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 Murrumbidgee (A), accounting for 16.3% (545 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (17.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which decreased by 155 people and 1.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Murrumbidgee (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Murrumbidgee (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 Murrumbidgee (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
194
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
194
5.8%
+0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
255
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
255
7.6%
-3.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
221
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
221
6.6%
-2.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
231
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
231
6.9%
-0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
402
% of total
12.0%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
402
12.0%
+0.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
545
% of total
16.3%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
545
16.3%
-1.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
479
% of total
14.3%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
479
14.3%
-1.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
503
% of total
15.0%
Change from 2016
+3.0pp
503
15.0%
+3.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
419
% of total
12.5%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
419
12.5%
+2.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
80
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
80
2.4%
+0.5pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-22
+0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-155
-3.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-112
-2.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-36
-0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-30
+0.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-155
-1.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-107
-1.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+41
+3.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+48
+2.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+7
+0.5pp
Data table
Service age groups for Murrumbidgee (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) | 194 | 5.8% | 5.5% | 216 | 5.6% | 5.8% | -22 | +0.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 255 | 7.6% | 8.6% | 410 | 10.7% | 8.9% | -155 | -3.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 221 | 6.6% | 7.4% | 333 | 8.7% | 7.3% | -112 | -2.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 231 | 6.9% | 7.6% | 267 | 7.0% | 7.9% | -36 | -0.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 402 | 12.0% | 11.6% | 432 | 11.3% | 11.0% | -30 | +0.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 545 | 16.3% | 17.5% | 700 | 18.2% | 18.0% | -155 | -1.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 479 | 14.3% | 12.8% | 586 | 15.3% | 13.8% | -107 | -1.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 503 | 15.0% | 13.3% | 462 | 12.0% | 13.1% | +41 | +3.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 419 | 12.5% | 13.0% | 371 | 9.7% | 11.4% | +48 | +2.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 80 | 2.4% | 2.8% | 73 | 1.9% | 2.7% | +7 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 3,353 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,836 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -483 | 0.0pp |