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 Gwydir (A), accounting for 17.5% (861 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (13%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4), which decreased by 106 people and 1.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Gwydir (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Gwydir (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 Gwydir (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
220
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
220
4.5%
-1.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
463
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
463
9.4%
+0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
320
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
320
6.5%
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
227
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
227
4.6%
-1.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
406
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
406
8.3%
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
775
% of total
15.8%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
775
15.8%
-0.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
705
% of total
14.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
705
14.4%
-0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
755
% of total
15.4%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
755
15.4%
+0.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
861
% of total
17.5%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
861
17.5%
+2.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
171
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
171
3.5%
+0.6pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-106
-1.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-9
+0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-16
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-102
-1.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-33
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-100
-0.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-63
-0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-18
+0.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+67
+2.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+20
+0.6pp
Data table
Service age groups for Gwydir (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) | 220 | 4.5% | 5.5% | 326 | 6.2% | 5.8% | -106 | -1.7pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 463 | 9.4% | 8.6% | 472 | 9.0% | 8.9% | -9 | +0.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 320 | 6.5% | 7.4% | 336 | 6.4% | 7.3% | -16 | +0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 227 | 4.6% | 7.6% | 329 | 6.3% | 7.9% | -102 | -1.7pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 406 | 8.3% | 11.6% | 439 | 8.3% | 11.0% | -33 | 0.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 775 | 15.8% | 17.5% | 875 | 16.6% | 18.0% | -100 | -0.8pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 705 | 14.4% | 12.8% | 768 | 14.6% | 13.8% | -63 | -0.2pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 755 | 15.4% | 13.3% | 773 | 14.7% | 13.1% | -18 | +0.7pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 861 | 17.5% | 13.0% | 794 | 15.1% | 11.4% | +67 | +2.4pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 171 | 3.5% | 2.8% | 151 | 2.9% | 2.7% | +20 | +0.6pp |
| Total | 4,910 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,258 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -348 | 0.0pp |