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 Carrathool (A), accounting for 16.7% (480 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (17.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which increased by 107 people and 3.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Carrathool (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Carrathool (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Carrathool (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
210
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
210
7.3%
+0.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
245
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
245
8.5%
-0.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
197
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
197
6.9%
0.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
212
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
212
7.4%
-0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
460
% of total
16.1%
Change from 2016
+3.1pp
460
16.1%
+3.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
480
% of total
16.7%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
480
16.7%
-2.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
385
% of total
13.4%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
385
13.4%
-1.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
345
% of total
12.0%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
345
12.0%
+1.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
225
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
225
7.9%
-0.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
63
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
63
2.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+33
+0.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-10
-0.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+10
0.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-5
-0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+107
+3.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-46
-2.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-32
-1.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+60
+1.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+2
-0.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+2
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Carrathool (A). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 210 | 7.3% | 5.5% | 177 | 6.5% | 5.8% | +33 | +0.8pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 245 | 8.5% | 8.6% | 255 | 9.4% | 8.9% | -10 | -0.9pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 197 | 6.9% | 7.4% | 187 | 6.9% | 7.3% | +10 | 0.0pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 212 | 7.4% | 7.6% | 217 | 8.0% | 7.9% | -5 | -0.6pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 460 | 16.1% | 11.6% | 353 | 13.0% | 11.0% | +107 | +3.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 480 | 16.7% | 17.5% | 526 | 19.3% | 18.0% | -46 | -2.6pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 385 | 13.4% | 12.8% | 417 | 15.3% | 13.8% | -32 | -1.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 345 | 12.0% | 13.3% | 285 | 10.5% | 13.1% | +60 | +1.5pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 225 | 7.9% | 13.0% | 223 | 8.2% | 11.4% | +2 | -0.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 63 | 2.2% | 2.8% | 61 | 2.2% | 2.7% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 2,866 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,719 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +147 | 0.0pp |