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 Old Bar, accounting for 17.6% (901 people). This share was lower than Mid-Coast (A) (20.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 183 people and 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Old Bar - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Old Bar 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 Old Bar, with comparison markers for Mid-Coast (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
276
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
276
5.4%
-0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
458
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
458
8.9%
+0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
319
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
319
6.2%
+0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
247
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
247
4.8%
-0.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
469
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
469
9.1%
-0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
751
% of total
14.7%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
751
14.7%
-1.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
626
% of total
12.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
626
12.2%
+0.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
875
% of total
17.1%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
875
17.1%
+0.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
901
% of total
17.6%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
901
17.6%
+1.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
213
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
213
4.2%
+0.5pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+10
-0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+70
+0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+65
+0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+6
-0.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+62
-0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+46
-1.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+94
+0.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+151
+0.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+183
+1.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+50
+0.5pp
Data table
Service age groups for Old Bar. 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) | 276 | 5.4% | 4.1% | 266 | 6.1% | 4.6% | +10 | -0.7pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 458 | 8.9% | 7.1% | 388 | 8.8% | 7.6% | +70 | +0.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 319 | 6.2% | 6.5% | 254 | 5.8% | 6.8% | +65 | +0.4pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 247 | 4.8% | 5.3% | 241 | 5.5% | 5.6% | +6 | -0.7pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 469 | 9.1% | 7.9% | 407 | 9.3% | 7.4% | +62 | -0.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 751 | 14.7% | 14.0% | 705 | 16.1% | 15.0% | +46 | -1.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 626 | 12.2% | 13.2% | 532 | 12.1% | 14.5% | +94 | +0.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 875 | 17.1% | 17.9% | 724 | 16.5% | 17.7% | +151 | +0.6pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 901 | 17.6% | 20.1% | 718 | 16.4% | 17.0% | +183 | +1.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 213 | 4.2% | 4.0% | 163 | 3.7% | 3.8% | +50 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 5,126 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,389 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +737 | 0.0pp |