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 Ashtonfield, accounting for 20.2% (927 people). This share was higher than Maitland (C) (19.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4), which decreased by 107 people and 2.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Ashtonfield - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Ashtonfield in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Maitland (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ashtonfield, with comparison markers for Maitland (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
228
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
228
5.0%
-2.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
475
% of total
10.4%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
475
10.4%
-1.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
481
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
481
10.5%
+1.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
385
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
385
8.4%
+0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
498
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
498
10.9%
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
927
% of total
20.2%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
927
20.2%
-1.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
621
% of total
13.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
621
13.5%
-0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
528
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
528
11.5%
+2.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
373
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
373
8.1%
+2.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
52
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
52
1.1%
+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)
-107
-2.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-94
-1.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+47
+1.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
0
+0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-7
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-88
-1.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-24
-0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+95
+2.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+97
+2.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+6
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Ashtonfield. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Maitland (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Maitland (C)% | Count | % | Maitland (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 228 | 5.0% | 6.9% | 335 | 7.2% | 7.5% | -107 | -2.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 475 | 10.4% | 10.2% | 569 | 12.2% | 10.4% | -94 | -1.8pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 481 | 10.5% | 8.1% | 434 | 9.3% | 8.0% | +47 | +1.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 385 | 8.4% | 8.4% | 385 | 8.3% | 8.6% | 0 | +0.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 498 | 10.9% | 14.3% | 505 | 10.9% | 13.7% | -7 | 0.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 927 | 20.2% | 19.5% | 1,015 | 21.9% | 19.8% | -88 | -1.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 621 | 13.5% | 11.6% | 645 | 13.9% | 12.3% | -24 | -0.4pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 528 | 11.5% | 10.2% | 433 | 9.3% | 10.3% | +95 | +2.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 373 | 8.1% | 9.1% | 276 | 5.9% | 7.8% | +97 | +2.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 52 | 1.1% | 1.7% | 46 | 1.0% | 1.7% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 4,589 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,645 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -56 | 0.0pp |