -1.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 402 | 7.0% | 6.7% | 232 | 7.4% | 6.8% | +170 | -0.4pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 343 | 5.9% | 5.7% | 267 | 8.5% | 5.5% | +76 | -2.6pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 649 | 11.2% | 13.5% | 397 | 12.7% | 10.8% | +252 | -1.5pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,296 | 22.4% | 21.7% | 673 | 21.5% | 21.4% | +623 | +0.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 802 | 13.9% | 13.9% | 398 | 12.7% | 16.6% | +404 | +1.2pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 832 | 14.4% | 14.6% | 285 | 9.1% | 15.3% | +547 | +5.3pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 595 | 10.3% | 9.9% | 312 | 10.0% | 8.0% | +283 | +0.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 90 | 1.6% | 1.6% | 36 | 1.1% | 2.2% | +54 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 5,777 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,133 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,644 | 0.0pp |