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 Bonnyrigg, accounting for 18.9% (1,848 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (18.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 1,354 people, while its share fell by 2.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Bonnyrigg - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Bonnyrigg in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Fairfield (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bonnyrigg, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
522
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
522
5.3%
-0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
888
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
888
9.1%
-0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
880
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
880
9.0%
+1.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
965
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
965
9.9%
+2.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,263
% of total
12.9%
Change from 2016
+5.0pp
1,263
12.9%
+5.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,848
% of total
18.9%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
1,848
18.9%
-2.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,235
% of total
12.6%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
1,235
12.6%
-2.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
1,191
% of total
12.2%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
1,191
12.2%
-2.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
770
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
770
7.9%
-1.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
188
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
188
1.9%
+1.3pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+398
-0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+674
-0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+716
+1.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+786
+2.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+1,084
+5.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+1,354
-2.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+903
-2.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+860
-2.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+554
-1.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+174
+1.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Bonnyrigg. 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) | 522 | 5.3% | 5.2% | 124 | 5.5% | 6.1% | +398 | -0.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 888 | 9.1% | 8.6% | 214 | 9.5% | 9.0% | +674 | -0.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 880 | 9.0% | 8.2% | 164 | 7.3% | 8.2% | +716 | +1.7pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 965 | 9.9% | 9.9% | 179 | 7.9% | 10.7% | +786 | +2.0pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,263 | 12.9% | 13.0% | 179 | 7.9% | 13.6% | +1,084 | +5.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,848 | 18.9% | 18.4% | 494 | 21.8% | 19.3% | +1,354 | -2.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,235 | 12.6% | 13.4% | 332 | 14.7% | 13.6% | +903 | -2.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 1,191 | 12.2% | 12.1% | 331 | 14.6% | 10.3% | +860 | -2.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 770 | 7.9% | 9.2% | 216 | 9.5% | 7.4% | +554 | -1.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 188 | 1.9% | 2.1% | 14 | 0.6% | 1.8% | +174 | +1.3pp |
| Total | 9,785 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,262 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +7,523 | 0.0pp |