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, Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) was the most common category among residents in Nambucca (A), accounting for 18.2% (3,713 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (13.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 695 people and 2.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Nambucca (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Nambucca (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 Nambucca (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
980
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
980
4.8%
0.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
1,471
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
1,471
7.2%
-0.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
1,480
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
1,480
7.3%
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
1,055
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
1,055
5.2%
-0.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,673
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
1,673
8.2%
+0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
2,958
% of total
14.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
2,958
14.5%
+0.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
2,763
% of total
13.5%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
2,763
13.5%
-2.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
3,713
% of total
18.2%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
3,713
18.2%
+0.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
3,615
% of total
17.7%
Change from 2016
+2.5pp
3,615
17.7%
+2.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
721
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
721
3.5%
-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)
+59
0.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-93
-0.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+126
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-41
-0.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+213
+0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+189
+0.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-287
-2.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+361
+0.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+695
+2.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+17
-0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Nambucca (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) | 980 | 4.8% | 5.5% | 921 | 4.8% | 5.8% | +59 | 0.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 1,471 | 7.2% | 8.6% | 1,564 | 8.1% | 8.9% | -93 | -0.9pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 1,480 | 7.3% | 7.4% | 1,354 | 7.0% | 7.3% | +126 | +0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 1,055 | 5.2% | 7.6% | 1,096 | 5.7% | 7.9% | -41 | -0.5pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,673 | 8.2% | 11.6% | 1,460 | 7.6% | 11.0% | +213 | +0.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 2,958 | 14.5% | 17.5% | 2,769 | 14.4% | 18.0% | +189 | +0.1pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 2,763 | 13.5% | 12.8% | 3,050 | 15.9% | 13.8% | -287 | -2.4pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 3,713 | 18.2% | 13.3% | 3,352 | 17.4% | 13.1% | +361 | +0.8pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 3,615 | 17.7% | 13.0% | 2,920 | 15.2% | 11.4% | +695 | +2.5pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 721 | 3.5% | 2.8% | 704 | 3.7% | 2.7% | +17 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 20,407 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 19,212 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,195 | 0.0pp |