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 Tolga, accounting for 18.5% (588 people). This share was higher than Tablelands (R) (15.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 588 people and 18.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Tolga - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Tolga in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Tablelands (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Tolga, with comparison markers for Tablelands (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
142
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
+4.5pp
142
4.5%
+4.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
307
% of total
9.7%
Change from 2016
+9.7pp
307
9.7%
+9.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
259
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
+8.2pp
259
8.2%
+8.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
175
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
+5.5pp
175
5.5%
+5.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
367
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
+11.6pp
367
11.6%
+11.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
588
% of total
18.5%
Change from 2016
+18.5pp
588
18.5%
+18.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
413
% of total
13.0%
Change from 2016
+13.0pp
413
13.0%
+13.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
456
% of total
14.4%
Change from 2016
+14.4pp
456
14.4%
+14.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
445
% of total
14.0%
Change from 2016
+14.0pp
445
14.0%
+14.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
54
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
54
1.7%
+1.7pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+142
+4.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+307
+9.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+259
+8.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+175
+5.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+367
+11.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+588
+18.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+413
+13.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+456
+14.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+445
+14.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+54
+1.7pp
Data table
Service age groups for Tolga. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Tablelands (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Tablelands (R)% | Count | % | Tablelands (R)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 142 | 4.5% | 4.1% | 0 | 0.0% | 5.3% | +142 | +4.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 307 | 9.7% | 8.5% | 0 | 0.0% | 9.2% | +307 | +9.7pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 259 | 8.2% | 8.5% | 0 | 0.0% | 7.6% | +259 | +8.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 175 | 5.5% | 5.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 5.9% | +175 | +5.5pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 367 | 11.6% | 8.9% | 0 | 0.0% | 8.3% | +367 | +11.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 588 | 18.5% | 15.8% | 0 | 0.0% | 16.7% | +588 | +18.5pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 413 | 13.0% | 14.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 15.3% | +413 | +13.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 456 | 14.4% | 16.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 15.8% | +456 | +14.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 445 | 14.0% | 15.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 13.3% | +445 | +14.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 54 | 1.7% | 2.7% | 0 | 0.0% | 2.5% | +54 | +1.7pp |
| Total | 3,177 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,168 | 0.0pp |