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 McLeans Ridges (part), accounting for 17.5% (141 people). This share was lower than Lismore (C) (18.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 47 people and 4.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
McLeans Ridges (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for McLeans Ridges (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Lismore (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for McLeans Ridges (part), with comparison markers for Lismore (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
Young workforce (25 to 34)
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
Seniors (70 to 84)
Elderly aged (85 and over)
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+2
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+39
+3.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+10
-1.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+14
+0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+34
+2.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+11
-2.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+9
-3.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+29
0.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+47
+4.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-5
-1.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for McLeans Ridges (part). 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) | 22 | 2.7% | 4.8% | 20 | 3.1% | 5.2% | +2 | -0.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 89 | 11.0% | 8.4% | 50 | 7.9% | 8.8% | +39 | +3.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 76 | 9.4% | 7.7% | 66 | 10.5% | 7.8% | +10 | -1.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 44 | 5.4% | 7.4% | 30 | 4.8% | 8.1% | +14 | +0.6pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 77 | 9.5% | 10.7% | 43 | 6.8% | 10.2% | +34 | +2.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 141 | 17.5% | 18.3% | 130 | 20.4% | 18.6% | +11 | -2.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 132 | 16.3% | 14.2% | 123 | 19.4% | 15.5% | +9 | -3.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 137 | 17.0% | 14.6% | 108 | 17.0% | 13.7% | +29 | 0.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 75 | 9.3% | 11.4% | 28 | 4.5% | 9.4% | +47 | +4.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 10 | 1.2% | 2.4% | 15 | 2.3% | 2.7% | -5 | -1.1pp |
| Total | 808 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 635 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +173 | 0.0pp |
2016 values for this suburb are estimated onto 2021 suburb boundaries using an ABS concordance. Because the boundary change is material, 2016 comparisons should be read as approximate.