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, Seniors (70 to 84) was the most common category among residents in Morpeth, accounting for 25% (422 people). This share was higher than Maitland (C) (9.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 178 people and 7.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Morpeth - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Morpeth in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Maitland (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Morpeth, with comparison markers for Maitland (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
76
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
76
4.5%
-0.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
138
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
138
8.2%
+0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
94
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
94
5.6%
-0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
86
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
86
5.1%
-1.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
143
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
143
8.5%
-0.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
232
% of total
13.8%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
232
13.8%
-3.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
196
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
196
11.6%
-0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
258
% of total
15.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
258
15.3%
-0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
422
% of total
25.0%
Change from 2016
+7.6pp
422
25.0%
+7.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
73
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
73
4.3%
+2.2pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+5
-0.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+28
+0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+13
-0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-5
-1.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+18
-0.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-10
-3.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+28
-0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+40
-0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+178
+7.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+44
+2.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Morpeth. 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) | 76 | 4.5% | 6.9% | 71 | 5.1% | 7.5% | +5 | -0.6pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 138 | 8.2% | 10.2% | 110 | 7.8% | 10.4% | +28 | +0.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 94 | 5.6% | 8.1% | 81 | 5.8% | 8.0% | +13 | -0.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 86 | 5.1% | 8.4% | 91 | 6.5% | 8.6% | -5 | -1.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 143 | 8.5% | 14.3% | 125 | 8.9% | 13.7% | +18 | -0.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 232 | 13.8% | 19.5% | 242 | 17.2% | 19.8% | -10 | -3.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 196 | 11.6% | 11.6% | 168 | 12.0% | 12.3% | +28 | -0.4pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 258 | 15.3% | 10.2% | 218 | 15.5% | 10.3% | +40 | -0.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 422 | 25.0% | 9.1% | 244 | 17.4% | 7.8% | +178 | +7.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 73 | 4.3% | 1.7% | 29 | 2.1% | 1.7% | +44 | +2.2pp |
| Total | 1,686 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,403 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +283 | 0.0pp |