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 Unincorporated ACT, accounting for 21.7% (98,520 people). This share was similar to Australian Capital Territory (21.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 13,709 people and 0.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Unincorporated ACT - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Unincorporated ACT in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Australian Capital Territory and change since 2016.
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Unincorporated ACT, with comparison markers for Australian Capital Territory.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
26,663
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
26,663
5.9%
-0.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
40,506
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
40,506
8.9%
+0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
30,229
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
30,229
6.7%
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
45,970
% of total
10.1%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
45,970
10.1%
-0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
77,633
% of total
17.1%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
77,633
17.1%
+0.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
98,520
% of total
21.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
98,520
21.7%
+0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
50,776
% of total
11.2%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
50,776
11.2%
-0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
39,937
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
39,937
8.8%
-0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
36,486
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
36,486
8.0%
+1.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
7,176
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
7,176
1.6%
+0.1pp
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-116
-0.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+5,747
+0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+4,044
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+3,446
-0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+11,621
+0.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+13,709
+0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+4,071
-0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+3,543
-0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+9,970
+1.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+1,026
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Unincorporated ACT. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Australian Capital Territory.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Australian Capital Territory% | Count | % | Australian Capital Territory% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 26,663 | 5.9% | 5.9% | 26,779 | 6.7% | 6.7% | -116 | -0.8pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 40,506 | 8.9% | 8.9% | 34,759 | 8.8% | 8.8% | +5,747 | +0.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 30,229 | 6.7% | 6.7% | 26,185 | 6.6% | 6.6% | +4,044 | +0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 45,970 | 10.1% | 10.1% | 42,524 | 10.7% | 10.7% | +3,446 | -0.6pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 77,633 | 17.1% | 17.1% | 66,012 | 16.6% | 16.6% | +11,621 | +0.5pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 98,520 | 21.7% | 21.7% | 84,811 | 21.4% | 21.4% | +13,709 | +0.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 50,776 | 11.2% | 11.2% | 46,705 | 11.8% | 11.8% | +4,071 | -0.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 39,937 | 8.8% | 8.8% | 36,394 | 9.2% | 9.2% | +3,543 | -0.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 36,486 | 8.0% | 8.0% | 26,516 | 6.7% | 6.7% | +9,970 | +1.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 7,176 | 1.6% | 1.6% | 6,150 | 1.5% | 1.5% | +1,026 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 453,890 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 396,857 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +57,033 | 0.0pp |