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 Murray River (A), accounting for 17.4% (2,232 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (13%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 392 people and 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Murray River (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Murray River (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Murray River (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
665
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
665
5.2%
-0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
1,029
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,029
8.0%
-0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
899
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
899
7.0%
+0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
679
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
679
5.3%
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,190
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,190
9.3%
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
2,001
% of total
15.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
2,001
15.6%
-0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,680
% of total
13.1%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
1,680
13.1%
-1.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
2,083
% of total
16.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
2,083
16.2%
+0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
2,232
% of total
17.4%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
2,232
17.4%
+1.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
403
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
403
3.1%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+31
-0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+71
-0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+132
+0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+13
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+102
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+148
-0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+28
-1.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+214
+0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+392
+1.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+63
+0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Murray River (A). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 665 | 5.2% | 5.5% | 634 | 5.4% | 5.8% | +31 | -0.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 1,029 | 8.0% | 8.6% | 958 | 8.2% | 8.9% | +71 | -0.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 899 | 7.0% | 7.4% | 767 | 6.6% | 7.3% | +132 | +0.4pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 679 | 5.3% | 7.6% | 666 | 5.7% | 7.9% | +13 | -0.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,190 | 9.3% | 11.6% | 1,088 | 9.3% | 11.0% | +102 | 0.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 2,001 | 15.6% | 17.5% | 1,853 | 15.9% | 18.0% | +148 | -0.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,680 | 13.1% | 12.8% | 1,652 | 14.1% | 13.8% | +28 | -1.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 2,083 | 16.2% | 13.3% | 1,869 | 16.0% | 13.1% | +214 | +0.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 2,232 | 17.4% | 13.0% | 1,840 | 15.8% | 11.4% | +392 | +1.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 403 | 3.1% | 2.8% | 340 | 2.9% | 2.7% | +63 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 12,850 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,680 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,170 | 0.0pp |