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 Valla Beach, accounting for 21.6% (315 people). This share was higher than Nambucca (A) (17.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 97 people and 5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Valla Beach - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Valla Beach in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Nambucca (A) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Valla Beach, with comparison markers for Nambucca (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
68
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
68
4.7%
-0.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
92
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
92
6.3%
-0.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
88
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
88
6.0%
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
57
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
57
3.9%
+0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
133
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
133
9.1%
-1.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
191
% of total
13.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
191
13.1%
-0.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
199
% of total
13.7%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
199
13.7%
-2.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
296
% of total
20.3%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
296
20.3%
+1.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
315
% of total
21.6%
Change from 2016
+5.0pp
315
21.6%
+5.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
29
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
29
2.0%
+0.6pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-2
-0.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+2
-0.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+8
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+8
+0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-1
-1.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+17
-0.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-15
-2.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+42
+1.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+97
+5.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+10
+0.6pp
Data table
Service age groups for Valla Beach. 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) | 68 | 4.7% | 4.8% | 70 | 5.3% | 4.8% | -2 | -0.6pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 92 | 6.3% | 7.2% | 90 | 6.9% | 8.1% | +2 | -0.6pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 88 | 6.0% | 7.3% | 80 | 6.1% | 7.0% | +8 | -0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 57 | 3.9% | 5.2% | 49 | 3.7% | 5.7% | +8 | +0.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 133 | 9.1% | 8.2% | 134 | 10.2% | 7.6% | -1 | -1.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 191 | 13.1% | 14.5% | 174 | 13.3% | 14.4% | +17 | -0.2pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 199 | 13.7% | 13.5% | 214 | 16.3% | 15.9% | -15 | -2.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 296 | 20.3% | 18.2% | 254 | 19.3% | 17.4% | +42 | +1.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 315 | 21.6% | 17.7% | 218 | 16.6% | 15.2% | +97 | +5.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 29 | 2.0% | 3.5% | 19 | 1.4% | 3.7% | +10 | +0.6pp |
| Total | 1,455 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,313 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +142 | 0.0pp |