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, Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) was the most common category among residents in Parkes (A), accounting for 16.4% (2,360 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (17.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59), which decreased by 193 people and 1.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Parkes (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Parkes (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Parkes (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
901
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
901
6.3%
-0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
1,396
% of total
9.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,396
9.7%
-0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
1,203
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
1,203
8.4%
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
1,092
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
1,092
7.6%
-0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,623
% of total
11.3%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
1,623
11.3%
+0.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
2,360
% of total
16.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
2,360
16.4%
-0.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,811
% of total
12.6%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
1,811
12.6%
-1.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
1,803
% of total
12.6%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
1,803
12.6%
+0.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
1,705
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
1,705
11.9%
+0.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
435
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
435
3.0%
0.0pp
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-37
-0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-64
-0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+27
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-110
-0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+74
+0.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-108
-0.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-193
-1.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+45
+0.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+73
+0.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-3
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Parkes (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) | 901 | 6.3% | 5.5% | 938 | 6.4% | 5.8% | -37 | -0.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 1,396 | 9.7% | 8.6% | 1,460 | 10.0% | 8.9% | -64 | -0.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 1,203 | 8.4% | 7.4% | 1,176 | 8.1% | 7.3% | +27 | +0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 1,092 | 7.6% | 7.6% | 1,202 | 8.2% | 7.9% | -110 | -0.6pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,623 | 11.3% | 11.6% | 1,549 | 10.6% | 11.0% | +74 | +0.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 2,360 | 16.4% | 17.5% | 2,468 | 16.9% | 18.0% | -108 | -0.5pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,811 | 12.6% | 12.8% | 2,004 | 13.7% | 13.8% | -193 | -1.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 1,803 | 12.6% | 13.3% | 1,758 | 12.0% | 13.1% | +45 | +0.6pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 1,705 | 11.9% | 13.0% | 1,632 | 11.2% | 11.4% | +73 | +0.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 435 | 3.0% | 2.8% | 438 | 3.0% | 2.7% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 14,361 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,608 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -247 | 0.0pp |