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 Dunoon, accounting for 24.2% (203 people). This share was higher than Lismore (C) (18.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Primary schoolers (5 to 11), which increased by 47 people and 4 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Dunoon - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Dunoon in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Lismore (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Dunoon, with comparison markers for Lismore (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
51
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
51
6.1%
+1.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
109
% of total
13.0%
Change from 2016
+4.0pp
109
13.0%
+4.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
61
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
61
7.3%
-1.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
38
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
38
4.5%
-0.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
79
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
79
9.4%
+1.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
203
% of total
24.2%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
203
24.2%
-0.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
98
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
98
11.7%
-3.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
102
% of total
12.1%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
102
12.1%
-3.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
98
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
98
11.7%
+2.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
8
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
8
1.0%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+20
+1.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+47
+4.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-2
-1.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+2
-0.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+26
+1.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+31
-0.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-7
-3.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-5
-3.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+37
+2.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+2
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Dunoon. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Lismore (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Lismore (C)% | Count | % | Lismore (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 51 | 6.1% | 4.8% | 31 | 4.5% | 5.2% | +20 | +1.6pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 109 | 13.0% | 8.4% | 62 | 9.0% | 8.8% | +47 | +4.0pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 61 | 7.3% | 7.7% | 63 | 9.2% | 7.8% | -2 | -1.9pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 38 | 4.5% | 7.4% | 36 | 5.2% | 8.1% | +2 | -0.7pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 79 | 9.4% | 10.7% | 53 | 7.7% | 10.2% | +26 | +1.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 203 | 24.2% | 18.3% | 172 | 25.1% | 18.6% | +31 | -0.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 98 | 11.7% | 14.2% | 105 | 15.3% | 15.5% | -7 | -3.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 102 | 12.1% | 14.6% | 107 | 15.6% | 13.7% | -5 | -3.5pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 98 | 11.7% | 11.4% | 61 | 8.9% | 9.4% | +37 | +2.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 8 | 1.0% | 2.4% | 6 | 0.9% | 2.7% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 840 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 686 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +154 | 0.0pp |