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, Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) was the most common category among residents in Upper Lachlan Shire (A), accounting for 16.1% (1,375 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (12.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 245 people and 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Upper Lachlan Shire (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Upper Lachlan Shire (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Upper Lachlan Shire (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
471
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
471
5.5%
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
678
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
678
8.0%
-0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
555
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
555
6.5%
-0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
481
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
481
5.6%
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
716
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
716
8.4%
+0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,363
% of total
16.0%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
1,363
16.0%
-0.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,375
% of total
16.1%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
1,375
16.1%
-0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
1,364
% of total
16.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,364
16.0%
+0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
1,266
% of total
14.9%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
1,266
14.9%
+1.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
225
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
225
2.6%
+0.3pp
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+20
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+51
-0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+6
-0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+17
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+88
+0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+60
-0.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+88
-0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+167
+0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+245
+1.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+48
+0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Upper Lachlan Shire (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) | 471 | 5.5% | 5.5% | 451 | 5.9% | 5.8% | +20 | -0.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 678 | 8.0% | 8.6% | 627 | 8.1% | 8.9% | +51 | -0.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 555 | 6.5% | 7.4% | 549 | 7.1% | 7.3% | +6 | -0.6pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 481 | 5.6% | 7.6% | 464 | 6.0% | 7.9% | +17 | -0.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 716 | 8.4% | 11.6% | 628 | 8.2% | 11.0% | +88 | +0.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,363 | 16.0% | 17.5% | 1,303 | 16.9% | 18.0% | +60 | -0.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,375 | 16.1% | 12.8% | 1,287 | 16.7% | 13.8% | +88 | -0.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 1,364 | 16.0% | 13.3% | 1,197 | 15.6% | 13.1% | +167 | +0.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 1,266 | 14.9% | 13.0% | 1,021 | 13.3% | 11.4% | +245 | +1.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 225 | 2.6% | 2.8% | 177 | 2.3% | 2.7% | +48 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 8,514 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,695 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +819 | 0.0pp |