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.

Key insight

In 2021, Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) was the most common category among residents in Warrell Creek, accounting for 22.3% (59 people). This share was higher than Nambucca (A) (18.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Secondary schoolers (12 to 17), which increased by 12 people and 4.4 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Warrell Creek - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Warrell Creek in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Nambucca (A) and change since 2016.

Age structure - Service age groups change

Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.

2016
2021

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

-11

-4.4pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

-4

-1.9pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

+12

+4.4pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

-4

-1.7pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

+8

+2.8pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

-10

-4.4pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

-5

-2.4pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

-3

-2.0pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

+8

+2.6pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

-3

-1.3pp

Data table

Service age groups for Warrell Creek. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Nambucca (A).

Service age groups for Warrell Creek. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Nambucca (A).
Service age groups for Warrell Creek. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Nambucca (A).
Category20212016Change
Count%Nambucca (A)%Count%Nambucca (A)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)103.8%4.8%218.2%4.8%-11-4.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)228.3%7.2%2610.2%8.1%-4-1.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)228.3%7.3%103.9%7.0%+12+4.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)83.0%5.2%124.7%5.7%-4-1.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)249.1%8.2%166.3%7.6%+8+2.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)2910.9%14.5%3915.3%14.4%-10-4.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)259.4%13.5%3011.8%15.9%-5-2.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)5922.3%18.2%6224.3%17.4%-3-2.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)4015.1%17.7%3212.5%15.2%+8+2.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)31.1%3.5%62.4%3.7%-3-1.3pp
Total265100.0%100.0%255100.0%100.0%+100.0pp