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 Riverstone, accounting for 22.3% (1,921 people). This share was lower than Blacktown (C) (23.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 1,914 people and 8.8 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Riverstone - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Riverstone in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Blacktown (C) and change since 2016.

Age structure - Service age groups snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Riverstone, with comparison markers for Blacktown (C).

Riverstone
Blacktown (C)

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

822

% of total

9.5%

Change from 2016

+3.7pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

937

% of total

10.9%

Change from 2016

-6.4pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

631

% of total

7.3%

Change from 2016

+7.3pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

765

% of total

8.9%

Change from 2016

+8.9pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

1,556

% of total

18.0%

Change from 2016

+18.0pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

1,921

% of total

22.3%

Change from 2016

+8.8pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

850

% of total

9.9%

Change from 2016

+4.1pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

609

% of total

7.1%

Change from 2016

-4.4pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

481

% of total

5.6%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

85

% of total

1.0%

Change from 2016

-4.8pp

Data table

Service age groups for Riverstone. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Blacktown (C).

Service age groups for Riverstone. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Blacktown (C).
Service age groups for Riverstone. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Blacktown (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Blacktown (C)%Count%Blacktown (C)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)8229.5%7.5%35.8%8.0%+819+3.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)93710.9%10.9%917.3%10.8%+928-6.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)6317.3%8.0%00.0%8.2%+631+7.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)7658.9%9.1%00.0%9.5%+765+8.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)1,55618.0%14.9%00.0%15.5%+1,556+18.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)1,92122.3%23.4%713.5%21.7%+1,914+8.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)8509.9%10.7%35.8%11.4%+847+4.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)6097.1%8.2%611.5%8.4%+603-4.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)4815.6%6.2%35.8%5.4%+478-0.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)851.0%1.1%35.8%1.1%+82-4.8pp
Total8,627100.0%100.0%52100.0%100.0%+8,5750.0pp