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 Christmas Island, accounting for 22.2% (375 people). This share was higher than Other Territories (19.8%).
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Christmas Island - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Christmas Island in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Other Territories and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Christmas Island, with comparison markers for Other Territories.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
80
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-
80
4.7%
-
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
145
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-
145
8.6%
-
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
99
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-
99
5.9%
-
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
83
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-
83
4.9%
-
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
314
% of total
18.6%
Change from 2016
-
314
18.6%
-
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
375
% of total
22.2%
Change from 2016
-
375
22.2%
-
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
259
% of total
15.3%
Change from 2016
-
259
15.3%
-
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
204
% of total
12.1%
Change from 2016
-
204
12.1%
-
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
107
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-
107
6.3%
-
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
9
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-
9
0.5%
-
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Data table
Service age groups for Christmas Island. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Other Territories.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Other Territories% | Count | % | Other Territories% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 80 | 4.7% | 4.9% | - | - | 5.9% | - | - |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 145 | 8.6% | 8.8% | - | - | 8.8% | - | - |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 99 | 5.9% | 6.4% | - | - | 6.2% | - | - |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 83 | 4.9% | 5.7% | - | - | 6.3% | - | - |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 314 | 18.6% | 12.2% | - | - | 12.5% | - | - |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 375 | 22.2% | 19.8% | - | - | 21.5% | - | - |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 259 | 15.3% | 15.6% | - | - | 16.5% | - | - |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 204 | 12.1% | 14.6% | - | - | 13.9% | - | - |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 107 | 6.3% | 11.1% | - | - | 7.8% | - | - |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 9 | 0.5% | 1.4% | - | - | 1.1% | - | - |
| Total | 1,692 | 100.0% | 100.0% | - | - | 100.0% | - | - |