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 MacDonnell (R), accounting for 22.7% (1,302 people). This share was higher than Regional NT (20.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24), which decreased by 334 people and 4.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
MacDonnell (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for MacDonnell (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NT and change since 2016.
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for MacDonnell (R), with comparison markers for Regional NT.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
438
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
438
7.6%
+0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
617
% of total
10.7%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
617
10.7%
+0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
456
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
456
7.9%
-0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
711
% of total
12.4%
Change from 2016
-4.9pp
711
12.4%
-4.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,105
% of total
19.2%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
1,105
19.2%
+0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,302
% of total
22.7%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
1,302
22.7%
+2.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
593
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
593
10.3%
+0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
357
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
357
6.2%
+0.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
158
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
158
2.7%
+0.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
12
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
12
0.2%
-0.1pp
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+22
+0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+22
+0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-47
-0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-334
-4.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-19
+0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+55
+2.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-15
+0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+33
+0.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+22
+0.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-7
-0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for MacDonnell (R). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NT.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NT% | Count | % | Regional NT% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 438 | 7.6% | 7.3% | 416 | 6.9% | 8.3% | +22 | +0.7pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 617 | 10.7% | 11.0% | 595 | 9.9% | 11.5% | +22 | +0.8pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 456 | 7.9% | 8.5% | 503 | 8.3% | 9.0% | -47 | -0.4pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 711 | 12.4% | 10.4% | 1,045 | 17.3% | 10.5% | -334 | -4.9pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,105 | 19.2% | 18.3% | 1,124 | 18.6% | 17.5% | -19 | +0.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,302 | 22.7% | 20.8% | 1,247 | 20.7% | 20.8% | +55 | +2.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 593 | 10.3% | 11.7% | 608 | 10.1% | 11.9% | -15 | +0.2pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 357 | 6.2% | 8.0% | 324 | 5.4% | 7.2% | +33 | +0.8pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 158 | 2.7% | 3.8% | 136 | 2.3% | 3.0% | +22 | +0.4pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 12 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 19 | 0.3% | 0.3% | -7 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 5,748 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,029 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -281 | 0.0pp |