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, Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) was the most common category among residents in Abbotsbury, accounting for 16.6% (697 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (13.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69), which increased by 181 people and 4.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Abbotsbury - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Abbotsbury in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Fairfield (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Abbotsbury, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
170
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
170
4.0%
-1.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
329
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
329
7.8%
-0.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
335
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
335
8.0%
-0.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
465
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
465
11.1%
-1.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
509
% of total
12.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
509
12.1%
+0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
685
% of total
16.3%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
685
16.3%
-3.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
697
% of total
16.6%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
697
16.6%
-1.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
626
% of total
14.9%
Change from 2016
+4.4pp
626
14.9%
+4.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
323
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
323
7.7%
+2.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
48
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
48
1.1%
+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)
-45
-1.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-33
-0.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-35
-0.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-56
-1.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+3
+0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-136
-3.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-64
-1.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+181
+4.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+106
+2.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+12
+0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Abbotsbury. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Fairfield (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Fairfield (C)% | Count | % | Fairfield (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 170 | 4.0% | 5.2% | 215 | 5.1% | 6.1% | -45 | -1.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 329 | 7.8% | 8.6% | 362 | 8.5% | 9.0% | -33 | -0.7pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 335 | 8.0% | 8.2% | 370 | 8.7% | 8.2% | -35 | -0.7pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 465 | 11.1% | 9.9% | 521 | 12.3% | 10.7% | -56 | -1.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 509 | 12.1% | 13.0% | 506 | 11.9% | 13.6% | +3 | +0.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 685 | 16.3% | 18.4% | 821 | 19.3% | 19.3% | -136 | -3.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 697 | 16.6% | 13.4% | 761 | 17.9% | 13.6% | -64 | -1.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 626 | 14.9% | 12.1% | 445 | 10.5% | 10.3% | +181 | +4.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 323 | 7.7% | 9.2% | 217 | 5.1% | 7.4% | +106 | +2.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 48 | 1.1% | 2.1% | 36 | 0.8% | 1.8% | +12 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 4,200 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,253 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -53 | 0.0pp |