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 Macksville, accounting for 17.2% (478 people). This share was lower than Nambucca (A) (17.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 478 people and 17.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Macksville - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Macksville in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Nambucca (A) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Macksville, with comparison markers for Nambucca (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
177
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
+6.4pp
177
6.4%
+6.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
237
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
+8.5pp
237
8.5%
+8.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
189
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
+6.8pp
189
6.8%
+6.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
174
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
+6.3pp
174
6.3%
+6.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
321
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
+11.5pp
321
11.5%
+11.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
378
% of total
13.6%
Change from 2016
+13.6pp
378
13.6%
+13.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
332
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
+11.9pp
332
11.9%
+11.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
380
% of total
13.7%
Change from 2016
+13.7pp
380
13.7%
+13.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
478
% of total
17.2%
Change from 2016
+17.2pp
478
17.2%
+17.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
139
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
+5.0pp
139
5.0%
+5.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+177
+6.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+237
+8.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+189
+6.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+174
+6.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+321
+11.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+378
+13.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+332
+11.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+380
+13.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+478
+17.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+139
+5.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Macksville. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Nambucca (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Nambucca (A)% | Count | % | Nambucca (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 177 | 6.4% | 4.8% | 0 | 0.0% | 4.8% | +177 | +6.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 237 | 8.5% | 7.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 8.1% | +237 | +8.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 189 | 6.8% | 7.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 7.0% | +189 | +6.8pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 174 | 6.3% | 5.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 5.7% | +174 | +6.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 321 | 11.5% | 8.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 7.6% | +321 | +11.5pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 378 | 13.6% | 14.5% | 0 | 0.0% | 14.4% | +378 | +13.6pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 332 | 11.9% | 13.5% | 0 | 0.0% | 15.9% | +332 | +11.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 380 | 13.7% | 18.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 17.4% | +380 | +13.7pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 478 | 17.2% | 17.7% | 0 | 0.0% | 15.2% | +478 | +17.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 139 | 5.0% | 3.5% | 0 | 0.0% | 3.7% | +139 | +5.0pp |
| Total | 2,782 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,778 | 0.0pp |