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, Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) was the most common category among residents in Smiths Lake, accounting for 17.9% (238 people). This share was similar to Mid-Coast (A) (17.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 44 people and 2.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Smiths Lake - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Smiths Lake 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 Smiths Lake, with comparison markers for Mid-Coast (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
69
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
69
5.2%
0.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
118
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
118
8.9%
-2.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
89
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
89
6.7%
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
73
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
73
5.5%
+0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
110
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
110
8.3%
+2.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
228
% of total
17.1%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
228
17.1%
-1.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
207
% of total
15.5%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
207
15.5%
+1.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
238
% of total
17.9%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
238
17.9%
+1.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
200
% of total
15.0%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
200
15.0%
+2.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
17
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
17
1.3%
0.0pp
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
0.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-25
-2.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+7
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+9
+0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+33
+2.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-3
-1.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+39
+1.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+32
+1.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+44
+2.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+1
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Smiths Lake. 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) | 69 | 5.2% | 4.1% | 64 | 5.2% | 4.6% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 118 | 8.9% | 7.1% | 143 | 11.6% | 7.6% | -25 | -2.7pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 89 | 6.7% | 6.5% | 82 | 6.6% | 6.8% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 73 | 5.5% | 5.3% | 64 | 5.2% | 5.6% | +9 | +0.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 110 | 8.3% | 7.9% | 77 | 6.2% | 7.4% | +33 | +2.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 228 | 17.1% | 14.0% | 231 | 18.7% | 15.0% | -3 | -1.6pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 207 | 15.5% | 13.2% | 168 | 13.6% | 14.5% | +39 | +1.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 238 | 17.9% | 17.9% | 206 | 16.7% | 17.7% | +32 | +1.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 200 | 15.0% | 20.1% | 156 | 12.6% | 17.0% | +44 | +2.4pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 17 | 1.3% | 4.0% | 16 | 1.3% | 3.8% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 1,332 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,235 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +97 | 0.0pp |