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, Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) was the most common category among residents in Harrogate, accounting for 23.2% (100 people). This share was higher than Mount Barker (DC) (19.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 73 people and 0.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Harrogate - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Harrogate in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mount Barker (DC) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Harrogate, with comparison markers for Mount Barker (DC).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
30
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
+7.0pp
30
7.0%
+7.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
35
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
+5.6pp
35
8.1%
+5.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
57
% of total
13.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
57
13.2%
0.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
22
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
22
5.1%
+2.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
22
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
22
5.1%
+0.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
100
% of total
23.2%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
100
23.2%
+0.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
79
% of total
18.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
79
18.3%
+0.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
60
% of total
13.9%
Change from 2016
-5.9pp
60
13.9%
-5.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
41
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
41
9.5%
+1.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
0
0.0%
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)
+30
+7.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+32
+5.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+41
0.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+19
+2.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+16
+0.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+73
+0.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+57
+0.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+36
-5.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+31
+1.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
0
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Harrogate. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mount Barker (DC).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Mount Barker (DC)% | Count | % | Mount Barker (DC)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 30 | 7.0% | 6.4% | 0 | 0.0% | 6.4% | +30 | +7.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 35 | 8.1% | 9.1% | 3 | 2.5% | 9.7% | +32 | +5.6pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 57 | 13.2% | 7.8% | 16 | 13.2% | 8.2% | +41 | 0.0pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 22 | 5.1% | 8.1% | 3 | 2.5% | 8.4% | +19 | +2.6pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 22 | 5.1% | 12.6% | 6 | 5.0% | 11.5% | +16 | +0.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 100 | 23.2% | 19.6% | 27 | 22.3% | 20.7% | +73 | +0.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 79 | 18.3% | 13.0% | 22 | 18.2% | 13.6% | +57 | +0.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 60 | 13.9% | 11.5% | 24 | 19.8% | 11.5% | +36 | -5.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 41 | 9.5% | 10.2% | 10 | 8.3% | 8.1% | +31 | +1.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 0 | 0.0% | 1.9% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.9% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 431 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 121 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +310 | 0.0pp |