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 Firefly, accounting for 18.6% (46 people). This share was lower than Mid-Coast (A) (20.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69), which decreased by 17 people and 4.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Firefly - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Firefly in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mid-Coast (A) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Firefly, with comparison markers for Mid-Coast (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
5
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
5
2.0%
-1.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
23
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
23
9.3%
+0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
21
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
21
8.5%
+1.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
4
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
4
1.6%
+1.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
26
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
26
10.5%
+2.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
44
% of total
17.8%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
44
17.8%
-1.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
36
% of total
14.6%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
36
14.6%
+0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
41
% of total
16.6%
Change from 2016
-4.7pp
41
16.6%
-4.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
46
% of total
18.6%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
46
18.6%
+2.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
0
0.0%
-1.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-4
-1.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
0
+0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+3
+1.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+4
+1.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+4
+2.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-7
-1.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-2
+0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-17
-4.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+3
+2.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-3
-1.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Firefly. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mid-Coast (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Mid-Coast (A)% | Count | % | Mid-Coast (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 5 | 2.0% | 4.1% | 9 | 3.3% | 4.6% | -4 | -1.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 23 | 9.3% | 7.1% | 23 | 8.5% | 7.6% | 0 | +0.8pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 21 | 8.5% | 6.5% | 18 | 6.6% | 6.8% | +3 | +1.9pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 4 | 1.6% | 5.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 5.6% | +4 | +1.6pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 26 | 10.5% | 7.9% | 22 | 8.1% | 7.4% | +4 | +2.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 44 | 17.8% | 14.0% | 51 | 18.8% | 15.0% | -7 | -1.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 36 | 14.6% | 13.2% | 38 | 14.0% | 14.5% | -2 | +0.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 41 | 16.6% | 17.9% | 58 | 21.3% | 17.7% | -17 | -4.7pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 46 | 18.6% | 20.1% | 43 | 15.8% | 17.0% | +3 | +2.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 0 | 0.0% | 4.0% | 3 | 1.1% | 3.8% | -3 | -1.1pp |
| Total | 247 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 272 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -25 | 0.0pp |