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 Nambucca Heads, accounting for 22.3% (1,490 people). This share was higher than Nambucca (A) (17.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 202 people and 1.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Nambucca Heads - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Nambucca Heads in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Nambucca (A) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Nambucca Heads, with comparison markers for Nambucca (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
279
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
279
4.2%
-0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
415
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
415
6.2%
-0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
403
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
403
6.0%
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
342
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
342
5.1%
-0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
493
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
493
7.4%
+0.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
852
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
852
12.8%
+0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
788
% of total
11.8%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
788
11.8%
-2.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
1,255
% of total
18.8%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
1,255
18.8%
+0.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
1,490
% of total
22.3%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
1,490
22.3%
+1.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
379
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
379
5.7%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+3
-0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+4
-0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+43
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+16
-0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+43
+0.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+86
+0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-108
-2.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+103
+0.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+202
+1.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-3
-0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Nambucca Heads. 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) | 279 | 4.2% | 4.8% | 276 | 4.4% | 4.8% | +3 | -0.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 415 | 6.2% | 7.2% | 411 | 6.5% | 8.1% | +4 | -0.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 403 | 6.0% | 7.3% | 360 | 5.7% | 7.0% | +43 | +0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 342 | 5.1% | 5.2% | 326 | 5.2% | 5.7% | +16 | -0.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 493 | 7.4% | 8.2% | 450 | 7.1% | 7.6% | +43 | +0.3pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 852 | 12.8% | 14.5% | 766 | 12.1% | 14.4% | +86 | +0.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 788 | 11.8% | 13.5% | 896 | 14.2% | 15.9% | -108 | -2.4pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 1,255 | 18.8% | 18.2% | 1,152 | 18.2% | 17.4% | +103 | +0.6pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 1,490 | 22.3% | 17.7% | 1,288 | 20.4% | 15.2% | +202 | +1.9pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 379 | 5.7% | 3.5% | 382 | 6.0% | 3.7% | -3 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 6,675 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,327 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +348 | 0.0pp |