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.

Key insight

In 2021, Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) was the most common category among residents in East Arnhem (R), accounting for 20.3% (1,783 people). This share was lower than Regional NT (20.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Secondary schoolers (12 to 17), which decreased by 354 people and 3.6 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

East Arnhem (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for East Arnhem (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 East Arnhem (R), with comparison markers for Regional NT.

East Arnhem (R)
Regional NT

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

648

% of total

7.4%

Change from 2016

-1.3pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

971

% of total

11.1%

Change from 2016

-2.1pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

920

% of total

10.5%

Change from 2016

-3.6pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

1,363

% of total

15.5%

Change from 2016

+2.9pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

1,577

% of total

18.0%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

1,783

% of total

20.3%

Change from 2016

+1.2pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

863

% of total

9.8%

Change from 2016

+1.3pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

511

% of total

5.8%

Change from 2016

+1.6pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

150

% of total

1.7%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

8

% of total

0.1%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Data table

Service age groups for East Arnhem (R). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NT.

Service age groups for East Arnhem (R). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NT.
Service age groups for East Arnhem (R). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NT.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional NT%Count%Regional NT%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)6487.4%7.3%7848.7%8.3%-136-1.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)97111.1%11.0%1,19513.2%11.5%-224-2.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)92010.5%8.5%1,27414.1%9.0%-354-3.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)1,36315.5%10.4%1,14112.6%10.5%+222+2.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)1,57718.0%18.3%1,61317.9%17.5%-36+0.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)1,78320.3%20.8%1,72319.1%20.8%+60+1.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)8639.8%11.7%7668.5%11.9%+97+1.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)5115.8%8.0%3804.2%7.2%+131+1.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)1501.7%3.8%1271.4%3.0%+23+0.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)80.1%0.4%80.1%0.3%00.0pp
Total8,778100.0%100.0%9,026100.0%100.0%-2480.0pp