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, Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) was the most common category among residents in Katherine (T), accounting for 20.2% (1,949 people). This share was lower than Regional NT (20.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Secondary schoolers (12 to 17), which decreased by 101 people and 1 percentage point.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Katherine (T) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Katherine (T) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NT and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Katherine (T), with comparison markers for Regional NT.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
700
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
700
7.3%
-0.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
1,060
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
1,060
11.0%
+1.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
705
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
705
7.3%
-1.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
864
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
864
9.0%
+0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,856
% of total
19.2%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
1,856
19.2%
+1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,949
% of total
20.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,949
20.2%
-0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,153
% of total
12.0%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
1,153
12.0%
-0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
848
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
848
8.8%
+0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
460
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
460
4.8%
+0.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
44
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
44
0.5%
0.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-93
-0.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+88
+1.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-101
-1.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+12
+0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+87
+1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-42
-0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-72
-0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+9
+0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+14
+0.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-1
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Katherine (T). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NT.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NT% | Count | % | Regional NT% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 700 | 7.3% | 7.3% | 793 | 8.2% | 8.3% | -93 | -0.9pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 1,060 | 11.0% | 11.0% | 972 | 10.0% | 11.5% | +88 | +1.0pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 705 | 7.3% | 8.5% | 806 | 8.3% | 9.0% | -101 | -1.0pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 864 | 9.0% | 10.4% | 852 | 8.8% | 10.5% | +12 | +0.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,856 | 19.2% | 18.3% | 1,769 | 18.2% | 17.5% | +87 | +1.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,949 | 20.2% | 20.8% | 1,991 | 20.5% | 20.8% | -42 | -0.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,153 | 12.0% | 11.7% | 1,225 | 12.6% | 11.9% | -72 | -0.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 848 | 8.8% | 8.0% | 839 | 8.6% | 7.2% | +9 | +0.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 460 | 4.8% | 3.8% | 446 | 4.6% | 3.0% | +14 | +0.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 44 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 45 | 0.5% | 0.3% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 9,643 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9,717 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -74 | 0.0pp |