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, Seniors (70 to 84) was the most common category among residents in Gilgandra, accounting for 15.8% (472 people). This share was higher than Gilgandra (A) (14%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which decreased by 61 people and 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Gilgandra - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Gilgandra in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Gilgandra (A) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Gilgandra, with comparison markers for Gilgandra (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
161
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
161
5.4%
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
264
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
264
8.9%
-0.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
206
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
206
6.9%
-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
206
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
206
6.9%
+0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
297
% of total
10.0%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
297
10.0%
+0.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
442
% of total
14.8%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
442
14.8%
-1.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
392
% of total
13.1%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
392
13.1%
-0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
430
% of total
14.4%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
430
14.4%
+1.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
472
% of total
15.8%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
472
15.8%
+1.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
104
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
104
3.5%
-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)
-22
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-33
-0.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-18
-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-3
+0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+12
+0.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-61
-1.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-33
-0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+29
+1.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+16
+1.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-15
-0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Gilgandra. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Gilgandra (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Gilgandra (A)% | Count | % | Gilgandra (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 161 | 5.4% | 6.1% | 183 | 5.9% | 5.8% | -22 | -0.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 264 | 8.9% | 9.1% | 297 | 9.5% | 9.7% | -33 | -0.6pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 206 | 6.9% | 7.1% | 224 | 7.2% | 7.3% | -18 | -0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 206 | 6.9% | 5.5% | 209 | 6.7% | 6.7% | -3 | +0.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 297 | 10.0% | 10.4% | 285 | 9.1% | 10.0% | +12 | +0.9pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 442 | 14.8% | 15.8% | 503 | 16.1% | 16.1% | -61 | -1.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 392 | 13.1% | 14.2% | 425 | 13.6% | 14.4% | -33 | -0.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 430 | 14.4% | 14.7% | 401 | 12.8% | 13.8% | +29 | +1.6pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 472 | 15.8% | 14.0% | 456 | 14.6% | 13.7% | +16 | +1.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 104 | 3.5% | 3.1% | 119 | 3.8% | 3.1% | -15 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 2,983 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,126 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -143 | 0.0pp |