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 (A), accounting for 16% (462 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (12.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which decreased by 62 people and 1.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Hay (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Hay (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 Hay (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
166
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
166
5.8%
+1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
210
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
210
7.3%
-1.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
175
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
175
6.1%
-1.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
220
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
220
7.6%
0.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
320
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
320
11.1%
+1.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
403
% of total
14.0%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
403
14.0%
-1.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
462
% of total
16.0%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
462
16.0%
-1.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
421
% of total
14.6%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
421
14.6%
+1.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
421
% of total
14.6%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
421
14.6%
+1.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
88
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
88
3.1%
+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)
+26
+1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-55
-1.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-42
-1.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-3
0.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+27
+1.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-62
-1.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-43
-1.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+45
+1.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+32
+1.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+35
+1.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Hay (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) | 166 | 5.8% | 5.5% | 140 | 4.8% | 5.8% | +26 | +1.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 210 | 7.3% | 8.6% | 265 | 9.0% | 8.9% | -55 | -1.7pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 175 | 6.1% | 7.4% | 217 | 7.4% | 7.3% | -42 | -1.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 220 | 7.6% | 7.6% | 223 | 7.6% | 7.9% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 320 | 11.1% | 11.6% | 293 | 9.9% | 11.0% | +27 | +1.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 403 | 14.0% | 17.5% | 465 | 15.8% | 18.0% | -62 | -1.8pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 462 | 16.0% | 12.8% | 505 | 17.1% | 13.8% | -43 | -1.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 421 | 14.6% | 13.3% | 376 | 12.8% | 13.1% | +45 | +1.8pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 421 | 14.6% | 13.0% | 389 | 13.2% | 11.4% | +32 | +1.4pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 88 | 3.1% | 2.8% | 53 | 1.8% | 2.7% | +35 | +1.3pp |
| Total | 2,882 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,946 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -64 | 0.0pp |