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, Young workforce (25 to 34) was the most common category among residents in Gillieston Heights, accounting for 20.9% (1,000 people). This share was higher than Maitland (C) (14.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 409 people and 2.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Gillieston Heights - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Gillieston Heights in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Maitland (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Gillieston Heights, with comparison markers for Maitland (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
510
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
510
10.6%
-1.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
602
% of total
12.6%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
602
12.6%
+1.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
307
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
307
6.4%
-0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
424
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
424
8.8%
+0.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,000
% of total
20.9%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
1,000
20.9%
-2.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
993
% of total
20.7%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
993
20.7%
+2.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
373
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
373
7.8%
-0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
305
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
305
6.4%
+0.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
269
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
269
5.6%
0.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
42
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
42
0.9%
-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)
+137
-1.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+253
+1.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+94
-0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+163
+0.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+257
-2.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+409
+2.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+111
-0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+119
+0.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+93
0.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+8
-0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Gillieston Heights. 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) | 510 | 10.6% | 6.9% | 373 | 11.8% | 7.5% | +137 | -1.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 602 | 12.6% | 10.2% | 349 | 11.1% | 10.4% | +253 | +1.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 307 | 6.4% | 8.1% | 213 | 6.8% | 8.0% | +94 | -0.4pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 424 | 8.8% | 8.4% | 261 | 8.3% | 8.6% | +163 | +0.5pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,000 | 20.9% | 14.3% | 743 | 23.6% | 13.7% | +257 | -2.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 993 | 20.7% | 19.5% | 584 | 18.5% | 19.8% | +409 | +2.2pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 373 | 7.8% | 11.6% | 262 | 8.3% | 12.3% | +111 | -0.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 305 | 6.4% | 10.2% | 186 | 5.9% | 10.3% | +119 | +0.5pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 269 | 5.6% | 9.1% | 176 | 5.6% | 7.8% | +93 | 0.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 42 | 0.9% | 1.7% | 34 | 1.1% | 1.7% | +8 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 4,796 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,150 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,646 | 0.0pp |