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 Tamworth Regional (A), accounting for 17.5% (11,047 people). This share was similar to Regional NSW (17.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 1,101 people and 1.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Tamworth Regional (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Tamworth Regional (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 Tamworth Regional (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
3,833
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
3,833
6.1%
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
6,127
% of total
9.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
6,127
9.7%
0.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
5,389
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
5,389
8.5%
+0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
4,757
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
4,757
7.5%
-0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
7,999
% of total
12.7%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
7,999
12.7%
+0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
11,047
% of total
17.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
11,047
17.5%
-0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
7,562
% of total
12.0%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
7,562
12.0%
-1.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
7,353
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
7,353
11.7%
-0.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
7,401
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
7,401
11.7%
+1.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
1,580
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,580
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)
-76
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+354
0.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+538
+0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+219
-0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+808
+0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+338
-0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-232
-1.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+180
-0.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+1,101
+1.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+137
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Tamworth Regional (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) | 3,833 | 6.1% | 5.5% | 3,909 | 6.6% | 5.8% | -76 | -0.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 6,127 | 9.7% | 8.6% | 5,773 | 9.7% | 8.9% | +354 | 0.0pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 5,389 | 8.5% | 7.4% | 4,851 | 8.1% | 7.3% | +538 | +0.4pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 4,757 | 7.5% | 7.6% | 4,538 | 7.6% | 7.9% | +219 | -0.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 7,999 | 12.7% | 11.6% | 7,191 | 12.1% | 11.0% | +808 | +0.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 11,047 | 17.5% | 17.5% | 10,709 | 17.9% | 18.0% | +338 | -0.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 7,562 | 12.0% | 12.8% | 7,794 | 13.1% | 13.8% | -232 | -1.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 7,353 | 11.7% | 13.3% | 7,173 | 12.0% | 13.1% | +180 | -0.3pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 7,401 | 11.7% | 13.0% | 6,300 | 10.6% | 11.4% | +1,101 | +1.1pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 1,580 | 2.5% | 2.8% | 1,443 | 2.4% | 2.7% | +137 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 63,070 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 59,663 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,407 | 0.0pp |