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, Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) was the most common category among residents in Ringarooma, accounting for 17.5% (59 people). This share was higher than Dorset (M) (16.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4), which decreased by 8 people and 2.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Ringarooma - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Ringarooma in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Dorset (M) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ringarooma, with comparison markers for Dorset (M).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
11
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
11
3.3%
-2.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
31
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
31
9.2%
-1.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
26
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
26
7.7%
+0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
7
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
7
2.1%
-0.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
17
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
17
5.0%
-2.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
42
% of total
12.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
42
12.5%
+0.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
54
% of total
16.0%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
54
16.0%
-0.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
59
% of total
17.5%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
59
17.5%
+1.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
51
% of total
15.1%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
51
15.1%
-2.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
6
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
6
1.8%
-0.9pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-8
-2.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-4
-1.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+2
+0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-3
-0.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-7
-2.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
0
+0.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-3
-0.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+6
+1.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
-7
-2.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-3
-0.9pp
Data table
Service age groups for Ringarooma. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Dorset (M).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Dorset (M)% | Count | % | Dorset (M)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 11 | 3.3% | 4.6% | 19 | 5.6% | 4.7% | -8 | -2.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 31 | 9.2% | 7.5% | 35 | 10.4% | 9.1% | -4 | -1.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 26 | 7.7% | 7.5% | 24 | 7.1% | 6.8% | +2 | +0.6pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 7 | 2.1% | 6.1% | 10 | 3.0% | 6.6% | -3 | -0.9pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 17 | 5.0% | 10.2% | 24 | 7.1% | 9.4% | -7 | -2.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 42 | 12.5% | 15.3% | 42 | 12.4% | 16.2% | 0 | +0.1pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 54 | 16.0% | 14.1% | 57 | 16.9% | 15.9% | -3 | -0.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 59 | 17.5% | 16.8% | 53 | 15.7% | 16.5% | +6 | +1.8pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 51 | 15.1% | 14.7% | 58 | 17.2% | 12.7% | -7 | -2.1pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 6 | 1.8% | 3.3% | 9 | 2.7% | 2.6% | -3 | -0.9pp |
| Total | 337 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 338 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -1 | 0.0pp |