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 Whalan, accounting for 18.1% (1,073 people). This share was lower than Blacktown (C) (23.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24), which decreased by 73 people and 1.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Whalan - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Whalan in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Blacktown (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Whalan, with comparison markers for Blacktown (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
452
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
452
7.6%
+0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
674
% of total
11.4%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
674
11.4%
-0.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
604
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
604
10.2%
+0.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
526
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
526
8.9%
-1.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
730
% of total
12.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
730
12.3%
-0.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,073
% of total
18.1%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
1,073
18.1%
+1.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
707
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
707
11.9%
+0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
553
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
553
9.3%
-0.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
557
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
557
9.4%
+0.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
66
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
66
1.1%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+38
+0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-42
-0.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+45
+0.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-73
-1.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-26
-0.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+50
+1.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+9
+0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-44
-0.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+13
+0.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+18
+0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Whalan. 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) | 452 | 7.6% | 7.5% | 414 | 6.9% | 8.0% | +38 | +0.7pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 674 | 11.4% | 10.9% | 716 | 12.0% | 10.8% | -42 | -0.6pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 604 | 10.2% | 8.0% | 559 | 9.4% | 8.2% | +45 | +0.8pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 526 | 8.9% | 9.1% | 599 | 10.0% | 9.5% | -73 | -1.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 730 | 12.3% | 14.9% | 756 | 12.7% | 15.5% | -26 | -0.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,073 | 18.1% | 23.4% | 1,023 | 17.1% | 21.7% | +50 | +1.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 707 | 11.9% | 10.7% | 698 | 11.7% | 11.4% | +9 | +0.2pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 553 | 9.3% | 8.2% | 597 | 10.0% | 8.4% | -44 | -0.7pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 557 | 9.4% | 6.2% | 544 | 9.1% | 5.4% | +13 | +0.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 66 | 1.1% | 1.1% | 48 | 0.8% | 1.1% | +18 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 5,929 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,973 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -44 | 0.0pp |