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 Central Desert (R), accounting for 19.6% (704 people). This share was lower than Regional NT (20.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Primary schoolers (5 to 11), which decreased by 115 people and 2.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Central Desert (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Central Desert (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NT and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Central Desert (R), with comparison markers for Regional NT.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
319
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
319
8.9%
+0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
437
% of total
12.2%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
437
12.2%
-2.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
368
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
368
10.2%
+0.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
440
% of total
12.3%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
440
12.3%
+1.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
611
% of total
17.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
611
17.0%
+0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
704
% of total
19.6%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
704
19.6%
-0.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
338
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
338
9.4%
0.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
213
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
213
5.9%
+0.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
117
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
117
3.3%
+0.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
19
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
19
0.5%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+2
+0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-115
-2.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+18
+0.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+23
+1.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-7
+0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-45
-0.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-6
0.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+21
+0.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+19
+0.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+7
+0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Central Desert (R). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NT.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NT% | Count | % | Regional NT% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 319 | 8.9% | 7.3% | 317 | 8.6% | 8.3% | +2 | +0.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 437 | 12.2% | 11.0% | 552 | 15.0% | 11.5% | -115 | -2.8pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 368 | 10.2% | 8.5% | 350 | 9.5% | 9.0% | +18 | +0.7pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 440 | 12.3% | 10.4% | 417 | 11.3% | 10.5% | +23 | +1.0pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 611 | 17.0% | 18.3% | 618 | 16.8% | 17.5% | -7 | +0.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 704 | 19.6% | 20.8% | 749 | 20.4% | 20.8% | -45 | -0.8pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 338 | 9.4% | 11.7% | 344 | 9.4% | 11.9% | -6 | 0.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 213 | 5.9% | 8.0% | 192 | 5.2% | 7.2% | +21 | +0.7pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 117 | 3.3% | 3.8% | 98 | 2.7% | 3.0% | +19 | +0.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 19 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 12 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 3,591 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,677 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -86 | 0.0pp |