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, Young workforce (25 to 34) was the most common category among residents in Hobart (C), accounting for 19.5% (10,749 people). This share was higher than Greater Hobart (16.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which increased by 2,948 people and 4 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Hobart (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Hobart (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Hobart and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Hobart (C), with comparison markers for Greater Hobart.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
2,204
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
2,204
4.0%
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
3,548
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
3,548
6.4%
-0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
3,229
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
3,229
5.9%
-0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
5,446
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
5,446
9.9%
-2.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
10,749
% of total
19.5%
Change from 2016
+4.0pp
10,749
19.5%
+4.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
10,329
% of total
18.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
10,329
18.8%
-0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
6,425
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
6,425
11.7%
-1.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
6,152
% of total
11.2%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
6,152
11.2%
-0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
5,685
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
5,685
10.3%
+1.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
1,327
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,327
2.4%
-0.4pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-65
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+45
-0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+177
-0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-541
-2.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+2,948
+4.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+682
-0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-129
-1.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+298
-0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+1,297
+1.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-83
-0.4pp
Data table
Service age groups for Hobart (C). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Hobart.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Hobart% | Count | % | Greater Hobart% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 2,204 | 4.0% | 5.2% | 2,269 | 4.5% | 5.8% | -65 | -0.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 3,548 | 6.4% | 8.1% | 3,503 | 6.9% | 8.7% | +45 | -0.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 3,229 | 5.9% | 6.9% | 3,052 | 6.1% | 7.1% | +177 | -0.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 5,446 | 9.9% | 8.1% | 5,987 | 11.9% | 8.8% | -541 | -2.0pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 10,749 | 19.5% | 16.1% | 7,801 | 15.5% | 12.8% | +2,948 | +4.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 10,329 | 18.8% | 18.8% | 9,647 | 19.1% | 19.1% | +682 | -0.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 6,425 | 11.7% | 12.0% | 6,554 | 13.0% | 13.6% | -129 | -1.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 6,152 | 11.2% | 11.7% | 5,854 | 11.6% | 12.0% | +298 | -0.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 5,685 | 10.3% | 10.9% | 4,388 | 8.7% | 9.7% | +1,297 | +1.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 1,327 | 2.4% | 2.3% | 1,410 | 2.8% | 2.4% | -83 | -0.4pp |
| Total | 55,077 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 50,439 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,638 | 0.0pp |