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 Lachlan (A), accounting for 17.1% (1,043 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (17.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59), which decreased by 104 people and 1.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Lachlan (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Lachlan (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 Lachlan (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
402
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
402
6.6%
-1.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
671
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
671
11.0%
+0.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
434
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
434
7.1%
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
380
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
380
6.2%
-1.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
707
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
707
11.6%
-0.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,043
% of total
17.1%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
1,043
17.1%
+1.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
719
% of total
11.8%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
719
11.8%
-1.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
828
% of total
13.6%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
828
13.6%
+1.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
727
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
727
11.9%
0.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
205
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
205
3.4%
+0.7pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-91
-1.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+43
+0.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+14
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-99
-1.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-38
-0.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+75
+1.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-104
-1.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+76
+1.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
-8
0.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+35
+0.7pp
Data table
Service age groups for Lachlan (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) | 402 | 6.6% | 5.5% | 493 | 8.0% | 5.8% | -91 | -1.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 671 | 11.0% | 8.6% | 628 | 10.1% | 8.9% | +43 | +0.9pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 434 | 7.1% | 7.4% | 420 | 6.8% | 7.3% | +14 | +0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 380 | 6.2% | 7.6% | 479 | 7.7% | 7.9% | -99 | -1.5pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 707 | 11.6% | 11.6% | 745 | 12.0% | 11.0% | -38 | -0.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,043 | 17.1% | 17.5% | 968 | 15.6% | 18.0% | +75 | +1.5pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 719 | 11.8% | 12.8% | 823 | 13.3% | 13.8% | -104 | -1.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 828 | 13.6% | 13.3% | 752 | 12.1% | 13.1% | +76 | +1.5pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 727 | 11.9% | 13.0% | 735 | 11.9% | 11.4% | -8 | 0.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 205 | 3.4% | 2.8% | 170 | 2.7% | 2.7% | +35 | +0.7pp |
| Total | 6,094 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,194 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -100 | 0.0pp |