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 NT, accounting for 25.3% (1,723 people). This share was higher than Regional NT (20.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which decreased by 162 people and 2.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Unincorporated NT - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Unincorporated NT in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NT and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Unincorporated NT, with comparison markers for Regional NT.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
434
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
434
6.4%
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
779
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
779
11.5%
+1.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
460
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
460
6.8%
+0.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
501
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
501
7.4%
-1.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,143
% of total
16.8%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
1,143
16.8%
-2.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,723
% of total
25.3%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
1,723
25.3%
+1.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
888
% of total
13.1%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
888
13.1%
-1.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
577
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
577
8.5%
-0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
261
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
261
3.8%
+1.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
7
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
7
0.1%
0.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-45
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+66
+1.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+41
+0.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-77
-1.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-162
-2.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+43
+1.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-108
-1.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-16
-0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+102
+1.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-1
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Unincorporated NT. 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) | 434 | 6.4% | 7.3% | 479 | 6.9% | 8.3% | -45 | -0.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 779 | 11.5% | 11.0% | 713 | 10.3% | 11.5% | +66 | +1.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 460 | 6.8% | 8.5% | 419 | 6.1% | 9.0% | +41 | +0.7pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 501 | 7.4% | 10.4% | 578 | 8.4% | 10.5% | -77 | -1.0pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,143 | 16.8% | 18.3% | 1,305 | 18.9% | 17.5% | -162 | -2.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,723 | 25.3% | 20.8% | 1,680 | 24.3% | 20.8% | +43 | +1.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 888 | 13.1% | 11.7% | 996 | 14.4% | 11.9% | -108 | -1.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 577 | 8.5% | 8.0% | 593 | 8.6% | 7.2% | -16 | -0.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 261 | 3.8% | 3.8% | 159 | 2.3% | 3.0% | +102 | +1.5pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 7 | 0.1% | 0.4% | 8 | 0.1% | 0.3% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 6,802 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,907 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -105 | 0.0pp |