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, Seniors (70 to 84) was the most common category among residents in Warrumbungle Shire (A), accounting for 17.1% (1,574 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (13%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 181 people and 2.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Warrumbungle Shire (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Warrumbungle Shire (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 Warrumbungle Shire (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
467
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
467
5.1%
+0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
703
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
703
7.6%
-1.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
716
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
716
7.8%
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
486
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
486
5.3%
-0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
859
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
859
9.3%
+1.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,300
% of total
14.1%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
1,300
14.1%
-1.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,317
% of total
14.3%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
1,317
14.3%
-0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
1,423
% of total
15.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,423
15.4%
-0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
1,574
% of total
17.1%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
1,574
17.1%
+2.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
339
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
339
3.7%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-3
+0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-148
-1.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+8
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-35
-0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+103
+1.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-168
-1.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-92
-0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-61
-0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+181
+2.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+34
+0.4pp
Data table
Service age groups for Warrumbungle 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) | 467 | 5.1% | 5.5% | 470 | 5.0% | 5.8% | -3 | +0.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 703 | 7.6% | 8.6% | 851 | 9.1% | 8.9% | -148 | -1.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 716 | 7.8% | 7.4% | 708 | 7.5% | 7.3% | +8 | +0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 486 | 5.3% | 7.6% | 521 | 5.6% | 7.9% | -35 | -0.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 859 | 9.3% | 11.6% | 756 | 8.1% | 11.0% | +103 | +1.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,300 | 14.1% | 17.5% | 1,468 | 15.6% | 18.0% | -168 | -1.5pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,317 | 14.3% | 12.8% | 1,409 | 15.0% | 13.8% | -92 | -0.7pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 1,423 | 15.4% | 13.3% | 1,484 | 15.8% | 13.1% | -61 | -0.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 1,574 | 17.1% | 13.0% | 1,393 | 14.8% | 11.4% | +181 | +2.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 339 | 3.7% | 2.8% | 305 | 3.3% | 2.7% | +34 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 9,225 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9,384 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -159 | 0.0pp |