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 Darwin (C), accounting for 22.4% (18,049 people). This share was similar to Greater Darwin (22.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 1,512 people and 1.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Darwin (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Darwin (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Darwin and change since 2016.
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Darwin (C), with comparison markers for Greater Darwin.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
5,063
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
5,063
6.3%
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
7,043
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
7,043
8.7%
+0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
5,348
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
5,348
6.6%
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
6,584
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
6,584
8.2%
-0.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
15,999
% of total
19.9%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
15,999
19.9%
-0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
18,049
% of total
22.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
18,049
22.4%
-0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
9,566
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
9,566
11.9%
-0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
7,235
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
7,235
9.0%
+0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
5,071
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
5,071
6.3%
+1.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
580
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
580
0.7%
+0.1pp
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-283
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+484
+0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+96
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-252
-0.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-280
-0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+196
-0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-129
-0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+276
+0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+1,512
+1.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+114
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Darwin (C). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Darwin.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Darwin% | Count | % | Greater Darwin% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 5,063 | 6.3% | 6.8% | 5,346 | 6.8% | 7.4% | -283 | -0.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 7,043 | 8.7% | 9.6% | 6,559 | 8.3% | 9.2% | +484 | +0.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 5,348 | 6.6% | 7.2% | 5,252 | 6.7% | 7.0% | +96 | -0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 6,584 | 8.2% | 8.5% | 6,836 | 8.7% | 9.1% | -252 | -0.5pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 15,999 | 19.9% | 18.5% | 16,279 | 20.7% | 19.6% | -280 | -0.8pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 18,049 | 22.4% | 22.5% | 17,853 | 22.7% | 23.3% | +196 | -0.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 9,566 | 11.9% | 12.1% | 9,695 | 12.3% | 12.2% | -129 | -0.4pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 7,235 | 9.0% | 8.6% | 6,959 | 8.8% | 8.0% | +276 | +0.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 5,071 | 6.3% | 5.5% | 3,559 | 4.5% | 3.8% | +1,512 | +1.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 580 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 466 | 0.6% | 0.5% | +114 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 80,530 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 78,804 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,726 | 0.0pp |