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 Edward River (A), accounting for 15.8% (1,333 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (17.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which decreased by 179 people and 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Edward River (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Edward River (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 Edward River (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
445
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
445
5.3%
-0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
716
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
716
8.5%
-0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
630
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
630
7.5%
+0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
568
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
568
6.7%
-0.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
864
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
864
10.2%
+0.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,333
% of total
15.8%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
1,333
15.8%
-1.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,113
% of total
13.2%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
1,113
13.2%
-1.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
1,273
% of total
15.1%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
1,273
15.1%
+1.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
1,205
% of total
14.3%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
1,205
14.3%
+1.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
289
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
289
3.4%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-48
-0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-69
-0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+6
+0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-100
-0.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+1
+0.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-179
-1.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-161
-1.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+33
+1.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+96
+1.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-4
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Edward River (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) | 445 | 5.3% | 5.5% | 493 | 5.6% | 5.8% | -48 | -0.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 716 | 8.5% | 8.6% | 785 | 8.9% | 8.9% | -69 | -0.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 630 | 7.5% | 7.4% | 624 | 7.1% | 7.3% | +6 | +0.4pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 568 | 6.7% | 7.6% | 668 | 7.5% | 7.9% | -100 | -0.8pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 864 | 10.2% | 11.6% | 863 | 9.8% | 11.0% | +1 | +0.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,333 | 15.8% | 17.5% | 1,512 | 17.1% | 18.0% | -179 | -1.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,113 | 13.2% | 12.8% | 1,274 | 14.4% | 13.8% | -161 | -1.2pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 1,273 | 15.1% | 13.3% | 1,240 | 14.0% | 13.1% | +33 | +1.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 1,205 | 14.3% | 13.0% | 1,109 | 12.5% | 11.4% | +96 | +1.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 289 | 3.4% | 2.8% | 293 | 3.3% | 2.7% | -4 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 8,456 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,851 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -395 | 0.0pp |