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 East Lismore, accounting for 16.6% (825 people). This share was lower than Lismore (C) (18.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which increased by 104 people and 2.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
East Lismore - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for East Lismore in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Lismore (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for East Lismore, with comparison markers for Lismore (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
257
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
257
5.2%
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
410
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
410
8.2%
-0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
356
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
356
7.1%
+0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
548
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
548
11.0%
-0.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
661
% of total
13.3%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
661
13.3%
+2.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
825
% of total
16.6%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
825
16.6%
-1.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
614
% of total
12.3%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
614
12.3%
-1.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
593
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
593
11.9%
+2.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
546
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
546
11.0%
+0.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
170
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
170
3.4%
-1.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-20
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-37
-0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+13
+0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-35
-0.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+104
+2.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-50
-1.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-68
-1.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+102
+2.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+9
+0.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-48
-1.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for East Lismore. 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) | 257 | 5.2% | 4.8% | 277 | 5.6% | 5.2% | -20 | -0.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 410 | 8.2% | 8.4% | 447 | 9.0% | 8.8% | -37 | -0.8pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 356 | 7.1% | 7.7% | 343 | 6.9% | 7.8% | +13 | +0.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 548 | 11.0% | 7.4% | 583 | 11.7% | 8.1% | -35 | -0.7pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 661 | 13.3% | 10.7% | 557 | 11.2% | 10.2% | +104 | +2.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 825 | 16.6% | 18.3% | 875 | 17.6% | 18.6% | -50 | -1.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 614 | 12.3% | 14.2% | 682 | 13.7% | 15.5% | -68 | -1.4pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 593 | 11.9% | 14.6% | 491 | 9.8% | 13.7% | +102 | +2.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 546 | 11.0% | 11.4% | 537 | 10.8% | 9.4% | +9 | +0.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 170 | 3.4% | 2.4% | 218 | 4.4% | 2.7% | -48 | -1.0pp |
| Total | 4,980 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,985 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -5 | 0.0pp |