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 Wards River, accounting for 28.1% (50 people). This share was higher than Mid-Coast (A) (17.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24), which decreased by 13 people and 7.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Wards River - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Wards River 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 Wards River, with comparison markers for Mid-Coast (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
-5.1pp
0
0.0%
-5.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
7
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
7
3.9%
+2.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
7
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-4.5pp
7
3.9%
-4.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
3
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-7.3pp
3
1.7%
-7.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
11
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
11
6.2%
+2.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
37
% of total
20.8%
Change from 2016
+3.9pp
37
20.8%
+3.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
33
% of total
18.5%
Change from 2016
+4.5pp
33
18.5%
+4.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
50
% of total
28.1%
Change from 2016
+6.8pp
50
28.1%
+6.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
29
% of total
16.3%
Change from 2016
+3.9pp
29
16.3%
+3.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
4
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
4
2.2%
+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)
-9
-5.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+4
+2.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-8
-4.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-13
-7.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+5
+2.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+7
+3.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+8
+4.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+12
+6.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+7
+3.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+4
+2.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Wards River. 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) | 0 | 0.0% | 4.1% | 9 | 5.1% | 4.6% | -9 | -5.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 7 | 3.9% | 7.1% | 3 | 1.7% | 7.6% | +4 | +2.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 7 | 3.9% | 6.5% | 15 | 8.4% | 6.8% | -8 | -4.5pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 3 | 1.7% | 5.3% | 16 | 9.0% | 5.6% | -13 | -7.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 11 | 6.2% | 7.9% | 6 | 3.4% | 7.4% | +5 | +2.8pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 37 | 20.8% | 14.0% | 30 | 16.9% | 15.0% | +7 | +3.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 33 | 18.5% | 13.2% | 25 | 14.0% | 14.5% | +8 | +4.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 50 | 28.1% | 17.9% | 38 | 21.3% | 17.7% | +12 | +6.8pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 29 | 16.3% | 20.1% | 22 | 12.4% | 17.0% | +7 | +3.9pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 4 | 2.2% | 4.0% | 0 | 0.0% | 3.8% | +4 | +2.2pp |
| Total | 178 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 178 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0 | 0.0pp |