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.

Key insight

In 2021, Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) was the most common category among residents in West Arnhem (R), accounting for 20.7% (1,300 people). This share was similar to Regional NT (20.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4), which decreased by 175 people and 3 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

West Arnhem (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for West Arnhem (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NT and change since 2016.

Age structure - Service age groups snapshot

2021 distribution by category for West Arnhem (R), with comparison markers for Regional NT.

West Arnhem (R)
Regional NT

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

447

% of total

7.1%

Change from 2016

-3.0pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

769

% of total

12.2%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

586

% of total

9.3%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

858

% of total

13.7%

Change from 2016

+1.7pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

1,242

% of total

19.8%

Change from 2016

+1.8pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

1,300

% of total

20.7%

Change from 2016

-2.3pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

664

% of total

10.6%

Change from 2016

+0.7pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

322

% of total

5.1%

Change from 2016

+0.9pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

90

% of total

1.4%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

4

% of total

0.1%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Data table

Service age groups for West Arnhem (R). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NT.

Service age groups for West Arnhem (R). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NT.
Service age groups for West Arnhem (R). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NT.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional NT%Count%Regional NT%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)4477.1%7.3%62210.1%8.3%-175-3.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)76912.2%11.0%73111.8%11.5%+38+0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)5869.3%8.5%5919.6%9.0%-5-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)85813.7%10.4%74112.0%10.5%+117+1.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)1,24219.8%18.3%1,11218.0%17.5%+130+1.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)1,30020.7%20.8%1,42523.0%20.8%-125-2.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)66410.6%11.7%6119.9%11.9%+53+0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)3225.1%8.0%2614.2%7.2%+61+0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)901.4%3.8%791.3%3.0%+11+0.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)40.1%0.4%120.2%0.3%-8-0.1pp
Total6,281100.0%100.0%6,188100.0%100.0%+930.0pp