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 The Ponds, accounting for 32.8% (5,353 people). This share was higher than Blacktown (C) (23.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 2,022 people and 4.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
The Ponds - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for The Ponds in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Blacktown (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for The Ponds, with comparison markers for Blacktown (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
1,261
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
-4.0pp
1,261
7.7%
-4.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
2,567
% of total
15.7%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
2,567
15.7%
+1.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
1,663
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
+3.3pp
1,663
10.2%
+3.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
971
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
971
6.0%
-0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,518
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
-8.3pp
1,518
9.3%
-8.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
5,353
% of total
32.8%
Change from 2016
+4.4pp
5,353
32.8%
+4.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,265
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
1,265
7.8%
+0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
797
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
797
4.9%
-0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
781
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
781
4.8%
+2.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
146
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
146
0.9%
+0.6pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-111
-4.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+927
+1.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+856
+3.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+249
-0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-551
-8.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+2,022
+4.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+379
+0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+196
-0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+488
+2.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+116
+0.6pp
Data table
Service age groups for The Ponds. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Blacktown (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Blacktown (C)% | Count | % | Blacktown (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 1,261 | 7.7% | 7.5% | 1,372 | 11.7% | 8.0% | -111 | -4.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 2,567 | 15.7% | 10.9% | 1,640 | 14.0% | 10.8% | +927 | +1.7pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 1,663 | 10.2% | 8.0% | 807 | 6.9% | 8.2% | +856 | +3.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 971 | 6.0% | 9.1% | 722 | 6.2% | 9.5% | +249 | -0.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,518 | 9.3% | 14.9% | 2,069 | 17.6% | 15.5% | -551 | -8.3pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 5,353 | 32.8% | 23.4% | 3,331 | 28.4% | 21.7% | +2,022 | +4.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,265 | 7.8% | 10.7% | 886 | 7.6% | 11.4% | +379 | +0.2pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 797 | 4.9% | 8.2% | 601 | 5.1% | 8.4% | +196 | -0.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 781 | 4.8% | 6.2% | 293 | 2.5% | 5.4% | +488 | +2.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 146 | 0.9% | 1.1% | 30 | 0.3% | 1.1% | +116 | +0.6pp |
| Total | 16,315 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,731 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,584 | 0.0pp |