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 Hay (NSW), accounting for 15.2% (350 people). This share was lower than Hay (A) (16%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which decreased by 71 people and 2.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Hay (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Hay (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Hay (A) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Hay (NSW), with comparison markers for Hay (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
146
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
146
6.3%
+1.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
163
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
163
7.1%
-2.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
161
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
161
7.0%
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
193
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
193
8.4%
+1.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
248
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
248
10.8%
+0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
298
% of total
13.0%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
298
13.0%
-2.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
350
% of total
15.2%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
350
15.2%
-1.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
336
% of total
14.6%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
336
14.6%
+1.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
333
% of total
14.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
333
14.5%
+0.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
85
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
85
3.7%
+1.5pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+33
+1.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-64
-2.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-9
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+24
+1.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-8
+0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-71
-2.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-57
-1.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+15
+1.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
-7
+0.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+33
+1.5pp
Data table
Service age groups for Hay (NSW). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Hay (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Hay (A)% | Count | % | Hay (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 146 | 6.3% | 5.8% | 113 | 4.7% | 4.8% | +33 | +1.6pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 163 | 7.1% | 7.3% | 227 | 9.4% | 9.0% | -64 | -2.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 161 | 7.0% | 6.1% | 170 | 7.1% | 7.4% | -9 | -0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 193 | 8.4% | 7.6% | 169 | 7.0% | 7.6% | +24 | +1.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 248 | 10.8% | 11.1% | 256 | 10.6% | 9.9% | -8 | +0.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 298 | 13.0% | 14.0% | 369 | 15.3% | 15.8% | -71 | -2.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 350 | 15.2% | 16.0% | 407 | 16.9% | 17.1% | -57 | -1.7pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 336 | 14.6% | 14.6% | 321 | 13.3% | 12.8% | +15 | +1.3pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 333 | 14.5% | 14.6% | 340 | 14.1% | 13.2% | -7 | +0.4pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 85 | 3.7% | 3.1% | 52 | 2.2% | 1.8% | +33 | +1.5pp |
| Total | 2,300 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,406 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -106 | 0.0pp |