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 Lismore (NSW), accounting for 19.7% (722 people). This share was higher than Lismore (C) (18.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24), which decreased by 108 people and 3.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Lismore (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Lismore (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Lismore (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Lismore (NSW), with comparison markers for Lismore (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
166
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
166
4.5%
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
285
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
285
7.8%
+0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
262
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
262
7.2%
+1.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
310
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
310
8.5%
-3.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
507
% of total
13.9%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
507
13.9%
+1.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
722
% of total
19.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
722
19.7%
+0.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
464
% of total
12.7%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
464
12.7%
-2.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
469
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
469
12.8%
+0.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
364
% of total
10.0%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
364
10.0%
+2.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
105
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
105
2.9%
-0.6pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-11
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+18
+0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+41
+1.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-108
-3.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+61
+1.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+20
+0.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-75
-2.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+39
+0.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+101
+2.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-19
-0.6pp
Data table
Service age groups for Lismore (NSW). 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) | 166 | 4.5% | 4.8% | 177 | 4.9% | 5.2% | -11 | -0.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 285 | 7.8% | 8.4% | 267 | 7.5% | 8.8% | +18 | +0.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 262 | 7.2% | 7.7% | 221 | 6.2% | 7.8% | +41 | +1.0pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 310 | 8.5% | 7.4% | 418 | 11.7% | 8.1% | -108 | -3.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 507 | 13.9% | 10.7% | 446 | 12.5% | 10.2% | +61 | +1.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 722 | 19.7% | 18.3% | 702 | 19.6% | 18.6% | +20 | +0.1pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 464 | 12.7% | 14.2% | 539 | 15.1% | 15.5% | -75 | -2.4pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 469 | 12.8% | 14.6% | 430 | 12.0% | 13.7% | +39 | +0.8pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 364 | 10.0% | 11.4% | 263 | 7.3% | 9.4% | +101 | +2.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 105 | 2.9% | 2.4% | 124 | 3.5% | 2.7% | -19 | -0.6pp |
| Total | 3,656 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,579 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +77 | 0.0pp |