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 Harrington, accounting for 29.9% (1,012 people). This share was higher than Mid-Coast (A) (20.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 322 people and 7.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Harrington - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Harrington 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 Harrington, with comparison markers for Mid-Coast (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
80
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
80
2.4%
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
128
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
128
3.8%
-1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
125
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
125
3.7%
-0.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
107
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
107
3.2%
-1.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
158
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
158
4.7%
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
340
% of total
10.1%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
340
10.1%
-2.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
369
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
369
10.9%
-2.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
909
% of total
26.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
909
26.9%
0.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
1,012
% of total
29.9%
Change from 2016
+7.2pp
1,012
29.9%
+7.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
139
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
139
4.1%
+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)
-4
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-21
-1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-12
-0.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-26
-1.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+15
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-28
-2.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-49
-2.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+94
0.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+322
+7.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+41
+0.9pp
Data table
Service age groups for Harrington. 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) | 80 | 2.4% | 4.1% | 84 | 2.8% | 4.6% | -4 | -0.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 128 | 3.8% | 7.1% | 149 | 4.9% | 7.6% | -21 | -1.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 125 | 3.7% | 6.5% | 137 | 4.5% | 6.8% | -12 | -0.8pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 107 | 3.2% | 5.3% | 133 | 4.4% | 5.6% | -26 | -1.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 158 | 4.7% | 7.9% | 143 | 4.7% | 7.4% | +15 | 0.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 340 | 10.1% | 14.0% | 368 | 12.1% | 15.0% | -28 | -2.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 369 | 10.9% | 13.2% | 418 | 13.8% | 14.5% | -49 | -2.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 909 | 26.9% | 17.9% | 815 | 26.9% | 17.7% | +94 | 0.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 1,012 | 29.9% | 20.1% | 690 | 22.7% | 17.0% | +322 | +7.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 139 | 4.1% | 4.0% | 98 | 3.2% | 3.8% | +41 | +0.9pp |
| Total | 3,381 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,033 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +348 | 0.0pp |