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 Wilcannia, accounting for 16.6% (122 people). This share was lower than Central Darling (A) (17.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24), which increased by 46 people and 6.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Wilcannia - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Wilcannia in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Central Darling (A) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Wilcannia, with comparison markers for Central Darling (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
55
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
55
7.5%
+1.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
83
% of total
11.3%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
83
11.3%
+2.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
42
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
42
5.7%
-1.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
88
% of total
12.0%
Change from 2016
+6.1pp
88
12.0%
+6.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
116
% of total
15.8%
Change from 2016
+4.4pp
116
15.8%
+4.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
122
% of total
16.6%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
122
16.6%
+0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
94
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
-6.3pp
94
12.8%
-6.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
76
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
-6.2pp
76
10.3%
-6.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
48
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
-5.1pp
48
6.5%
-5.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
7
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
7
1.0%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+14
+1.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+16
+2.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-11
-1.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+46
+6.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+34
+4.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+8
+0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-43
-6.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-42
-6.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
-35
-5.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-2
-0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Wilcannia. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Central Darling (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Central Darling (A)% | Count | % | Central Darling (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 55 | 7.5% | 5.0% | 41 | 5.7% | 7.4% | +14 | +1.8pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 83 | 11.3% | 9.1% | 67 | 9.3% | 7.9% | +16 | +2.0pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 42 | 5.7% | 5.9% | 53 | 7.4% | 6.9% | -11 | -1.7pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 88 | 12.0% | 8.6% | 42 | 5.9% | 9.1% | +46 | +6.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 116 | 15.8% | 12.9% | 82 | 11.4% | 14.6% | +34 | +4.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 122 | 16.6% | 17.4% | 114 | 15.9% | 17.5% | +8 | +0.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 94 | 12.8% | 13.7% | 137 | 19.1% | 14.2% | -43 | -6.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 76 | 10.3% | 14.4% | 118 | 16.5% | 13.1% | -42 | -6.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 48 | 6.5% | 13.0% | 83 | 11.6% | 8.4% | -35 | -5.1pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 7 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 9 | 1.3% | 1.0% | -2 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 735 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 717 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +18 | 0.0pp |