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 Scotts Head, accounting for 23.2% (229 people). This share was higher than Nambucca (A) (18.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which decreased by 432 people and 0.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Scotts Head - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Scotts Head in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Nambucca (A) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Scotts Head, with comparison markers for Nambucca (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
52
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
52
5.3%
-3.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
78
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-4.6pp
78
7.9%
-4.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
71
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
71
7.2%
-3.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
24
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-8.4pp
24
2.4%
-8.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
67
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
-6.2pp
67
6.8%
-6.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
168
% of total
17.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
168
17.0%
-0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
121
% of total
12.3%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
121
12.3%
+1.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
229
% of total
23.2%
Change from 2016
+12.4pp
229
23.2%
+12.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
164
% of total
16.6%
Change from 2016
+11.2pp
164
16.6%
+11.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
26
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
26
2.6%
+2.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-237
-3.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-355
-4.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-289
-3.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-351
-8.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-385
-6.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-432
-0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-251
+1.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-144
+12.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
-23
+11.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+7
+2.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Scotts Head. 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) | 52 | 5.3% | 4.8% | 289 | 8.3% | 4.8% | -237 | -3.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 78 | 7.9% | 7.2% | 433 | 12.5% | 8.1% | -355 | -4.6pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 71 | 7.2% | 7.3% | 360 | 10.4% | 7.0% | -289 | -3.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 24 | 2.4% | 5.2% | 375 | 10.8% | 5.7% | -351 | -8.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 67 | 6.8% | 8.2% | 452 | 13.0% | 7.6% | -385 | -6.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 168 | 17.0% | 14.5% | 600 | 17.3% | 14.4% | -432 | -0.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 121 | 12.3% | 13.5% | 372 | 10.7% | 15.9% | -251 | +1.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 229 | 23.2% | 18.2% | 373 | 10.8% | 17.4% | -144 | +12.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 164 | 16.6% | 17.7% | 187 | 5.4% | 15.2% | -23 | +11.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 26 | 2.6% | 3.5% | 19 | 0.5% | 3.7% | +7 | +2.1pp |
| Total | 986 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,467 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -2,481 | 0.0pp |