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 Port Stephens (A), accounting for 16.6% (12,494 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (17.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 2,969 people and 2.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Port Stephens (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Port Stephens (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 Port Stephens (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
3,628
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
3,628
4.8%
-0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
6,270
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
6,270
8.3%
-0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
5,707
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
5,707
7.6%
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
5,224
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
5,224
6.9%
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
7,040
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
7,040
9.4%
-0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
12,494
% of total
16.6%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
12,494
16.6%
-1.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
9,834
% of total
13.1%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
9,834
13.1%
-0.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
11,146
% of total
14.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
11,146
14.8%
+0.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
12,063
% of total
16.0%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
12,063
16.0%
+2.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
1,864
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,864
2.5%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-223
-0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+116
-0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+661
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+124
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+351
-0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+280
-1.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+163
-0.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+1,095
+0.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+2,969
+2.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+177
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Port Stephens (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) | 3,628 | 4.8% | 5.5% | 3,851 | 5.5% | 5.8% | -223 | -0.7pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 6,270 | 8.3% | 8.6% | 6,154 | 8.8% | 8.9% | +116 | -0.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 5,707 | 7.6% | 7.4% | 5,046 | 7.3% | 7.3% | +661 | +0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 5,224 | 6.9% | 7.6% | 5,100 | 7.3% | 7.9% | +124 | -0.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 7,040 | 9.4% | 11.6% | 6,689 | 9.6% | 11.0% | +351 | -0.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 12,494 | 16.6% | 17.5% | 12,214 | 17.6% | 18.0% | +280 | -1.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 9,834 | 13.1% | 12.8% | 9,671 | 13.9% | 13.8% | +163 | -0.8pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 11,146 | 14.8% | 13.3% | 10,051 | 14.5% | 13.1% | +1,095 | +0.3pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 12,063 | 16.0% | 13.0% | 9,094 | 13.1% | 11.4% | +2,969 | +2.9pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 1,864 | 2.5% | 2.8% | 1,687 | 2.4% | 2.7% | +177 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 75,276 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 69,556 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,720 | 0.0pp |