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.

Key insight

In 2021, Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) was the most common category among residents in Wherrol Flat, accounting for 20.7% (68 people). This share was higher than Mid-Coast (A) (17.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59), which decreased by 21 people and 7.2 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Wherrol Flat - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Wherrol Flat 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 Wherrol Flat, with comparison markers for Mid-Coast (A).

Wherrol Flat
Mid-Coast (A)

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

9

% of total

2.7%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

29

% of total

8.8%

Change from 2016

-1.5pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

31

% of total

9.4%

Change from 2016

+2.5pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

7

% of total

2.1%

Change from 2016

-2.0pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

35

% of total

10.6%

Change from 2016

+1.8pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

37

% of total

11.2%

Change from 2016

+1.2pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

57

% of total

17.3%

Change from 2016

-7.2pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

68

% of total

20.7%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

52

% of total

15.8%

Change from 2016

+6.1pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

5

% of total

1.5%

Change from 2016

+1.5pp

Data table

Service age groups for Wherrol Flat. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mid-Coast (A).

Service age groups for Wherrol Flat. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mid-Coast (A).
Service age groups for Wherrol Flat. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mid-Coast (A).
Category20212016Change
Count%Mid-Coast (A)%Count%Mid-Coast (A)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)92.7%4.1%92.8%4.6%0-0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)298.8%7.1%3310.3%7.6%-4-1.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)319.4%6.5%226.9%6.8%+9+2.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)72.1%5.3%134.1%5.6%-6-2.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)3510.6%7.9%288.8%7.4%+7+1.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)3711.2%14.0%3210.0%15.0%+5+1.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)5717.3%13.2%7824.5%14.5%-21-7.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)6820.7%17.9%6420.1%17.7%+4+0.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)5215.8%20.1%319.7%17.0%+21+6.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)51.5%4.0%00.0%3.8%+5+1.5pp
Total329100.0%100.0%319100.0%100.0%+100.0pp