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 Maitland, accounting for 19.1% (2,267 people). This share was lower than Maitland (C) (19.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 1,263 people and 0.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
East Maitland - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for East Maitland in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Maitland (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for East Maitland, with comparison markers for Maitland (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
659
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
659
5.6%
-0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
950
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
950
8.0%
+0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
858
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
858
7.2%
-1.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
1,021
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
1,021
8.6%
+1.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,544
% of total
13.0%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
1,544
13.0%
+0.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
2,267
% of total
19.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
2,267
19.1%
+0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,450
% of total
12.2%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
1,450
12.2%
-0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
1,382
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,382
11.7%
-0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
1,388
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,388
11.7%
+0.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
344
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
344
2.9%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+349
-0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+530
+0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+388
-1.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+660
+1.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+876
+0.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+1,263
+0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+761
-0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+734
-0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+787
+0.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+180
-0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for East Maitland. 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) | 659 | 5.6% | 6.9% | 310 | 5.8% | 7.5% | +349 | -0.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 950 | 8.0% | 10.2% | 420 | 7.9% | 10.4% | +530 | +0.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 858 | 7.2% | 8.1% | 470 | 8.8% | 8.0% | +388 | -1.6pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 1,021 | 8.6% | 8.4% | 361 | 6.8% | 8.6% | +660 | +1.8pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,544 | 13.0% | 14.3% | 668 | 12.5% | 13.7% | +876 | +0.5pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 2,267 | 19.1% | 19.5% | 1,004 | 18.8% | 19.8% | +1,263 | +0.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,450 | 12.2% | 11.6% | 689 | 12.9% | 12.3% | +761 | -0.7pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 1,382 | 11.7% | 10.2% | 648 | 12.1% | 10.3% | +734 | -0.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 1,388 | 11.7% | 9.1% | 601 | 11.3% | 7.8% | +787 | +0.4pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 344 | 2.9% | 1.7% | 164 | 3.1% | 1.7% | +180 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 11,860 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,342 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6,518 | 0.0pp |