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 Cobar (A), accounting for 18.2% (737 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (17.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59), which decreased by 177 people and 2.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Cobar (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Cobar (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 Cobar (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
281
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
281
6.9%
-1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
402
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
402
9.9%
-0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
297
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
297
7.3%
+0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
323
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
323
8.0%
+0.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
579
% of total
14.3%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
579
14.3%
-1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
737
% of total
18.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
737
18.2%
0.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
498
% of total
12.3%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
498
12.3%
-2.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
508
% of total
12.5%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
508
12.5%
+2.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
372
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
372
9.2%
+1.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
78
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
78
1.9%
+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)
-87
-1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-97
-0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-31
+0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-13
+0.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-134
-1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-107
0.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-177
-2.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+48
+2.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+30
+1.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+3
+0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Cobar (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) | 281 | 6.9% | 5.5% | 368 | 7.9% | 5.8% | -87 | -1.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 402 | 9.9% | 8.6% | 499 | 10.7% | 8.9% | -97 | -0.8pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 297 | 7.3% | 7.4% | 328 | 7.1% | 7.3% | -31 | +0.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 323 | 8.0% | 7.6% | 336 | 7.2% | 7.9% | -13 | +0.8pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 579 | 14.3% | 11.6% | 713 | 15.3% | 11.0% | -134 | -1.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 737 | 18.2% | 17.5% | 844 | 18.2% | 18.0% | -107 | 0.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 498 | 12.3% | 12.8% | 675 | 14.5% | 13.8% | -177 | -2.2pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 508 | 12.5% | 13.3% | 460 | 9.9% | 13.1% | +48 | +2.6pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 372 | 9.2% | 13.0% | 342 | 7.4% | 11.4% | +30 | +1.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 78 | 1.9% | 2.8% | 75 | 1.6% | 2.7% | +3 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 4,059 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,647 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -588 | 0.0pp |