MidCoast Council area
Service age groups
In 2021, the MidCoast Council area had lower proportion of children (under 18) and a higher proportion of persons aged 60 or older than Wingham and surrounds.
The Age Structure of the MidCoast Council area provides key insights into the level of demand for age based services and facilities such as child care. It is an indicator of the MidCoast Council area's residential role and function and how it is likely to change in the future.
Service age groups divide the population into age categories that reflect typical life-stages. They indicate the level of demand for services that target people at different stages in life and how that demand is changing.
To get a more complete picture the MidCoast Council area's Age Structure should be viewed in conjunction with Household Types and Dwelling Types.
Derived from the Census question:
'What is the person's date of birth or age?'
Total population
| Age structure - Service age groups | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MidCoast Council area - Total persons (Enumerated) | 2021 | 1996 | Change | ||||||
| Service age group (years) | Number | % | Wingham and surrounds % | Number | % | Wingham and surrounds % | 1996 to 2021 | ||
 Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 3,977 | 4.1 | 4.6 | 5,116 | 6.8 | -- | -1,139 | 1000 | 1000 |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 7,009 | 7.2 | 8.1 | 8,040 | 10.7 | -- | -1,031 | 1001 | 1000 |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 6,424 | 6.6 | 7.7 | 6,372 | 8.5 | -- | +52 | 1002 | 1000 |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 5,270 | 5.4 | 6.1 | 4,465 | 5.9 | -- | +805 | 1003 | 1000 |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 7,743 | 7.9 | 9.1 | 8,065 | 10.7 | -- | -322 | 1004 | 1000 |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 13,713 | 14.1 | 14.6 | 15,353 | 20.4 | -- | -1,640 | 1005 | 1000 |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 12,890 | 13.2 | 15.0 | 8,699 | 11.6 | -- | +4,191 | 1006 | 1000 |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 17,261 | 17.7 | 16.8 | 9,265 | 12.3 | -- | +7,996 | 1007 | 1000 |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 19,234 | 19.7 | 15.4 | 8,798 | 11.7 | -- | +10,436 | 1008 | 1000 |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 3,884 | 4.0 | 2.6 | 1,020 | 1.4 | -- | +2,864 | 1009 | 1000 |
| Total | 97,405 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 75,193 | 100.0 | -- | +22,212 | ||
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing (opens a new window) 1996 and 2021. Compiled and presented by .id (opens a new window)(informed decisions).
(Enumerated data)
Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).
Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).
Dominant groups
Analysis of the service age groups of the MidCoast Council area in 2021 compared to Wingham and surrounds shows that there was a lower proportion of people in the younger age groups (0 to 17 years) and a higher proportion of people in the older age groups (60+ years).
Overall, 17.9% of the population was aged between 0 and 17, and 41.5% were aged 60 years and over, compared with 20.4% and 34.7% respectively for Wingham and surrounds.
The major differences between the age structure of the MidCoast Council area and Wingham and surrounds were:
- A larger percentage of 'Seniors' (19.7% compared to 15.4%)
- A larger percentage of 'Frail aged' (4.0% compared to 2.6%)
- A smaller percentage of 'Older workers & pre-retirees' (13.2% compared to 15.0%)
- A smaller percentage of 'Young workforce' (7.9% compared to 9.1%)
Emerging groups
From 1996 to 2021, MidCoast Council area's population increased by 22,212 people (29.5%). This represents an average annual population change of 1.04% per year over the period.
The largest changes in the age structure in this area between 1996 and 2021 were in the age groups:
- Seniors (70 to 84) (+10,436 people)
- Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) (+7,996 people)
- Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) (+4,191 people)
- Elderly aged (85 and over) (+2,864 people)