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 Roper Gulf (R), accounting for 19% (1,234 people). This share was lower than Regional NT (20.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4), which decreased by 221 people and 3.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Roper Gulf (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Roper Gulf (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NT and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Roper Gulf (R), with comparison markers for Regional NT.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
439
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
-3.3pp
439
6.8%
-3.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
727
% of total
11.2%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
727
11.2%
-2.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
630
% of total
9.7%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
630
9.7%
-1.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
948
% of total
14.6%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
948
14.6%
+2.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,160
% of total
17.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
1,160
17.9%
+0.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,234
% of total
19.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
1,234
19.0%
+0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
713
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
713
11.0%
+1.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
448
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
448
6.9%
+1.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
207
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
207
3.2%
+0.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
9
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
9
0.1%
+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)
-221
-3.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-144
-2.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-83
-1.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+186
+2.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+30
+0.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+19
+0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+93
+1.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+72
+1.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+50
+0.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+6
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Roper Gulf (R). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NT.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NT% | Count | % | Regional NT% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 439 | 6.8% | 7.3% | 660 | 10.1% | 8.3% | -221 | -3.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 727 | 11.2% | 11.0% | 871 | 13.4% | 11.5% | -144 | -2.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 630 | 9.7% | 8.5% | 713 | 11.0% | 9.0% | -83 | -1.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 948 | 14.6% | 10.4% | 762 | 11.7% | 10.5% | +186 | +2.9pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,160 | 17.9% | 18.3% | 1,130 | 17.4% | 17.5% | +30 | +0.5pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,234 | 19.0% | 20.8% | 1,215 | 18.7% | 20.8% | +19 | +0.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 713 | 11.0% | 11.7% | 620 | 9.5% | 11.9% | +93 | +1.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 448 | 6.9% | 8.0% | 376 | 5.8% | 7.2% | +72 | +1.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 207 | 3.2% | 3.8% | 157 | 2.4% | 3.0% | +50 | +0.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 9 | 0.1% | 0.4% | 3 | 0.0% | 0.3% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 6,486 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,505 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -19 | 0.0pp |