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 Wagga Wagga (C), accounting for 17.7% (11,990 people). This share was similar to Regional NSW (17.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 1,160 people and 1.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Wagga Wagga (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Wagga Wagga (C) 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 Wagga Wagga (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
4,583
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
4,583
6.8%
+0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
6,357
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
6,357
9.4%
-0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
5,327
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
5,327
7.9%
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
7,300
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
7,300
10.8%
-0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
9,691
% of total
14.3%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
9,691
14.3%
+0.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
11,990
% of total
17.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
11,990
17.7%
-0.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
7,457
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
7,457
11.0%
-1.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
7,006
% of total
10.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
7,006
10.4%
+0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
6,345
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
6,345
9.4%
+1.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
1,571
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,571
2.3%
+0.1pp
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+378
+0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+347
-0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+340
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+478
-0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+1,082
+0.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+639
-0.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-76
-1.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+670
+0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+1,160
+1.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+197
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Wagga Wagga (C). 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) | 4,583 | 6.8% | 5.5% | 4,205 | 6.7% | 5.8% | +378 | +0.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 6,357 | 9.4% | 8.6% | 6,010 | 9.6% | 8.9% | +347 | -0.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 5,327 | 7.9% | 7.4% | 4,987 | 8.0% | 7.3% | +340 | -0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 7,300 | 10.8% | 7.6% | 6,822 | 10.9% | 7.9% | +478 | -0.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 9,691 | 14.3% | 11.6% | 8,609 | 13.8% | 11.0% | +1,082 | +0.5pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 11,990 | 17.7% | 17.5% | 11,351 | 18.2% | 18.0% | +639 | -0.5pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 7,457 | 11.0% | 12.8% | 7,533 | 12.1% | 13.8% | -76 | -1.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 7,006 | 10.4% | 13.3% | 6,336 | 10.2% | 13.1% | +670 | +0.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 6,345 | 9.4% | 13.0% | 5,185 | 8.3% | 11.4% | +1,160 | +1.1pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 1,571 | 2.3% | 2.8% | 1,374 | 2.2% | 2.7% | +197 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 67,609 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 62,385 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,224 | 0.0pp |