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.

Key insight

In 2021, Primary schoolers (5 to 11) was the most common category among residents in Oxford, accounting for 14% (6 people). This share was higher than Isaac (R) (10.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24), which increased by 3 people and 7 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Oxford - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Oxford in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Isaac (R) and change since 2016.

Age structure - Service age groups snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Oxford, with comparison markers for Isaac (R).

Oxford
Isaac (R)

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

6

% of total

14.0%

Change from 2016

-6.5pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

3

% of total

7.0%

Change from 2016

+7.0pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

-7.7pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

3

% of total

7.0%

Change from 2016

-0.7pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

5

% of total

11.6%

Change from 2016

-3.8pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

3

% of total

7.0%

Change from 2016

+7.0pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Data table

Service age groups for Oxford. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Isaac (R).

Service age groups for Oxford. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Isaac (R).
Service age groups for Oxford. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Isaac (R).
Category20212016Change
Count%Isaac (R)%Count%Isaac (R)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)00.0%7.2%00.0%9.7%00.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)614.0%10.7%820.5%12.1%-2-6.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)00.0%6.3%00.0%6.7%00.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)37.0%8.8%00.0%7.8%+3+7.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)00.0%18.8%37.7%19.1%-3-7.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)37.0%23.7%37.7%23.2%0-0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)511.6%13.2%615.4%12.2%-1-3.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)37.0%7.4%00.0%6.3%+3+7.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)00.0%3.6%00.0%2.6%00.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)00.0%0.5%00.0%0.4%00.0pp
Total43100.0%100.0%39100.0%100.0%+40.0pp