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 Metford, accounting for 18.5% (870 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 698 people and 1.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Metford - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Metford in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Maitland (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Metford, with comparison markers for Maitland (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
264
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
264
5.6%
+0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
484
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
484
10.3%
+2.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
366
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
366
7.8%
-0.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
468
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
468
9.9%
+0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
737
% of total
15.7%
Change from 2016
+7.7pp
737
15.7%
+7.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
870
% of total
18.5%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
870
18.5%
+1.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
608
% of total
12.9%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
608
12.9%
-2.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
483
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
-5.1pp
483
10.3%
-5.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
395
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
395
8.4%
-3.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
55
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
55
1.2%
-0.9pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+209
+0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+404
+2.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+278
-0.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+370
+0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+656
+7.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+698
+1.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+455
-2.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+328
-5.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+276
-3.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+34
-0.9pp
Data table
Service age groups for Metford. 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) | 264 | 5.6% | 6.9% | 55 | 5.5% | 7.5% | +209 | +0.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 484 | 10.3% | 10.2% | 80 | 7.9% | 10.4% | +404 | +2.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 366 | 7.8% | 8.1% | 88 | 8.7% | 8.0% | +278 | -0.9pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 468 | 9.9% | 8.4% | 98 | 9.7% | 8.6% | +370 | +0.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 737 | 15.7% | 14.3% | 81 | 8.0% | 13.7% | +656 | +7.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 870 | 18.5% | 19.5% | 172 | 17.1% | 19.8% | +698 | +1.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 608 | 12.9% | 11.6% | 153 | 15.2% | 12.3% | +455 | -2.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 483 | 10.3% | 10.2% | 155 | 15.4% | 10.3% | +328 | -5.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 395 | 8.4% | 9.1% | 119 | 11.8% | 7.8% | +276 | -3.4pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 55 | 1.2% | 1.7% | 21 | 2.1% | 1.7% | +34 | -0.9pp |
| Total | 4,707 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,008 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,699 | 0.0pp |